It simply is not enough to have the "Kennedy" name. We loved her father, what he stood for, the hope he gave us when we needed to have hope; however, philanthropy does not necessarily qualify anyone for political office. It would be wonderful to restore some "wholesomeness" to governments officials; however, in this crisis, we need to focus, we need more expertise than Kennedy has garnered to date.

Hasn't anyone figured it out by now!? Politics is all about who you know! It takes you knowing people to get into office and takes you knowing people to get anything done once you've made it there. That is how it has been for years and years.

Caroline is only even being considered for this job because of her last name. Don't kid yourselves! If she wasn't a Kennedy they wouldn't even give her a second glance. And yes...she is a celebrity! Everyone has watched her grow up from a child on. She has done nothing to warrant everyone oggling her but be JFK's daughter.

I am tired of "celebrities" thinking that they can just get anything that they want because of their names. Caroline should have to get in line and prove herself just like anyone else would. But...she'll probably get the seat just because she is from a dynasty.

Cindy...Ga.

I find this talk of qualifications somewhat ironic. Where was the qualifications talk when Obama was running for President? His resume is pretty thin too but we elected him anyway. Was Hilary qualified to be a NY senator because she had been First Lady? She got to where she is on her name.

Why is it that the women have to prove they are qualified but Obama got virtually a free pass? Really starting to smell like sexism to me. Caroline Kennedy may be a wonderful senator – if she is then we are lucky and blessed to have her on our team. If it turns out not to be a good fit its only for a year or so before the election when someone can run against her and take the seat back.

We took a huge leap of faith in electing Obama. The GOP supporters even welcomed Sarah Palin and all her blemishes including lack of experience and lack of knowledge in key areas. So why is it that we are debating qualifications now?

Politics in America is not accessible to the ordinary joe or sally who do not have the money or wherewithall to run. It's a rich man/woman process. If Caroline Kennedy wants to be one of the senators from our state, she would run for it – not have it just handed to her.

Town of Tonawanda, NY

If the media thought that Sara Palan lacked experience, then I am curious as to the media push behind Caroline Kennedy? Perhaps someone could explain exactly what constitutes experience. Obviously it didn't apply to President elect Obama.

I think the press is being unfair to Caroline Kennedy.
The Constitution says all you have to be is 35 yrs old
and a US citizen. Get off her back and stop hating.

@ Cindy: well said : )

The Kennedy name goes two fold: while I dont think she should get the seat because of her name, I also dont think her name should keep her from getting the seat IF she is qualified and is deemed fit.

I appreciate the no-nonsense honesty in this article.

Everyone talks about how great JFK was, doesn't anyone watch or read history?

He was a drug abuser, commited adultry, and used the White House for wild parties when Jackie was out of the country, give me a break, what was so great about him?

Then the current President Bush is a celebrity also since he is the son of a President as Caroline is, then all the Presidents' children are celebrities.

But Bush was elected on his own, not appointed as Caroline wants to be.

If Caroline runs for office and is elected by the people, that is one thing. We don't even know where she stands on any issues, only that she has done a lot of charity work.

Another of the connected few using money and connections; how about a self made person who understands what it's like to make it own his or her own; please.

Why not have her pony up $500,000 in campaign contributions and just become the next Senator from Illinois?

Why was it ok for her dad to have extramarital relationships but other politicians get expelled? Was it okay for JFK to be with Marilyn Monroe; thinking of her singing happy birthday to him seems creepy.
Has Caroline ever spoke about those events or even uncle Ted's bridge to Chappaquiddick?

The children of cops are more likely to become cops than the children of other professions. Plumbers' kids are more likely to become plumbers, actors' kids to become actors, doctors' kids to become doctors. There's lots of reasons for this – seeking parental approval, having existing contacts, etc, but the most obvious (and probably underestimated) reason is – the job has already been on their radar all their life.

It never occurs to a doctor's kid that they might not be able to become a doctor, a plumber's kid is probably 'playing plumber' with dad's tools in early childhood. They are less likely to have unrealistic ideas and expectations of their parents' profession, and have a pretty good idea how to get started.

Only when it's politics do we have a tendency to dislike this human propensity for familiarity, and perhaps with good reason – if ruling positions were the exclusive domain of a ruling caste, you obviously have a problem. But short of erecting barriers to make entry into public service MORE difficult for the children of public servants – sort of a reverse affirmative action – it's not clear to me that anything can (or should) be done about it.

It's hard to not be sentimental and nostalgic when the name Kennedy is mentioned.
I always wondered, what if her father lived, what if RFK lived.
What would this country be like today?
Caroline has waited and is now ready, so it seems, to step out into the spotlight. The celebritizing of any public figure comes with the territory, especially if you are the daughter of one of this country's most beloved Presidents.
Her children are grown, she has accomplished much in the private sector and now she seems to feel it's time to start another chapter of her life and make us the beneficiary.
She is not an over exposed media nightmare, really, when has she been?
Let her be I say, yes, politics is knee deep in name droppings, yes it is a name game and all the other parallels you can draw next to the world of Celebrity, but Caroline knows this and I keep asking what really qualifies any of our political, elected people.
She carries deep compassion, empathy and the brutal sadness of the tragedy that still stings modern history. She has put her name to positive use and not a free meal or the best table in a restaurant.
If some want to make an issue on name sake alone, that tells me, she doesn't really have that many short comings if that's all you can focus on.
Bring out the legitimate dirt that disqualifies her and get back to me.

