is anyone who chooses to support CK "bowing down" to her Queenly Ways?

People can feel free to support her, or not. Supporting her "because she's a Kennedy" is better than supporting GWB "because I think I could have a beer with him," or Sarah Palin "because she's a mom," or Bill Clinton "because he's sexy" or whatever.

And CK, like any resident of NY over 30, has the freedom to express his/her desire to be appointed Senator. (Fran Drescher has also expressed interest. Is she being Lawn Guyland royalty for doing so?)

Support her, don't support her, like her, dislike her. Whatever. But because she wants the seat doesn't make her a self-styled Queen Bee. Methinks people project just a tad.

Joan - I'm afraid I agree with you. As one who still suffers from misty-eyed Camelot nostalgia, I was all for the idea of Caroline in the Senate. I watched the NY1 interview and was quite underwhelmed. And it was not just the "you know"s, she seemed to have a blase attitude about the whole thing.

The most telling part to me was, when asked if she planned on visiting all 60+ counties, she kind of shrugged it off and suggested it would be OK with her if Chuck Schumer got there first. Wrong answer.

Caroline is just as qualified as Hillary was when she launched her campaign, maybe even more so if you count number of years living in the state you wish to represent. The difference is, Hillary knew she had to work at getting the job, not just simply express interest.

Caroline needs to do some homework, you know, study some tapes of her dad and her uncles before any more interviews.

..is hardly the issue.

I am qualified under constitutional law...but that NO reason to appoint ME as NY Senator. Is it?

No...political considerations apply...for better or worse.

Why should anybody bow down to CK's candidacy?

Is she ENTITLED--only because of her name--to the appointment?

Obviously, there is NO OTHER REASON excepting her name...Is THAT--and only that-- a qualification for Senator?

If so, can I get a name change to "Kennedy"; does that give me a chance to be appointed even though I'm not a blood relative?

A horrendous promise/decision by Obama. Can other non-intimidated Dems overrule Obama? Will they show some backbone?

P.S. If Obama has misgivings about her made known to Patterson, she would not be appointed by him.!

I resent Edward Kenndey running roughshod over the Senate and Obama!

I don't know what the fuss is all about. The only qualifications a person needs to be US Senator is to be 30 years of age (which Caroline is) and get the most votes (in this case, all she needs is one vote from the Governor).

All the discussion about her (lack of) political history, foreign policy experience, domestic policy experience or anything else is really beside the point. The only qualifications are the two mentioned above. Hillary proved that when she went from unpaid housewife to Senator.

Of course, with this analogy, that is all anyone else needs too.

According to Salon the ONLY qualification for anyone in this seat is, "Are they radically feminist enough"

End of story, full stop.

Why is everyone wringing their hands about CK's qualifications, or lack thereof?

The mportant questions to be asking are these:

-What does Governor Paterson think of CK?

-Who (if anyone) does Governor Paterson have in mind for the appointment?

-What does Governor Paterson want, in terms of "experience" "qualifications" "celebrity" "charisma" or whatever everyone is so worked up about, in his ideal Senate appointee?

Were I governor, I'd be looking for someone who was as like to HRC, in terms of projected voting, as possible. The voters chose HRC, and seem pleased with her performance as Senator. Ergo, whoever replaces her should hold her positions, as much as possible. In 2010, voters can choose someone completely different. Regardless of anyone's "qualifications."

In my view, CK might fit that mold, but there are plenty of other contenders as well. If I were a betting woman, I'd bet that Paterson is looking elsewhere for his Senate appointee. But he's probably open to being convinced.

between Caroline Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton was front and center in the White House to understand the challenges first-hand. She advised her husband and also was engaged around the world and domestically.

Hillary Clinton was also elected to the NY Senate seat, after spending a year touring, talking with New Yorkers all over the state, coming to better understand their issues. She wasn't simply handed the seat.

As far as I know, Caroline Kennedy has spent her adult life in New York City and environs, mostly cloistered. For her now to elbow her way to the front of the line, based almost exclusively on her name and money, is an affront to people like Carolyn Maloney, who has a fine portfolio for this seat, yet is never mentioned in media coverage.

If Caroline Kennedy really wants to make a difference and become involved in politics, she has a perfect opportunity to do so: by supporting Maloney's candidacy, running for Maloney's House seat, and earning the right to run for the Senate seat in 2010, after she has spent a couple of years gaining experience.

This has got to rank as the most labored sentence I've read this year. Try to read the following fragment aloud and you'll see what I mean:

Perhaps before criticizing somebody else's writing/grammar, you should re-read your own.

"Has got to" ranks well above Joan's cumbersome sentence...

With positions of consequence, we SHOULD require a familiarity by prior immersion in political processes.

This is completely missing with Caroline...who I am sure must be a lovely person.

But this is NOT a contest for Ms. America (likewise required to answer the most simple questions); this being a position that requires valid, experienced input for the sake of the country NEW YORK state, AND the democratic party. This is not a game of choices.

Appointing this political naif CANCELS THE AURA OF A MERITOCRACY IN AN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION!

If Obama had the perception to realize the harm in this appointment, i.e. placing the senate seat NY election in jeopardy, he'd try to scotch the move "sotto vocce"

Is this worth the promise for Ted Kennedy's primary endorsement..??...just to keep a "Kennedy" in the senate should Ed Kenndey's cancer cause his early exit...??

The obvious choice...if the magic name "KENNEDY" were not involved, would be Cuomo who HAS paid his dues in learning by participation in elective politics for many seasons.

Maybe Obama can't go back on HIS promise; BUT unafraid and concerned democratic people, including Senators unintimidated by that name,should oppose this perpetuation of CAMELOT for its own sake!