May 28, 2009
Posted: May 28th, 2009 09:12 PM ET

From
In an article in an upcoming issue of New York Times Magazine, former President Clinton discusses his wife's new role as the country's top diplomat.
In an article in an upcoming issue of New York Times Magazine, former President Clinton discusses his wife's new role as the country's top diplomat.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Bill Clinton's campaign-year resentment of President Obama is a thing of the past, according to a lengthy profile of the former president in Sunday's New York Times Magazine - but he hasn't quite come to terms with the Kennedy family's decision to back Obama over Hillary Clinton during the primary season.

Clinton reportedly has yet to make his peace with Sen. Ted Kennedy and the Massachusetts senator's niece, Caroline, over their high-profile endorsements of Barack Obama during the primaries.

The Times, also citing unnamed sources, says Clinton harbors hard feelings toward New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who held several posts in the Clinton administration but who chose to endorse Obama instead of Hillary Clinton.

The former president has adjusted to his wife's new role on the international stage. "She used to look forward to me coming home from wherever I've been," Clinton says in the magazine article. "Now I'm afraid I'll be second fiddle to whatever world leader she's just met.

Later, he added: "... We've reversed roles."

Clinton also made clear that his vast network of global contacts and knowledge of world affairs is always available to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "'If she asks, I tell her what I think,'" the former president says in the profile. "And if there's something that's going on that I feel that I have particular knowledge of, I say that.'"

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Bill Richardson • Caroline Kennedy • Hillary Clinton • Popular Posts • Ted Kennedy


April 21, 2009
Posted: April 21st, 2009 01:44 PM ET

From

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Caroline Kennedy is denying persistent speculation that she will be President Obama's pick to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

Kennedy, arriving at the White House Tuesday afternoon for an event celebrating the President's signing of national service legislation named after her uncle Sen. Edward Kennedy, told CNN she has no plans to serve as ambassador to the Holy See.

"No, not that I'm aware of," she said about the post after agreeing to take just one question.

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy


March 11, 2009
Posted: March 11th, 2009 12:31 PM ET

From
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are political power players immortalized in the Female Force comic book series.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are political power players immortalized in the Female Force comic book series.

(CNN) -- Long gone are the days where comic books feature images of men in tights and women glorifying the female form. Bluewater Productions comics welcomes the pantsuit, and toned arms.

In a new series designed to examine influential women who are “making and shaping modern history,” Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are the first political power players immortalized in the comic book production house’s new Female Force series. The read follows the life of the two Washington femme fatales - in graphic novel form, of course.

First lady Michelle Obama and Caroline Kennedy are the upcoming women to be featured in the series. The covers depict Michelle Obama sporting a sleeveless number amidst a White House backdrop, and Caroline Kennedy sharing the spotlight with her father, President John F. Kennedy.

Watch: Clinton, Palin comic books

“These are very strong independent women that people want to know more about, and what better to teach younger kids about these role models than through comic books,” says Bluewater Productions Vice President Jason Shultz.

The graphic novels have already proven popular. Sarah Palin’s issue has sold out before its March 11 release date and is running a second printing.

But the Female Force series doesn’t limit itself to politics. Royal humanitarian and activist Princess Diana and media superstars Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters are set to grace covers.

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • Hillary Clinton • Michelle Obama • Sarah Palin


January 26, 2009
Posted: January 26th, 2009 03:55 PM ET

From
New York Gov. David Paterson announced his pick of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.
New York Gov. David Paterson announced his pick of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

(CNN) - 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.

Forty-nine percent of voters surveyed in a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday said Kennedy and her advisers were to blame, to 15 percent who pointed to Paterson. Twelve percent blame both, and 24 percent are undecided.

