Senator Boxer saving committee seat for Kennedy

[babylonsister]

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/for-new-yorks-kennedy-a-choice-seat-awaits/

For New York’s Kennedy, a Choice Seat Awaits
By Carl Hulse


Caroline Kennedy isn’t in the Senate yet – and may not get there – but she already has a plum committee assignment waiting.

Democrats are holding an opening on the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senator Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat who is chairwoman of the panel, said she would be thrilled to have Ms. Kennedy serve on the panel should she be appointed to fill the vacancy to be left by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the next few days.

Ms. Clinton, the New York senator soon to be confirmed as secretary of state, is currently a member of the committee, which will be the staging ground for climate change legislation and other key environmental issues in the coming weeks.

“I would love to see Caroline Kennedy in the Senate and I would love to have her on my committee to replace Senator Clinton,” said Mrs. Boxer.

Not content to just dangle a committee slot as an inducement, Mrs. Boxer has also called David Paterson, the governor of New York, to weigh in on Ms. Kennedy’s behalf and has spoken to Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, about her preference. And she has talked with the potential senator herself.

[catgirl]

1. K & R

I would love to see Caroline in the Senate too!

[RB TexLa]

2. Did anyone hold seats for Burris?

[babylonsister]

3. Why would they? No one wanted him there. nt

[babylonsister]

4. Dupe. nt

[cali]

5. Why is a Senator from CA trying to pressure the Gov of NY

to appoint who she wants as Senator from NY. Pretty arrogant stuff.

[GodlessBiker]

6. Holding a seat? What, did she put her coat on the chair or something? I hate that.

[MarjorieG]

7. Nice to have some support to balance media so anti Kennedy.

I can't figure which is more media's interest: pushing Cuomo (a mistake), just causing trouble, thinking their doing Clinton's bidding (when I'm not at all sure Hill agrees), or seriously advocating other choices. I'm miffed they're roughing her up just because they can, trying to ruin a potentially strong and electable candidate.

As a NYer, I like her style, having the ear of Obama, and his policies and success at heart. I think she is qualified enough in ways that are more helpful than legislative experience. Having gone there for election reform, I found the aides and staff do the mechanics, heavy lifting on crafting legislation.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Is C. Kennedy not married, btw?

I just read she is 51 or so....just curious.

[babylonsister]

9. Yes, she's married, to Edward (?) Schlossberg. nt