[Rhodes22-list] Political- Caroline's disappointing day.

[Herb Parsons]

I wonder - does that make her a moron?

Ben Cittadino wrote:
> Folks;
>
> In the article posted below a reporter is said to have asked Ms. Kennedy
> what she would say about her qualifications for the job of US Senator from
> NY. Surely she knew the question would come, and surely she must have
> thought about her answer. It is reported that "an aide" stopped her from
> responding. What's up with that?
>
> I was 14 years old when her father was killed, and a sophomore in high
> school. I was just getting interested in politics and government. I know now
> he was deeply flawed, but we loved him and were terribly affected by his
> death.  I wanted so much for her to do well, but I must say this is not an
> auspicious beginning.
>
> Somebody joked that this was just a strategy to keep her cousin Kerry's
> ex-husband Andrew Cuomo from getting the job. I dimissed it, but now I'm not
> so sure.
>
> How do you not answer reporters who ask the obvious question in this
> circumstance? Who the heck is advising her? What a letdown.
>
>
> NYTimes Online 12/17/08
> In Appearance Upstate, Kennedy Says Little 
> By JEREMY W. PETERS and NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
> SYRACUSE — In a carefully controlled strategy reminiscent of the
> vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin, aides to Caroline Kennedy interrupted
> her on Wednesday and whisked her away when she was asked what her
> qualifications are to be a United States senator.
>
> In her first public appearance since letting it be known that wants to
> succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ms. Kennedy emerged from a closed-door
> meeting with Matthew J. Driscoll, the mayor of Syracuse, where about a dozen
> reporters were waiting. 
>
> She offered a 30-second statement saying that she would respect the process
> undertaken by Gov. David A. Paterson to fill the vacancy.
>
> Then, as reporters asked why Ms. Kennedy was seeking the Senate seat and
> whether she was ready, she did not answer, then walked away, heading toward
> a waiting black sport-utility vehicle.
>
> When one reporter asked what she would tell New Yorkers who question whether
> she has the qualifications for the job, Ms. Kennedy, 51, started to respond.
> But then an aide stopped her from saying more, and led her to the waiting
> vehicle.
>
> “Hopefully I can come back and answer all those questions,” she called out
> as she got into the S.U.V.
>
> It was the first stop in an orchestrated tour of upstate New York. Ms.
> Kennedy has plans to visit with officials in Rochester and, possibly,
> Buffalo, a first stab at getting skeptical upstate voters used to the idea
> of being represented in Washington by yet another down-stater.
>
> The area has already expressed wariness of her, with some officials and
> newspapers questioning her abilities.
>
> The tour has been kept somewhat secretive, reflecting, in part, the delicacy
> of the situation. No schedule was given, though details percolated rapidly
> through political circles in New York. An aide accompanying her said she was
> headed to Rochester after Syracuse, but declined to say where.
>
> Technically, there is no seat open, since the current holder, Senator
> Clinton, has not yet been confirmed to be secretary of state. And there can
> be no true campaign, since there is no true election: the only vote that
> counts if that of Governor Paterson.
>
> In her brief statement, Ms. Kennedy said: “As some of you may have heard, I
> told Governor Paterson I’d be honored to be considered for the position of
> United States senator. There’s a lot of good people in this community that
> the governor is considering. He’s laid out a process and I’m proud to be
> part of that process.”
>
> As the S.U.V. pulled out of downtown Syracuse, she gave a wave and a smile
> to the disappointed reporters who had gathered. 
>
>
> Ben C.
>   

-- 
Herb Parsons