Caroline Kennedy source calls tax reports "BS" and spokesman says they're false.

[ProSense]

The New York Times has an article suggesting plenty of tension between Gov. David Paterson's camp and Caroline Kennedy's, a day after Caroline surprised the political world by withdrawing her name from consideration for filling Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.

Per the Times, "Problems involving taxes and a household employee surfaced during the vetting of Caroline Kennedy and derailed her candidacy for the Senate, a person close to Gov. David A. Paterson said on Thursday."

More: "The person close to the governor said Mr. Paterson 'never had any intention of picking Kennedy' because he had come to consider her unready for the job." Ouch.

Seeking reaction to the Times piece, a Caroline source told First Read those revelations were "B.S." coming from the governor's office.

In addition, a Caroline spokesman sent NBC's Kelly O'Donnell this statement: "Caroline Kennedy withdrew her name for consideration from the United States Senate for personal reasons. Any statements to the contrary are false. The governor set up a fair and deliberative selection process. This kind of mudslinging demeans that process and all those involved."

Paterson's office has released its own statement, possibly seeking to extinguish some of this tension. "Last night Caroline Kennedy informed the governor that she was withdrawing her name from consideration for an appointment to the United States Senate for personal reasons. This decision was hers alone," the statement reads. "The governor had a private conversation with Ms. Kennedy yesterday afternoon. Out of respect for her decision making process, the governor’s Office did not respond to any inquiries in order to allow her time to deliberate. The governor considers Caroline a friend and knows she will continue to serve New York well inside or outside of government. We wish her well in all her future endeavors."

Paterson's office also has announced that the governor will make his pick tomorrow at noon ET.

link

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. which means they are true

then

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Not to change the subject, but what's that red message in the text?

[gauguin57]

4. It's part of the DU name-change amnesty ... shows you who they used to be

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Skinner/300

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Thanks - the spelling is what caught my eye - "formally" or "formerly"

Just wonderin'...........

[bottomtheweaver]

3. Geitner just got confirmed after apologizing for "mistakes"

like cheating on his taxes. I doubt seriously if Caorline's taxes have anything to do with this decision, and it seems pretty likey to me that it was Paterson's.

[Cha]

7. Too bad about

Caroline dropping out but whatever the reason I wish her the best.

We'll see what happens since.

[smalll]

6. So what are we supposed to think now? That it WAS because she's boinking a Sulzberger? /nt