Overall, the state’s voters approve of Paterson’s selection of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, backing the pick 46 to 30 percent, with 24 percent undecided. That margin is higher upstate, where the choice of the Albany-born Gillibrand draws the approval of 55 percent of the region’s voters to 25 percent who disapprove. In New York City, that margin is far smaller: there, the conservative Democrat draws the approval of 41 percent to 34 percent who disapprove. But in the state’s suburbs, her edge falls within the survey’s 3 point margin of error: 35 percent approve, 32 percent do not.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • David Paterson • Kirsten Gillibrand • Poll • Popular Posts


January 25, 2009
Posted: January 25th, 2009 05:30 PM ET
Senator-designate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand appears with New York Gov. David Paterson at a press conference Sunday in New York.
Senator-designate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand appears with New York Gov. David Paterson at a press conference Sunday in New York.

NEW YORK (CNN) - New York Governor David Paterson said Sunday that Caroline Kennedy "had gotten no signal from me that she had to withdraw" before Kennedy ended her effort last week to fill Hillary Clinton's vacant U.S. Senate.

Appearing at a news conference with the person he picked to fill that seat - Democratic Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand of Hudson in upstate New York - Paterson briefly answered reporters' questions about the Kennedy withdrawal, saying the decision was entirely hers.

"Caroline Kennedy called me on Wednesday to inform me that for personal reasons she had to withdraw," Paterson said.

Paterson was not asked what might have happened if Kennedy had stayed in contention but said, "There was nothing that would have prohibited her from
serving. She took her name out of consideration."

When he announced Gillibrand's selection Friday, Paterson declared, "I believe that I have found the best candidate to be the next United States senator from New York."

In her turn at the microphone Sunday, Gillibrand made no reference to Kennedy, trying instead to fend off criticism of her selection as a little-known congresswoman from a mostly rural district in upstate New York.

Much of that criticism has come from her consistent support of gun-owner rights.

"I grew up in a family of hunters," Gillibrand said. "I very much believe in protecting hunters' rights - it is a core value for our region and our state."

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • David Paterson • Kirsten Gillibrand


January 22, 2009
Posted: January 22nd, 2009 07:05 PM ET

From
Caroline Kennedy is no longer interested in replacing Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate.
Caroline Kennedy is no longer interested in replacing Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate.

NEW YORK (CNN) - Gov. David Paterson had no intention of appointing Caroline Kennedy to fill the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton, a source close to the New York governor told CNN Thursday.

The source told CNN that Paterson did not think Kennedy was "ready for prime time," citing her efforts, at times awkward, at trying to win the appointment. She told the press at midnight as Wednesday turned into Thursday that she was withdrawing her name from consideration.

Paterson is charged with naming a replacement for Clinton, who resigned her seat to become the secretary of state in President Obama's administration.

"She clearly has no policy experience and couldn't handle the pressure," said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. "Why would he pick her given how badly she handled herself in recent weeks?"

A Kennedy ally, though, denied that she had any indication he was leaning against choosing her to fill out Clinton's term.

And another Kennedy confidante said that Kennedy allies are getting frustrated about what they perceive as the governor's insiders slighting her.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • David Paterson


January 21, 2009
Posted: January 21st, 2009 07:46 PM ET

(CNN) – Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy who was widely considered the frontrunner for an appointment to replace Hillary Clinton as U.S. senator from New York, has removed herself from consideration for that post, according to three Democratic sources.

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy


January 16, 2009
Posted: January 16th, 2009 03:11 PM ET

From
Paterson said Friday he would pick Clinton’s Senate replacement next week.
Paterson said Friday he would pick Clinton’s Senate replacement next week.

(CNN) - New York Gov. David Paterson said Friday he is prepared to announce who will replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate immediately after the presidential inauguration.

In an interview on New York radio station WFAN, Paterson said he had planned on making the announcement this weekend, but later decided the timing would be better next week.

"We now know that Sen. Clinton is going to be the secretary of state. She sailed through her committee hearing," Paterson said "I would probably have done it this weekend, but I decided I didn't want to trample on Sen. Clinton's ability to come back and say farewell to her constituents, or the inauguration."

"Right after the inauguration, I expect to be getting to that," he added.

Paterson, who alone has the power to appoint someone to replace Clinton for two years, also dismissed recent polls showing more New Yorkers want state Attorney Gen. Andrew Cuomo for the post rather than Caroline Kenedy.

"The polls go up and down, it was somebody else a few weeks ago," he said. "I think that's more name recognition. There are some great candidates who have distinguished themselves who are not as well known."

