CNN

Hillary is behind this. She is so mad with sour grapes because the Kennedys supported Obama and not her.

Hillary is the culprit.

excuse me! what does Caroline have to do with hitlary? and that was NOT a key mistroke, – that socialist has only herself to blame for all the problems in her own life, this is one Kennedy that didn't have a thing to do with hairy hilary's sthick this time

BLAME! BLAME! BLAME! CAN'T TAK ERESPONSIBILTY AND TELL THE TRUTH.

Like Caroline cares! She cared so much about NY that she dropped out of the race.

NY is a joke!! It is quickly fading as a National Icon and turning into the Alabama of the Northeast. When will they realize that noone cares how NY fares in the country? NYC is a drain on the rest of the state! Instead of worrying about the Kennedy's and popularity contest, they should elect intelligent people to turn their economy around.

I am a former Central New Yorker, and I believe there are far more intelligent candidates in Upstate or Central NY then you will find in the City. It's unfortunate that the entire state suffers due to the NYC crowd.

CNN:
You’ve posted some useless polls before but this on takes the cake. Governor Patterson took his time to make the right decision which had nothing to do with Caroline Kennedy and no party is to blame for the process.

I was polled once. Hurt like the dickens :O

She withdrew her name because she knew she wasn't going to get it. End of story. No one cares anymore.

It's always tough to pick a good replacement for someone who has done such a poor job of representing the state but a great job of representing her self interests.

New York deserves better and someday they will realize it.

It's always tough to pick a good replacement for someone who has done such a poor job of representing the state but a great job of representing her self interests.

New York deserves better and someday they will realize it.

It's always tough to pick a good replacement for someone who has done such a poor job of representing the state but a great job of representing her self interests.

New York deserves better and someday they will realize it.

I'm sorry, but as a prairie dweller I'm thinking that this is a spat best left to the good folks in New York State (yawn). Looked from here like a ploy to pander to the upstate Republicans by giving away a Democratic Senate seat (Oh, she is a Democrat...hummmmm). That'll go over great when it's federal funding time for the Big Apple. In the meantime the rest of us would like some real news!

Does anyone work ""lay bricks,build houses,wash windows, etc.etc""anymore or do they just keep talking about what is going on??? We do not need all these talk showes.

Moderates Unite!: It should surprise no one that the libs in NYC would not approve of KG as much as the folks upstate do…Quinnipiac should do a survey on how many people in NYC think that the rest of the USA revolves around them.
--------------------------–
YOU sound more like a NEO CON than a moderate.
Nice try little man.

Like, who really cares. This sounds like a Campbell Brown hate story, which she is so good at... Get Real CNN and quit with the mean hearted stuff you have become so good at. Leave Caroline alone, hasn't her life been messed up enough by political hate. No wonder she decided to back out. I'm sure she realized that you mean spirited news folks would be right on her.

Paterson's selection process for Senator reminds me of incomptent Alabama politics, dumber than dumb.
Thanks

Um. Blame her for what, exactly? Patterson can't chose someone b/c Kennedy threw her hat in the ring? Errrrrr

CNN – would you please get my comment out of moderation and either put it in or remove it so I can stop wondering if you'll publish it? Thank you.

Here we go again. Cry babies pointing fingers and blaming others for everything that dosen't go their way. GROW UP!

so all the umms and ah , that the god obama has spoken,,, many times without a dick and jane prompter..all u have the audacity to smite caroline,, whom , i recall ,, was a daughter of one of the best prez in history,, u have compared him to the god obama,, wow,, ,, as if ..i am so glad i did vote 4 the first in my life ,, republican,, i am not ashamed at all,,, reap with the wind,, what ye shall sow,,, im gay btw,,, so ,, i like my guns and land and what little $$ i have,,

Gov Paterson is the biggest joke since the invention of Blagojevich, but of course CNN and others will confect and propagate a "poll" that will fit their agenda.

WOW Isn't she the chosen one-being a Kenndy

Will the press share any responsibility in this nightmare? Of course not! Just like the march into IRAQ right behind George Bush, and now it's like it never happened. The media put more time and energy into this issue than they did during the eight year reign of Bush and Co.

Listen, it dosn't matter what any of you say unless you're from NY! I didn't really care who Patterson picked. Hillary didn't do anything for us in her years in the Senate, and Gillibrand is a HORRIBLE pick. I hope she has other Dem. opponents to run against in the primary because I refuse to vote for this woman!

Ridiculous

I can understand why people might not like Caroline or might not think she is qualified. But what I fail to understand is how anyone can "blame" her for Paterson being such a dork. New York is so pitiful! Their governor resigns in disgrace so they get saddled with Paterson, and now he's proving to be a jerk. I hope Gillibrand is a good Senator, for all our sakes. Sheesh!

That's because New Yorkers know the fact that we cannot blame Paterson because he is not capable of anything.

Barack is already better than Hillary

umm, you know, umm, this, you know, could have, umm, been alot easier, you know, if, um, the governor, you know, would have, umm, just listened, you know, to my, umm, uncle Teddy, you know...

Absolutely!

Caroline Kennedy's conduct throughout this entire affair has been shameless!

She never should have "demanded" the seat to begin with. Her voting record as a private citizen (none), and isolation from all things political except as they concerned JFK or his library should have been a disqualifier not a qualifier.

And her supporters getting outraged at the process? Come on, who do these people think they are.

And Senator Feingold's proposal to change the process because of the outcome in Illinois and New York because "...he is not satisified and neither are the American people with the outcome"?

Let the states decide how they choose a replacement/seat warmer, and let Washington stay out of it. After all, Washington track record of late regarding how they run the government and regulate business pretty much sucks.

Back to it, clearly Caroline Kennedy botched how she handled this entire affair.

Peterson's disorganization and ineptness is Caroline Kennedy's fault how, exactly?

I'm sure Caroline is a nice person and intelligent but shouldn't be considered for the senate just because of her family and name. I would think that there is a list of 10 to 20 qualified people in New York for the governor to consider all equally nice and intelligent as Kennedy. We need to get away from name recognition as a qualification of elected officials and look at their experience, character and positions. Since I don't think that anything bad happened here I can't really blame anyone for the situation

Blaming Clinton? Give me a break. What accomplishments has Caroline Kennedy done? I agree with Governor Paterson with his decision to put Ms. Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton.

Caroline Kennedy is the surviving heir of our true Camelot monarchy. She is entitled to any high ranking positions she wants. She doesn't have to work hard to earn it because she's not a low-life commoner. Her royal bloodline alone qualifies her. The nerve of that new naive governor to not crown her senator is despicable. Obviously he still hasn't learned that Ted Kennedy is the godfather of the democratic party, and will be going after his neck soon.

what is with this "blaming"?!? Certainly, Gov. Paterson made his pick and, until the next election, we have to give Ms. Gillibrand a chance. Yes, we DO need people that do not live in NYC to represent the whole state of New York. City dwellers seem to forget that there's more to NY than the 5 boroughs. And people who live outside of the 5 boroughs are probably happy with Paterson's pick, and she seems to be well spoken and is ready to get right down to work, and she is NOT a princess, like Caroline. Ms. G has experience and I hope she does well. So she's supported by the NRA. Big deal! Don't we have the right to bear arms?

Good choice.

Yes and No.
Think what Paterson has done.
He used Caroline Kennedy to get national spot light.
He has played around until the last minutes.
And he picked the one who doesn't deserve the post.
Pro-Gun and anti-immigration.
The post was for HRC's seat and should be replaced by the one who has the same value that HRC has.

Cuomo should run for GOV in 2010.

For what should anyone be blamed? The governor conducted a careful selection process and made a timely appointment. Gillibrand is a solid candidate who has support from a large contingent of New Yorkers who think she will serve them well.

What's messy about that? The poll was just stirring the pot to ask such a poor question. Caroline Kennedy is a patriot who has served her country well and will continue to do so.

Best wishes to her and Gillibrand!

Is it telling that so many are spending time and energy on comments saying what a waste of time this is?

For Lauren who loves Palin : Are you blind too ?

This does not make sense. Here we go again with tabloid news. Caroline did what every other person would do, launched an exploratory committee for the senate seat. So what is the hoopla in the headlines.

