# I don't think that Caroline Kennedy is qualified for the NY Senate seat. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 16, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436 "2008-12-16T18:52:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/101 "2008-12-18T11:59:49Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Ah. So Jim Webb and Elizabeth Dole weren’t qualified? In my mind, no, Elizabeth Dole wasn’t qualified, because she didn’t live in the state she claimed to represent. She grew up in NC, but spent very little time there as an adult, even after she was elected. Woman was a carpetbagger, plain and simple. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/102 "2008-12-18T13:24:02Z")
Yesterday’s [letters to the editor](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/opinion/l17kennedy.html) of the N.Y. Times advanced some stunning arguments for the selection of Caroline Kennedy to the U.S. Senate. The best included this statement: _“It astounds me that anyone can accuse Caroline Kennedy of not having “paid her dues” in American politics. In addition to quietly devoting herself to public service, she has paid not only dues but also the ultimate price anyone can: the loss of her father and uncle to political assassins.”_ Obviously, the trials and tribulations of the Kennedy family make them deserving of a permanent legacy status in American politics. If you disagree, you are disrespecting J.F.K. and R.F.K. There was also a letter suggesting that Caroline take a starter job in politics by running for the New York State Assembly. How ridiculous! Caroline would have to rub elbows with men in ill-fitting suits from places like Elmira and Schenectady. Mere commoners! A Kennedy deserves far better than this. The appointment looks to be a done deal, assuming Gov. Paterson knows how his bread is buttered and wants support from Washington for an election bid. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/103 "2008-12-18T13:29:41Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > No reaction to my limerick? Sheesh. :mad: I thought it was brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/104 "2008-12-18T14:45:45Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > For those who don’t know, Caroline Kennedy (daughter of Jackie and JFK, sister of John-John) is actively seeking the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. Hillary wasn’t qualified for the job, either, but that didn’t stop the bozos in NY from electing her. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/105 "2008-12-18T15:48:43Z")
If the voters of New York want to elect someone with only marginal qualifications and experience for the job, that’s their business. Appointing someone because of who her daddy was is nonsense–she wouldn’t be under consideration at all if not for her family connections. Maybe if she’d held some other office or some public policy position, this would be palatable but to me the fact she’s even under serious consideration is a joke. BTW, when did she drop the Schlossberg? Or is she divorced? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/106 "2008-12-18T15:56:17Z")
> [@KSO](#): > > BTW, when did she drop the Schlossberg? Or is she divorced? Speaking of which, did anyone hear the pack of reporters (legimately IMO) hounding her to answer their questions yesterday calling her (repeatedly) “Mrs. Kennedy”? Do they think she married into the Kennedy family or are they just stupid, do you suppose? ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/107 "2008-12-18T16:02:43Z")
> [@KSO](#): > > BTW, when did she drop the Schlossberg? Or is she divorced? She’s still married to Ed Schlossberg, but there are [rumors](http://gawker.com/5111477/caroline-kennedy-may-want-to-reconsider-this-senate-thing) that they have been quietly separated for years. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/108 "2008-12-18T16:07:12Z")
Thanks, **pseudotriton**. I look forward to reading your own, O limerick expert. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/109 "2008-12-18T20:52:33Z")
I read in the paper that she never changed her name from Kennedy to Schlossberg. “Ms. Kennedy” is the correct form of address. Until she gets elevated to “Your excellency” or “Your supreme majesty” or whatever comes next for the child of a president around here. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/110 "2008-12-18T21:09:13Z")
> [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](#): > > …Until she gets elevated to “Your excellency” or “Your supreme majesty” or whatever comes next for the child of a president around here. “Senator,” maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/111 "2008-12-18T21:34:15Z")
> [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](#): > > Until she gets elevated to “Your excellency” or “Your supreme majesty” or whatever comes next for the child of a president around here. “President?” ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/112 "2008-12-18T23:25:41Z")
And look at this [picture](http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=app-57d863a2-dc2c-463d-9614-5dff158f589b&show_article=1&article_id=D955BHUO1)! That’s one pitcher of what appears to be lemonade, one pitcher of what appear to be tea, and another pitcher of what appears to be water…_for two people at lunch_!!! That’s three entire _pitchers_ of liquid for a simple two-person lunch! Do we really want such a wastrel to become one of the 100 most powerful and influential people in government? :: removes tongue from cheek :: ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/113 "2008-12-19T00:01:50Z")
