Appointing the children of famous people to positions of power bothers me, even though Kennedy-S's positions on things probably match most of what I believe.

Considering the scandal in Illinois and all the other electionless new faces we'll get (does Salazar's bro get that seat in Colorado?) I'd really like a law that requires an election to fill the remainder of a Senatorial term.

Bravo!

If Sarah Palin can attempt to be V/P of the United States, Caroline Kennedy is certainly more than qualified to be a Senator. At least she would pass a basic civics exam. If the people of New York don't object... I don't object.

Senators used to be selected by the state legislators.

Color me undisturbed by the thought of Gov. Paterson selecting Kennedy-Schlossberg to complete Sen. Clinton's term.

I know, I'm a bad citizen.

So Obama gets to choose "acceptable" replacements for his Senate seat but an Obama supporter gets Clinton's seat. Clinton should also get to choose "acceptable" replacements for her seat especially since she was in the Senate for seven years, he for only two.

So sorry for you Donna.

Perhaps someday you will overcome your affliction.

Clinton should also get to choose "acceptable" replacements for her seat especially since she was in the Senate for seven years, he for only two.

That's right... especially since Hillary is the true President and Barack isn't a real citizen of the United States!

The people of New York are not going to be allowed to decide. Best way to go? Maybe hold the seat for 60 days via appointment with an election to be held immediately thereafter.

It doesn't matter who is President. Clinton has seniority and should also be able to choose her successor.

Appointments to the Senate are a longtime fact of life. Compared to many of the ogres who are presently warming seats in the Senate, Caroline Kennedy is a saint.

From Ben Smith at Politico:

Clinton chides supporters on Kennedy

Hillary Clinton has told her supporters not to involve her in their efforts to stop Caroline Kennedy's path to the U.S. Senate, a person familiar with replacement discussions said.

Caroline Kennedy would be a great choice... Progressive, under the radar, no outside influence, fresh, big on Education and an Attorney. For those who worry about gender, a female.

Instead of worrying about Carolyn Kennedy, why don't we fret about another Bush making a run for the Senate? Now that is something I can get upset about.

Let me just say that my position on this matter is simple enough.

First, I am opposed to the largely undemocratic process of Senators being appointed to office by Governors (regardless of whether it is allowed by State law).

Second, if a Governor has to pick a Senator, I would like to see high transparency and rigor in the process and a process that explicitly solicits applications from as many citizens as might be interested in this position.

We've got a federal system, so the states get to decide how to go about filling vacancies. If New Yorkers dislike their system, they get to tell their state legislature to change it. Ditto for eriposte in whichever state s/he inhabits.

As for whether or not Caroline Kennedy would be a good senator, well, as the punchline of the joke goes, "what do you want the answer to be?".

ROFL - perhaps you need a monarchy as we do in the UK. This sort of `filling in without an election` doesn't happen here in the UK - someone moves over you have an election.

This is quite amusing from a British point of view. Someone might get a position on the strength of which family they belong to? I thought we were the ones who went in for that. Someone tell me again that America is a classless society!

This is quite amusing from a British point of view. Someone might get a position on the strength of which family they belong to?

Where you been the last 8 years? Perhaps you missed it but Prescott Sheldon Bush was Senator from Connecticut and father of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st POTUS who is the father of George Walker Bush, the 43rd POTUS whose younger brother is Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida.

The faux outrage at the possibile selection of Kennedy-Schlossberg to finish the final 2 years of a Senate term is what's really amusing.