Cheat Sheet
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Bill or Mario May Fill In
The storm surrounding Caroline Kennedy’s shoo in as successor to Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat may lead to a big name compromise. Associated Press’s Michael Gormley has been told by those close to Governor David Paterson, who has sole right to pick New York’s new junior senator, that bold faced names like Bill Clinton and Mario Cuomo are being considered as a stop gap senator until an election takes place in 2010. If Paterson takes that option, it lets him off the hook with Caroline. "You can say to Caroline Kennedy, ‘You know, you'd make a good senator. Run for it.' And you can tell everyone else that it's a level playing field," explains political scientist Gerald Benjamin, dean at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Other caretaker names in the frame, retired top jurist Judith Kaye and former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, president of the New School in New York City.
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Cool. I like it - great idea. Elder statesman, that sort of thing. Yes, by all means, let Caroline *earn* it. Trudge through Buffalo in mid-winter, then we'll talk.
The 'caretaker' concept is dead on arrival for two very important reasons. Firstly, it will certainly take more than two years for the formation and implementation of Policy to address today's concerns. Whomever is the 'caretaker' is writing themselves a blank cheque before The People guaranteeing their absolution from accountability. If you think Senators should NOT be held accountable before The People, then by all means appoint a caretaker. In 2010, any Republican will have a powerful argument against any Democrat simply on this one issue. Secondly, whomever is appointed, who also intends to run in 2010, will be properly motivated to do their utmost to impress Voters in New York and bring home results for New Yorkers. There's a refreshing thought, perhaps even one which will go over well with The People and very consistent with the "Yes We Can" National Message.
What's impressive about Caroline's insight is that she actually picked the winning side and exercised 'Courage' in going against the NY Regulars in opposing Hillary, all at the same time. Her Political Skills have already proven out. The 'caretakers' mentioned here supported Hillary and lost. That single detail tells NYer's something, and don't expect that they will miss it, they rarely do.
On the issue of Caroline's 'arm's distance' from Political Contributions in the State, also given her ability to give, speaks better for her than all other contenders simply because they gave to those who are responsible for our current and dire condition. It is not likely that those who have already participated in Government will be any more successful in fixing our problems than they were in preventing them in the first place. Not one, including the 'caretakers' recommended here, even spoke out warning of problems to come. That puts the Democratic Regulars squarely in the camp of being nearsighted, not farsighted.
Caroline has already proven herself to be both 'Courageous" and "farsighted'. I'll go with the candidate who walks the walk.
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