Caroline Meets New York Media — Or Not
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: Caroline Kennedy, kicking off her Hillary Clinton-style “listening tour” of upstate New York on Wednesday, talked publicly about her interest in Clinton’s Senate seat for the first time. She then proceeded to no-comment her way through a series of questions from a pack of curious New York-based reporters. As debuts go before the hungry press in the state she hopes to represent, it was less than a smashing performance — and offers just a hint of the scrutiny to come. Among the questions she didn’t answer, per the Syracuse Post-Standard: "What do you say to New Yorkers who think you’re not qualified?" "Are you ready for this, Ms. Kennedy? You’re not going to answer questions at all?" "What do you say to New Yorkers who think you’re not ready or qualified for this job?" "What do you think your greatest qualification is to be senator?" "You’re seeking public office and you don’t want to answer questions from reporters, Ma’am? When can we expect you to answer questions?" "Have you ever been to Syracuse before?" The one question she did answer forthrightly: "Where are you heading next?" "To the car," Kennedy said. She also said: "Hopefully I can come back and answer all your questions."
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She can’t answer questions as to why she is qualified…because, she isn’t.
Posted by: samhiguchi | December 17, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Figures. Why does she even want this position? She hates the press. Hates living publicly. Hates scrutiny. A worse match I cannot imagine.
Posted by: Cathy | December 17, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
just one word….
WHOOOOOOOPS !!!!!!
Posted by: Mike_C | December 17, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
According to the president-elect “It is time for a new kind of leadership in Washington” It would be refreshing if the “Clinton’s” and “Kennedy’s” would step aside and allow other “Qualified” citizens to fill the Senate Seat and any other position in Washington!
It is disappointed to continue to see the very same faces that we have for decades! There is another “world” other than “Washington” out there if you would just let them in….
Posted by: patsy holmes | December 17, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
If she were truely qualified, or had been elected by the people of that district, then her name does not matter.
The problem here is the only “qualifing” thing about her right now IS her name.
This foolish press conference is why you can tell she was not and is not ready for this.
Posted by: Mike_C | December 17, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
A surname is not a qualification.
Posted by: Alex | December 17, 2008, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
only people who don’t read would say she is not qualified for the job
ugh
go read her bio…her books…her entore life and all of the very vocal advocacy she has had for key issues…
and then try and name one other person that is more qualified to bring their voice and judgement in to represent the state of new York
and if smahiguchi says some small time NY state government celebrity
you just have to laugh.
Caroline kennedy has more qualifications in her pinky than any first term senator or rep out there mor*ns.
Posted by: dl | December 17, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
only people who don’t read would say she is not qualified for the job
ugh
go read her bio…her books…her entore life and all of the very vocal advocacy she has had for key issues…
and then try and name one other person that is more qualified to bring their voice and judgement in to represent the state of new York
and if smahiguchi says some small time NY state government celebrity
you just have to laugh.
Caroline kennedy has more qualifications in her pinky than any first term senator or rep out there mor*ns.
Posted by: dl | December 17, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
she is a constitutional scholar
has a lifetime of understanding of policy and procedure
has the direct ear and respect of the future white house (and his cell number most likely)
has stated and fought for democratic principals overwhelmingly behind and in front of the scenes
(if you mor*ns would read a little)
is an expert author on Americans best political reasoning
and
ugh
any state (never mond one that she is a native of) wishes she would be their Senator
idi*ts
that is what it takes to try and dismiss her…
think before you all type. ugh
just because she is prone to modesty and not selling herself…does not make her not qualified mor*ns
Posted by: dl | December 17, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
she is not qualified… and should say she does not want the seat… i am tired of teh kennedy;s she can go and run for office in MA and replace ted as that seat appears to be a family possession….
Posted by: sokadija | December 17, 2008, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
she is beyond qualified
who are you people
do you even know who she is? or what a senator does?
oy ugh… this is why we got George Bush… you people vote for the morons because of their name
but vote against the smart qualified people because of their name
oy
Posted by: dl | December 17, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
Caroline is more than qualified. Read her books, and know she has done alot personally for schools in N.Y. Has taken stand on social justice and principals quietly behind the scenes. Raising her family, moaning the many losses of family and now has found her voice, I say YOU GO GIRL. I DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE YOU.
