The Media Buzz on Caroline Kennedy as New York Senator

Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Clinton as the junior senator from New York? A story that bubbled to the surface late last week appeared to come to a rolling boil over the weekend:

• The Washington Post reports that Kennedy spoke by phone with NY governor David Paterson about the position which would become available upon Clinton's confirmation as Secretary of State.
• Over at the San Francisco Chronicle politics blog, there isn't a lot of love for "Sweet C." as Joe Garofoli nicknames her. He points out that liberal blogger Jane Hamsher at firedoglake believes Kennedy as NY senator is "a truly terrible idea" that smacks of entitlement.
• But what are the sentiments within the mighty Empire State itself? Earlier today, the New York Times politics blog ran "If Not One Kennedy, Perhaps Another, a 3rd Kennedy Says."
• Bonnie Erbe, a woman whose opinion I respect, puts in her two cents at the US News & World Report website with "Caroline Kennedy Would Be a Good Senator, Jeb Bush Wouldn't."

On one side you have those who argue that Kennedy has never held public office and that sentiment rather than good sense would be the driving factor behind her appointment. This faction feels that Kennedy hasn't paid her dues and doesn't deserve this plum political position; they're frustrated that she did little to help the Democratic Party which took a political beating during the harsh climate of the Bush years.

On the other side are those who argue just as vehemently that she's well-qualified for the job; bright but very shy and down-to-earth, Kennedy has kept a low profile while advocating for civil liberties and public education. She's raised millions for public schools in New York City and has deliberately remained non-partisan until her endorsement of Barack Obama earlier this year.

Will Paterson name her and will she accept? In a nation that's become inured to the family dynasties of the Bush and Clinton clans, there's no denying that the Kennedy name is a powerful brand with huge appeal...and that as the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, she will be measured against his enduring legacy.

_{Photo of Caroline Kennedy © Scott Wintrow/Getty Images}