Two recent polls both showed Kennedy has lost significant support among New Yorkers since she first expressed interest in the job.

But ultimately, Paterson said, his job is not to pick the candidate who’s most popular at the moment.

"It's the person who is going to be popular in 2010, when they run for re-election," the New York governor said.

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • David Paterson


January 15, 2009
Posted: January 15th, 2009 06:37 PM ET
 Kennedy is getting more bad news in the latest poll out of New York.
Kennedy is getting more bad news in the latest poll out of New York.

(CNN) - A new survey of New York voters is the second poll in two days to find Andrew Cuomo pulling away from Caroline Kennedy.

Four in 10 registered New York voters in a Marist poll released Thursday say they would would like to see Cuomo, currently the state’s attorney general, tapped as Hillary Clinton’s Senate replacement. Twenty-five percent of those polled think New York Gov. David Paterson should pick Kennedy for the spot.

A month ago, both Kennedy and Cuomo drew the support of one in four New Yorkers.

Cuomo now holds a clear advantage over Kennedy among Democrats (39 to 31 percent), Republicans (40 to 16 percent), and voters not registered with a political party (42 to 24 percent), and across most regions of the state. Only in New York City is the daughter of former President John Kennedy come close to Cuomo’s showing: she is the favorite of 31 percent of the city’s voters, compared to the 36 percent who favor Cuomo.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • Popular Posts


January 14, 2009
Posted: January 14th, 2009 02:57 PM ET

From
Kennedy's popularity is fading, according to a new poll.
Kennedy's popularity is fading, according to a new poll.

(CNN) - A majority of New Yorkers hope Gov. David Paterson nominates someone besides Caroline Kennedy to fill the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Hillary Clinton, a new poll suggests.

According to a new survey from Quinnipiac University, 31 percent of New York voters prefer State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo get the job while only 24 percent want Kennedy to get it.

In a poll conducted by Quinnipiac in late December, a third of voters favored Kennedy while 29 percent wanted Cuomo.

Meanwhile, Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Steve Israel all draw single digit support.

Of course, just one man’s opinion matters in this race - and he's not talking.

Read the full poll results [PDF]

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • Popular Posts


January 8, 2009
Posted: January 8th, 2009 02:56 PM ET

From
Caroline Kennedy has expressed interest in serving as Hillary Clinton's Senate replacement.
Caroline Kennedy has expressed interest in serving as Hillary Clinton's Senate replacement.

(CNN) – New York Gov. David Paterson says Caroline Kennedy's lack of elected office experience "does not help her" in her drive to fill the senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton.

Paterson, as New York's governor, has the sole authority to name a replacement to fill Hillary Clinton’s seat after she resigns, as expected, to serve as President-elect Obama’s secretary of state.

In an interview with the Buffalo News Thursday morning, Paterson said elective experience is one factor, but not the only one, in his decision making process. Kennedy's "lack of elected experience does not help her,” he said, “but the point is, it's the combination of experiences I'll look at in terms of all the candidates, and also how balanced the ticket would look."

Kennedy, daughter of the late president John F. Kennedy and niece of Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, is one of at least a half a dozen candidates who have publicly expressed interest in succeeding Clinton. But because of her family name, Kennedy's received the most media attention - and because she's never served or even run for public office, she's received the most scrutiny.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • David Paterson


January 1, 2009
Posted: January 1st, 2009 06:16 PM ET

From
A powerful New York Democrat now says he will support Kennedy if she is named Senator.
A powerful New York Democrat now says he will support Kennedy if she is named Senator.

(CNN) – Caroline Kennedy appears to have cleared a big hurdle in her quest to replace outgoing New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a powerful Democrat who has questioned whether Kennedy is the best choice to fill the likely vacant seat, said Wednesday he will support Kennedy should she ultimately be appointed to the post.

"I have determined there's a good possibility she will be the appointee of the governor," Silver told the New York Post. "If she is the appointee of the governor, I will certainly be supportive of her. I will work for her and will work strenuously for her election."

Silver's comments differ markedly from his statements last week, when he suggested Kennedy is too closely allied with Michael Bloomberg, the Republican-turned-Independent New York City Mayor.

"If I were the governor, I would look and question whether this is the appointment I would want to make: whether her first obligation might be to the mayor of the City of New York, rather than to the governor who would be appointing her," Silver told an Albany radio station then.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy


December 30, 2008
Posted: December 30th, 2008 05:42 PM ET

From
Kennedy donated to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Kennedy donated to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Caroline Kennedy’s $2,300 donation to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign was not returned because of her decision to endorse Barack Obama in the Democratic primary, a Clinton aide told CNN — it was sent back because the New York senator’s loss meant she would not be able to keep funds that had been contributed for her general election campaign.

The return was first reported Monday by the New York Post’s Page Six. Information available on Opensecrets.org confirms that a donation to Clinton from Kennedy was returned in August of this year, but does not provide any reason that the $2,300 was returned. Information available from the Web site of the Federal Election Commission shows that Kennedy donated the legal maximum of $4,600 to Clinton in June 2007 in two separate donations of $2,300 each.

Individual donors are limited to $2,300 to support a candidate’s primary run, and $2,300 to support a general election run for the White House.

A spokesman and adviser to Sen. Clinton informed CNN that Kennedy was one of approximately 8,000 donors who all had their contributions for Clinton’s general election bid returned on the same day four months ago.

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • FEC • Hillary Clinton


December 29, 2008
Posted: December 29th, 2008 12:03 PM ET

From

ALT TEXT

Women are more likely than men to see Caroline Kennedy as qualified to be New York's next senator, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Monday. (Getty Images/File)

(CNN) - A new national poll suggests that men and women don't see eye to eye on the question of whether Caroline Kennedy is qualified to serve as a U.S. senator.

Just over half of all Americans questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday say that Kennedy is qualified to be a senator: 52 percent say she is, and 42 percent disagree.

Watch: 'Maybe that day is now,' Kennedy says of seeking political office

But the poll also indicates there's a gender gap, with 57 percent of women saying Kennedy is qualified. That number drops to 47 percent among men, with 46 percent of male respondents saying Kennedy is not qualified.

"Men may think of qualifications for public office in terms of work experience, while women may be looking at a candidate's life experience," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Caroline Kennedy has a personal history that may be compelling to many women, but her resume is not very long, and that may be a mark against her to some men."

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: CNN poll • Caroline Kennedy


December 28, 2008
Posted: December 28th, 2008 12:40 PM ET
CNN

Watch a round up of the latest political news.

WATCH: From Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's troubles to Caroline Kennedy's Senate aspirations, CNN's Paul Steinhauser has a round up of the latest political news.

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • Rod Blagojevich


December 26, 2008
Posted: December 26th, 2008 04:31 PM ET

(CNN) - In a Friday interview, Caroline Kennedy downplayed a comparison Rep. Gary Ackerman made last weekend between the prospective senator and another famous New Yorker, Jennifer Lopez.

“I admire the journey that J-Lo has traveled,” Kennedy told NY1. “I’ve been to a school in the Bronx pretty near the house that she grew up in, and so I actually have a lot of admiration for her, and she looks pretty good, but in terms of public policy and how we’ve spent our adult lives, I don’t think there’s really that much that we have in common.”

Kennedy pointed to her ties to President-elect Barack Obama as one of the strengths she would bring to the job. “And I think that I have relationships in Washington that I would like to put to work to benefit the people of New York,” she said. “You know I ran, helped run the vice presidential search process for Barack Obama. I have a good working relationship with him, and I know… people in Washington, and I want to be able to be part of the team that uses all my relationships.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • David Paterson


December 23, 2008
Posted: December 23rd, 2008 09:00 AM ET

From
Caroline Kennedy looked on as her uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy, made an appearance at the Democratic convention in August of this year.
Caroline Kennedy looked on as her uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy, made an appearance at the Democratic convention in August of this year.

(CNN) - A new poll suggests New Yorkers are split on whether Caroline Kennedy is qualified to be a U.S. Senator - but they still expect their state's governor will name her to replace Hillary Clinton when the secretary of state-designate steps down from her Senate seat.

