Senator CK?

[womzilla]

One of my non-New York friends asked me how I felt about the possibility of Caroline Kennedy becoming the Class I Senator from New York state (which is now apparently a done deal, but maybe not). Here's my response, just in case any of you care.

I think that she could be a perfectly acceptable senator. She's very smart, has a strong sense of social responsibility, and understands the political world about as well as an outsider can. Also, celebrity is actually a virtue for a senator--one way to get clout in the Senate is to get press, and she can get that. (It's one of the reasons I was happy to see Hillary Rodham get elected in 2000.)

That said, I'm pretty sure I hate the idea of the political aristocracy. On a more practical, but intertwined, issue, I have no idea how good a campaigner Ms. Kennedy-Schlossberg-Kennedy is; even though NY is a strongly blue state, NY senate races can be brutal, and the Republicans would make it a high priority to bump her off (electorally, I hasten to add). Better to promote a proven politician.

So now you know.

Comments

[kalimac.livejournal.com]

Roughly my line of thinking as well. Glad to have it confirmed from on the spot.

[smofbabe.livejournal.com]

My problem with this is the sense of entitlement: people who have served the public interest for years, whatever their merits or lack thereof, are (possibly) being shoved out of the way for inexperience just because of name recognition and nepotism. If she wants to be a senator, she can jolly well run for office.

[gareth-wilson.livejournal.com]

The idea that an equally talented, equally experienced woman named Caroline Smith wouldn't have a hope in hell does annoy me. Yes, I am the subject of a hereditary ruler myself, but even we have learned not to give them real power.