What is their problem? Who cares that Kennedy said she wanted the seat. Why didnt anybody else who wanted it cause a problem? Unless.... they think Patterson is weak and is affected by this kind of thing enough to cause problems. If so... either way its his fault. All Patterson had to do was say "Thank you for your interest. Dont call me I'll call you".

I disapprove of any one who supports the NRA. She may say she supports hunters, but guns kill people and I heartily disapprove of Patterson's choice!

Paterson is the guilty party NOT Caroline Kennedy. Who would have made a brilliant Senator if it was not for that idiot Paterson. I will not vote for him next time, count of it !

I am glad to see no one is jumping to any conclusions about the pick just because she is from Upstate NY......

I live in Upstate NY, in the district Gillibrand covers and I haven't seen anything to suggest she is a bad choice for the Senate. We don't know who else was in the running for the seat other then Kennedy, and Kennedy was simply an outspoken person seeking the seat. Just because Kennedy wanted the seat doesn't mean she was going to just get to be Senator.

Lets do a what if.. What if Patterson picked Gillibrand anyways if Kennedy didn't drop out.. Sure people would be a bit surprised and still asking who GIllibrand is for those who live outside her district.. I don't really believe too many people thought Kennedy had enough person experience to make a jump into the Senate.

Maybe what would have helped Gilibrand is if she was on the Colbert Report's segment of better know a district...

Caroline could have done better. She neither looked nor acted professional leaving me with the feeling that she would not be completely disappointed to give up her almost lackluster pursuit of the seat.

This may hurt the Gov, come elections time. I think he handled the situation very badly as well.

And the reason for such a stupid, time wasting poll? Who gives a big R'sA about Caroline and the rest of the crooks in the Kennedy family? Their rule is over! The most sleezed political family of all times, talk about Bill Clinton not "keeping it in has pants". NO ONE else BUT a Kennedy could get by with what that family has gotten by with over the years, starting with the power hungry patriach – Joe.

Hey CNN – today's ticker stinks. Can you please give us something...anything...interesting???

New Yorkers need to get over themselfs.

Meh...meaningless...Paterson and Paterson is alone to blame. He is in an executive position and should have exercised his executive powers by making an executive decision without allowing himself to be swayed by any outside nonsense, no matter how loud and proud the nonsense was. The criteria are clear and can be summed up as "best person for the job based on the facts." Who lobbbied loudest for the position should have nothing to do with his decision-making, perios, so if there's anyone NYers should be pointing a finger at, it's him for allowing the process to be sensationalized and politicized.

To those who wrote leave her alone, or the person from South Dakota who wrote 'she has a life outside politics'. Caroline brought this upon herself by entering the process. This is why so many don't enter politics because everything about your life is under the microscope. Kennedy knows this, and she attempted to gain a senate seat in the easiest possilbe way. I am from the sometimes insane west coast, so we only saw Kennedy's interviews. I know Caroline is well educated, a lawyer, however she did not come across as very articulate in those interviews. The clips we saw on the west coast almost made her sound like a valley girl...um, like you know. Its only a speech pattern, but it made her loose crediblity.

I think it was nice she was able to withdrawl from the race when she learned she wasn't going to appointed, now we can all move forward and complain about someone else.

Blaming her for what?
FOR BEING A KENNEDY! (Isn't that enough?)

Monrob, you make me laugh, I so pity you, maybe think about checking yourself into an institute and get some help.

As a resident and tax payer in NY States, I've angushed over messy process of Caroline K. Schlossberge who sounded like to lookdown and ignore upon NYers. Why I couldn't remove the thoughts from my mind ? Caroline has NOTHING PREPARED to be the NY Senator seat; even she didn't know what was her own political/economic views, rejected to open basic informations, financial/tax/criminal records, neither interview with medias....... and so on.

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 or marriage life, but IRS should scrutinize her tax record no matter what her middle name is Kennedy or not. It's time for American to period in the name of the Kennedy.

Gun control is almost certainly a dead issue. BO will not want his "bitter and clinging" comment revisited any time soon.

“Progressive” control freaks can knock themselves out all they want with their belabored Palin comparisons, but an attractive, pro-gun mother is fine in my book.

Can somebody explain how this was Caroline Kennedy's fault? I am not a fan of hers but she threw her hat in the ring then withdrew her name. How does that make it her fault. Any citizen could have done the same thing.

I am tired of hatred, blaming, negative garbage. How you ask the question shapes the answers you will get. Do we have to have a scapegoat for everything? The Americans I work with everyday see the real issues and are ready to stand up and work on solutions. If only the media would do the same. We have so much work to do to get this country back on track we don't have time to look back at the negative and petty. I agree with whoever said "Who Cares?"

People are so fickle. Six weeks ago, Caroline Kennedy was everyone's favorite. Now she's the scapegoat. If anyone is to blame for this fiaso, it's the governor. He should've said from the very beginning that he was going to appoint someone with experience. Instead he strung everyone along, and let Caroline Kennedy look desperate for the job. He even made a joke about it during the inauguration.

of course Caroline is not to blame, how rediculious, it was always patersons call, he could have chose a lot sooner and it would have been done.

Why would you blame her? He made the pick. Amazing.

I stopped paying attention when I saw that this was based on some poll.

because she is not one their agents and cronies in DC.

she has her own mind and she uses it,

whether or not AIPAC and neo-cons agree with her.

and that's unacceptable to AIPAC and neo-cons!

ummmm..I think that the poll is, you know,....accurate.

What did Caroline do that yielded her so much blame? She tried her best to lobby a not-always in tune or easily provoked governor. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens in a Democratic Primary when 2010 rolls around.

And one doesn't care, because it doesn't matter. Quit waisting your time on things that don't matter.

The New York governor let this whole mess get out of hand...don't blame Caroline Kennedy for the slow-moving Paterson. This time Paterson dropped the ball.I think his pick is lousy...and only made to help him during the next election.

My solution for appointments is to stop them by placing an IF clause on the general election ballot.
People in Illinois would see a box to the effect of:
IF Senator Obama wins the seat he is currently running for which of the following candidates would you (as a voter) want appointed to Senator Obama's vacated senate seat.
If Senator Obama wins the people (not the corrupt govenor) have the say so for who takes the vacated seat.
Also, cut down on the corruption by demanding TERM LIMITS ON SENATE AND CONGRESS.
I am a democrat and believe that Caroline Kennedy was not qualified for this seat and should have not even been mentioned.
Good for Paterson for not caving to peer-pressure.

Sorry folks, but I DON'T TRUST GOV. PATERSON
FURTHER THAN I CAN THROW HIM!

I honestly believe that the Gov. already had his
mind made up quite some time ago, and for some
mysterious reason, Caroline Kennedy was not his
pick! Why the press and many others are giving
Caroline Kennedy such a bad reputation is beyond
me, I think she was quite prudent in withdrawing.

This was not so much a gender bias, as it was
a bias against her stature as a Kennedy, this is
very sad.

I honestly think that the fact that Caroline likes her
privacy, had nothing to do with Paterson's decision!
I think they are throwing all kinds of barbs out there,
to support their decision in choosing an unknown
in the Gillibrand pick.

Caroline may have been a very private individual,
but I think that anyone who would like to do a little
research, will find that she has been involved in
quite a lot of good works!

Finally I think that Paterson did a disservice to
Caroline, while at the same time he did not do
much to bolster his run for Gov. in 2010!

I think both Paterson, and Gillibrand will have a
very difficult time trying for re-election in 2010,
my guess is that neither one will be successful!

Good for New York!! .... People are getting fed up with the sense of entitlement that some of these political families now display.

Caroline was not the right person and should not have tried to "musscle in" ...

David Patterson made a public statement last Week That Caroline was not the most qualified person for replacement of HRC ....Caroline or anyone hearing that statement would know that he was not going to choose Caroline so she withdrew ....Gov pay back is a MOTHER .......... Gilliabrand is a Dem with a Repub Heart

Why in the world would anyone blame Caroline for this mess.
From the start the press and the media made this into a Caroline Kennedy fest, 24 hours a day all of the time. There is a reason why
the news media and press are now scrambling to bring themselves up to date on Kirsten Gillibrand, thats because they did not cover any one else but Caroline for three months. This has been the worst example of press abuse I have seen in a long time. Now you want to turn the tables and blame her??? I don't blame her for getting out.
It was obvious there was no interest from the media in any thing other than playing the Kennedy Family angle. Now she can get back to the work of serving her fellow human beings.

Palin/Blago 2012 You betcha ! !!

I dont know who should be blamed but she sure was slandered.

Lauren, who in the hell is Sarah Palin. Anyway.

Kennedy is a fine women. Some of the most intelligent people are not articulate. Too bad she's not the new Senator from New York. You haters should not be mad at her because she is rich and famous.

It must be a slow news day for CNN. I can't believe anyone, other than a handful of New Yorkers gives a rats a__.

Amen, Lauren. Caroline Kennedy, just go away! I don't know why CNN keeps reporting on you. For such a seemingly educated person, you sounded like an airhead who couldn't answer even the simplest questions. Just go away.

am I the only one who doesn't understand this? Kennedy withdrew, why blame her? they don't want her anyway.

To UPSTATE:

Do you have any idea how much money downstaters contrtbute to the upstate coffers? How about a thank you once in awhile?

How are they blaming her for the process? Shouldn't they blame the US Constitution for that?

How absurd. If there is any blame about a circus in connection with selecting someone, it lies squarely on the media. They are the ones who obsessed over the question and published uncounted articles and played up the drama. All Kennedy did was declare she would be interested, then take herself out of it after many media circus acts. Neither she nor Paterson controled the media nonsense.

I just glad Hillary is out. I still don't know what she did for New York other than use us to run for president.

Patterson comes out of this looking like an incompetent, mean-spirited fool, and Ms. Kennedy comes out looking like she is not ready for prime time.

I'm an upstate NY'er. Kennedy had no experience and was counting on her name to carry her through this. She wasn't the best candidate. No one is to blame. The best candidate was chosen. She is just a wining Kennedy who wasn't selected – a blow to the Kennedy ego. She wasn't going to be selected and she had to come up with some statement to put the blame on something or someone else. Sorry Caroline you are NOT the best choice.

Why in the world would it be Kennedy's fault???? Isn't the pick the choice of the Governor and the Governor only??? If it was bungled it would seem to be on him, not her.....

Caroline Kennedy is like Hillary Clinton. She can do anything she sets her mind to. She's better prepaed than some of the bozos already there. However I would have loved to see her as our UN representaive.

Why do my comments never make it out of moderation? I hope you're not emailing me to confirm, because I can't get to my personal email account from here at work.

flo,,,, What do you mean leave Caroline alone? She should be treated no different than Sarah Palin has been. She wanted a public office, why should she be left alone. The media and many of the bloggers are allowed to take cheap shots at Palin every time she makes a move.
Actually, many of the bloggers thirve and live for it. They take sheer joy on calling Palin names and insulting her because she talks different than they do, so they slam her.

Caroline is no more, or no less protected that Sarah is.

How silly...Gillebrand will be fine. we need to let all of this crap go.

What does it matter who gets the blame? Bottom line is the Kennedys will blame Paterson, and that means no second term for him.

It is ironic that Kennedy serving on Obama's Vice Presidential selection committee was considered one of her primary qualifications. Her recommendation of "Crazy Uncle Joe" for VP is one which causes additional scores of Americans to pray every night for President Obama's continued good health.

If Kennedy blame Clinton...whether its true or not I say GOOD! Yah how about the Karma, actually I would be pleased if Hillary did pull some backdoor favors to render Caroline the political shaft. Its the least HRC could do after being robbed of the nom. BTW is it me or couldn't Obama have waited to reverse this whole "abortion" deal? It is too early and the times are too bad. I am pro-choice, staunchly pro-choice but now wasn't the time to do this. We have more pressing issues at hand, this does not look like a reversal of Bush's policies...it looks like a "favor for a favor" type of thing.

Although the conservatives are a dying breed, he just gave them a shot of epinephrine. Wrong timing President Obama.

Back to the subject, this appointment may set the dems up for failure against the GOP in NY...just my opinions

I don't blame Kennedy, but I didn't think she was a good choice and I'm glad she dropped out. She could have been a bit more smooth about it – this I quit–no, I don't-yes I do–business was kind of lame.
Shows she really wasn't ready for the job.

I'm actually more interested in Joeseph Bruno and the charges against him. As one third of the "most dysfuncitonal state government in the country", he definitely needs to be investigated (as does Silver – it's too late to nail Pataki, unfortunately).

Caroline Kennedy waffled . . . Gov. Patterson waffled . . . in the end the correct choice was made. CK has some personal issues that will eventually come out – albeit she should have known she'd be under a microscope before starting the process. The Gov. should have said nothing about her personal life – a lesson learned.

Kristen Gillibrand is a smart (Dartmouth+ law school) person, born and raised in Albany, has worked as a lawyer on Wall Street and can also mix it up with rural folks. She lives just outside of Albany – the State Capitol – not exactly in the "upstate" NY woods! "Upstate" is where I live . . . 200 miles NORTH of Albany. Her greatest strength is being able to relate to people in NYC as well as in rural communities.
This will serve her well so let's. . . GIVE HER A CHANCE !

Kennedy or Gillibrand.

No difference.

Both female and both....VERY LIBERAL!!!

No change so give it up.

I agree this is a postive change I can believe in too.

It appears that Secetary of State Hillary Clinton is having the last laugh on the Kennedy's too.

Blame her for what? CNN – how many mentally challenged people did you find to survey? Because i would anticipate the average response to this question should have been "blame her for what?"

She threw her name in the ring....she realized she wasnt going to get it and withdrew her name, Patterson picked who he was going to.

I dont quite understand what we are blaming for? Or what the problem was that occured?

must be a slow news day...

The Governor was wrong to drag his choice for Clinton's replacement.

Now we must move on.

If Caroline still has the itch for politics, she should use this time to continue being an outstanding citizen that she is.. and prepare for the next senate election. She will win hands down.

Republicans are pleased with Gillibrand. This should be setting off all kinds of bells and alarms. Somebody is about to rob the store.

to Brooke – January 26th, 2009 11:11 am ET

"PLEASE stop saying she is from/represents UPSTATE NY…. she is from the 20th Congressional District – which is about as Upstate NY as Miami FL"

Hey Brooke – look at a map! Upstate is ANYTHING north of Westchester County, the NYC boroughs, and Long Island. Besides, Miami is a hell of alot WARMER this time of year than upstate NY...

OMG, idiocy reigns... alot of people without common sense (which is plentiful in UPSTATE NY) posting here .

Both.

Caroline for the shameless begging for the job. Patterson for failing to take control of the process that was his and his alone.

Caroline Kennedy is a freak!

Lisa in Seattle: I think the NY governor is supposed to make his decision based on qualifications, which is not the same as asking the people of NY to re-elect her.

This is all a joke. No one was to blame for anything. The seat didnt become vacant until HRC was sworn in as SOS. Why should he have named a successor for a seat that wasn't officially vacated until only last week?

This is the media making much ado about nothing. They got tired of waiting for this to play out in real time, so they sensationalized a story where there wasn't one. When this poll was conducted, was "the media" one of the choices made available? If it were, I bet the outcome would have been radically different.

This is too funny. I'm an upstate NYer and I never did blame Caroline Kennedy for the process. If anyone is to blame, point the finger at Patterson! As for NYer's not liking her because she didn't endorse Hillary Clinton? Pul-leeze. I was an Obama support from Day 1 and Hillary never had a chance with me, although I do like and respect her, just not for the job of President.

Will it anger Paterson if SNL makes some comedy out of this????

If Caroline Kennedy is serious about becoming a United States Senator she can launch an incredible campaign for the 2010 election. I think Ms. Kennedy is fully aware of how adversarial American politics can be and I'm certain she is accustomed to dealing with loss. She can write the manual of working through loss and disappointment. But getting in the blame game is useless. Personally my impression of Gov. Paterson is he's an idiot.

Blaming her for what?

What ever happened to all that favoritism the 'liberal' media has for Dems?

This kind of hits that idea way out the park when you're dissing a Kennedy.

You got to hand it to our media, because this proves that media is interested in one thing, getting the most attention.

I cannot believe you even asked the "blame game" question. Does it really matter? Will it change the outcome? Will it help the economy or the wars? Get real. Focus on what will help us as Americans not what will divide us.

