Caroline Kennedy withdraws from race for NY Senate seat

[mccafferty cat]

CNN.com

In a one-line statement citing personal reasons, the widely considered front-runner said Thursday she told New York Gov. David Paterson a day earlier that she was no longer interested in the job.

"I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate."

This withdrawal is particularly humiliating, and shows that there is some justice left in US politics. This woman thought she could cruise into the US Senate solely on the back of her friendship with Obama, her famous father and uncle, despite her complete lack of political experience of any kind.

Polling had showed a lukewarm response among NY voters, who favoured home-grown NY attorney general, Andrew Cuomo

[Clanrickard]

CNN.com

This withdrawal is particularly humiliating, and shows that there is some justice left in US politics. This woman thought she could cruise into the US Senate solely on the back of her friendship with Obama, her famous father and uncle, despite her complete lack of political experience of any kind.

Polling had showed a lukewarm response among NY voters, who favoured home-grown NY attorney general, Andrew Cuomo

Who by the way is also cruising into the Senate on the back of a famous father. Justice?

[antagoniser]

You know, I just feel that, you know, I can serve outside the senate, you know, the same as if I were in the senate, you know?

[fiannafuddy]

Is it possibly due to an imminent retirement in Massachusetts due to ill health that may need a person to fill?

[mccafferty cat]

Who by the way is also cruising into the Senate on the back of a famous father. Justice?

In fairness, Cuomo has had a distinguished political career in his own right. He was Secretary for Housing in Bill Clinton's second cabinet, and has been AG for New York since 2006. He also bowed out of the 2000 Senate race, in favour of Hilary Clinton. (It was a good thing that he did, because the carnage and body-count of that campaign gave us politicos a lot to pour over ever since!)

Caroline Kennedy, on the other hand, has no political experience whatsoever.

[caminoed]

Is it possibly due to an imminent retirement in Massachusetts due to ill health that may need a person to fill?

Same thought crossed my mind. and a massachusetts senate seat for a kennedy would be a seat for life, whereas keeping the new york seat would be a much tougher task. however, i think it would not be credible at this point. to be honest, i think it is a case of her not liking her first taste of the rough and tumble of politics. the public generally didn't welcome here with the open arms she had hoped for. pity really i think she would have been a good senator. but u gotta be able for the rough and tumble, she ran at the first sight of trouble... say what you want about hillary, but she has taken all our knock downs and got straight back up fighting...

[mccafferty cat]

Also, her media performances were absolutely pathetic. She could barely maintain herself through the most basic questioning.

So imagine how badly she would fold in the special election in 2 years time, when the republicans will want to take a high-profile scalp, and put up a vicious campaign like Rick Lazio did against Clinton in 2000 ?

[FutureTaoiseach]

If Hillary is not replaced by a woman, Patterson will no doubt be accused by the feminists of 'sexism', just as Larry Summers' earlier possible appointment as Treasury Secretary was (over alleged remarks made in the past). On the other hand, there have been Republican senators there in the not too distant past (remember Alphonse d'Amato) and some polls have shown a remarkably close race between her and Peter King, one of only 3 Republican Congressmen/women left in NY (out of over 30 Congressmen/women), and they also show Cuomo would easily beat him, so on balance I think AG Andrew Cuomo will be Patterson's pick. Might make Ted Kennedy put back any potential retirement plans until another Kennedy can fill his shoes in the Senate.

[The Earl of Desmond]

Hardly surprising when Edward Kennedy is coming to the end of his life or will retire so there'll be a vacancy in Mass. She should never have stood for the NYC seat and just waited for the Mass one but then again I suppose by airing her intention on NYC she put down a marker for Mass and learn some lessons in the process.

But I suspect there are other more qualified Kennedy's who will claim the Mass opportunity.

[mccafferty cat]

but then again I suppose by airing her intention on NYC she put down a marker for Mass and learn some lessons in the process

The problem is, she had greatly damaged herself with this NYC run. Her credibility has taken a hammering because of it.

If she had just politely declined the speculation, and taken up some poncey teddy-bear-hugging job under Obama, she would still be in poll-position for Mass. when Teddy "Chappaquiddick" Kennedy kicks the bucket