Julia!

Mayor Bloomberg’s Deputy Mayor for Political Aspirations — LOL

Can I vote for “not?”

Shelly Silver said that. He’s saying now that he’ll support her if she’s appointed, but he’s not sounding very enthusiastic about it.

I don’t think he and Sheekey get on well.

Yeah, that was kind of my take. People who say they represent her have talked to the press a couple of times trying to distance themselves from Sheekey and the things he’s saying.

Me, I think she’d make a terrific chair of the NEA – civil libertarian who’s been on the board of multiple arts and humanities foundations – what’s not to love?

All politics is local.

I’m glad I am on the other edge of the continent.

Rosie’s bro is da man!

agreed. There’s plenty she can do to earn high distinction that is not in the Senate.

Oh, I wish this were local. It seems like everyone in the country has a Really Strong Opinion about it, and judging from what I’ve read a really lot of them have, how can I put this, Very Romantic Natures. Then there’s the people who think it’s a referendum on Obama, so there’s that other level of angst.

At one point, a family from Delmar, N.Y…

I’ve lived in Delmar. Amongst other things, it contains the one hair stylist/salon that I have found in my travels that gives bald men half price hair cuts as we have only half the hair. :})

Hrm?

Here is her new campaign slogan: Better than Burris.

I think appointing CK to HRC’s seat would be a terrible thing to do. First, it would reinforce not just the Kennedy dynasty but also the power of all political dynasties in American politics. Second, she’s a weak candidate in a direct primary or general election challenge, and she’s going to face two in the next three years. This brings up several Machiavellian scenarios wrt Bloomberg’s support of her appointment — maybe he intends to take the seat himself and needs it occupied by a weak candidate he will have no problem steam-rolling.

is that what we’ve come to?

Please, no.

I’ve been watching NY1 and they seem to running favourable coverage of Kennedy.

How popular is Bloomberg going to be once the NYC economy is a shambles?

Surely among all those millions of New Yorkers there are some able, well-qualified, experienced Dem pols who could fill this seat and ‘do a good job for New York’. I am so sick of being told that there is only one person who can do it. Not! I have nothing against Caroline one way or another. But give me a break. Anyone getting appointed to this seat will share representation of the second-largest constituency in the country. It’s not like it’s Montana or anything (no offense to Montana – we here get more bang for our Senatorial buck!).

I’m for Caroline Spore!

Well, NY1 is very fond of Bloomberg.

I offered no opinion on the success of any such endeavour…

How popular is he going to be over flying to Israel to suck up to, and defend Israeli’s genocide against the Palestinian people?

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052557.html

Well, right now that’s his rationale for getting term limits knocked down – he’s such a great manager that we need him now. I’m not sure how convinced I am about that – he’s made a great deal of money, true, but he’s made it off of media deregulation and easy Wall Street money. Let Bush off the hook on a big chunk of the federal funds we were promised after 9/11, too. And his Republican allies are dropping like flies.

How popular is Bloomberg going to be once the NYC economy is a shambles?

Yes, you might think that a billionaire businessman who also owns Bloomberg News would have, you know, foreseen this mess and done something to prevent it and/or mitigate its impact on his constituents.

I’m not sure she meets the age requirement ;)

It’s funny in an ironic sort of way that he’s using a variation on Rudy’s arguments on why he should have been kept as mayor after 9/11.

Here’s hoping the citizens of NY respond in the same fashion.

so i’ve noticed

Lots of opinions on who should get the seat, but only one opinion matters- and he ain’t talkin.

So throwing this out and running for cover. Why is no one talking about a special election for the New York seat? That seems to be the conventional wisdom for Obama’s former seat.

I would tend to agree with you.

Also, just watching the machinations going on around this whole thing makes me feel as if things would be even more complicated for her if she got it, because an awful lot of powerful (men) are using her to accomplish their own goals right now. What’s she going to do once she owes them the seat?

Who can decide to have a special election? Depends on the state? What about ny?

here!

I just think he’s maybe misunderestimating the extent to which NY Democrats are really tired of getting jerked around by national politicians who don’t have our interests particularly at heart (and I don’t completely exempt Mr. Schumer from that group).

Well, her backers don’t want to (she says herself she won’t run if she isn’t appointed) and, well, why would Paterson?