Considering the amount of Caroline's own personal time devoted to helping NY public and it's children, I'd rather have a person in Congress that did all that philantropic work vs someone that didn't. It speaks volumes in character, morals/ethics and priorities. Gov. Paterson could have named anyone at anytime, but didn't. He chose to make it a dog and pony show. Blame the Governor for dragging it out, not Caroline. Heck, just look at Blagojevich's farce of a replacement process. I feel sorry for NY, must be odd to have so much angst vs those that actually tried to help you like Caroline. /facepalm

I understand that New Yorkers think this is a local story but it's not. With this selection, it is unclear how much support Obama will be getting on his economic policies. Frankly, the selection from a national perspective is disappointing becasue the country needs support for Obama. New York is a state that can provide it. But instead, it seems the nation got a person who will serve Paterson's needs (for upstate support) and Shumer's need to still be the 'big dog'. Somehow, I wonder if even NYorkers have been short changed. Time will tell.

I guess I don't understand why they are blamming Caroline. Gov. Paterson had no intentions of chosing her as Hillary's replacement and he allowed the farce to go on. I mean she dropped her name due to the fact that someone in his office told Caroline that she was not going to be "the choice", so she bowed out gracefully.

I really thought Caroline can do the job until I read the transcript of that interview. Just to be fair, hers was just as bad as Sarah Palin's if not worse. It's not just the "you know", she couldn't even explain clearly what makes her a good choice. If she can't advocate for herself, then how would she be capable to advocate for the New Yorkers? The family name shouldn't determine if you can get the senate seat, period.

Oh... and might I add... Princess Caroline has no experience nor deserved the seat just because she was a former presidents daughter. That'd be kinda' like Hilary Clinton getting the senate seat here in NY just because she was a former First Lady [which none of us are dumb, that's why she got it].

Well. Caroline Kennedy is to be admired and know
if more politicans were like her. our country would be
better off. i'd vote for her any time...

I fine that poll results very difficult to believe...

Why Blame Gov Paterson?

1) He stated in the beginning that he would name a successor after Hillary was CONFIRMED!. (that's what happened)

2) Caroline is a good person but she wasn't ready for the scrutiny.

3) The press actually deserves much of the blame for salivating over this pick for the last two months. Now they are trying to be good guys by defending Caroline who they ripped daily!

4) The media should name the sources from Paterson's office that allegedly outed Caroline's personal business. Until they do, I won't believe a word that the media puts out.

Don't censor me..Please

As a conservative Republican, amazingly enough I'm content with this pick. She represents those other than NYC! It's about time we here in WNY and the rural areas got a voice. So please don't let us down Mrs. Gilibrand!

The truth is Kennedy, any Kennedy is bad for NY. She aligned her self with Sharpton and he is a joke. She had no interest in upstate NY, I doubt she even knows that there is a NY outside of Manhattan.

We're just lucky that moron didn't appoint his cat or something.

Gary of El Centro, I am not sure how the governor could have named a replacement much sooner. Any person holding the seat would have had to resign first. It was proper for Clinton to remain a senator right up to her confirmation as Secretary of State.

I agree with Dave, I don't see the mess here. The media have fanned the flames and we are only too willing to warm ourselves with it. Mistrust of the government absolutely must be the order of the day. It is disappointing that there is not one journalist anymore, not a single one, who will take the time to sift through the actual facts and present them with no fanfare. Then we would have seen that the process actually worked.

Greg, I hope you get your period and apostrophe keys fixed soon. That was one tough read without them.

As a child in Ireland I recall my grandmother having two photographs on her sitting room wall – one of the Pope and the other of John F. Kennedy. Now, 30 years later, as a U.S. citizen and Democrat I am pleased that Caroline K. was not appointed. This country most surely does not need political dynasties like the Kennedies and the Bushes. Caroline K. was unqualified for the position. Period. What we DO need are term limits for the House and Senate, complete public funding for federal elected office – no private money WHATSOEVER, and continuing guaranteed free access for all canddidates to network T.V. stations. In short, let's get private money and entitlement out of public life!

With what I have seen so far this person will not win in 2010 and her pick may have open the door wide for a Republican to take that seat in 2010 and Patterson will most likely lose in 2010 as well.

she and HER family pushed thinking they could run the show....now SHE knows!!!!
LOl
LOL
LOL

all the Kennedy's fault

Paterson RULES!!!!!

You cannot blame Caroline- After all, she was born with a siliver foot in her mouth.

I was so unimpressed after hearing her present herself that there would be no way I could vote for her. My 17 year old daugther can more cogently articulate a sentence (without 3 "you knows") than Mrs. Shlossberg. She was WAY in over her head. Let her live her life of privileged obscurity. There's work to be done.

If Caroline was ever really interested and commited to obtaining a Senate seat then she can run for it in 2 years. There was nothing wrong with the process. No one was "entitled" no matter how popular or decent they are or what their name is.

That is what Hillary did and anything other official who was elected for their office. This should have been a special election. No appointees if the remaining time is over a year. We knew of Hillary's pick as SoS for over a month now and that she'd be a likely cabinet member for longer. Candidates could have been working a campaign a while ago and then hit the streets when it was obvious Clinton was leaving.

Another way to end this garbage is to mandate that if you are running for president you have to give up any current seat you are holding immediately. Sure, you run the risk of losing a good representative. But if they are spending all their time campaigning they shouldn't be drawing a tax-payer funded salary for a job they aren't doing. This would give more time to set up special elections.

A great way for a Republican to get voted in. Take notes, in a house of Democrats just run Democrat.

A replacement should have been name very early in the game. Caroline Kennedy only wanted the job because of her last name. listen to her speak she was not ready for the job and the governor did right by given it to some one who know how to handle their own and not use their last name as their weight.

What mess? How was anything Caroline Kennedy's fault???

I don't have anything against Caroline Kennedy, and I am pleased that the governor selected someone with some political experience to replace Senator Clinton. If caroline really wants the job, she should prepare and run for the office in 2010 so that the voter would have the opportunity to put her in office. No one should be handed the job of Senator on a silver platter –

Gov. Paterson and his cronies blew it, and he will get his comeuppance when the time comes for him to run for election. He will get his then, for having made so many mistakes in the past few weeks, and angering so many people. New Yorkers love Andrew Cuomo and considered him the most qualified person for the job of senator. The only consolation New Yorkers will now have is to see Andy Cuomo replace Gov. Paterson. How sweet that will be. I MISS YOU, NEW YORI!!!

blah blah blah

Let them eat cake.

So, I think few of us really know what happened. But from where I sit, it looked like Kennedy was somewhat of a dimwit and Paterson basically kept quiet the whole time until he named his choice. So I don't understand where he comes out the loser here.

If Caroline Kennedy had not been out campaigning publically trying to force Paterson's hand, this process would have been much smoother. Paterson always stated that he would name Clinton's replacement after she was confirmed as SOS. That's exactly what he did. There isn't any evidence that there was any chaos in his deliberations. The only chaos was the public spectacle driven by Kennedy, who VERY publically failed to clearly state why she should be picked over better qualified candidates, failed to articulate her priorities/positions if selected, and failed to convince ythe 'hiring manager' that she deserved the job.

Although I have admired John F., Robert and Ted Kennedy immensely, Caroline's political debut was a disaster and revealed her not to be even nearly prepared to be the junior senator from New York, and most certainly not a worthy successor to Hillary Clinton.

I'm not sure who they questioned for this poll because I don't think I have heard one person in the City say they blame anyone but Patterson for making a mockery of this whole process.
And then he picks a pro-gun senator to represent NY??? We're not just talking baout NYC being anti-guns. You think people in Buffalo, Albany, or Binhamington are pro-guns? I doubt it.
You just can't separate hunters rights from more guns on the streets of major cities.

I think Elmer Fudd said it best: "Be vewwy, vewwy quiet...I'm hunting wabbits!"

Caroline had a right to change her mind if she wanted to..it's no one's business "WHY" she changed it...last week, according to the polls NY'ers didn't want her anyway..they should be glad....get over it...

Caroline Kennedy really shouldn't have been considered because she has no experience in government. If she wants to run in 2010 that would be up to her..more power to her. But to be appointed to the US senate with no experience would be plain wrong!

If anything the process was unfair to Caroline Kennedy. As the early front runner everyone and their mother had the opportunity to tear her down as a candidate. I personally would have preferred Caroline over Kirsten but we were never told that was the choice. No one had a chance to give their opinion on this Kirsten. The Gov is totally at fault for not selecting a replacement sooner. He should have named Caroline Kennedy as soon as it became known she was the front runner. Instead he let the media act like the rabid dogs they are and tear her down. For her part Caroline should not have made any public statements until after her selection. Going on TV before her selection is presumptuous.

What are New Yorkers thinking? Caroline Kennedy's star status would have made her a star in the senate...and helped New Yorkers get what they need. Gillibrand's a nobody...and soon Paterson will be too.

While Caroline Kennedy seems to be a nice lady, I think the governor did the correct thing when he picked someone who was experienced.

In this time when our country needs to pull itself together, we need all the experienced help we can get.

Finally, some good Senate news. Minnesota, Illinois, et al take note. Sometimes cooler heads prevail.

CNN is making a story where there is none.
There was nothing wrong with the process. Gillibrand was already in the running and Governor Patterson stated on Live Television at the inauguration, before Carolyn pulled out, that he was going to announce his pick by the end of the week which is exactly what he did.
CNN needs to get over the Kennedy's!

CNN
Complete Non News

Hillary Clinton was a predatory opportunist for moving to NY to use the senate seat as her national political launching pad, so its nice to see that the unnecessary drama continues with her replacement.

Hillary was hardly qualified for the position when she was elected to it. For those of you thinking that the process should be taken out of the hands of the Governers and put in the hands of the voters, I think you should be careful what you wish for.

How was Caroline Kennedy even seriously considered? She has done exactly zilch in her entire life. Gov. Palin gets crucified by the media because she does know foreign policy questions that would stump folks on Double Jeopardy, and Caroline ends up with "ya know, ya know". And she has bad hair, and what is it with the lighting? She is always photographed with wrinkles that suggests that she has vigorously "enjoyed" life. Come on, New York deserves better, someone that actually won a political election (for starters). Her excuse for withdrawing was absolutely lame. She didn't know (as did the rest of the world), that her uncle had terminal cancer and would be dead in a year? Just found out when he collapsed? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

C- COMPLETE
N- NON
N- NEWS

You leftist morons are out attacking your own because he didn't pick your little golden child who has NEVER worked a day in her "you know" life.

Not all DEMOCRATS hate guns, love terrorists and think murdering babies is a good thing.

Some WOMEN take issues for what they are REGARDLESS of how the NOW tells them to think.

They are called moderates or smart thinkers who are not wed to your socialist ideology..............

Let's close gitmo with no plan on what to do with the MURDERERS, lets send MY tax dollars to other countries so I can pay for their abortions........

Let's nominate a tax cheat to head the IRS....

Good job liberals, I hope you are happy...........

NON-STORY

Try again, CNN.

Sucks to be owned by corporate thugs, huh?

I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I see comments that compare Kirsten Gillibrand with Sarah Palin or depict her essentially as a Republican within the Democratic party. Get a grip! I'm an independent that recognizes the disaster of the previous administration and, consequently, supported Obama. Paterson's pick of Gillibrand is great! I may not agree with all her positions, but she is forward-looking, independent, a hard worker and someone that knows her stuff. To compare her with Palin is absolutely ridiculous. Good luck Kirsten!

I HAVE NEVER TRUSTED THE KENNEDY'S. I LIKE JOHN KENNEDY WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT. THE REST OF THEM USED THE PEOPLE TO GET WHAT THEY WANT AND FORGOT THAT THEY WERE VOTED TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS. THEIR JUST LIKE CROOKS. (RICH ONES)

Living in Gillibrand's district, I think what most of you don't know is that she reflects what most upstate New Yorker's believe. NY overall is dominated by NYC and its suburbs, which makes the rest of the country think that all of NY consists of liberal democrats. This will not help Gillibrand when it comes time for the state-wide election in 2010. But people from the vast majority of NY, by area, believe in gun ownership. That's because the vast majority of NY is rural and they use these guns for hunting, not to commit crimes. In that kind of community, gun ownership for that purpose makes sense. Now that she's responsible for considering the entire state, I've already heard her position on gun rights is shifting to accomadate views more realated to gun crimes.

Everyone should calm down and give her a chance. You don't even know her and you're set to try to bring her down. She has at least 2 years. There's nothing you can do about it. Give her a chance and come back in 2010.

why does anyone care?

Governor Patterson should have been in complete control of the process and he let it drag out for his own reasons and in the end picked someone he felt would strengthen his ticket best in 2010 – no surprise. What is a surprise is that people of NY "blame" Kennedy for that process or having expressed the desire to be a U.S. Senator – how dare she!

Sorry, as a New Yorker I think Caroline Kennedy was 'dissed big time....for Gov. Paterson's staff to publicly say the nasty things they said about Caroline Kennedy, I can tell you he will go down in flames....he will NOT be the next Governor of New York State. He looked like an idiot over this process.....and normally, I like the guy.

His lack of eyesight is not the only thing missing.This chump was appointed by a dress stainer before becoming Governor.

After hearing Caroline Kennedy in a interview I realized that she was the Kennedy's "special" little secret. Some times it is better to be seen and not heard from...... ever.

Hey Dianne, what's wrong with being a DINO? The new Senator's stance what what the Dem's USED to stand for, once upon a time, until they decided to remake their party into the joke it is today.

So lame.

CNN–YET AGAIN puts out a sensational story instead of a journalistic article.

Sucks to be owned by corporate freaks/thugs, huh?

Carolina Kennedy simply isn't qualified to be a senator (no, one's last name is NOT the only or most important qualifiation).

One simply doesn't spend one's entire life not even bothering to vote and then suddenly claim you want to be one of the most exclusive clubs on the planet.

Whether one likes it or not, to be a politician one has to politick.

The people who control the process are to blame for allowing this situation to take the direction it did. Caroline Kennedy expressed an interest in the job, and because of the national recognition of her family name the media circus was on – just like everybody knew it would. At no time did I ever see Caroline Kennedy try to grab the high ground in this mess.

This NYer blames Patterson and vehemently opposes his choice of Gillibrand. Appointing someone who's in bed with the NRA is a slap in the face to Bloomberg and others who have fought to keep illegal guns out of NY.

Cuomo was the obvious and best choice. I would have been unhappy with Kennedy, but this is just plain bone-headed.

Well, well, well! New Yorkers finally have made some sense. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg was not the best or even a good candidate for HRC's replacement. She wanted "in" because of who she was. Finally, Paterson, even though he could have hastened the process, did not give in to the Kennedy name. Good for you, Paterson. Its about time someone had the balls to stand up for themselves.

What exactly is the problem here? If Paterson had appointed Kennedy and Kennedy had pulled out two weeks later because of her undisclosed "condition", that would've been far messier.

Caroline Kennedy did not deserve to get Hillary Clinton's Senate seat! She stabbed Hillary in the back and then wanted to take her seat? What audacity!

Caroline Kennedy is a big girl. She wants it or she doesn't. Her foray into upstate New York was awkward and presumptuous. Rolling into a city with a great entourage, chatting with local Dems and leaving in an hour or two. Please.

Who knows whether Paterson would have chosen her? Who cares? She announced she was withdrawing, so it doesn't matter.

Although I'm wary of his ultimate choice, I approve the governor's handling of his entire job, including the Kennedy Soap Opera. She wants to look like a victim here. But a victim of what? Having to compete like everyone else?

What was Paterson supposed to do? Fall at her feet when she announced that New Yorkers would be "honored" by her royal presence in the Senate?

Remember the story of the princess and the pea? I think this princess curled up on a stack of mattresses, only to find that a pea at the bottom was "uncomfortable!"

I don't have to agree with everything Paterson does to think he's an excellent governor.

Hello CNN I can not even comment on my own state? Censored again...

to Dianne – "She is pro-gun & has endorsement of the NRA.

This woman is not a Democrat, she's a DINO (Democrat in name only)."

Since when is NOT following the party line to the letter (shall I say kool-aid drinkin'???) a BAD THING? Our new senator -elect seems intelligent, likeable, and able to make a decision on her own. Unless you live in NY, Dianne, you have no right to criticize our Governor's choice.

As a law-abiding gun owner and upstate resident, I say HURRAY. There aare alot of us who think NYC should be State #51...

Glad I dont live in NY anymore. It was bad enough when Hilary was elected. Its gone downhill ever since. Come to think of it, its a lot like Ohio...... tax tax tax spend spend spend.