If they can't run another election, why don't they at least hiring one of those repudable polling firms to see which candidate THE PEOPLE want. May schedule a debate or at least publically interview anyone the governor is considering to have the potential senators requesting consideration for an APPOINTMENT to a senate seat to lay out their platform, beliefs, ideologies, etc For right now I have no idea what Carolyn knows, stands for, will stand for, etc etc. and anyone else in the senate had to run a campaign laying all that out, so if they don't have to go through an election, then they should at least publically lay out a platform of what they bring, believe, want to fight for, etc etc.. and then the governor should be required to state the reasons why he chose who ever he does choose and why that person is more qualified than the others, and that will settle any fears of inproprieties of special treatment based on nepotism or family name connections etc etc.

I think she would be a good addition.

Annie Kate an excellent post today!

Thank goodness for Gergen who finally interjected the conversation last night as Anderson and Jeff were bashing Caroline. Both of them sure had negative comments for Caroline and her "no" experience.

Anderson even made some "famous" comment about Caroline and wrapped it into Elizabeth from the View. I thought for a moment I was watching Bill O and Fox. Anderson sure had his opinion on his sleeve last night about fame and Caroline. I made up my mind about her years ago. She is a good egg.

Funny, no opinions on Obama's lack of knowledge or experience throughout the election on 360. Every night all the panel wanted to discuss was race, race and more race.

Well, gentlemen, I think it is time to look at a side-by-side comparision of Obama's experience vs. Caroline's experience. Let's look at the raw data. I bet she comes out equal or better qualified than the PE.

Why is she doing this to herself? Doesnt she know she cant simply dismiss and avoid the media if she decides to do this. Her private life that she values will be gone. She will be accused of this or that. Lied about in the press. Followed by the media. Be a part of the 24hr news cycle not to mention blogs etc. Its ugly out there. The politics of today is not the politics of her father. There is more to the title of Senator than the title itself. Its hardwork.

What was so great about Kennedy is the same greatness, charisma of Obama ~ they both exude confidence and give us a ray of light in a bleak economy. The both speak as though talking directly to you personally. Their view of America is total participation for you and me. I personally don't care how many parties are thrown, or to delve into the personal habits of anyone...just giving the voting public someone to trust is enough.

@ Annie Kate..... clearly you do not know much about President-elect Obama, your comment though, eloquent is in error.

President-elect Obama for example, was a Constitutional law professor for the University of Chicago for ...... twelve years! Illinois State Senator for ..... eight years...... and U.S. Senator for..... four years.

If you want to put someone down at least know what you are talking about.

Annie Kate, did you miss the last two years? Many, including Clinton and Biden, questioned Obama's qualifications. Yes, he was elected based on a leap of faith, and history will judge if it was a huge mistake. Hillary was just a name too. Her record in the Senate is less than stellar. As a New Yorker who pays attention to politics, I'd say she hasn't done much for NYS. All the more reason to do it right this time. If Kennedy wants to run and get elected, that's one thing. The Gov. has the responsibility in this case of appointing the best person, not the biggest name.

Sue, they just did a poll and Coumo was favored more than Kennedy. Coumo is also unquestionably qualified.

Michelle, do you really want a Senator who only meets the minimal Constitutional qualifications? Caroline K. has never even held a real job. Sorry, but aristocrats need not apply. This is the USA not England, and the Senate isn't the House of Lords.

Cuomo is clearly more qualified for the job. Caroline Kennedy has never held a real job....Chelsea Clinton probably has more work experience than she does. Sure, Kennedy has raised money for various charities but that hardly qualifies her for a Senate seat. If she gets the job, it'd be a disgrace.....it just shows that a family brand will always supersede hard work.

I hope Lady Caroline takes the Clinton senate seat. The Kennedy family name is synonymous with U.S. politics. One thing I envy about Europeans is the their strong sense of tradition. We [U.S.], as a people, have detoured from the said. We build, tear down, and rebuild. We have no sense of history and tradiiton. We want everything to be new: new blood, new money, etc.

Caroline, I hope you carry on your family name and tradition!

Salvador R.
Dallas, TX/Denver, CO

"Like, Caroline, you know, like has a, you know, famous last name, so like, she seems to like, you know, get breaks others, you know, don't."

This nation has been run into the ground by the connected few who get mainlined into prestigious government and industry jobs with scant experience or skill sets.

While our horrid leadership failed to curtail corporate malfeasance and a lack of oversight after Enron, Worldcom and Tyco, we now have a golden opportunity to change course; we should start by employing the deserving.

People need to get over that she will take Hillary place. She is Kennedy and they rule. Just let her get her feet wet.

Annie Kate, you are exactly right. I find the 'qualifications' discussion very hypocritical, cosidering who ran this year & their interesting qualifications.
I think that she is finally ready to try this, after raising a family, writing 2 books, involving herself in New York 'politics' & projects, &, of course, she has a law degree.
Lots of people were ready to elect Gov. Palin, only a heartbeat away from the Presidency!!!!!, with her qualifications????

Caroline sorry about your dad,but that shouldn't qualify you for a senate seat,lots of solders have died since your dad,their kids shouldn't be made officers in the military,think about it.

I think Caroline has been quietly serving her country for her entire adult life. She has shown class, dignity & integrity. I think all the nay-sayers have been put up to bad mouthing her from Bill & Hillary because she backed Obama and NOT Hillary! I hope she gets the job. I think she is ready because her kids have grown. Caroline has served the public schools of NYC for years with no mention. She goes about her good deeds quietly. I am not a big Kennedy fan but I like her.

Caroline's dad wasn't around long enough to do anything. He got elected on 3 issues (a) tv viewers liked his looks compared to Nixon (b) Frank Sinatra's mob connections got him the few votes he needed, it was no landslide victory (c) he had a better looking wife.