In Appearance Upstate, Caroline Kennedy Says Little

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: New York Times

In a carefully controlled strategy reminiscent of the vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin, aides to Caroline Kennedy interrupted her on Wednesday and whisked her away when she was asked what her qualifications are to be a United States senator.

In her first public appearance since letting it be known that she wants to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ms. Kennedy emerged from a closed-door meeting with Matthew J. Driscoll, the mayor of Syracuse, where about a dozen reporters were waiting. She offered a 30-second statement saying that she would respect the process undertaken by Gov. David A. Paterson to fill the vacancy.

Then, as reporters asked why Ms. Kennedy was seeking the Senate seat and whether she was ready, she did not answer, then walked away, heading toward a waiting black sport-utility vehicle. When one reporter asked what she would tell New Yorkers who question whether she has the qualifications for the job, Ms. Kennedy, 51, started to respond. But then an aide stopped her from saying more, and led her to the waiting vehicle. “Hopefully I can come back and answer all those questions,” she called out as she got into the S.U.V.

It was the first stop in an orchestrated tour of upstate New York. Ms. Kennedy has plans to visit with officials in Rochester and, possibly, Buffalo, a first stab at getting skeptical upstate voters used to the idea of being represented in Washington by yet another down-stater....

***

In her brief statement, Ms. Kennedy said: “As some of you may have heard, I told Governor Paterson I’d be honored to be considered for the position of United States senator. There’s a lot of good people in this community that the governor is considering. He’s laid out a process and I’m proud to be part of that process.”...

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/nyregion/18upstate.html?hp

[DeepModem Mom]

1. As the OP, I'd like to add that invoking the Palin name in the article is a bit harsh! nt

[Cha]

3. It shows the writer doesn't

get it.

[shireen]

6. But Caroline can see Canada from New York ...

:D

[No Elephants]

9. Harsh? It's pure bullshit. Caroline is smart. enough to answer any question. Palin could not name

one Supreme Court case other than Roe v. Wade.

I wonder when the author of that article first registered Republican.

[Cha]

2. Yeah, right..compare Caroline Kennedy to

to the stupid fascist, unethical, palin.

I like this statement..

"In her brief statement, Ms. Kennedy said: “As some of you may have heard, I told Governor Paterson I’d be honored to be considered for the position of United States senator. There’s a lot of good people in this community that the governor is considering. He’s laid out a process and I’m proud to be part of that process.”...

[tblue]

4. Man, pls don't make her become just another soundbite pol!

You're damned if you're a 'Washington insider' and you're damned if you're not. I hate to see Caroline hamstrung and have to come up with pat answers that people want/expect to hear rather than be herself and work on the causes she has a passion for and the priorities of the people of New York. She's not a soundbiter and she shouldn't have to be. New York could really miss out on a gem of an opportunity if they insist on seating just another cookie cutter politician because they answer questions yelled out from a reporter in the requisite 15 words or less .

[onehandle]

5. I'd trust Caroline Kennedy as unquestioned queen of the world before I'd trust Palin...

...to wipe my ass.

Bad analogy on their part.

[closeupready]

7. Well, speaking as someone who actually lives in New York, there are many other more qualified women

and men who should be given priority consideration over Caroline. I know next to nothing about Caroline, which is the kind of life she wanted to live, like J.D. Salinger, which is fine, but I need to know why she feels she is qualified. Her avoidance bothers me.

[No Elephants]

10. Please name two who want the seat and tell us why they are better qualified for the appointment and

likelier to win the 2010 special election and the 2012 election. Thanking you in advance.

[closeupready]

13. My current rep, Nydia Velazquez for one.

A House member for many years now, her voting record is impeccably liberal, and more like Obama's than even Hillary's. She voted against the IWR. She voted against bankruptcy reform. She voted to ban landmines in that infamous piece of crap legislation which Hillary voted for.

Has she expressed an interest in the seat? I don't know, I hope so, but the list of those who have expressed interest is, as far as I know, being kept confidential by Paterson.

Editing to say, it turns out she is a frontrunner on the list of candidates being considered, according to Wikipedia.

[onehandle]

11. I wasn't speaking to Kennedy's qualifications. That's up to NY.

I was speaking about about Palin's ass wiping skills.

[Cha]

12. I live in New York too and I know a lot about

her because she inspires me and I've done the research.

She's been in the private sector but there's no need for hyperbole comparing her to Salinger just like there was no need for the writer in the OP to compare Caroline in any way shape or form to palin.