I have mentioned this lotsa times.

Aw. I didn’t realize they were brother and sister. That’s neat.

And I love that his partner is his upstate connection…

Yes, I think it was also from you that I first heard about her affair with Pinch Sulzberger. There is much to make fun of in anything about Pinch but I am surprised she hadn’t wound up her own marriage before announcing her interest in the Senate seat.

Well, technically, we are going to have one, in 2010. The Governor is just appointing for the two years til then. The seat isn’t up until 2012, when there’s going to be another one.

I assume what you guys are asking is whether we can have one now, but the laws would have to be changed, and as above, neither Democratic side really wants that (and the Republicans would be crazy to give up an extra shot at the seat).

Louisville just beat Kentucky 74-71 with a last second 3 point shot.

From my vantage point of South Brooklyn, it seems that Mike Bloomberg and his ally/waterboy Kevin Sheekey are spending a bit too much time playing (and rather badly) politics and not doing their job of governing New York City. For them it is just about the power.

Many of my neighbors and friends are also noticing. My bet is that Bloomy will not be Mayor in 2010. And Mr. Sheekey will be out of work as well.

We deserve someone smart and passionate about public service as our next senator, with a caveat of without the ties to men like Bloomberg and Sheekey. i.e. men who do not have any sense of what “public service” truly means.

I dunno – the Times appears to be bailing on her. Today we had not just the story about the other candidates (who have seriously not been discussed there so far), but a story about financial disclosures that was all over the place three weeks ago, presented like hot news.

According to today’s NYDN, Sheekey’s saying he’s not going to run Bloomberg’s campaign this time. Presumably he thinks he can make more as a consultant somewhere, although he really has been remarkably unsuccessful at most of his signature initiatives, when you consider that he’s from the Moynihan staff and had a ton of money and his boss’ media company to work with.

You’re right, though. It’s kind of offensive that my kid’s school budget is being gutted while this guy gets $200k for acting as a personal political fixer for the mayor (who could afford to pay him that out of the change behind his couch cushions)

I wasn’t thinking in terms of the Times but more in terms of her perception by voters. As for Pinch, I just can’t take him seriously.

You’re right, though. It’s kind of offensive that my kid’s school budget is being gutted while this guy gets $200k for acting as a personal political fixer for the mayor (who could afford to pay him that out of the change behind his couch cushions)

Ouch! Well said.

Hmmm. Makes sense to me. As one who is on total overload from the never-ending Coleman/Franken fiasco, I am desperately hoping for the NY thingie to be resolved post haste. Just. Do. Something.

Was that the article that compared all the other $1-a-year employees’ financial disclosure requirements, including Mike himself, to CK’s? And pointed out that her subordinates had to make disclosure because they were designated as policy-makers while she wasn’t? I mean, how can a non-policymaker have policy-making subordinates, exactly?

I thought that article was devastating to CK’s chances.

Also: Randi Weingarten! w00t!

Randi Weingarten, the out president of the New York City teachers union, is among those vying to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate. Weingarten, who would become the first openly gay U.S. senator, said in a statement that she is “very flattered and honored” to be considered for the post by New York Gov. David Paterson.

Paterson won’t announce a successor until Hillary is confirmed. Which is probably an excellent idea, given today’s Richardson news…

Good point.

Well, bluntly I see Bloomberg’s interest in being mayor as both having a launching pad, whether it be for the Senate or Governor, in ‘10, along with having leverage on media deregulation issues.

I suspect that me and my kid are pretty far down that list.

I have wondered (here and other places) whether her real motivations for wanting this seat have more to do with Ted’s illness. Seems that since he was diagnosed, she is the one who has been by his side (not his wife, odd?). Given how close she is to him, my wondering is that maybe he’s in a lot worse shape than they are letting on – and she wants to be very close to help him finish up his ‘legacy project’ (universal health care). But the only real way to do it without seeming to mother-hen him would be if she was a sitting Senator – and she could get Reid to give her the committee that does the health care stuff (which I’m sure he would in a heartbeat). That way she could watch over Uncle Ted without him being aware of it, and the subject of whether she decides to run in 2010 will depend entirely on his health. Of course, no one will confirm this because that would blow her cover…

I wonder…

Oh, I can answer that one. Forty percent think she’s qualified, forty one don’t, and she’s neck and neck with Cuomo on whether people want her. More than that think the fix is in, of course.

