Caroline Kennedy bows out

In the wee hours of this morning Caroline Kennedy announced that she was removing herself from contention to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate. Her brief statement cited only personal reasons unrelated to her uncle Ted’s health. Anyone who has followed Caroline through the years know that she is adamant about her privacy. It’s unlikely that we’ll get the scoop from her, which will just feed the fires of speculation.

Is David Paterson a pompous ass? He sure is. However, the real issue is whether or not Caroline had the stomach to go public. She would be relinquishing her privacy, something she believes is at the heart of the Constitution, by the way. I’m not sure she would do that willingly. Caroline had already show reluctance to reveal information to the media when asked. Critics argue that she didn’t take her case to the New Yorkers. Well, neither has anybody else that is under consideration. This Senate seat is an appointment, not a competition. She took her case to Paterson and he showed very little, if iany, interest in considering Caroline Kennedy for the position.

Unlike others, however, I’m not going to take the position that she’s not qualified. Let’s think here. We have a boatload of people complaining that the Obama appointments are too ladened with ‘insiders’ and not enough with fresh blood. Caroline Kennedy was seen as both an ‘insider’ because of the strength of her family name, and an ‘outsider’ because she hasn’t spent time in politics. There’s no way she’s going to be chosen under those circumstances.

Personally, I think Caroline Kennedy would do a fine job, in spite of the fact that she hasn’t immersed herself in politics over the years. However, I do not think she’d do a fine job if she couldn’t stand up to the public scrutiny, and that’s what this position is all about.

I’m sure there’s going to be more conjecture as we move hobble with Paterson toward Hillary Clinton’s eventual replacement.