Yuck on Gillibrand. She's Palin lite.

New Yorkers may wish for what they lost. Caroline may not have marketed herself well, but is that the only way people can look at character, intellect, and potential?

Mistakes were made. This is not ending well.

Dianne – I'm curious how Gillibrand could have voted for the "Bush tax cuts" when the bill was signed in 2003 and she wasn't elected to congress until 2006...also she is indeed a democrat – have you done any research at all? She supports many, many democratic issues. Many extremely liberal democrats oppose her solely because of her stance on gun control issues. I for one am GLAD she opposed the TARP plan, and I wrote her a letter thanking her for opposing it. She opposed the plan because it did not have enough controls attached to it as to exactly how the money was to be used. You see where the no-strings TARP bill as signed got us – those banks bought more banks, paid themselves even more multi-million dollar bonuses, and had extravagant parties with that money, rather than opening up the credit markets, and taxpayers are still in the same or worse economic situation that we were before, only $350 billion poorer.

Mike, Syracuse NY – this is the first time I've ever read something you posted that I actually agree with.

To All – Kirsten Gillibrand was a good pick. I am in the 20th Congressional District and she has been a good representative of the people in this district. You have to remember this is mostly republican territory – for a democrat to not only unseat a popular 4-term representative, but also to win reelection by 24 points 2 years later, is indicative of her centrist point of view. I think we need more people in congress who are willing to move towards the center. The far left and especially the far right crazies are part of the problem.

Gillibrand – yay – a Republican wearing Democrat clothing. Just what the Senate needs...another person who is for guns and against marriage (or at least, the right to be married if you are homosexual). She can hang out with Leiberman, I guess.

Hopefully for the rest of us, she'll just be a one-term senator.

Kirsten Gillibrand: Pro-second amendment, Anti-bailout democrat.
If it has to be a democrat, I'm glad it's going to be this one!
Good pic, Govenor! You did good!

(Thanks for sending Kennedy back to Martha's Vineyard.)

I'm confused...blamed for what? Did he not successfully appoint a new senator that most everyone agreed was a good pick? Without controversey or comment from Caroline Kennedy?

Indeed, confusing...

How was this situation a mess? The governor did his duty and appointed someone who seems to be well-suited to serve the needs of New Yorkers in the Senate. The 'mess' was the media's constant coverage of whether or not he would appoint Kennedy, thus creating a controversy so they could then report on it.

@ truth be told

i concur!!

Most New Yorkers are offended by Kennedy's belief that this seat was her rightful patrimony. Paterson, by contrast, can't help that he's incompetent.

Gillibrand is a great choice. I admire the Gov for having the guts to select someone not politically tainted. Kudos to you, Sir. I am tired of the Kennedys, Coumos, and Clintons thinking that someone should be annointed to the position because of their family name or due to the fact it's what "they" want. If she doesn't do a great job (I think she will) the voters will elect someone else to the position. Time to do whats right not what's popular.

The blame game. Hillary Clinton cannot be replaced and that's the core issue. New Yorkers are now represented by who?????

Dianne: If Obama can move to the right to win a presidential election; Gillibrand can surely move to the left to win a senate seat. No?

Caroline has been a private citizen most of her life. Frankly, I don't think her political acumen was developed enough. In other words, she was just not ready for the position.

I wish Quiinipiac had called me! I am livid that this whack job governor chose someone backed by the NRA to represent NY. I'm a proud liberal democrat who worked hard to get Obama elected who will be working very hard for almost anyone who oppose Gillibrand in 2010, even if it means backing Peter King. Hopefully it will be Carolyn McCarthy or Andrew Cuomo.

I wanted Caroline Kennedy & think Patterson blew it. There were so many other qualified candidates, I just can't accept this one. There are way too many guns in NY – between illegal ones in NYC and yahoos running around with guns in the woods upstate. Kirsten Gillibrand just doesn't get it.

Do the people in New York know how ridiculous you sound? How can you blame someone for entering her name into the political process for consideration (didn't all the candidates?) when that is exactly what the Governor and the process itself requires in order to make the best choice possible. Now you are blaming someone. For what, following the process laid down by our system of government. As usual New York and the press are good comic relief (Lot of guts for a Californian huh). Thanks for starting my day off with a chuckle. – raycar – San Jose, CA

Patterson is more concerned about being re-elected than his state. Word of advice to the Gov. YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW. Bet you will have some resistence in the populated areas that you think are save.

There was no doubt that Hillary would be confirmed.......the Governor could have named the replacement much sooner and put an end to the circus before it began. Instead, he left them twisting in the wind. His fault in my view.

Absurd.

Who cares?

This goes to show why "New Yorkers" do not like the new senator- Because she is from Upstate. Those Downstates have held up there noises to upstate.

For those that don't know: Upstate has always had a "Red Streak", has always like there (our) guns, and has always thought separately from the Downstate Leftists.

This Senator is truly a Upstate Senator- which is good because many of our Senators, including our current one, have tended to be Downstaters. But thats why they do not like this new one.

well, ya know...it could..ya know...be.. well... ya know ..true......ya know

I blame the fact that it is not an election of the people rather an apointment by one person.

Waiting for the 2010 free-for-all Gillibrand will go. For those of us who believe Kennedy will bring a new national focus to our state , we cannot wait. Neither can Andrew Cuomo.

Peterson to blame. Carole will be rewarded from Obama govt or from the state or uncle Ted or from the governor -Deval. If not, she will head a commission for arts.

`

Well, you know, Caroline wanted this job, you know, sooooo bad, you know.

I am, you know, sure that she will, ummmmm, run for the seat when it, you know, comes up next year.

You know?

`

I loved Caroline and John-John in the White House.

But that was almost fifty years ago.

Poor Caroline was like a minor leaguer who got a chance to go to
The Bigs, and couldn't even handle a routine pop fly.

Her bad, Hillary's glad.

Good chose Gov. Paterson. Thanks for going against the political establishment! Go Hillary!

All I can say is that Patterson should have made his decision a long time ago. He dragged this thing out and now has himself to blame. I think Caroline Kennedy was mishandled and I think Gov, Patterson made a big mistake and looks like a procrastinator. Two Democratic governors have really been poster children for a special election.

Patterson's choice of a "blue dog" Democrat will really help President Obama push through his program. I will rest my judgement for now, but the new Senator sure smells like a Republican in Democratic clothing. In Texas the Republicans would call her a RINO (Republican in Name Only). In New York call her a DINO (Democrat in Name Only).

Thank you Gov. Patterson. With friends like you, who needs enemies.

I hope that the Obama administration treats Paterson with the same amount of disrespect as he treated Kennedy.

I'm VERY disappointed in Paterson's pick of Gillibrand. She is in NO WAY a Democrat.

i still wonder why he chose an unknow in these troubled times, why didn't he use good judgement and choose someone that was better known and qualified, i think he made a bad choice.

Who people blame in a pole one day for a decision that was not made? This is coverage? I'd rather see the report that investigates it.

There is only one person to blame.. Carolina Kennedy! She didn't deserve Mrs. Clinton seat. She supported Obama during the primaries. I have one question... Don't she live in NY? Back stabber!

Where is my comment? I guess it was not to your liking of comments. So sorry, but deal with it. Betty

Ms. Kennedy lacked articulation and a grasp of issues which should be a requirement of anyone holding a state position with such responsibility. It does matter and considering the lack of leadership we have endured for the past eight years, it is not an unreasonable expectation of New Yorkers and Americans in general.

Her name should not buy her the position.

It does matter and considering the lack of leadership we have endured for the past eight years, it is not an unreasonable expectation of New Yorkers and Americans in general.

I applaud the choice of Gillibrand.

So the Kennedy family is upset, well who cares. Caroline Kennedy did not have the smarts for that Senate seat. The only thing going for her is the name KENNEDY, There are plenty people out there that do not think the Kennedys are as important as they feel. I say she was a flub from the get-go. Let the Kennedys find another sucker that is on the same mentality as Caroline, there are many in that family who needs to wake up and get a normal life. Am I suppose to believe that all the New yorkers have more of an input on who can serve in Senate seat? I certainly think not. Betty

I don't understand how you blame Kennedy for the mistakes her advisers did i mean why do a poll in New York where people don't even like Kennedy's but as you know this my own opinon i just don't understand why we can't give a very honest person espically a woman like Caroline Kennedy a chance to become a senator of New York I also think that Gov. Paterson is lying about not giving a signal to Kennedy to quit he the one that probably drove her to quit the race i don't know what he has aganist her but if your thinking that i don't like who Gov. Paterson to replace Hilary Clinton then your wrong i have nothing against Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand i think that she would make a good senator best wishes to her and to her family

I'm with JL, and i'm a New Yorker. It's pretty stupid, in my opinion, to waste time and money on a "who is to blame?" poll like that.

