She is saying it's for personal reasons, and, as the report states, just when Governor Paterson was going to offer it to her.
Caroline Kennedy has told Gov. David Paterson that she is withdrawing her name from consideration to replace outgoing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate, The Post has learned.Kennedy cited "personal reasons," according to sources.
Her stunning move comes as sources revealed that Paterson had intended to appoint her to the now-vacant seat today.
The 51-year-old Camelot daughter's decision removes the highest-profile name in the ring to step into Clinton's seat, as she departs after getting confirmed as President Obama's Secretary of State today.
The surprise decision leaves a crowded field of about 15 people, mostly elected officials, vying to replace Clinton - including Long Island Rep. Steve Israel, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
Ed Morrissey opines:
Actually, the trigger may have been Paterson's statement Tuesday that Andrew Cuomo was under consideration for the slot. The specter of losing after making such a public bid for Hillary Clinton's seat may have been too much for the Kennedy mystique, or at least the Kennedy ego.
We can't allow a Kennedy to be seen as a mere human, now can we?
Update: The New York Post reports that she ended her bid after she found out Paterson was not going to appoint her, but now we are hearing from the AP that a friend reports that Kennedy is still in the race. Sheesh, stop vacillating already.
Update II: One more time, shall we? Caroline Kennedy issued a statement last night saying that she really is out of the running for the senate seat.
I informed Gov. Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate.
I hope someone close to her has informed her that there are no take backs.
Comments (11)
Sounds like reality just sl... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Shawn | January 21, 2009 7:47 PM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Sounds like reality just slapped her in the face.
Thank, you know, Moses!
1. Posted by Shawn | January 21, 2009 7:47 PM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on January 21, 2009 19:47
2. Posted by Fastfred | January 21, 2009 8:30 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Actually her Uncle looks like he is going to die. She will get the vacant seat in Mass, and bring it all home.
2. Posted by Fastfred | January 21, 2009 8:30 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on January 21, 2009 20:30
3. Posted by Tom Blogical | January 21, 2009 8:52 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Surprising. Probably best for New Yorkers, anyway.
3. Posted by Tom Blogical | January 21, 2009 8:52 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on January 21, 2009 20:52
4. Posted by glenn | January 21, 2009 9:12 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
As I said on another thread, Somebody probably called her a bubblehead and after a couple of weeks she realized what it meant and gracefully withdrew.
4. Posted by glenn | January 21, 2009 9:12 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 21, 2009 21:12
5. Posted by James Cloninger | January 22, 2009 12:02 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I blame Barack!
5. Posted by James Cloninger | January 22, 2009 12:02 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 22, 2009 00:02
6. Posted by Jason | January 22, 2009 12:37 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
The senate is already packed with idiots, how much can it hurt to have one more?
http://www.rightklik.net/
6. Posted by Jason | January 22, 2009 12:37 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 22, 2009 00:37
7. Posted by bryanD | January 22, 2009 1:41 AM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
This is kinda sorta big news. I hope Caroline doesn't shrink into Rose Kennedy mode: bequeathing gifts then accusing the gifted with theft of property, etc.
7. Posted by bryanD | January 22, 2009 1:41 AM |
Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 22, 2009 01:41
8. Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic | January 22, 2009 7:12 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I want an Oompa Loompa and I want it now!
8. Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic | January 22, 2009 7:12 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 22, 2009 07:12
9. Posted by JLawson | January 22, 2009 9:00 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Does this break the Kennedy Dynasty? Admittedly there wasn't much to her - but I can't think of any other up-and-coming politically active Kennedy kids.
If so, I think it's been a long time coming...
9. Posted by JLawson | January 22, 2009 9:00 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 22, 2009 09:00
10. Posted by Falze | January 22, 2009 10:54 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
As a, you know, um, resident of, you know, New you know York, um, like I'd just, you know, like to say that like I, you know, am pretty, you know, like glad about, um, this. You know, like maybe we'll get, like, you know someone from, like, somewhere in the, you know, state that, like, isn't from, you know, New York, um, City to represent, the, um, you know, state.
10. Posted by Falze | January 22, 2009 10:54 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 22, 2009 10:54
11. Posted by Fastfred | January 22, 2009 2:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I told you guys and now the shmits is hitting the fan in the Kennedy family.
11. Posted by Fastfred | January 22, 2009 2:37 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 22, 2009 14:37