Thursday, January 22, 2009

New York Senate Seat – No Dynasty - Caroline Kennedy Bows Out

Politico.com is reporting that Caroline Kennedy has removed her bid for the New York Senate seat left vacant by Hillary Clinton's confirmation as Secretary of State. Citing personal reasons, Kennedy withdrew herself from consideration by email on Thursday. Apparently, her bid for the seat was promoted by President Obama’s aids, noting that both Caroline and Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama early on in the primary, were seen as critical to his candidacy. Politico sees Kennedy’s withdrawal in terms of national politics: ”her withdrawal is an early sign of the limits of the White House's power, at least over New York’s unpredictable governor, who will appoint a senator to replace Clinton.”.
That said there was the backlash from the citizens of New York, as well as many in the Democrat Party, who were vocal when it came to anointing another member of the Kennedy political dynasty. Governor Patterson may have been mindful that he is up for re-election in 2010.

Patterson has begun the vetting process for Democrats, Byron Brown, Mayor of Buffalo, and Kristen Gilibrand and Carolyn Maloney, both Congressional Representatives. Whoever is chosen by Patterson to fill the vacant seat will also be required to run for office in 2010. It is not without some interest that Maloney is reportedly receiving flack from constituents over the pending stimulus bill, the passage of which and the results, should they be less than touted by a White House and Congress in concert, may shorten her (or any Democrat running in 2010) Senate career.

1 comment:

Chuck said...

I've gotta say, I was surprised. I really thought she was the one (not to be mistaken for The One)


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