Caroline Quits

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright January 22, 2009
All Rights Reserved.                    

           Caroline Schlossberg Kennedy, the sole surviving child of President John F. Kennedy, stunned the political world Jan. 21, withdrawing her name from consideration for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) empty New York senate seat.  Since announcing interest in the seat Dec. 6, 2008, Caroline was considered the frontrunner for Gov. David Patterson, the 54-year-old wily vision-impaired African American chief executive, playing his cards close to the vest.  Patterson, the former Lt. Gov., assumed office March 17, 2008 after disgraced Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned his office in a hooker scandal.  Before withdrawing her name, Caroline was backed by billionaire media mogul NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Barack Obama, for whom she played a key role helping, with Atty. Gen. designate Eric Holder Jr., select and vet Barack’s key Cabinet picks.

            Caroline surprised her supporters in early December showing interest in Hillary’s seat.  Her marriage to Edwin Schlossberg and her own professional career, largely involved with charitable events and fund raising, shunned politics and media attention, keeping the 51-year-old scion of the Kennedy political dynasty away from the limelight. Considerable confusion surrounded Caroline’s decision to bail out, in part because it came from too many “family friends” and unidentified sources with Gov. Patterson.  Rumors circulated that Caroline hit a snag in the vetting process related to her tax returns and domestic employee.  An unnamed source from Patterson’s office indicated that Caroline was never under serious consideration, especially after a series of disappointing press interviews, drawing considerable criticism, causing Patterson to conclude she wasn’t ready for the senate.

            Caroline’s public interviews hurt her in the polls, showing New Yorkers favored Atty. Gen. Andrew Cuomo by 11-15%, putting pressure on Patterson to reconsider what looked like a lock for Kennedy.  Patterson also considered the very real possibility that he would face Cuomo next year in a competitive governor’s race.  Had it not been for Spitzer’s misfortune, Patterson was not in the running for governor.  At some point, Patterson’s advisors realized that if he gave Hillary’s seat to Cuomo, he’s have better shot next year.  His change of heart about Caroline could have been a simple desire to avoid Cuomo in 2010.  While citing “personal reasons,” Caroline pulled out because she learned Patterson would pick Cuomo or some other New York politician.  Upstate politician, two-term congresswoman Kirsten W. Gillibrand, is also considered on Patterson’s short-list.

            Patterson, who’s played his cards close to the vest, is said to favor a woman to replace Hillary.  Having said that his more pressing consideration involves clearing his way to reelection.  With Hillary confirmed as secretary of state yesterday, Patterson committed to making his choice by the weekend.  While gender remains an issue, Patterson’s more pressing concern involves winning next year.  Patterson’s office disputed the idea that Patterson signaled to Caroline she would not be picked.  “He was saying she was a contender, she was involved, and things were going the way they were going,” said an unnamed Patterson aide.  “He did not tell her either way that it was yes or no, but that she was still being considered,” insisting that Caroline withdrew on her own.  If that were the case, it was more likely due to Caroline’s realization, after some bad interviews, that she wasn’t suited for public life.

             When Caroline announced her interest in Hillary’s seat, she became the automatic frontrunner, if, for no other reason, because of her reluctant celebrity status.  Hounded by the press, she found out the hard way that there’s pressure for seeking public office, including answering questions.  When she was roundly criticized for her less mature speaking style, she realized that it would be no cakewalk.  Just after midnight Jan. 22, Caroline e-mailed Gov. Patterson:  “I informed Governor Patterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate.”  Caroline’s choice to pull out proved she was not a serious candidate.  No serious candidate pulls out unless she was told the governor was leaning in a different direction.  Apart from purely political considerations, Patterson realized that Caroline was not the best choice.

            Confusion over Caroline’s decision to withdraw her name stemmed in part from the governor’s office.  Despite the e-mail, Patterson wanted to continue stirring the pot before he makes his fateful choice this weekend.  An unnamed operative connected to the governor’s office admitted that he want to continue “a little misdirection of keeping the suspense up.”  Regardless of whom he picks, Patterson hasn’t pleased too many New Yorkers playing games with the Caroline pick.  Even if he picks Cumo, Patterson faces an uphill battle convincing New Yorkers that he’s the best pick to replace the brilliant and flamboyant ex-governor.  Creating needless drama and promoting confusion did nothing to help his chances next year.  If logic prevails, Patterson will pick Cuomo to fill Hillary’s seat.  So far, Patterson hasn’t shown much logic grandstanding over New York’s next senator.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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