Yeah, Wikipedia is a real credible source. Liz Holtzman seems to me like the best candidate, and Mario Cuomo’s son Andrew may be second, but you could read Ms. Kennedy’s book, A Patriot’s Handbook, and see what she thinks, and where she is coming from, if you are interested. Moynihan was no bargain, Clinton was worse, but now Caroline Kennedy is a threat to democracy? Please forgive me if you are all voting New Yorkers, as I’m from PA, but to lay the failure of the bush dynasty at the feet of the Kennedys is complete and utter idiocy, ‘Cervantes’. They are polar opposites. By the way, I’m not in the pay of the Kennedys; I work for a living. (Lisa, you go girl! But what the heck is Dunamis?) But whose pay are you people in? (Hoser, I can’t get a fix on you from your comments.) If Caroline Kennedy is supported by a majority of Democrats, and hence New Yorkers, how is there a problem for democracy if she is appointed? I’ve been paying attention politically for decades as a Democrat, and I love her and her family. She could be as great as Ted or Bobby, or her dad.

There are some very qualified Congressional reps who are better known commodities and have demonstrated more commitment to serving New York than Ms. Kennedy. Off hand, I can think of Maurice Hinchey who has been a voice in the wilderness on investigating Bush admin wrongdoings. He started out in the state legislature where he was a great voice for upstate. There’s also Kirsten Gillibrand who just trounced her Republican opponent in a district custom gerrymandered for her 2006 Republican opponent.

“Well, yeah, political dynasties suck, but what’s the big deal? Kennedy would just be replacing Bill Clinton’s wife.”

Which is, to say the least, incredibly disrespectful towards Clinton who, unlike Caroline Kennedy, was chosen twice by the people of New York to represent them.

Personally, I wish they’d have a special election and be done with it. At least then, if Caroline Kennedy ran for the office and won, her ascension would be the choice of the people of New York. Barring that, if Patterson is going to appoint someone, he should appoint someone from one of New York’s local or national Congressional delegations.

This “Lisa” character is obviously on her payroll.

Another Kennedy, a total airhead named Max, declared himself a candidate to be my Representative a few years back. The first time he tried to give a press conference and speak in public, he revealed himself to be such a blithering idiot that he was forced to withdraw. Hurray. But Caroline isn’t even being put to that test. This is ridiculous, outrageous, offensive, and completely contrary to the basic values we pretend that our polity is based on.

And for her to actively pursue the appointment, to assume that her name entitles her to a Senate seat, ought to be disqualifying in itself.

Yuck.

It’s also very discouraging that polls indicate that Kennedy is actually supported by a majority of Democrats in New York (and, hence a majority of NY voters).