Forty percent of those questioned in a Quinnipiac University survey released today say that Kennedy is qualified to serve as a senator, with 41 percent saying no. The 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy is one of a dozen or so hoping to fill the seat being vacated by Clinton when she leaves to take her post in President-elect Barack Obama's administration.

But Kennedy is drawing more scrutiny than the other Senate hopefuls because she's a member of one of the country's most famous political families, because she's never run for office, and because not much is well known about where she stands on crucial political issues and priorities.

The poll also indicates that by a 48 percent to 25 percent margin, New Yorkers think Gov. David Paterson will name Kennedy to the seat. Kennedy and her allies have launched a strong lobbying effort to persuade Paterson that she's qualified to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Asked their choice, 33 percent of those polled say Paterson should name Kennedy, with 29 percent backing New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the son of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. Another four percent support congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand. Twenty-four percent want someone else and 10 percent are undecided.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • Polls


December 18, 2008
Posted: December 18th, 2008 05:49 PM ET

From
Caroline Kennedy had lunch Thursday in Harlem with activist Al Sharpton.
Caroline Kennedy had lunch Thursday in Harlem with activist Al Sharpton.

(CNN) – Caroline Kennedy spoke publicly about her desire to fill Hillary Clinton’s New York Senate seat for a second consecutive day Thursday, meeting with the Rev. Al Sharpton for lunch in Harlem.

The activist praised Kennedy as a "unique candidate," but would not say whether he supports her Senate bid. "I will trust the government’s judgment to decide what’s best for the state, he told reporters. "I won’t get into that.”

Speaking after the meeting, Kennedy - who largely steered clear of partisan politics until this year - described herself as “a Kennedy Democrat, a Clinton Democrat, Chuck Schumer, Barack Obama - I mean, these are all leaders whose values I share, and I feel like those are the kinds of values I would bring to this position.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Al Sharpton • Caroline Kennedy • Popular Posts


Posted: December 18th, 2008 04:55 PM ET
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, pictured here in a 2004 file photo with Caroline Kennedy, has refused to back Kennedy in her bid for a New York Senate seat.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, pictured here in a 2004 file photo with Caroline Kennedy, has refused to back Kennedy in her bid for a New York Senate seat.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg declined Thursday to endorse Caroline Kennedy as Hillary Clinton’s successor, but added that he knows “exactly” who should be the next senator to represent his state.

But he wouldn’t give a name.

Bloomberg did praise Kennedy saying that “she’s very competent” and “she’s done a lot for New York City,” but added that he is not in the position to publicly endorse any prospective replacement for Clinton, who is President-elect Barack Obama’s designate for Secretary of State.

“I should stay out of the race, personally,” Bloomberg said during an appearance on ABC’s ‘The View.’

“It’s not my call. If it were my call to pick somebody, I know exactly …,” added Bloomberg, who was immediately asked “Would you pick her?”

“I can’t tell you, because then I’d be getting involved,” Bloomberg responded.

Kevin Sheekey, Bloomberg’s deputy mayor, is supporting Kennedy’s bid to be appointed to the seat by New York Gov. David Paterson.

Bloomberg also noted that Paterson is “lucky to have a number of different candidates” to consider for the seat.

–CNN Producer Shirley Zilberstein contributed to this report.

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy • Michael Bloomberg • Popular Posts


Posted: December 18th, 2008 03:50 PM ET
Kennedy has been touring the state as she pushes for a Senate appointment.
Kennedy has been touring the state as she pushes for a Senate appointment.

(CNN) - Caroline Kennedy is on a public campaign for Sen. Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, which may make it difficult for New York Gov. David Paterson not to send President John F. Kennedy's only living child to Washington.

While she has to win over only one voter - Paterson - Kennedy essentially began a political campaign for the seat, which was once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy, with a visit to upstate New York on Wednesday.

Watch a Kennedy Senate rival weigh in on her chances

And on Thursday, Kennedy meet with civil rights activist Al Sharpton, an influence in national and New York politics.

Full story

Filed under: Caroline Kennedy



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