Kennedy Withdraws Senate Bid

[Parkbandit]

ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 22) - Caroline Kennedy has ended her quest for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, halting a campaign that began with popular support but withered quickly over criticism about her experience and her reluctance to answer questions about her finances.
Kennedy made the announcement in a terse statement released early Thursday, ending hours of uncertainty surrounding her intentions as she appeared to waver in her decision to seek the office.

http://news.aol.com/article/kennedy-withdraws-senate-bid/313916


Good to see imo.

[Clove]

It's good to see that just because she wants to follow in Hillary's footsteps, she doesn't have to follow in Hillary's footsteps.

[Atlanteax]

Would had been sad if she did get the seat... got Al Franken from Minnesota now... and then Caroline possibly being selected based on her last name.

[ElanthianSiren]

We'll just call Franken "The Senanator" in the Arnold Tradition.

Kennedy getting Clinton's seat scared the crap out of me when I read her say that her qualifications had been she'd been around politics all her life. So since my mom is a shrink and my dad is an engineer, I'm sure she thinks I should be able to prescribe treatments for schitzophrenia and work on industrial environmental problems. :down:

edit: For those not from california or liking TDK, arnold is regularly referred to as The Governator, though I suppose we could try to find a well known SNL Franken reference to mock too. Someone else can do that.

[Clove]

Dude. Wait. What? You need a license to be in politics now?

[ElanthianSiren]

Not at all. CK's argument failed with me when it hinged on, "HEY LOOK AT ME! I'M A KENNEDY! Did you know my family are kennedies! In fact, my great great grandpappy was a kennedy!" She could have mentioned a whole host of things she did for the DNC or especially in her personal life -- charities, her career etc. I didn't believe her argument appropriate or in touch when the sentiment is currently to look for experience in leaders. Call me picky.

[Atlanteax]

We'll just call Franken "The Senanator" in the Arnold Tradition.

Kennedy getting Clinton's seat scared the crap out of me when I read her say that her qualifications had been she'd been around politics all her life. So since my mom is a shrink and my dad is an engineer, I'm sure she thinks I should be able to prescribe treatments for schitzophrenia and work on industrial environmental problems. :down:

edit: For those not from california or liking TDK, arnold is regularly referred to as The Governator, though I suppose we could try to find a well known SNL Franken reference to mock too. Someone else can do that.

Stuart Small ... "Goddarnit, People Like Me!!"

(at least those in Minnesota that don't think he endlessly suited his way into the seat after losing the election by some 500 votes)

[Clove]

So she did have experience, in addition to being a Kennedy; she just didn't emphasize it enough?

[CrystalTears]

Yeah I think people are tired of politicians expressing and emphasizing who they are rather than what they have accomplished.

[Parkbandit]

Yeah I think people are tired of politicians expressing and emphasizing who they are rather than what they have accomplished.

Having accomplished something meaningful is not a qualifying stipulation for any elected office.

[CrystalTears]

Having accomplished something meaningful is not a qualifying stipulation for any elected office.
But saying "I'm a Kennedy/Clinton/Bush" is?

[ElanthianSiren]

Having accomplished something meaningful lends you credibility. By no means is it necessary; you could express several insightful ideas, and I'm sure people would vote for you. However, when my first political impression of you is, "Well you know, I grew up around politics," instead of, "I'm a lawyer, I've worked with this charity. From the standpoint of my law and charity backgrounds, my impression of this issue is ..."

CT pretty much hit it on the head. I know she's a kennedy, and I don't care (not that I'm voting in this). What would matter more to me would be what she planned to do for NY and the experience that made her feel capable of doing it. Perhaps I saw the wrong interviews, but she had no depth as a candidate imo besides "Hey! I'm a kennedy!"

[Mabus]

No matter who eventually gets picked (and my pick would be Cuomo) they will have to raise $35-40 million to defend the seat.

Paterson seems to be leaning toward "we need to replace Clinton with a female", and this is as much for any perceived Senate-balance issues as for the fact that he will face election in 2010.

[Parkbandit]

But saying "I'm a Kennedy/Clinton/Bush" is?

It's worked pretty well for them so far. :shrug: