What Atrios Said

2010 primary (4.00 / 3)

I said in an earlier thread that since the primary is just about 18 months after this appointment becomes effective, that a primary seemed inevitable to me.  I guess with the star quality of CKS, it might be that no one would dare challenge her.  That would not be good in my mind.  I think there should be a primary in 2010.  I am not overly worried about losing 2 yrs of seniority if there is a change in the seat in two years.    

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by: jmcbride @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 03:09:15 AM UTC

I agree completely (4.00 / 3)

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by: Exile on Ericsson St. @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 03:11:02 AM UTC

So do I (4.00 / 1)

I think my own Congresswoman Velasquez would make a great Senator, but I'd rather see her win it outright.  Whomever Paterson appoints is likely to hold it as long as she/he wants.  It'd be nice to have at least one genuinely contested election for New York's Senator.

Paterson should consider a "caretaker".  Louise Slaughter comes to mind.  We'll be losing less than two years seniority, as the new Senator would likely not take office until after HRC is confirmed as SoS.  Well worth it for a genuinely elected Senator.

A real election would answer to some extent the regional, ethnic and other "diversity" issues.  Anyone elected statewide will have to reach out to all parts of the state.

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by: Paul Newell @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 23:25:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Amen (0.00 / 0)

I'd even settle for the caretaker running in 2010, as long as we can have a real primary in 2012.

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by: Historical Pessimist @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 01:43:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Atrios nailed it, again (4.00 / 3)

Paterson should choose someone who's actually won elective office.

Caroline Kennedy's uncles and cousins have done that; she could, too.

And she should, before she's given the ultimate legacy political gift.

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by: devtob @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 04:59:34 AM UTC

At last (4.00 / 4)

I've finally found others who are not drooling over having a Senator Kennedy from NY. It upsets me that many progressives are making excuses to appoint Kennedy, who is someone who has little experience compared to the many qualified candidates for Senate (ie: Cuomo, Maloney, Velazquez, etc). People need to stop making excuses for the appointment of Caroline Kennedy. If she wants to have a public career, she should at least run for office on the record she wants to run on. I'm sure she has done some great things, but it does not merit the appointment to the Senate. If she wants to be a Senator, she should run on her record and make the argument that she will be able to serve NY in elected office.  

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by: stevenman5000 @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 05:03:35 AM UTC

This is pathetic (4.00 / 2)

We can discuss the pro's and cons all day of Cuomo, Higgins, Israel etc. Bottom line is they all have worked hard and deserve a bump up.

As much as I revere Ted Kennedy, you focus on gift-wrapping your seat to your wife of kid, hands off of ours.

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by: jacksonian dem @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 13:01:35 PM UTC