The Palinization of Caroline Kennedy

On Thursday eveneing, Caroline Kennedy released a statement withdrawing her interest in replacing Hillary Clinton as a senator to New York. “I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate.”

What's going on? There are reports that Kennedy has a problem with unpaid taxes or illegal household help. Other reports suggest that she wanted to spend more time with her ailing uncle Ted Kennedy. I think all of these are at best half-truths.

The truth is that the New York politicos became unhinged at the prospect of selecting a Palin-- someone such as Sarah Palin who is hopelessly out of their depth-- a superfically attractive person without the substance and steel to prevail in the hothouse of New York politics. Like Ted Kennedy when he was running against Carter for the presidency, Caroline, although winsome, is flighty and inarticulate to the point of incoherance.

Americans are generally suspicious of nepotistic political dynasties. They believe that there must be more than mere name recognition. Governor David Paterson and his advisors must have concluded that Caroline would have made an embarassing replacement for Hillary.