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Caroline Kennedy: Kennedys Work Twice as Hard

December 26, 2008 6:01 PM

In an interview with NY1, aspiring New York Senator Caroline Kennedy states her case.

"I think that I have relationships in Washington that I would like to put to work," Kennedy told NY1 political anchor Dominic Carter. "I helped run the vice presidential search for Barack Obama.  I have a good working relationship with him.  I want to be able to be a part of the team that uses all my relationships."

Of reports that she had missed voting in several elections, Kennedy said she was “dismayed” to learn that. "There isn’t a good excuse," she said.

The oldest daughter of the late President John F. and first lady Jackie Kennedy said, "most people don’t realize that my mother loved campaigning. ... Because you just get to meet people and it is such an education." What would her mother make of Caroline trying to be picked by Gov. David Paterson to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., in the Senate should Clinton be confirmed as secretary of state? "She would roll her eyes about the whole thing -- she was an incredible patriot herself and I think she would be really proud, you know, that I was doing this."

Of her brother, John F. Kennedy Jr., Kennedy said, "He would be laughing his head off" about her seeking office. "There is no doubt about that.  Because that was the kind of relationship that we had, you know, he would be 100% behind me.  He always was. And, you know, it would be great if he was here."

But she isn't trying to capitalize on her name, Kennedy said. She is eager to do the work necessary to be a senator -- and presumably to be re-elected in 2010 for the special election to fill Clinton's seat, and 2012, when the term officially ends.

“I could race Chuck Schumer around all 62 counties and, you know, we'll see who wins," she joked, referring to New York's senior senator.

Kennedy responded to recent comments by Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., that, "I don't know what Caroline Kennedy's qualifications are. Except that she has name recognition, but so does J.Lo. I wouldn't make J.Lo the senator unless she proved she had great qualifications, but we haven't seen them yet."

“I admire the journey J. Lo has traveled," said Kennedy. "I’ve been to a school in the Bronx pretty near the house she grew up in and so I actually have a lot of admiration for her, and she looks pretty good. But in terms of public policy and how we spent our adult lives, I don't think there is really much we have in common.”

Kennedy added, "I know a lot of people have opinions about our family, people in our family -- good opinions, bad opinions -- that is something that we have grown up with.  But, you know, I can tell you that, in my family in particular, there was a sense that we have to work twice as hard.  It is a question of what do you do with that opportunity?"

- jpt

December 26, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (73)

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Caroline is DISMAYED to hear that she missed voting sometimes?

Sounds like something we'd hear from a senile person!

C'mon, Caroline, you knew that.

Is there an honest politician, or wannabe?

Posted by: Jo Marie | Jan 3, 2009 2:51:40 AM

"Palin only sounds normal when she's reading a script", says Joan, Dec. 29.

Joan, did you waatch the video of Greta Van Susteren's visit to the Palin home? You'll see Sarah in her kitchen chatting with Greta while some of the Palin children were present.

Watch it, Joan. Sarah Palin needs no scripts to sell herself to the world.

On the other hand, have you watched and listened to Caroline K. Schlossberg on video, explaining why she believes she can fill Hillary Clinton's senate seat?

At least one person counted 200 times that she peppered her speech with "you know" and an endless number of "ums".

I watched and listened for a few minutes and gave up counting.

Please! Stop making foolish, untrue comments.

Posted by: Jo Marie | Jan 3, 2009 2:40:35 AM

I was for Caroline Kennedy for congress until I found out she is for GAY MARRIAGE her DAD would turn over in his grave if he were alive to see this. This country is going to hell in a hand basket. GOD is going to turn HIS back on America if it doesn't change.

Posted by: jerry | Dec 30, 2008 12:58:16 AM

I believe Caroline Kennedy is hoping to launch herself from this appointed office and run as the first democratic woman presidental canidate. And, of course she will hope to will and "be a first". Just my 2 cents worth.

Posted by: Deb | Dec 29, 2008 6:23:41 PM

Hey New York: We'll take Caroline and you can have Arnold--The Dumbya of the West!

Posted by: Joan | Dec 29, 2008 1:46:18 PM

Palin is not a better speaker than Caroline Kennedy. Give me a break. Palin only sounds normal if she's reading a script. Take away the script and Palin speaks gibberish.

Posted by: Joan | Dec 29, 2008 1:37:07 PM

I cannot believe that Caroline K. Schlossberg has a law degree from Harvard. Sarah Palin only had a journalism degree and she is much more politically talented than Caroline Kennedy. Palin is also a much better speaker (who needed work, but you could see she had potential, as well as the moxie.) Caroline Kennedy is a shrinking violet she has nowhere near the political instincts or charisma of Sarah Palin. Palin was torn apart by the media, Caroline gets a pass. There is also no comparison with Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton never gave up, she campaigned hard and actually held jobs in law firms.

There are many other people who should be considered for this position before Caroline Kennedy who wants to ride in on her father's coattails.

Posted by: smc341 | Dec 29, 2008 2:44:00 AM

Being a US Senator is not the same as being the next in line behind a 72-yr old POTUS

The actual requirement to be a US Senator:
"No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen."

CKS is definitely as qualified as anyone else...