Scott in Tucson,

You know this is Bush's fault. Luckily though Obama is here and will fix everything.

THANK YOU Paterson, finally an UP-STATER in a position of power. Whenever NY is discussed, its ALWAYS about the City. Finally we get a selection from up-state to match Schumer (a down-stater). I'm sure Caroline would have been nice (as all the senator picks from the City have been) but lets face it, she would get a nose bleed if she had to cross the Tappenzee

JL, Why respond if you feel it's ridiculous??

Elvis, do New Yorkers care how you feel?

I am happy she didn't get it. She will never be able to fill Hillary's shoes. And Barack will never be as good as Hillary!

WHAT might someone blame Kennedy for? Nothing happened here, but a selection process. Some folks just need to whine about something. If this is all there is to whine about, some folks are very uninformed.

New Yorkers you're disgusting looking to blame Caroline, no wonder she withdrew. She's had enough hate mongering in her family, don't ya think.

What was so "messy" about the process? It sounds to me like it worked exactly like it was supposed to. The press is the only one making a big drama about all of this.

-Dave

Ok, will this FINALLY get Sarah to shut up?

who cares?

Maybe Paterson should just switch parties.

The fact that Caroline Kennedy and Co. didn't choose Hillary Clinton for the Vice- president position, upset many New Yorkers.
They grew rather indifferent towards her when it came to the vacant senate seat.

Elvis: In this case, we should care what NYers are feeling, because she's their senator and they are the ones who will be asked to re-elect her. Sheesh.

The Kennedy dynasty is finally over, now there is change I can beleive in.

Nope, no experience here..

It was so disappointing to see Caroline Kennedy dropped out at the last minute. I respect her rights to do whatever she wants but in life if you know that you don't have the gut to do something don't even bother to start it and gave hope to so many of your fans and let them done when the expect so much from you. I can also understand that we all have our own and personal reasons and we should respect them. Please Caroline next time just stay out of politics because you are not cut for that and remenber politics is not for weak. We will keep the image of your dad, the greatest.
Please go back to do what you do best work in the shadow. We will always love you because of your dad and you actual uncle.

Not surprising.
There sure was an appearance of Caroline Kennedy throwing her support to Obama in the primary and an apparent attempt of "payback" by Obama by encouraging, and supporting her bid to be a Senator. Obviously we don't know the real story but there is stench all around.

Kirsten "Little Hillary" Gillibrand will be a great Senator. As with most smart serious women her positions will evolve – she is not a narrow minded right-wing zealot on gun control. She has represented some of the most beautiful rural financially depressed places in the country(the ADirondacks and the Hudson Valley) and won in an over-whelmingly blood red district. She supports GAY marriage and stem cell research – and is disarming in her warmth and brains when approached by critics. We New Yorkers are rooting for her. Let's get on with it – enough with Caroline – sweet or otherwise.

Funny....all the facts around this issue are not fully known. Yet still the majority blame Caroline Kennedy. Gov. Paterson's decision-making process was woefully lacking. Sen. Schumer says Ms. Gillibrand will change her views to be in alignment with his, I suppose. Interesting.

Very strange this whole Patterson/Kennedy saga. I do believe that the dirty political payback of the Clintons were behind this. Just my opinion which I am fully entitle to give. Its a shame that people have put down Caroline Kennedy as if she was some bimbo with no education. Just so you know she may have much of skills to provide to any state senate seat than half of the morons in that seat. If you haven't notice we are as a country a total mess and congress and the senate are also to blame. So don't under estimate what Caroline Kennedy could offer. Now for this woman from "Western New York State" we will have to digest her until the people of the state vote if they want her there in the next election.

Hey, get a grip. Who cares. Kennedy did not want the job and we now have a new senator. Don't we have anything else to do in time of crisis than conducting such stupid surveys. That money could hacve boosted the economy!!

I didn't think it possible, but finally something not blamed on Bush.

Sorry, was there a major "problem" with the process? What kind of loaded question, and therefore "journalism" is that?
Slow Days at CNN and in NY huh?

Why are they "blaming" anyone? Was Caroline Kennedy entitled to the vacated seat?

Maybe, just maybe, she lost out because she isn't qualified to hold this office.

Maybe meritocracy ruled.

Blah blah... The public has no idea what they're talking about. They just point blame at whoever the media tells them to. And as far as Caroline Kennedy, if she truly wants to be in politics, then she needs to cut her teeth in the trenches and stop depending on her name

CNN: why are you still obsessed with this. Does this poll prove anything? Achieve anything? Mean anything at all?

NO! It just makes CNN look like obsessed imbeciles.

The problem with Caroline Kennedy is that she did not have any "real life" experience. She has lived a very private life, and even though charity work and the campaign help she gave Obama are worthwhile, it is not every-day-work.

If find it VERY suspicious and curious that Ms. Kennedy abruptly pulled out!

I think Caroline Kennedy is a fine woman, but she did nothing to show that she was qualified to be Senator other than her Kennedy name, she bungled her chances badly especially when she went upstate on her tour. Her interviews went badly also. It would have been wrong for Paterson to appoint her, he made a better choice with Gillibrand.

"New Yorkers may approve of Paterson’s pick, but they’re not as happy about the path he followed to get there ..."

Duh, no kidding – indecisive, indecisive, indecisive. Should have been courageously quick and steadfast in the face of expectant criticsms, regardless of the pick.

She is interesting. Let's see what happens.

As an outside observer of the process, I was very disappointed by the way the Press (CNN & others) reported comments supposedly made by the Governor regarding Caroline Kennedy's quest for this position.

Caroline Kennedy was not treated with the respect and civility that she deserves. She has great capability and credential.

Florence Bowie

Ha! Who'd you poll the 50% of NYrs eligble to vote but so apathetic they don't or just enough of the 50% who are likely party hacks downstate? Paterson is done – no spin will save him. No one blames Caroline – she was a courageous voice on behalf of change and good works in NYC.

"More than three times as many New Yorkers in a new poll blame Caroline Kennedy and her team for the messy process surrounding the search for Hillary Clinton’s Senate replacement than fault the state’s governor, David Paterson — although, on balance, his final selection meets with their approval."

I heard that Bill and Hillary may have had something to do with Caroline not getting the appointment. Remember, they don't get mad, they get even. They were none to happy when she and Teddy endorsed President Obama in the primaries. But oh, how they loved riding on that yacht back in the 90's with Teddy, Caroline and Jackie O! Love'em or hate'em, those Clinton's have politics running through their veins!!!

who cares. Now the idiot Paterson has stuck NY'ers with a Dem . Sarah Palin wanna be . She's pro rifle–anti -gay .She's one of Palin's real Americans. the ones we can so do without

I heard that Bill and Hillary may have had something to do with Caroline not getting the appointment. Remember, they don't get mad, they get even. They were none to happy when she and Teddy endorsed President Obama in the primaries. But oh, how they loved riding on that yacht back in the 90's with Teddy, Caroline and Jackie O! Love'em or hate'em, those Clinton's have politics running through their veins!!!

The rest of the country doesn't always care what New Yorkers are feeling. Take a poll to figure out who to blame that sentiment on.

How stupid. Caroline Kennedy is not to blame.

Sounds like a slanted poll to me. What, do they think she was going to appoint herself? She basically just said "Hey, I'm willing and I have high visibility.'
Non-issue now anyway. Let's get back to reporting on Blago's hair.

When it comes to politics, there is always "someone else" that can be blamed for the results. The Governor made his choice--Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand--she is experienced--and well connected. Any coments or troll polls after the fact is a moot point---live with it.