Posted by: sara wilson | December 17, 2008, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
Based on the article, it sounds like she completely bombed her first interview. If she was a Republican, she would be ruthlessly fried on this weekend’s SNL. Since she is a Democrat, we are all “morons” because we dare ask about her qualifications. All in all, I have no doubt that she will receive the Senate seat.
Posted by: Paul | December 17, 2008, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm
I say it is about time we had a native New Yorker representing us. She is as qualified as Hillary was. She brings a lot to the table. She is going to have to show some fight to win over the people of NY, but the Kennedy symbolism is great to have back. It is great for our state and our country to have back that Northeastern idealism that has been missing from our country for an entire generation. From Nixon all the way to Bush 2, no one other than Kennedy (for to short a period of time)from the North has run the country. It is nice to see for a change. The old tired supposedly conservative old geezers screwed it up, so lets allow someone with some new ideas to give it a go. Go get em Caroline!!
PS. Someone mentioned that she has been raising a family, does she have children? How many? Boy, girl ? Anyone know?
Posted by: iceman | December 17, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
As a long-time admirer or John F. Kennedy and Bobby, I, as an UpState NY resident, was prepared to give Caroline Kennedy the benefit of the doubt for a moment. Even though I feel that the hardworking and completely experienced and qualified Rep. Kirsten Gilibrand [Saratoga County] is THE woman for the job; I was ready to listen to Caroline. After today’s astonishingly unsatisfactory press performance by her, I no longer offer her the benefit of the doubt. I have no doubt that she should keep to Manhattan.
Posted by: PhillyPaul | December 17, 2008, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
Caroline Kennedy shouldn’t be expecting a senate seat if she’s not prepared to inform the public what her qualifications for it are. Yes, I’m aware she’s a constitutional law scholar and that she’s assisted with the defense and legal fund of the NAACP, in addition to being active in the arts and public education. But she should show a willingness herself to inform people of her background and how she believes it transfers practically into public office. Realistically, there’s a lot of grunt work to working in the senate and achieving a post; such as for one, selling yourself to your constituents. I don’t see any indication so far that she’s ready for it. What I’ve observed is a leap frogging into a position based on her lineage. Not unlike some other political dynasties.
Posted by: Kat | December 17, 2008, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
She didnt’ go to meet the press. she went to talk to people. It was a ‘listening’ tour. Not a talking tour. AS she said, when it’s time, when she has talked to the governor and has made her case and is actually officially running for the seat, she will answer questions. This is a long process. I think she’s going to be fabulous. The press can hound her all they want, 24/7 as i’m sure they will. They will find out, when it’s appropriate, she will answer questions. she hasn’t even spoken to the governor yet. She sure is hell isn’t going ot talk to the press FIRST. get a clue.
Posted by: Mary | December 18, 2008, 12:26 am 12:26 am
dl, you are an idiot. Caroline Kennedy is not quailified to a senator. Just because she wrote a book, has Obmama’s cell phone? Richard Scary wrote books, Rev Wright and Bloga have Obama’s cell phone number and they are not quaillified. She is an arrogant, spoiled woman who thinks she is entitled to be a senator because of her name and her drunk, murdering uncle and lush cousin are deep into politics. She can’t even handle the press, how in the world would she handle the serious situations of being a senator. She has lived off her name her entore life, now she expects to have a senate seat handed to her because of it. NO WAY!
Posted by: nookly23 | December 18, 2008, 7:52 am 7:52 am
This will be the first real challenge for the party going, Manhattan socialite. Can she find upstate New York?
Also would the name Caroline Schlossberg attract the same attention or name recognition. She clings to the Kennedy name as though it were a shield. I have no objection to her running for election. I do have a problem with her as a legacy appointment by a Governor who is also appointed.