Posted by: phillygirl64 | Dec 28, 2008 10:40:48 PM

Has anyone heard the audio of Caroline being interviewed. She can barely string a sentence together.

Posted by: Peacy | Dec 28, 2008 6:02:28 PM

The wanna-be instant Senator DOES realize VOTING is a big part of BEING a Senator, right?

Posted by: Belle Starr | Dec 28, 2008 11:53:40 AM
=====================================
She should have said "I can't believe I,
a Kennedy, got caught". She didn't have time to vote...she was doing her charity work. hahahah

Posted by: Josephine | Dec 28, 2008 2:30:51 PM

The same people who bashed Sarah Palin for not having enough experience to be the VP of the United States are the same people supporting Caroline Kennedy for the Senate seat. Sarah has way more experience than Caroline, yet Caroline is being welcomed with open arms. The hypocracy is thick on the left!

Posted by: Jim | Dec 28, 2008 12:51:34 PM

"Of reports that she had missed voting in several elections, Kennedy said she was “dismayed” to learn that."

Golly ... "dismayed", not "aghast", "appalled", or "humiliated"? Pity.

The wanna-be instant Senator DOES realize VOTING is a big part of BEING a Senator, right?

Posted by: Belle Starr | Dec 28, 2008 11:53:40 AM

If Liberals are ignorant enough to elect inexperienced do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do self-serving politicians like a President-elect with questionable relationships and origins, and a U.S. Senator who whose only real experience was covering up for her adulterous husband, what's another undeserving and unproven politician in Caroline Shloc.. Schloch.. Sh.. "Kennedy"?

Good luck running and keeping the country safe Libbies, you're going to need it. LOL!!

Posted by: CommonSense | Dec 28, 2008 11:01:44 AM

mildred, still the stuff you are writing is a red herring to why SHE SHOULD NOT BE. i agree, she should not be senator, but for different reasons than you,
you say her mother snubbed her nose at the us,
the actural fact is she said "they are killling kennedys, and my children will not be next" now what mother who felt that way, would not leave the country if she could, and take her kids far away,
you may not know the time, or you have forgotten, everyone in the country understood what she left this country.
after going to TWO of her family members funerals, I would leave to.
but still those are not the reason to point out as to why cks should not be senator. if anything following your line of what you are talking about just might get her the sympathy vote.and she gets in there, and the people regret she did.
she has not been hiding out these last few years, MILDRED just did not see her.
she has been very prominent in new york social life,raising money for this and that. but she really should not be senator over Mario Cumo, who has been working and being seen working in gov.
if there were no mario, I would say give her a chance,
but with mario there, he is the one who should have the job.
that personal stull you write is just gossip. talk about the real fact of why she should not be senator.
and her mother,father,or brother, (god rest their souls)
mildred, i don't think she should be senator either,
but please, mildred, give a better poitn than you have

Posted by: bushed the usa | Dec 28, 2008 12:15:02 AM

bushed the usa: You do your posts, I'll do mine. Her mother is part of the kennedy history, and she was no saint, she snubbed her nose at the US. This girl has no business in the government...she has hid out for years and now she comes onto the scene and we are suppose to give her this senate seat because she is a kennedy. Why? Just to make sure uncle teddy's legacy is carried on with more liberal garbage.

Posted by: Mildred | Dec 27, 2008 9:49:22 PM

mildred,
all that you wrote has nothing to do with why cks is not ready to be senator.
just red herring stuff, you are talking.
so i wish you would just leave such out.
cks should not be senator over mario c.
he has earned it, she has not.

Posted by: bushed the usa | Dec 27, 2008 8:00:02 PM

Her mother married "onasis" and snubbed
her nose at the US. How soon the folks in the US forgets. How many times has a kennedy family member been in trouble with the law? How soon we forget.
Camelot...my foot.

Posted by: Mildred | Dec 27, 2008 4:19:41 PM

Because she is much more a Bouvier than a Kennedy, I'm all for her.

Posted by: Thank God for Karma | Dec 27, 2008 3:28:31 PM

Please, no more Kennedys anywhere close to DC. Look at their liberal mess they've left for our great-great-great grandchildren.
_________________________________________
Absolutely! Our "great-great great grandchildren" or kids and family members don't deserve healthcare so kick those darn Kennedy's out!

Posted by: Paige | Dec 27, 2008 2:24:15 PM

WCM,
I am glad she raised MILLIONS,
and as far as how much i raised,
I have done my fair share, gone to school board meetings, raised 3 kids, sent 2 so far to college, had one working in college call center, asking alumi for donations to help under priv. kids have money to go go good colleges,
considering right now starting a scholarship fund for girls who want to sing, and pay their way to one of the very good local music school here in my town. etc.
but i am not asking anyone to let me become a senator,
so what is your point,in asking ME how much money I have raised for public schools?
i don't care if you have raised any money or not,
because i can have an opinion about public officials without having matched them act for act.

I still say she is great, but i don't think she is ready to be a senator.
if she bombs, it will not be good for her part of the legacy of her parents and their name, something it seems she has tried to protect, and keep private for most of her adult life.

Posted by: bushed the usa | Dec 27, 2008 1:48:56 PM

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