CNN

[...] The national unemployment rate is 7.2%. Job losses are at their highest annual level since World War II. Even a Kennedy can’t get a political gig. [...]

bridgette god forbid that your house is ever broke into and someone takes you and your children hostage and seeing how they cut the phone line so that you couldn't call the police for help being that you have no weapon to protect yourself i will pray that you are not violated or worse your children when owning a gun and being properly trained to use that weapon would save you and your children's lives......until the police decide to show up.... do you think the criminals are not chomping at the bit hoping that nut cases like yourself would choose to take this right away so that it is easier for them to get what they want..... criminals have guns and will always have access to them which means if the law says no one can have a gun guess what they will illegaly just law abiding citizens will be defenseless

Seeing the libs eat each other makes me joyful

I didn't like her that much, thats why she aint in

well carol and the rest of the people who think guns kill people...... people kill people not guns..... they don't pull the trigger on there own..... would love to see the day when your president tries to take AMERICANS guns...... the war in iraq and afghanistan will pale in comparison... private citizens who own guns give them protection from criminals until the police show up instead of being a victim with no way to protect yourself

while I like Ms. Kennedy and have the upmost respect for her whole family, I have to admit that I don't think she was up to being a senator. She is more like her mother than her father when it comes to politics and I just feel it would have been wrong for her to have this position. If you don't like having your privacy open then politics is NOT the place to be. Her dear brother John was almost a walking tabloid story from the time he was born to his tragic death. I'm sure she doesn't want to go through that.

I don't know what the big deal is about Caroline Kennedy, Has she done ANYTHING in her entire life regarding politics? NO. Why does she deserve to be a senator? Simple – She doesn't.

I like the Kennedy family (several great politicians), but Caroline does not deserve to become a senator. Suck it up, all you who are whining about her!

As a New Yorker I am so happy that Kennedy is not our new senetor and even more thrilled that Patterson chose someone from upstate. We don't get much representation in the Senate and beyond. Clinton didn't stand for us when she was in the senate she was more focused on popular national issues.

As a member of the republican I to am rooting for the Blue Dogs.

The last time I checked, the State of New York was a sovereign state. Its governor empowered by the people and the constitution has the responsibility to select a replacement senator to ensure that the state is represented in the Senate.

So unless you are a resident of New York or you are the Governor, this matter has nothing to do with you.

why not choose someone that you know is qualified (Cuomo), instead of an unknown in these troubled times, what was patterson thinking?

And why should I care about Caroline Kennedy?

Caroline is just fine with her uncle and rich family.....

Kirsten Gillibrand : Pro-second amendment, anti-bailout democrat.
I'm not a supporter of the democratic party, BUT I LIKE THIS GAL!!
Thanks, Govenor P. You did good!

Is this the same chick that didn't want to take the Presidents' call while giving a news conference? I don't like her disrespectul attitude!
She could have easily told the press "hold on guys, the president needs to speak to me". What's up with her?

just another Palin type. Obscure, unknown, no one specal and voila.......i get to be a senator.

Core value my eye, what is so great about having to own a gun just because a piece of paper says we can??
Too many guns in this country and should be banned totally as far as I'm concerned, just because we are allowed by law to own them doesn't mean we should!!!

Since when did the decision making process of making political appointments come down to not offending the potential candidates? Has American society devolved so much that there cannot be any losers any longer? Granted Patterson handled this all poorly, but then again the media is even more guilty.

Last time I checked, the USA was founded because we didn't want a Royal Family. The Kennedys aren't royalty and aren't entitled to anything, especially a Senate seat. If that were true, Andrew Cuomo is closer to NY Democratic royalty. Who cares if David Patterson hurt Caroline Kennedy's feelings?!? All it took was watching a few of her interviews and it became just as apparent as watching Palin's interviews that neither was well-versed enough in the issues, or in public communication skills to be able to function as a national leader.

Granted, I wouldn't have been living in fear of Kennedy's legislative decisions.

Congratulations Ms Gillibrand! It's about time someone broke the 5 Boroughs' stranglehold sending NYers to DC. I too am a gun-owning, hunter in favor of gun regulation. Show them through your actions and decisions in DC what many north of Putnam County already know.

You go girl, tell all those demon-cratic liberals that you support the people who voted you in not those leftest demon-crates who want to dictate the American people. Looks like one of their own is for the people not a demon-cratic dictator like the rest trying to dictate their rules

PATERSON SPEAKS TOO DARN MUCH. JUST SHUT UP THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.

