While this one piece may have progressives and even Democrats screaming and tearing their hair out, I am going to say it right off the bat. Caroline Kennedy is NOT qualified to become the next U.S. senator representing New York State which is the seat being vacated by Senator Hillary Clinton as she goes onto become the next Secretary of State.
Before I delve into why, in this past 2008 presidential campaign, I wrote piece-after-piece calling into question Governor Sarah Palin’s qualifications to run as the Republican vice presidential nominee. While Palin could not enunciate fully what the responsibilities of the vice president were, under the U.S. Constitution, the responsibilities of the vice president is to act as a tie breaker in the U.S. Senate and preside as its president. Also a vice president stands ready to assume the responsibilities of president under article 25 of the United States Constitution. They may act in an advisory role to the president, but under the Constitution this is not part of their job.
In this YouTube.com feed, which made its way around the Internet, Palin was mocked by so many expressing her understanding of the responsibilities of the vice president when she said, “they are in charge of the United States Senate...So, if they want to get can really get in there with the United States Senators and make a lot of good policy changes" Clearly she was and still is wrong.
As many did mock Palin during the presidential campaign of 2008, we must remember that she first ran for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska and won and then went onto run for the gubernatorial seat and won that too. She has more governing experience than Caroline Kennedy does.
Presently, Palin approves and oversees the budget of Alaska. She is the executive of that state as she oversees thousands of that state’s employees. Alaska being an energy producing state which is critical to our economy has been deeply involved in that issue. One can debate how, but still as the state’s executive, it has been her responsibility.
While Caroline Kennedy is a constitutional lawyer, the author of several books and has served on many boards that is the breath of her experience. Also let us not forget she has not chosen to vote in several elections as was reported the other day. We must take note and objection to that. Kennedy stated that she plans on running in 2010, so how can she ask people to come out and vote for her, when she has failed to show up at the polls herself?
Senators have more of an in-depth role within our federal government such as writing legislation, fomenting policy both foreign and domestic and actually voting on these pieces of legislation. They are also a co-equal branch to the executive branch. So, looking at both resumes above, exactly who has more experience in running for and holding a senate seat?
If Sarah Palin were to run for a United States senate seat coming from her state of Alaska at the same time Caroline Kennedy is asking to be named to the seat here in New York, Palin brings with her actual governing experience than Kennedy.
I know that will anger Democrats, but the facts speak for themselves and it is time that Democrats think pragmatically instead of giving into aristocracy.
If you think I am the only one questioning whether or not Kennedy should be appointed senator, in this YouTube.com feed, Ron Kuby who is as well a constitutional lawyer calls into question this senate appointment. Please take note where he says that progressives believe that people should have to work for the seat which they aspire to.
Towards the end of this feed, Kuby states, "it is an insult to all of the people in this state, elected officials who have worked hard year-after-year making New York a better place, they just do not happen to be named Kennedy. They happen to be named Maloney, Lowey or McMahon...It's an outrage."
While I do not necessarily agree with his politics, should Kennedy get the nod from Governor David Paterson, she would be forced to run in 2010 and most likely the Republican candidate would be Congressman Peter King of Long Island. He has a vast wealth of actual experience and knows the issues far better than Kennedy. He can challenge her when it comes to homeland security, immigration issues, terrorism which are all subjects still relevant to New York voters. While Long Island where I reside has voted Democratic over the years, King has been the victor in his congressional seat because of his experience.
Upstate New York tends to be more conservative than downstate New York and this is where King could prevail over Kennedy in 2010. This is something that Governor David Paterson must look at should he wish to hold onto this powerful senate seat as well as President-elect Barack Obama.
It is up to the sole-voter in this case, namely Governor David A. Paterson not to give into pressure in naming Caroline Kennedy to this senate seat, but go with a more experienced candidate who knows the issues and does have actual governing experience. This is not the time for on-the-job learning as Kennedy expressed the other day when she said, “I have a lot to learn.”
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