I like Caroline Kennedy. She has used her name to do great things here downstate–especially fundraising for NYC schools. However, she did not do a good job selling herself to all New Yorkers. Hillary got a great start on being senator because of her husband. Yet, she visited every county in New York State and knew the issues affecting NYS like the back of her hand. Thus, easily trounced Lazio in the 2000 senate election. That's the thing with Hillary, she's always prepared for whatever job she tries out for–even if she got a head start (her husband's reputation). She always is fully aware of the issues and can argue with them at the drop of a hat.

Kennedy should have treated this appointed position as a campaign; unfortunately, she's too private of a person and that hampered her ability to show her skills. I can't believe she had a big part in the Obama campaign b/c that campaign was well-thought out and on- message. Caroline's campaign on the other hand seemed an afterthought.

With this year's political message being "change" and "kick the bums out," Caroline should have been more open to the press and public in order to gain confidence so as not to seem as "entitled." She should have been upstate pronto. Talked to everyone who would listen to her to show her awareness of upstate and downstate issues–not just to Sharpton and downstate people because upstate New Yorkers are tired of being ignored especially since their manufacturing base/economy crumbled 30 years ago. They deserve representation, too.

Furthermore, I like Patterson's choice because even as a NYC person I believe in the Second Amendment. I do think if the government is less likely to become fascist if the citizenry is armed; but I think the gun-control people do have a point–average citizens do not need AK-47s. Hunting guns and handguns are reasonable. In addition, Patterson had to choose an upstate person because he will be up for election in 2010 and has a black legislator originally representing Harlem, he will have a hard time convincing moderate/conservative (white) upstaters to vote for him as governor especially since he became governor after the Spitzer debacle. I think we NYC/Westchester/ LI people need to chill out and allow the upstaters a chance to have someone who represents them in the Senate because other than money for public schools, we here in NYC are sometimes overrepresented.

I simply can not resist. I have to do this,,,,,,,,

In reply to all of you Sarah Palin slammers, and for everyone who simpy HATES to see Sarahs name in the news.

Caroline Kennedy,,,, will you please just go away. Go back toy our privledged life. Go back to Camelot, just go away. The truth about you is out, if you have to EARN it, you do not want it. You only want what is handed to you on a silver platter. Caroline,, just go away.

Nobody looks good in this one, but I agree that Kennedy is the one whose actions were the worst. In attempting to claim what she saw as her rightful patrimony, she embodies the worst of our political and economic systems – that overweening sense of entitlement that brought us both George W. Bush and huge Wall Street bonuses. Paterson can't help that he is incompetent, and Gillibrand is what she is (a gun-toting homophobe). So it is Kennedy who is the most offensive of this lot.

So, problems in her personal life, whatever they may be, don't concern anyone? The public need to understand that they don't control this.

The decision's made. If they're happy with the results, why do they need to blame anyone? Move on.

As a New Yorker, I'm very please Kennedy withdrew consideration. I'm not sold on Kirsten Gillibrand yet, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

Patterson is a nut case with no leadership skills. This is all his fault. He led her to believe that she was the choice, then just snatched it away. How shoching and disrectful. He is a dufus.

Kirsten Gillibrand was a wise choice. She knows the issues and has the spirit, energy and concern to do a great job for the people of NY.
But I do not like her stand on gun control and hope that she remembers she represents the wishes of the people of NY and not her own when she votes on gun control related issues.
Caroline Kennedy should now show good will and gain experience by offering to help Gillibrand, Chuck Shumer and other NY politicos. That's how to start her political journey.

Why the discussion of how things were 'handled'?

Caroline Kennedy had no claim on the seat; no experience to merit apppointment. Being a nice person from a political family is not enough.

And just exactly was she "to blame?" If you want the job, you can sit quietly in the corner or throw your hat in the ring. The Governor couldn't decide to fish or cut bait. There is a pool a candidates; chose one!

Another pitbull with lipstick. But can she field dress a beaver?
Opps, isn't that the State Animal of New York?

New Yorkers... Just Shut UP

Also, for those who don't realize, the super-star on stage on Friday, Alphonse D'Amato, former long-time Republican US Senator from NY, is a lobbyist for AIG & Freddie Mac who worked on John McCain's 2008 Presidential Campaign.

PLEASE stop saying she is from/represents UPSTATE NY.... she is from the 20th Congressional District – which is about as Upstate NY as Miami FL

"The 20th Congressional District of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in eastern New York. It includes all or parts of Columbia, Dutchess, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties. It includes the cities of Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. This largely rural district stretches to include parts of the Adirondacks, Catskills and Hudson Valley."

WHAT! This isn't being blamed on Bush? How about that!

This will be much like the Palin roll-out of an "unknown". Those 'undecided' numbers are very high, and as she becomes known, her unfavorables will rise significantly.

She voted for the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.
She voted against TARP.
She has connections to Alphonse D'Amato a Lobbyist for AIG & Freddie Mac & was front & center stage on Friday.
She is pro-gun & has endorsement of the NRA.

This woman is not a Democrat, she's a DINO (Democrat in name only).

So does the press now feel as though they've covered enough of this story for ratings?

It wasn't just Caroline Kennedy and her teams fault. It was also the reporters, talk shows, and other politicians who insisted on talking about it. They looked at the process as an elections and that national polls should say who was selected. Bottom line was, It was the Governor's s decision alone to make, everyone else should have stayed out of it.

These poll results are yet another proof of the arrogance and ineptitude of mainstream media people and their equally inept pundits. It is perplexing to me how these camera-happy talking heads are consistently blaming Gov Paterson for a mess Caroline Kennedy herself created.

Caroline Kennedy turned this into a circus, with her as the head clown. Her behavior throughout shows she clearly wasn't US Senate material. Her lack of speaking ability actually makes Palin look good. Too bad for the uberliberals that Gillibrand actually happens to support the Second Amendment. In many ways she's actually the anti-Kennedy. Good pick Paterson.

Young, attractive, virtually unknown, mother of young children with a family of avid hunters. She seems like a more polished version of Palin falling somewhere in the middle of the two parties.

Its obvious that many people didn’t approved of her because she is a Kennedy . At the end of the day the choose was made by the David Paterson ,.So I don't see why is she to be blame

Gilliabrand seems like a fine public servant, and may prove to be a good choice. Though she is a hard worker, I don't really know enough about her policies yet to give her a thumbs up. But I disagree with her on gun control. That may be a deal breaker for me, come election time.

blame caroline for paterson's ineptness? only in new york!

Based on the comments I heard emanating from the governor's office, I would say they were more to blame than anyone else. You New Yorkers must be a bunch of dimwits based on the people you keep sending to office. You all are way to full of yourselves.

It doesn't really matter now does it??? One senator with a ruined economy doesn't amount to a hill of beans. It seems we are daily deluged with inane news stories concerning things much inflated and overemphasized to make them nauseating. The governor followed the law and appointed a new senator, period, end of story.

New Yorkers are what we call "progressive" idiots..

A pro-gun ownership stance will get my support, upstate NY needs a leader like this. Now if she goes to the Senate with a plan for spending reduction as her first order of business, then she will be receiving a lot of support for re-election.
Time for real tax relief, reduce spending means lower taxes for all.

I am happy with his choice because she is from upstate and is focused on the whole state not just downstate. Although I am not too happy she has shown up in NYC first. However if she does what she says she will do and visit all of upstate and hear our issues I won't hold it against her. I still believe Caroline will be offered a less high profile position by Paterson to get her started in Politics.

Let's move on! There's work to be done and no time for political post mortems.

How can anyone say that when it was Patterson's office that was trashing her AFTER she removed her name from consideration.
Whether or not he chose her is his decision....but it was very unprofessional as to how he handled it.

Leave Caroline alone! We owe her a minimum of that.

What messy process? CNN is again making a mountain of a molehill. As soon as Hillary Clinton was sworn in as Secretary of State, Governor Paterson appointed his choice, Ms. Gillibrand.

Those people are idiots. The blame for any problems lie directly on the shoulders of the Governor. He's the one with the responsibility and the authority and any blame there might be.

oh for goodness sake,, leave it alone,, shes has a life outside politics,,, geeezzz,,,

I'm glad we have the nice folks at Quinnipiac University to waste their time taking a meaningless poll on who the citizenry of New York should blame for such and such...thanks for this valuable piece of information CNN.

It should surprise no one that the libs in NYC would not approve of KG as much as the folks upstate do...Quinnipiac should do a survey on how many people in NYC think that the rest of the USA revolves around them.