[closeupready]

16. It's a valid comparison. She has spent her life assiduously avoiding

the media and public life, as Salinger has. And that is completely fine. :)

But at the same time, that fact would seem to belie the notion that she would be good at doing work in such a highly visible, public arena.

[Cha]

17. Nah, I don't buy it. Not a valid comparison..

and if you did any research you would know that.

[closeupready]

18. Regardless, you make no case for Caroline. Why, because, like me, you know nothing about her?

Hardly encouraging. No, thanks. Not interested.

[closeupready]

8. dupe

dupe

[Muttocracy]

14. Video, photos and more detail on reporters' questions and mayor's statement

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/caroline_kennedy_plans_priavte.html

...
"You're seeking public office and you don't want to answer questions from reporters, Ma'am? When can we expect you to answer questions?" another reporter asked as Kennedy got into the passenger seat of a black GMC Denali.

She closed the vehicle's door and it pulled away.

This exchange took place just after Kennedy met with Driscoll for about half-an-hour.

After the meeting, Driscoll said he talked to Kennedy about the need for high-speed, uninterrupted rail service linking Upstate cities, about the environmental and green movements in Central New York and about the challenges facing downtown Syracuse.

The mayor said he got the sense she was "well-read" and was aware of those issues, but said, "I can't say if I got any sense one way or the other" about her her knowledge of Upstate New York.

He said that Kennedy did not say if she had ever been to Syracuse before.

Kennedy left City Hall at 11:55 a.m. to head to meetings in Rochester and Buffalo.
...

[SharonRB]

15. Her "handlers" need to let her speak

She's nothing like Sarah Palin and I'm sure would give intelligent, reasoned answers to any questions asked of her. I hope the people she's surrounding herself with don't screw this up for her.

[DeepModem Mom]

21. I had the same thought. She may be inexperienced at politics, but she's smart...

and well-educated and informed -- and I'd guess she could handle herself well.

[Muttocracy]

19. She did talk to the press in Rochester:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/nyregion/18upstate.html?hp

Kennedy Goes on Tour Upstate

By JEREMY W. PETERS and NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Published: December 17, 2008

ROCHESTER — She talked about her book, about the Bill of Rights. She talked about raising her family. And, echoing her friend, President-elect Barack Obama, she said she could bring change to Washington.

Caroline Kennedy, on her first day touring upstate New York as part of her bid to succeed Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, was circumspect and, at times, jolted by the tumult she touched off by her visits to the mayors of Syracuse and Rochester.

Responding briefly to reporters who asked about her qualifications to be a United States senator, she described her experience as an author, mother and education advocate.

“I’ve had a lifelong commitment to public service,” she said, leaving the offices of the Monroe County Democratic Committee. “I’ve written books on the Constitution and the importance of individual participation. And I’ve raised my family. I think I really could help bring change to Washington.”

....

[DeepModem Mom]

22. Thanks, Joe -- looks like they had a change of heart, which I think was wise. nt

[Muttocracy]

24. she didn't say much, but a lot better to let her speak to reporters! nt

[Retrograde]

31. but still a bit tone-deaf in some areas

From today's Buffalo News: "Shortly before 4 p. m., she arrived at the freshly plowed entrance of City Hall in a champagne-colored Toyota Sequoia SUV. Several reporters noted among themselves that driving up in a Toyota was a faux pas in a region so reliant on the struggling U. S. auto industry."

In many ways, she's in a damned-if-she-does, damned-if-she-doesn't situation. New York seems to like dynasties - when I lived in Poughkeepsie we used to jokingly refer to our hereditary representative, Hamilton Fish IV. I still don't see anything special about her other than her name, but she's not going to be my senator.

[Muttocracy]

32. I posted from that same article around the same time down below

she was up to speaking to the press, if not really answering questions. Maybe they saw the Times article when they were on the Thruway and it stung.

[aejlaw]

20. No Secret Service Protection.

As a private citizen Caroline Kennedy does not have the Secret Service protection that Sarah Palin had as a VP candidate. Given the tragedies experienced by her family, this would certainly justify some caution on her part. Intellectually, I am sure she could answer any questions the author of this article might have asked.

[DeepModem Mom]

23. I'm sure she could have answered, too -- and the post above indicates she did...

at her next appearance.

Welcome to DU, aejlaw!

