Would you support or oppose Caroline Kennedy taking over Sen. Clinton's senate seat?

[Drunken Irishman]

Easy enough.

[ruggerson]

1. There are more qualified people

but if she is chosen, I'm sure she will do a great job.

So I'm neither opposed nor in favor.

[TheWraith]

2. Who is Carolina Kennedy? nt

[Drunken Irishman]

7. Fixed. I had Carolina on my mind. :O

[DiverDave]

3. Um, the name is famous

but can she do the job?

[eleny]

4. I support because Obama has confidence in her

So my reason has more to do with the new administration having allies in the Senate. I'm not smitten by any memories of the past. I just think she's a person who goes into things in a thoughtful way. In other words - she's the opposite of some hothead like Chris Matthews who we know wants to run in PA.

[secondwind]

5. Caroline is as qualified to be Senator as anyone else. She has a law

degree and is highly educated. You don't need much more.

[ddeclue]

6. Tired of Royal Families...

If I wanted to do that I would immigrate to England.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Nepotism.

It's inherently anti-progressive.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Don't give a shit one way or the other...

one problem with being a New Yorker is that access to our Senators is damn near impossible. Sure, there's an office not too far away, and I really don't need to actually talk to the Senator, but even the office tends to hang up on you half the time. And both Senators are more interested in the money in the City or kissing ass upstate than what's here in the 'burbs. If we need something, we go to Tim Bishop in the House and he gets it done if it can be done.

Besides, this is the place for carpetbaggers on their way to something bigger and better-- other Kennedys, Buckleys, and a Clinton. Even Moynihan came down from Hahvahd.

I'd hate the thought, but they could give the seat to Giuliani for all the good it would do us here.

[qwlauren35]

10. Please Tell Me that she's actually from NEW YORK!!!!

I'd like to think that that's a reasonable criterion, although I've noticed that people have been stretching it quite a bit in recent years!

[Grateful for Hope]

12. Yes, she is from NY. n/t

[Ozma]

18. NY resident for the past 19 years, is that enough for you?

Or is it because she vacations on Cape Cod that has you thinking she lived in Mass?

By the way, her mother was also a NYC resident for many years.

[Seen the light]

11. Completely oppose

Like others have said, dynasties are completely anti-democratic, ESPECIALLY ones where you're merely appointed to the seat.

[Grateful for Hope]

13. Dynasties?

Both her father and her uncle had short-lived tenures. Her only relative with political longevity is her uncle -- who is currently battling cancer.

AFAIK, this situation is nothing like that of the Bushes, or, even like that of the Clintons. In addition, she has said nothing about pursuing the seat once her short tenure is over.

Let's face it. Anyone who takes this Senate seat will be "appointed". I fail to see any harm in this particular appointment.

[Blasphemer]

14. I'm all for it

8 years of Obama followed by 8 years of Caroline Kennedy sounds good to me. I have no problem with the Kennedy name being the impetus for political success. At least in this case (unlike with the Bush name), it will work in the country's benefit. On a sentimental note, it Caroline ever made it to the White House as President, it would be a final crowning happy ending for the tale of "Camelot" - amidst all of the tragedy, it would be quite heartwarming.

[Bryan]

Not sure

FWIW (I'm not a New Yorker), her professional career seems to pass muster, and AFAIK, she doesn't have a record of public embarrasments or questionable associations, so she wouldn't poison the seat for the Dems if she ran in '12 or stepped down.

Then again, I think a major Obama supporter getting handed a position like this looks a little unsavory (YMMV on that one), and TreasonousBastard's post about the seat just being used as a resumé-polisher gives me pause.

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. Fully support. (nt)

[Ozma]

16. Is this rumor anymore than rumor?

If so, tell us how.

I think she would be a good place-holder for the election in 2012.

This is what Biden's replacement is. Let's hope that's the thinking.

I vote to support her, but I don't live in NY.

[Drunken Irishman]

17. She has contacted Governor Patterson about the vacancy.

[Onlooker]

19. Oppose strongly

Worshipping the Kennedys like royalty is absurd. Some of the Kennedys have worked hard for the people, but Carolyn is not one of them. Many of her books are simply there to glorify the Kennedy name and she has not done nearly as much as other Kennedys for the public good. She's a wealthy person who has dabbled with some of her extra free time in occasional good works. Let her run for office, and demonstrate she's one of the people, and I might even give to her campaign, but to award her a Senate position is completely wrong. There are many people who have done vastly more than her, even some Kennedys.

[Alexander]

20. Support. The seat will be up for a special election in 2010 anyway.

If she does a bad job, New Yorkers are well within their rights to vote her out.

[Beausoir]

21. She bores me but seems to be very accomplished.

[polichick]

22. I had the opportunity to work with Caroline during our primary...

...and found her to be down to earth, intelligent and serious about the work ~ from what I've heard, she's long been a serious student of history. She's also aware of her family's legacy and her own place in history. I don't think she'd take the job unless she intended to do a great job for her state and our country.