Posted by: AZVet | December 18, 2008, 8:05 am 8:05 am
Well you know it’s the same people that think Obama is qualified that think the kennedys have something to offer! I hope all conservatives are happy that Obama is anti gay and for womens rights! Good going liberals!!!!! THanks for voting in a closet republican!
Posted by: Christy | December 18, 2008, 8:16 am 8:16 am
Democratic politics seems so incestuous. If it isn’t a relative getting the job, it’s a friend.
Posted by: LongT | December 18, 2008, 9:41 am 9:41 am
So lets get this straight, conservatives thought Palin was qualified to be VP and therefore President, but Kennedy is not qualified to be Senator. Republicans are moaning because they see another high powered Democrat coming into the national scene and they fear her. Another nail in the coffin for the dying Republican party.
Posted by: Rich | December 18, 2008, 9:45 am 9:45 am
All the qualification questions where the same they asked Hillary. She wasn’t qualified either…but the dumb SOB’s elected her anyway!
So What does it matter. Go to work.
Posted by: JD | December 18, 2008, 9:58 am 9:58 am
Experience is overrated. The most inexperienced in real life, besides partying, drinking, and trying to live up to his family’s legacy, is her uncle. And he’s been a senator most of his adult life. I’m a right leaning moderate and I say it doesn’t matter. She seems like she might be less likely to be bought off than some of the others in there and that’s good enough for me. And no special election crap either. If they can’t come to a concensus on who should take Hillary’s vacated seat, draw straws.
Posted by: LongT | December 18, 2008, 10:09 am 10:09 am
“It’s time for a change” (we all said) …
And so, to conflate 2 “news” stories of this week, I’d like to see the headline — “ADOLF HITLER KENNEDY GETS CAKE; APPOINTED TO AMERICAN HOUSE OF LORDS”
Posted by: jginnane | December 18, 2008, 10:14 am 10:14 am
If she was sincere about wanting to learn more about upstate NY, why doesn’t she just say, “You know what? I will run for the seat in 2012.”?
Posted by: stop2think | December 18, 2008, 10:24 am 10:24 am
Umm…Rich, you must have fogotten that Palin was elected (not selected) as Governor and before that to city council. Remind me again, genius, what CK was elected to?
Posted by: stop2think | December 18, 2008, 10:26 am 10:26 am
Hmmm – Gove. Palin was vilified for not being qualified for the VP slot, but Mrs. Schlossberg is suddenly qualified to be a Senator? Talk about gravy training off of the family name.
Posted by: TC in San Antonio | December 18, 2008, 10:51 am 10:51 am
Ms Kennedy is very qualified. Her scholarship, literary writings, philanthropic endeavors, and networking on all levels speaks to her qualifications. You don’t need to have worked in government to serve the people. Having a vision, a plan, and the sincere desire to serve is what is utmost. Also, the understanding of issues and how decisions will impact your constituency is paramount too.
Those of you who are Sarah Palin supporters, I just don’t get it (and Lord knows I have tried!.) Yes, I have made fun of her (honestly though, she does have an American story but she is far from ready nationally–Personally, I don’t feel she can be)
She has demonstrated that she has no sense of how our government works (on a national level), she has no command of issues (nationally), nor does she have a sense of what is the national political climate. In my mind, she is exactly where she should be. She knows “that” world quite well and therefore can be quite effective.
To place a Sarah Palin in the same league as a Caroline Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Kay Bailey Hutchison, or a Condolezza Rice for examples; is SUCH an insult to smart, educated, women in my opinion.
Posted by: FS | December 18, 2008, 11:34 am 11:34 am
I watched a news clip yesterday of the media or I should say paparazzi as they went after her. They kept calling her Mrs. Kennedy; pushing and jostling her and attacked her like sharks after chum. She does deserve some respect and my only concern is that her shyness will be misconstrued as an inability to take the senate seat
Posted by: andie | December 18, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am
Unqualified, but what’s worse is she represents everything of what is wrong with American politics: Nepotism is not alright, not even if you keep it in the family.
Posted by: Sylvia Johnnsen | December 18, 2008, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm