Another Senator Kennedy?

The buzz that Caroline Kennedy might be on the list as successor to Hillary Clinton’s NY Senate seat is certainly intriguing. Her late uncle Robert F. Kennedy held the seat, and, of course, uncle Ted serves in the same chamber. NY Governor David Patterson has to appoint someone to take Hillary’s place. ABC News’s Jonathan Karl reported today that Kennedy and Paterson have talked about the opening and cited “sources” who insist she is seriously considering it.

One odd part about these reports is the fact that Caroline Kennedy is an extremely private person who has never expressed any interest in holding public office. Whomever gets this appointment will not only have to run in a 2010 special election, but also again in 2012 for the full six-year term. She would need to spend the next four years of her life running for office.

Kennedy has some quasi-qualifications; she’s an attorney, author, and has served on charitable and educational organizations. Her biggest qualification, however, is her name. She would make a challenging opponent for any Republican for that reason alone.

I just can’t see her getting down and dirty, though. Maybe she’s feeling the “dynasty” pressure because of ailing uncle Ted, and the Clinton hold on the Dems. If Caroline wants the job, it would seem to be hers for the taking. Don’t tell that to Andrew Cuomo, …but Eliot Spitzer’s probably figured out he ain’t in the running.

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