CAROLINE THE 'CERTAIN' PICK FOR DAVE: RIVALS

The New York Post ^ | 01/19/2009 | Frederic U. Dicker

[King of Card Games]

DESPITE claims that he's still undecided, Gov. Paterson is "certain" to pick Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the US Senate, several unhappy contenders for the job have told friends and associates in recent days.

The contenders based their conclusion on the view that Paterson, after nearly two months of indecision, would "greatly embarrass" and "entirely humiliate" Kennedy, anger her prominent political family and even offend President-elect Barack Obama by picking someone other than President John F. Kennedy's daughter.

As for the governor's claim to be weighing a last-minute finalist, the contenders agree with a close Paterson friend who said, "It's clear David is just trying to play mind games with the press."

Some of the contenders warned, however, that the unelected Paterson, who must face the voters next year, could face a serious backlash from Democratic activists by choosing Kennedy, whose standing with the public, and with Democrats in particular, has been sliding in recent weeks.

US Rep. Carolyn Maloney of Manhattan, a would-be Clinton replacement who is backed by several women's organizations, was the most publicly adamant in saying the fix was in, citing a scenario - first outlined in last week's Village Voice - under which Paterson, in a deal with Mayor Bloomberg, a Kennedy friend, selects Kennedy in exchange for help for his own election bid next year.

Another potential candidate told The Post that he was convinced that Kennedy would get the job because Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, - who polls show is the public's favorite to succeed Clinton - failed to line up the right replacement at the AG's office.

[Joann37]

With no disrespect meant toward dead cats, right?

[ought-six]

No. Once she resigns the seat and a replacement has taken the oath of office, she is SOL.

[frithguild]

Paterson, after nearly two months of indecision, would "greatly embarrass" and "entirely humiliate" Kennedy, anger her prominent political family and even offend President-elect Barack Obama

Ask Blagio if that's a good idea.

[Dahoser]

Someday, New Yorkers may actually get to elect a senator that doesn’t represent just New York City and the uber-left.

Not as long as they keep voting them back to Washington. It's not just downstate doing the damage in sending back Chuckie Cheese Schumer and Her Heinous. The good comrades upstate in the PRNY are doing their part and there's no reason to believe they won't do the same for Princess Caroline (D-Camelot).

[Rummyfan]

Moreover, she has the charisma of a dead cat.

LOL!

[Harley]

My fellow Americans, you know, ask not, you know, what your country can do for you, you know, ask, you know, what you, you know, can do, you know, for your, you know, country, you know.

Can't wait to watch her on CSPAN giving a speech on the Senate floor.

[drubyfive]

Maybe. Last one was Fiorello LaGuardia.

In what way did LaGuardia not represent New York City? He represented East Harlem in the House of Representatives and was a three-term mayor of New York City. He wasn't a senator.

[Jet Jaguar]

Uh, ya know, uh, well, ya know.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

actually that quote was from another Freeper - but - yes.

[hunter112]

Well, if he does appoint her, she will be thoroughly humiliated when she is thrown out of office in two years, based upon her non-existent public speaking and campaigning skills.

Exactly. We'd never get Gov. Magoo to appoint a conservative anyway, so why not have him apppoint someone so incredibly stupid that we'd have a shot at electing one of our own when the Magic Negro's powers have waned by the next two elections?

Moreover, she has the charisma of a dead cat.

I have to disagree with you here. Nobody's going to write a book entitled "101 Uses for Caroline Kennedy".

[hunter112]

How do you like it NY? A Kennedy choosing your senator!

There's been a lot of bending over here in NY for the last eight years. Tried hard to hold my lunch down while Hitlery was declaring, "I may not be from New York, but I will always be a New Yorker." Bleech!

[Jimmy Valentine]

Politically, LaGuardia was a fusion candidate and liked by both sides ofthe politicalspectrum.

I guess the last real Republican Senator was Kenneth Keating who was defeated for re-election by Bobby (Sleazebag) kennedy Dem-Massachusetts.

[NEW YORKCITYGOPMAN]

No, not Keating.

In 1970 James Buckley was elected Senator on the Conservative line and an independent line. Buckley ran as a Republican in 1976 for re-election but lost to Moyhnihan.

Then D’Amato, who was good at times, became Senator in 1980 as a Republican.

Love your screen name. My great-uncle wrote the song Jimmy Valentine.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Thanks about the screenname. It reminds me that doing the right thing even at personal cost is the wayto go.

Are you sure about the New York seat?

My memory tellsme that Bobby Kennedy wanted to use theseat for a springboard to the Presidency so using his dead brother's bodyas a shield ran and won the seat later won by Moynihan after Bobby resigned to runfor President. I am thinking 1966 or thereabouts.

[NEW YORKCITYGOPMAN]

Bobby Kennedy defeated Kenneth Keating for Senator in November 1964.

Kennedy was assassinated in June 1968. Republican Governor Nelson Rockefeller, appointed Republican Congressman Charles Goodell to replace Kennedy. (Goodell’s son, Roger, is now NFL Commissioner.)

Goodell, though a Republican, turned out to be very liberal and against the Vietnam War. In 1970 with Goodell running as a Republican and Westchester liberal Congressman Dick Ottinger as the Democrat, James Buckley, running Conservative, and getting an amazing 2,000,000 + votes on the Conservative Party line, took advantage of the liberals splitting their vote between Goodell and Ottinger, became Senator. But he lost in 1976 to Moynhian.

Hope that clears it up.