Free Republic

Elitism: Is Democratic New York Gov. David Paterson his own man? If he is, he'll appoint an accomplished leader as senator. If he isn't, he'll kowtow to the party bosses and pick . . . a Kennedy.When the Empire State's legally-blind governor made a huge stink this week about an NBC "Saturday Night Live" skit that lampooned him, was he just conniving to convince New Yorkers how independent and determined he is — prior to caving in on Caroline Kennedy? In the days since Gov. Paterson was depicted by comic Fred Armisen as confused and disoriented, holding charts upside down...

Declaring that tough economic times demand that New Yorkers are represented by a real fighter in the U.S. Senate, state Republican chairman Joseph N. Mondello today urged Governor David Paterson to appoint Representative Peter T. King to that body once Senator Hillary Clinton is confirmed as U.S Secretary of State. "The Governor should put partisan politics aside and do what is in the best interests of the people of New York," Mondello declared. "We need a real fighter in the United States Senate, someone who, from the moment he steps onto the floor of that august body, never stops advancing...

Roll Call and ABC say Caroline Kennedy 100% on wanting Hillary's seat.

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of an American political dynasty, has decided to pursue the United States Senate seat being vacated by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, a person told of her decision said on Monday. The decision came after a series of deeply personal and political conversations, in which Ms. Kennedy, whom friends describe as unflashy but determined, wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight. Ms. Kennedy will ask Gov. David A. Paterson of New York to consider her for the appointment, according to the person told of her decision....

What really draws me to the notion of Caroline as senator, though, is the modern-fairy-tale quality of it all. Like many women my age -- I'm a few months younger than she -- Caroline has always been part of my consciousness: The lucky little girl with a pony and an impossibly handsome father. The stoic little girl holding her mother's hand at her father's funeral. The sheltered girl, whisked away from a still-grieving country by a mother trying to shield her from prying eyes. In this fairy tale, Caroline is our tragic national princess. She is not locked away in...

As a former New Yorker, I am occasionally obliged to ask impertinent questions. Such as: How can Democrats, who ridiculed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as an inexperienced political wannabe, now embrace the idea of elevating Caroline Kennedy – who hasn't served a day in public office – to Hillary Clinton's New York Senate seat? How, indeed, can the same "progressives" who opposed Clinton's election as president because they were repelled by the notion of extending the "Clinton dynasty" now be keen on perpetuating the Kennedy dynasty through an appointment? The Massachusetts senator and others in the family are actively promoting...

Mostly known for her role as 'The Nanny,' actress Fran Drescher argues that her activism and diplomatic work qualify her to fill the vacant seat. Check out who else has thrown a hat in the ring, and who have withdrawn themselves from consideration.

Report: Caroline Kennedy Asked to Take Hillary Clinton's Senate Seat New York Gov. David Paterson asked Caroline Kennedy to fill Sen. Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be vacant seat, ABC News reported. FOXNews.com Friday, December 05, 2008 Another Kennedy could be headed to the Senate. New York Gov. David Paterson has reached out to Caroline Kennedy about filling Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, and Kennedy is considering the overture, ABC News reported. Political pundits considered the state attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, to be the leading contender to take over the seat. Paterson will appoint Clinton's replacement upon her resignation. Whoever he...

Schumer Talking About Hillary's Seat in Private by Jimmy Vielkind Senator Chuck Schumer declined to answer questions about who he thinks should fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat when she becomes secretary of state, except to say it should be "someone who can do a really good job." Schumer was speaking at Albany Memorial Hospital, where he announced plans to fight cuts to nursing school programs. Earlier in the week, Fred Dicker reported that Schumer and Paterson had discussed who would replace Hillary.

ALBANY - Caroline Kennedy's interest in the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton could reignite tensions between two political powerhouse families: the Kennedys and Cuomos, political insiders say. Kennedy's cousin is the ex-wife of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who is considered a front-runner for Gov. Paterson's appointment to replace Clinton. The sudden interest by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy and niece to the late Robert F. Kennedy, who once held the seat, throws a titillating wrench into the works, insiders say. "It's awkward," said one well-known Democrat. "If she's serious, there could be...