This saga is over. Time to move on.

Gov. Patterson could not appoint anyone until after Senator Clinton resigned, which wasn't until the middle of last week. Knowing he would have to appoint someone, he considered a list of candidates and chose who he thought was best. That's not chaos even if the press would like it so.
Ms Kennedy, alone, chose to go public and "campaign" for the job – her choice. Having made his selection, I'm sure Gov. Patterson informed all the others privately. At that point Ms Kennedy chose to withdraw so she not would appear to have been rejected - also her choice.

Yippee – A Governor not afraid to stand up to the Kennedy dynasty.

she is significantly better qualified

When gender and geography are the most important criteria for coosing a Senator, as it obviously was in choosing Ms. Gillibrand, all New Yorkers suffer.

I'll ask the same question about Caroline Kennedy as all of the Sarah Palin haters ask about Governor Palin: Why are we still talking about this woman?

Well why doesn't he control his staff? They were very disrespectful of Caroline Kennedy with their comments. I hope a better democrat steps forward to run for governor, like Cuomo.

She may statrt to gling on guns and religian, and i dont bleme her tings are bad.

Before moving to CT I spent a large portion of my life in upstate NY so NY politics is familiar to me. While Caroline Kennedy might have grown into the job, her recent behaviors, lobby for the job in the press, then a last minute withdrawl, indicate she wasn't ready for the job. Gillibrand is clearly a better choice. Had there been less interference and lobbying for the job by Ms. Kennedy, the selection process might have been more thorough, by Rep. Gillibrand appears to be a fair choice.

I too am a lifelong democrat who believes it is my constitutional right to own and possess guns.This is the only thing I agree with the republicans about.

Oh dear.
Didn't they see eye to eye ?

CNN, stop writing & reporting on false stories about our new POTUS, we know that your establishment is a GOP supporting entity but it's just disgusting. Obama never said that " I won, so listen to me!" Your open bias is so nasty.

I wish they would stop saying she is from Upstate NY.... the Albany area is NOT upstate NY!!!!! Syracuse, Watertown are Upstate NY. Rochester, Buffalo are Western NY.

This will cost the democratic party a senate seat and a congressional seat in 2010. Blago and Paterson are a joy to watch.

Interesting how CNN just states have the quote about her "hunters gun rights" statement. She also added that we also need to keep illegal guns off the street which I quite different on how this article ended. Patterson was swayed and Gillebrand was elected by the Clintons to punish the Kennedys. But Gillebrand however is more like Tracy Flick from the movie "Election"..this is what we now have in NY State.

Ok, I wrote to my Senator.
Here is what I wrote and you are more than welcome to cut and past it to your letter when you go to the contact page of your state Senator. You may have more to ad or de-tract.

Senator,
I would like to see you join Senator Feingold in his effort to stop the circus of appointments by Governors when elected officials (Senators) leave office. This should be in the hands of the people thru a special election and not an election that is special because there is only one voter, the Governor.

The current system is a gross mis-representation of the citizens of America.

The constitution laid out a framwork on how to think, not what to think. And we must stay current with our time and need. Please step to the plate and make the change.

Maybe CK should run for Gov. Gillibrand will not get reelected in 2010. In fact this appointment may cause a Republican to win in 2010.

I see a lot of post that think the change would be good but do not see it happening. I know that what makes America great is not only our rights as individuals to propel change but transforming from one voice of one person to an orchestra of millions. it is in our Unity that we are America. It is when we join together our voices that we cannot be denied. So, do not loose faith but rather put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and write to your Senators and watch your individual power morph into legislative reality.

Patterson made a statement last week ...there are others more qualified than Caroline You are a liar and a fool What goes around comes around

(Gov. Paterson, A wrongly – informed – management – person – Clinton supporter) .................. PUMA – (Clinton supporters), Sen. Charles Schumer (probably closet Kennedy hater), Paul Begala (ex-Clinton staffer and supporter – has relatives in dairyland area). ........ Conspiracy...........What goes around comes around...........The truth will come out........Stay tuned.....................

I think the New York Senate Seat was just another example of an excellent game of polical maneuvering. I also think Caroline Kennedy was very wise to withdraw her name from this three ring circus. She's much too professional, gracious, intelligent and forthright to mingle with this crowd.

Oh great ... a gun nut in the Senate .....

I really don't see why this is that relevant or important to people. The orginal intent of the right to keep and bear arms was to have an option to fight government tyranny.