[brentspeak]

25. Why do I have the feeling bigwigs at the New York Times are pushing for a Hillary crony?

[Marie26]

26. I'm not impressed.

She doesn't have much experience, which would be OK if the NY voters decided that they want her anyway. But I don't think it's fair for her to be "appointed" like royalty w/o having to explain her positions on almost anything to NY voters. That's undemocratic.

[Muttocracy]

27. given it's an appointment via the governor, I guess she only has to "campaign"

with Paterson and Democratic leaders who might influence Paterson.

poll on the subject:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4672892

[Marie26]

29. Guess so.

It just seems very elitist to me. Sorry, Caroline.

[TankLV]

28. Caroline isn't even REMOTELY like that dumb ass Beauty Queen - Caroline has a BRAIN!!!

God, I hate the Whore Media...

[Muttocracy]

30. Caroline Kennedy's Buffalo visit is quick and quiet (Buffalo News)

how awkward for the Buffalo mayor (also a name mentioned for the Senate seat)

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/526356.html

Caroline Kennedy's Buffalo visit is quick and quiet

By Lou Michel, Maki Becker and Tom Precious

...
Shortly before 4 p. m., she arrived at the freshly plowed entrance of City Hall in a champagne-colored Toyota Sequoia SUV. Several reporters noted among themselves that driving up in a Toyota was a faux pas in a region so reliant on the struggling U. S. auto industry.

As she was whisked up the stairs by a phalanx of political handlers and police officers, a reporter asked her how it felt to be in Buffalo.

“It feels great,” she said, then paused before adding, “to be back in Buffalo.” In fact, she was here eight years ago to campaign for Clinton’s first bid for the Senate with her uncle, Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

...

After the meeting, she took three questions — more than she had all day during her previous stops — and spoke publicly for the first time about why she believes she is qualified to represent New York in the Senate.

“First of all, I’ve spent a lifetime growing up around public policy issues, and public service is something I’m proud of in the family tradition,” she said. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.”

She continued: “I’ve worked in New York City public schools. I’ve written books on the Constitution, I’ve raised my family, and now it’s time, I think, with the problems we have, for me to be able to step forward and do more.”

...

“In the last year, I spent a lot of time campaigning across this country, and a lot of communities are struggling with the same kind of issues, and, obviously, New York State is hit harder than most,” she said. “I saw, really, a need for people who are strong advocates, who have relationships with Washington, and I would do everything I can.”

...

“I know that I’m fortunate to be in a position where people know who I am, and I want to push that forward,” she said.

She then seemed to retreat into her more private self. “This isn’t a campaign,” she told the reporters. “It’s really the governor’s decision. So hopefully, we can all talk later.”

The questions were cut off, and she was led out of City Hall as reporters kept trying to press her for questions.

“You said you wanted to answer questions, ma’am,” one reporter yelled out. She did not reply, and this time she stepped into a black Jeep Cherokee.

...
Kennedy gave a brief statement to the media after her meeting in Syracuse and took just a couple of questions in Rochester. Before she arrived in Buffalo, a story appeared on the Web site of the Times likening her insularity to that of Alaska Gov. and former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, perhaps prompting her to give more of her time to the Buffalo media.

A poll Wednesday showed that slightly more voters would prefer that Paterson select Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo for Clinton’s seat. The Siena College Research Institute poll said 26 percent of voters — and 30 percent of Democrats — believe that Paterson should pick Cuomo, compared with 23 percent of voters — and 28 percent of Democrats — who favor Kennedy.

In addition, 31 percent in the poll believe that Paterson will select Kennedy, and just 16 percent expect that he will appoint Cuomo. Some Democrats said her relatively low profile Wednesday was, in part, because of the unusual nature of this campaign — there is only one voter: Paterson — and a feeling of not wanting to seem too aggressive in courting the governor by making it appear she was on a campaign swing.

...

Higgins, returning to local Democratic infighting after a trip to a war zone in Afghanistan, said he had no problem with whom Kennedy met on her Thruway trek from Syracuse to Buffalo.

“One meeting isn’t going to translate into erasing questions and concerns about upstate New York,” said Higgins, who also has been mentioned by some as a possible successor to Clinton.

Higgins noted that the sessions were all with mayors of important upstate cities. He said that Kennedy reached out to him Monday but that he was traveling, and they have yet to connect.

“It’s going to require a lot more than one visit,” Higgins said.

Higgins added that he has not spoken with Paterson about the upcoming vacancy and would not say whether he is interested. He said his name is in the mix, in part, because insiders realize that upstate has no position of power in statewide or state legislative offices.