Sentimental New York Democrats were rooting for Governor Paterson to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate seat his father once held. But Kennedy’s not interested. “It was a heart-wrenching decision, and it occupied me throughout Thanksgiving with my family, with Teddy,” he says. “It’s not a good time for me to move to Washington, because I have a large and young family. They’re all in school.” That’s expensive—though not as pricey as holding on to the seat. “Against formidable opponents, most likely Peter King and possibly Rudy Giuliani, to defend the seat, I’m...

Caroline Kennedy interested in NY Senate seat By DEVLIN BARRETT and BETH FOUHY – 3 hours ago WASHINGTON (AP) — Caroline Kennedy has spoken to New York Gov. David Paterson about the Senate seat that will come open when Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

There's nothing more appealing in politics than a storybook ending. And so, the idea that Caroline Kennedy might be appointed by New York Gov. David Paterson to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate, the same chamber in which her late father -- John F. Kennedy -- served and the same seat her uncle -- Robert Kennedy -- held, is drawing huge amounts of attention. 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. Our own conversations with New York politicos in the know...

The National Organization for Women (NOW) Political Action Committee and the Feminist Majority Political Action Committee Thursday announced their endorsement of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D - Manhattan) for appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D). "Senator Hillary Clinton leaves big shoes to fill, and Carolyn Maloney has what it takes. She knows how to tackle big issues and is willing to take on entrenched interests," said Kim Gandy, president of NOW. "She is a tireless advocate for her constituents, and one of the most effective legislators in the House." "I have worked with many...

Out here in New York, Democratic Governor David Paterson finds himself in the unusual role of holding an embarrassment of riches. Having been placed in the unenviable position of needing to fill Senator Hillary Clinton’s sensible pantsuits in the nation’s upper chamber, he is rewriting the old Shakespearean Twelfth Night adage to read, “Some people are born to greatness while others have greatness dropped upon their doorstep like a bag of flaming dog poo.” Choosing a new senator opens a can of worms for New York's governor. ...

Sen. Bill Clinton has an interesting ring to it, doesn’t it? While no one is certain if this is a creation of the press or an actuality, certainly there are many models for post-presidential life and a return to public office is one of them. Whether Bill Clinton is being seriously considered, or is seriously considering, a return to office via his wife Hillary's vacated New York U.S. Senate seat is certainly worth exploring. "John Quincy Adams is the most prominent instance of a return to political office" said Joel Goldstein, an expert on the presidency. "But William Howard Taft...

After eight years as senator from New York, Hillary Clinton is trading places, moving from Congress to the incoming administration. Former President Bill Clinton has been mentioned as a possible replacement for his wife in the Senate. On Monday, President-elect Barack Obama announced that he asked his former rival to be his secretary of state. That means the scramble begins to replace Clinton on Capitol Hill. Among those mentioned to take her seat as New York's junior senator is her husband, former President Bill Clinton. At a news conference in Chicago, Illinois, on Monday, after Obama announced her selection, Clinton...

In an attempt to keep Republican control of the state Senate, Majority Leader Dean Skelos is wooing three rebel Democrats with a proposal to form a "coalition government." Skelos made the offer at a dinner meeting Tuesday night on City Island with the so-called "Gang of Three" - Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, and Pedro Espada and Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx, several sources familiar with the meeting said. The Democratic rebels have thrown the Albany political world into a frenzy by refusing to back fellow Dem Malcolm Smith of Queens for majority leader. Without their votes, the Democrats, who...

ALBANY — After a pledge from New York Democratic leaders that their party would legalize same-sex marriage if they won control of the State Senate this year, money from gay rights supporters poured in from across the country, helping cinch a Democratic victory. But now, party leaders have sent strong signals that they may not take up the issue during the 2009 legislative session. Some of them suggest it may be wise to wait until 2011 before considering it, in hopes that Democrats can pick up more Senate seats and Gov. David A. Paterson, a strong backer of gay rights,...

Under fire for dragging her feet on the probe of embattled Rep. Charles Rangel, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said yesterday an investigation of the Harlem Democrat will be finished by Jan. 3. "In September I called on the House Ethics Committee to look into issues raised by news reports on Chairman Rangel," Pelosi said in a statement.