Dems embrace dynasty politics

[Ogre Mage]

Caroline Kennedy's strengths include her extremely high name recognition, ability to raise money and elite connections.  These assets are largely due to her birthright.  But power is power whether it is self-made or inherited.  What's more important is how she uses the power she has.  For most of her life she has used it sparingly outside of a few charitable causes.  That she is now choosing to wield it full bore is interesting.

[Ogre Mage]

Caroline Kennedy's strengths include her extremely high name recognition, ability to raise money and elite connections.  These assets are largely due to her birthright.  But power is power whether it is self-made or inherited.  What's more important is how she uses the power she has.  For most of her life she has used it sparingly outside of a few charitable causes.  That she is now choosing to wield it full bore is interesting.

So let her do it for public organizations and help them fundraise. There is a huge difference between pulling connections and raising money and serving as a representative of the people. It may help to have those skills, but those are far from the only requirements to serve as my voice in the Senate.

Out of curiosity, would you be opposed to Kennedy if Paterson appointed someone else as a "caretaker" for two years and then she ran and won the seat via election in 2010?  Of course, I suppose much would depend on what happened during the campaign.

[Ogre Mage]

There's no reason why David Patterson as an individual has to go along with it, though.

There are very powerful reasons why a Kennedy appointment would serve Paterson's political interests.  Reid has made clear he wants Kennedy in the Senate.  The incoming Obama Administration has been more veiled, but rumors swirl that they want it as well.  Not surprising given that she would be by far the most helpful to the national party.  Caroline can self-fund for 2010, which means more local money for Paterson who also must run in the same year.  And he would appear on the ballot with Kennedy. 

I still predict she will be selected.  It's possible that Paterson may go the "caretaker" route, though.  Kennedy has said she will run in 2010 whether she is chosen or not.

Personally, dynasties don't bother me.  I'm more concerned that the strongest candidate possible is appointed.  I'm not convinced that Caro is the strongest, but don't see a hands-down case for anyone else either.