I'm just thankful Patterson is making this decision and not Spitzer.

On Kennedy, her biggest plus I'd say is that she isn't a career politician. I like the out of the box thinking actually.

I don't know, I hope there's a little more to the selection process than name recognition and access.  Standing alone, I do not feel like those two factors justify an appointment.

Caroline Kennedy very successfully walks the line between "legacy candidate," which I don't like, and "accomplished non-career politician," which I DO like.

I've only ever heard good things about her, and while she's not the greatest speaker, I think that she is the sort of person like Hillary Clinton who can become accomplished at anything she puts her mind to.

As for how someone might run against her... well, think of it this way: The Republicans ran a smear campaign against Patti Wetterling in the Wetterling - Bachmann election of 2006.  Yes, the lady who ran an organization to help missing and abused children got hit with the business end of Republican smears.  So don't worry about how someone might run against Caroline.

She's not the most qualified for the seat.  Let them find an experienced public servant to do the state's business, not a show pony with a famous name.  I would have said the same thing w/JFK Jr.  The guy failed the NY bar three times.  

NY is a big state, with lots of problems.  Time for a serious pick.

Not be nominated as Senator. If we are honest, then  if she was not  Kennedy and not supported Obama, she would not even be in contention.

I haven't seen one thing so far that shows her qualifications. What exactly has she done to warrant her accepting such a prestigious and important position?

Caroline is the perfect choice.  She is highly popular and wont cost us a House seat.  

Let me start by saying that I have no issue with Caroline Kennedy as an individual.  What I do have a problem with is yet politically connected aristocrat getting handed a senate seat.  An appointment of Caroline Kennedy to this seat would be yet another example of the NYC elite shutting the rest of the state out of the political conversation.

I hate to sound like some hack from the NY Republican party, but NYC and the rest of the downstate region have held far too much power in this state.  Sure, upstate has had its share of powerful state senate leaders, but they've been mostly been corrupt fools like Joe Bruno.  It has been over three decades since there has been a senator from Upstate NY, and far longer since there has been a governor from there.  Sure, downstate pols will pay attention to the needs of the rest of the state, although to what level depends on how much they need our votes.  

But regardless, a pick of Caroline Kennedy would likely harden the deep cynicism of millions of upstaters towards our political leadership. For deacdes, residents of the region have seen a once booming economy get outsourced as their communities depopulate and their children exit the region in droves for opportunities elsewhere.  A wealthy political scion insulated in upper class Manhattan cannot understand their struggles, no matter how hard he or she attempts to.  I am sure that if she was picked, Caroline Kennedy would work to represent all of NY State, but she would not have the perspective that to address the problems and be an effective voice for the region.

Glenn Greenwald had a good piece on this.

On the one hand, being in a political family gives you connections and insights into political strategy  that can help you win and govern.  For example, Nancy Pelosi's father was mayor of Baltimore, and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius had family members who'd won office in Ohio.  Hillary campaigned with Bill every time he ran, and she even began her adult career as a staffer on the Watergate hearings... and she worked hard to campaign and win.

But let's hope one thing Paterson is considering is the long-term strength of the Democratic Party.  This seat could be a chance shake things up and give new political talent a chance to bloom.  If Caroline Kennedy becomes Senator, does she really go anywhere from there?  A Blue state like NY could be a farm team for future Presidential candidates.

I like the idea.  Caroline Kennedy hasn't just "written books," she's written books about political history and Constitutional law.  Her family history is a plus.  Yes, the Kennedys are a dynasty, but it's one with a long history of devotion to public service, rather than one merely one of money and power-seeking, like the Bushes.

It's a big mistake to think the only experience qualifying one for public office is public office.  The framers and founder of our country and Constitution didn't like the idea of "professional politicians"; they preferred people who had already accomplished things in life to then go into public service.  Experience in other endeavors gives you a broader perspective, trains your knowledge and judgment.

What interests me is that she's interested at all.  Until she got involved in Obama's campaign, she's neither sought nor wanted to be in politics.  I'd like to know what changed her mind; whether it's something as basic as the fact that her children are grown and she doesn't need to devote as much of her energies to them, or if she truly feels a call to service now that the country needs rebuilding practically from the ground up.

I know most bloggers and commenters are sick to death of the Boomers, but a big thing we've never gotten over is how the progressive movement of the 60s was short circuited - mainly by assassinations (JKF, LK, RFK), which not only stole our best leaders from us, but enabled the forces of reaction to gain control of the country.   In some ways, the Democratic sweep feels like a chance to revive that egalitarian movement.  I think Caroline might feel that way, and also want to repair/restore her father's and uncle's legacy.