In today's world, to keep the true intent of the 2nd Ammendment, we'd have to allow people to park their own F-16 Fighting Falcon in their garages so that they could take on the US Army, Air Force & Marines if they and/or a particular administration ran amok.

Stop all the bull about "guns" and the 2nd ammendment. We don't need guns anymore to hunt for food ... that's why we've got Stop& Shop.

Guns kill people ... average citizens ... they are part of the threat. They need to go.

When is this so-called 'liberal media' thing going to kick in?

Guess this goes to show and prove that the media is more interested in getting headlines than favoring a political party.

Dem on Dem drama, always good stuff, especially if it's named Kennedy!

You know, she is interesting. It'll be interesting to see how she does but please New York media, let her do her job, don't treat her like the Yanks.

Gillibrand's abilities and experiences are much much better than
delusional woman, Caroline K. Schlossberg who spawns tax, nanny
and marital problems. I am not interested in Caroline's nanny problem and marriage life, but IRS should scrutinize her tax record no matter what her middle name is Kennedy or not.

Thank you, thank you for Carolina Kennedy.

You know what you did Mr paterson, we will pay you back during your reelection, Ms Kenneday is will qualify for the senate postion . You and your gang pushed her out . "see you during your reelection" , you will not be reelected that i know for sure. Ms Kennedy worked hard during Obama election campaign and this is the way you paid back ? , Dont under estimate the power of $5 contribution that will be used against your election. Take this word to the bank it must happen, This is not an insult on Ms Kennedy but on Obama and those of us who supported Obama . We must unite against you.

She is a hunter? Palin should invite her over to hunt some moose before Obama takes their guns away.

WE DIDN,T NEED ANOTHER KENNEDY IN WASHINGTON

on the one hand we have inefficiencies, drama and possible blagojevich-style corruption...and on the other hand we have the increased expenditures of taxpayers monies from another election.

neither idea works.

SO heres is my idea:

EACH U.S. senator must have a "back-up" put in place during the normal elections who would be ready to step in whenever the need arises. i think this would eliminate both the cost of an uneccesary election and the drama of a blayojevich-style appointment.

not a wise choice.

I think Gillibrand is the perfect pick to fill Clinton's vacancy. I live in upstate NY and she is a great, intelligent woman in whom I have the uptmost confidence in for this Senate seat.

"Hunter's rights?"

Do hunters have different rights than all other individuals? I don't think so!

Every woman is told that she has no experience. You sure don't hear that about men. The media is biased against women and we are sick of it. Look at the mess the men have made of this country. Harvard may give you book sense, but doesn't do a thing for common sense. If someone is willing to work for the people it should not make any difference if its a man or a woman or if they went to Harvard or not.

You talk about Sarah Palin. She works for the people of Alaska. The media completely ignored what she had accomplished and trashed her every chance they got. Obama did nothing for the people of Ill. but the media chose to ignore that. The media are the ones that make or break people and they wanted Obama elected. He had no experience, but the media chose not to focus on that.

Actors have been without a Contract! What about the "Real People"??

Enough already! It's over!

Governor Patterson proved to be totally incompetent when it came to handling this whole HIllary Clinton Senate seat vacancy.

He KNEW for 2 years he would be filling the seat and yet he behaved like a fumbling fool. Furthermore, his staff created such a media circus frenzy leaking out garbage after garbage of distorted stories it was so annoying.

Other Governors filled their Senate Seat within two weeks of vacancy and here you have Gov. Patterson who seemed so confused and utterly disorganized on all levels.

I guess Governor Patterson is NOT planning on getting re-elected Governor. He can kiss his office good-bye after bashing a Kennedy and President Obama's staunch supporter. You know what they say... all is fair in the "doggy dog" politics.

I DID MY BEST TO SEND MS.KENNEDY MY SIGNAL,THAT SHE

IN NO WAY WAS THE BEST QUALIFIED NEW YORKER FOR

THE SEAT. SHE DOESN'T THINK MUCH OF OUR DEMOCRACY

IF SHE CANT EVEN BE BOTHERED TO VOTE.

Kirsten Gillibrand – pro-second amendment, anti-bail-out democrat.
(I'm not a supporter of the democratic party but I LIKE THIS GAL !
Thanks, Governor Pat!)

She is the right pick, a Conservative Democrat. A great move.

Gun-ownership is a core value of our religion and state??? What is she talking about?