(CNN) - Could Caroline Kennedy, considered to be among the most private members of the Kennedy clan, be tapped to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat?
Kennedy - who endorsed Barack Obama in February before the Super Tuesday round of primaries - is said to be considering the possibility, according to an ABC News report.
New York Gov. David Paterson, the man tasked with picking Hillary Clinton's successor, is remaining mum on the process, but a spokesman for Barack Obama issued a statement in the wake of rumors the president-elect is quietly lobbying Patterson to choose Kennedy.
"President-elect Obama has a very high regard for Caroline Kennedy," said Obama spokesman Stephanie Cutter. "But he has not spoken with Governor Paterson or Caroline Kennedy about the race, and has no involvement in this process."
Earlier, similar rumors circulated that former President Bill Clinton might be interested in the job, but the former president's office quickly released a statement saying he was not interested.
Caroline Kennedy's cousin, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., was also discussed as a potential successor, but formally took his name out of the running earlier this week.
Paterson still has a strong bench to choose from. There are a number of contenders, including several members of New York's delegation in the House of Representatives, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi.
Whoever is chosen would have to be ready for virtually non-stop campaigning and fundraising over the next four years. Clinton's successor will face a hotly-contested campaign in 2010 to fill out the remainder of her term, then a re-election bid jut two years later.
From CNN Politics
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Of course Caroline will land a spot in OBAMA's administration but is she qualified enough to replace such an outstanding representative with integrity!
Caroline funded most of OBAMA's campaign and pretty much has been hidden for years but all of a sudden she wants to be involved in politics.........why now?
Ha ha. Funny to read the sour grapes from the Republicans here. Like George Dubyah Bush wasn't the biggest liar and likely the worst president ever elected. Did he not appoint his buddies and his daddy's buddies to prominent positions? What about that idiot he put at the helm of FEMA, you know, the guy who watched as New Orleans went underwater. I guarantee you Caroline Kennedy is a much safer pick and one in a position to do a lot less damage as she gains experience.
This would be great, just the kind of person America needs. I hope she is appointed. What is Caroline saying?
I am a Democrat, but I DO NOT believe Caroline Kennedy is qualified to be Senator of New York. She hasn't even been a governor, let alone a mayor!
Sure is a lot of IGNORANCE on this board!
I would rather have Sarah Palin says this life long Democrat.
Awesomanious!!! I give her my full support.
This disaster was 8 years in the making. It will take time, and a lot more than President-Elect Obama to undo all the wrongs! He is doing his part, promoting and investing in change. Citizens will have to do their parts by staying involved, and pressing their representatives to support the PE's administation. This mess wasn't created in 2 years, and it won't end in 60 days! But we as a people will get there, with God's help!
God bless you PE Obama! We're daily praying for you and your administration!
God bless America!******America, bless God****** (The True Reason for This Season)!
What an incredible great choice. I have been wanting Caroline to get more active in politics. I don't think there could be a better candidate to take Hillary's place.
How about appointing a Hispanic instead since there are no hispanic senators!
As Ted wanes we need another Kennedy in the senate. They are the doppleganger of the bush clan. A family not only dedicated to public service, but to serving the real needs of the nation, serving the powerless.
I have to say I HOPE she gets this position. Mr. Obama is showing masterful politcal skills by placing his FORMER rivals in his cabinet AND endorsing a DECEASED foremer Presidents daughter (lets not forget his name is Jack FREAKIN Kennedy). So yeah, I hope this does happen. It would give some continutiy to the Kennedy legacy. Uncle Ted will not be in the Senate much longer, and it gives the public someone to root for in the Senate. Wow. This guy is good and he has not taken office yet. Go Barak go!
I have a question for some of you? What makes you think just because a person had not worked in politics all of thier lives that they are not qualified to be Senator etc. Let's look at what would qualify a person to be Senator,
1. Has to be over the age of 30
2. Educated
3. Be able to fairly represent their states
4. Not corrupt
5. No criminal background (well at least have not caught)
And the list goes on. I laugh at some of you because if you were presented the oppurtunity to become Senator of your state, you would jumo on it, and most of you are one step away from "would you like fries to go with that burger". So all this experience crap is just that crap. GWB and Cheney had lot's of experience and you see where we are at. On the flip side of that coin, "The Govenator" Arnold, he was a ex bodybuilder movie star with no political experience and he has done a great job in California. Oh and let's not forget, Reagan was an ex movie star who had no experience either. I know, I know Dems you hate Reagan, but he was one of America's Greats, like him or not.
There is one thing we all should know to be evident in America: There will always be a Kennedy or a Rockefeller in politics.
id like to know who these people who suggest Bill Clinton take Hillary's Senate seat. Thye are beyond ridiculous!! hello? he was PRESIDENT! you know, leader of the free world...why on earth would a former President want to be Senator???? that's just plain dumb.
She should have ran for President. She is a wonderful woman and mother.
Why not.
Can you hear my sigh of relief??? I totally approve of Caroline Kennedy and also Andrew Cuomo.
Super D said: "Dems obviously don't rate experience very high, just look at Obama." This hypocrisy coming from a ripe neo-tard that supported the inexperience AND incompetency of Bush and Palin.
You rightwing true-believers should not forget that back in 2000 YOU guys pushed aside the experienced McCain and foisted the PROVEN incompetent Bush into office. So, it is YOU [R]s who clearly do not value experience. And now in 2008 you are upset that your own re-tread, McCain, the guy that you yourselves labled 2nd-best back in 2000, did not win our approval? And you attempt to blame us, and how we rate experience, for this outcome? The depth of your delusion is breathtaking!
ONG! Can we PLEASE exist without any more Kennedys, Bushs, and
yes, Clintons? Isn't there anyone out there fit for office that doesn't
have all the baggage that comes with these families? Please, someone new!
I think that the final decision on this would be hers, I like the idea, I think that she would be a very good senator.
Any US citizen can run for office. We won and you folks on the right lost. It's our party and you are most definitely not invited. You had years in total control (thanks to the republican filibuster machine in the past 2 years). The American people realize that the United States is a "we country" not a "me country". The right's side of division, hate and government waste is has been exposed. Not only did you destroy our economy, you destroyed every other countries' as well. Nice job!
It's time to return to fiscal responsibility. Tax and spend works every time. Only spend what you have. Never run to Communistic China for a hand out.
Ms. Kennedy gave one of the best speeches at the Democratic Convention considering the circumstances of her presentation. The entire weight of her family rested upon her shoulders and her uncle's appearance and situation also weighed upon her that Monday night. Despite all that, she gave an articulate, forceful speech without a single betrayal of her emotion or burden. A true champion! She would be a great addition to the US Senate.
Well at least Caroline has lived in NY most of her life, and is not a carpetbagger like Hilary.
Caroline Kennedy is highly intelligent and highly qualified but I doubt she would accept the position. She's lived her entire life in the fish eye lens of the press and I don't think she would give up her well earned right to a private, personal life to serve out a short 2 year term in the Senate. The Dems will want someone who will actively and aggressively pursue the seat and the necessary fund raising that goes with it for the 2010 election. Odds favor Andrew Cuomo in all regards – also removes a potential Dem rival for NYGov from Patterson.