“Senator”? “President”? Neither does her justice. Don’t you get that she’s the daughter of a president? And when she was a tiny child he was assassinated. She deserves something more exalted, with cred like that. Something that includes a throne and scepter, maybe robes. I should qualify my previous posts by saying I think she’d probably be a perfectly good senator. I’ve just had it up to here with our handing elected offices to people based on their famous fathers. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/114 "2008-12-19T00:07:27Z")
> [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](#): > > Something that includes a throne and scepter, maybe robes. Conan? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/115 "2008-12-19T00:38:49Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Thanks, **pseudotriton**. I look forward to reading your own, O limerick expert. 😉 C.K. claimed, at the end of oh eight The Senate slot from New York State Held by Uncle Bob And now it’s her job To show she has stature and weight. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/116 "2008-12-19T01:39:44Z")
> [@KSO](#): > > BTW, when did she drop the Schlossberg? Or is she divorced? According to wikipedia she never changed her name. Here is the [interview](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002414,00.html) that is cited: > [@](#): > > WHY DO YOU USE THE NAME KENNEDY ON YOUR BOOKS, RATHER THAN KENNEDY SCHLOSSBERG, YOUR MARRIED NAME? > > I never actually changed my name. But people call me whatever they call me. ETA:Oops, **Gala Matrix Fire** called it first. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/117 "2008-12-19T04:50:55Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Hillary wasn’t qualified for the job, either, but that didn’t stop the bozos in NY from electing her. I assume you felt the same way when George W. Bush was elected Governor of Texas, and when Arnold Schwarzeneggar and Ronald Reagan were elected Governor of California? If not, why not? ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/118 "2008-12-19T05:11:43Z")
All three had records of accomplishment and proven executive ability all on their own. None were elected because their husband had been president and they figured she had big suck because of it; none were elected because their electorate was willing to roll over and serve as nothing more than a stepping stone to higher office; and none were elected by carpet-bagging themselves into the only state in the union in which they could have been elected more than dog catcher. The voters in New York elected her and they got the quality of representation and the loyalty that the rest of us knew they’d get all along. Thus they’re bozos. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/119 "2008-12-19T05:21:38Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > No offense intended. No offense taken. I simply didn’t want to give **DanBlather** the wrong impression. > [@Jackmanii](#): > > The appointment looks to be a done deal, assuming Gov. Paterson knows how his bread is buttered and wants support from Washington for an election bid. Oh, I very much doubt that. Has Obama said much to Paterson about it? Is there any reason to think he’d withhold his approval if Kennedy weren’t appointed? ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436/120 "2008-12-19T05:27:58Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > All three had records of accomplishment and proven executive ability all on their own. Really? What was Arnold’s “proven executive ability”? Reagan was president of the SAG. This means he was qualified to run California? How so? > [@](#): > > None were elected because their husband had been president and they figured she had big suck because of it; I didn’t vote for her, but I don’t think she got elected because her husband was president. I do think it gave her great name recognition and a big war chest, but for some reason, New Yorkers actually like her. She was not simply a housewife before she became Senator. You may not like her (I don’t), but she is a very capable, educated, experienced person. > [@](#): > > none were elected because their electorate was willing to roll over and serve as nothing more than a stepping stone to higher office; Hmmm. Reagan sure used it as a stepping stone to higher office. Arnold can’t really go any higher because he’s not a native born citizen. > [@](#): > > and none were elected by carpet-bagging themselves into the only state in the union in which they could have been elected more than dog catcher. Do you have any particular reason why you think that Hillary could only get elected in NY? I mean actual, concrete, factual evidence, not just your opinion? Bill was elected in Arkansas, if I recall. > [@](#): > > The voters in New York elected her and they got the quality of representation and the loyalty that the rest of us knew they’d get all along. Thus they’re bozos. I think New Yorkers might disagree with you about the quality of her representation. She has always been very popular and had [higher than average approval ratings.](http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300022) Do you have any factual, concrete reason for alleging that she did not provide quality representation? Are you going to accuse other Cabinet appointees who are vacating Senate and Congressional seats of disloyalty for accepting Obama’s offered positions? I’m not sure why you think she’s being disloyal to NY by becoming Secretary of State. The majority of New Yorkers wanted her to be President of the United States, so I’m sure overall they’re pleased by her appointment. Doesn’t Clinton bashing ever get old for you guys? We are hijacking the hell out of this thread, I fully realize this, but I can’t let these statements go unchallenged, as they seem hypocritical to me. I am not a Hillary Clinton fan either. I have never once voted for her. However, as a New Yorker, I think your perceptions of her job in NY are not accurate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436.md?page=7)