It’s really unpopular up north – she got quite fierce No editorials from three upstate papers today, including the Albany Times Union. I think Gillibrand would be very popular up there (and it would mean there was one Senator who spoke Mandarin)

Yes, and since Hillary has not resigned her seat yet – the question is entirely moot until she does. He has no legal basis for saying or doing anything at this point.

Oh, I think he spends most of his time with his wife. I suspect the reason you see him with her in pictures is that he supports her in this and he’s helping her out.

I was wondering if Richardson wasn’t looking for a good excuse to ditch the Commerce gig. It’s a second tier post and with folks like Geithner, Summers, and the rest of Obama’s economic team really calling the shots I would rate it even lower. And if questions raised were enough for him to leave, why isn’t Holder already gone?

Indeed. Which is why it seems odd that Bloomberg tried to stampede him last week, or that he’s completely dropped out of sight on this. Either he thinks he’s not helping her by publicly pushing for her, which is not a good sign when he has an unpopular third race coming up, or he doesn’t want to be standing there when she fails.

Let’s face it, Paterson has a hell of a lot more institutional support in NYS than Bloomberg does.

No, this started happening right after he got out of the hospital. Caroline was with him at the Dem convention when this was not an issue. She was also present at a couple of the pressers at the hospital, and answered questions once. She was also with him the first day he was back in the Senate after his surgery – also before this became an issue.

Ted Kennedy is dying. If Caroline Kennedy had an interest in promoting his healthcare agenda, she might do him and herself some good by actually talking about it. She hasn’t. And also you have to understand, Ted has seniority and connections out the gazoo and Caroline won’t have any.

Home time with wife – work and public appearances with CK, at least since he got out of the hospital.

He gave his little speech at the Convention – and it is obvious that he does have some impairment from the tumor and everything that followed. But how much? That is not an idle question, since my late husband died of the same kind of tumor.

Caroline has always been close to Ted – he was her father-figure after what happened. I’m just wondering – and like I said – it will never be confirmed, one way or another.

Well, I can understand that. I have an older uncle who had a health scare recently and I was down to four hours sleep a night dealing with it on top of the year end crunch at work – not because I felt obligated, but because if this might have been as much time as I had left, I wanted all of it (happily he’s doing wonderfully well now).

That said, the timing is a bit odd.

Which is my point. She wouldn’t be there to do anything herself, just to help him. And by help him I’m not entirely referring to legislative stuff. I’m meaning personal and possibly medical stuff. She doesn’t need any connections or anything.

This would be a lousy deal for the citizens of New York. She really would not be looking out for their interests. But stranger things…

Spitzer! We need oversight capability in the Senate. The magicians of Wall Street are terrified of Elliot Spitzer. Governor Patterson, Please appoint Elliott Spitzer !

I guess my reservations have more to do with history. If politics, which is a world like no other world (my inner brat says except high school, or maybe kindergarden) is something you want to do, I think you tend to do it. If in fifty years it never came up, it makes me wonder if it’s something she’s really inclined to, or if instead it’s something she feels as if she ought to do.

She’s an intelligent woman, so I have to assume she realizes that campaigning for a popular presidential candidate is a different animal than swotting up on trade figures or being the person with the least influence in the room. I just don’t feel confident that it’s going to appeal to her when she experiences it.

I second that! and given that Vitter, Craig, and a few others are still there – I see no problem with Spitzer either!! HA HA!

I wish, but he does have some working and playing well with others issues.

I have to say that I truly would give a great deal to see Chuck Schumer’s face, but maybe not that much (since I’m taking a stand for not handing the Senate seat to people for quixotic reasons)

Also I suspect his wife wouldn’t be too happy.

So, this has been total NY politics geek nirvana, but I feel as if I ought to say that Teddy’s post is up now…

Exactly, and that’s why I think there is some other motive. She probably won’t run in 2010, because by then the Ted issue will be settled one way or another unfortunately. And she isn’t really a politician.

Although I read an interesting post – I can’t remember where, but it was talking about the fact that a lot of women politicians don’t hit the ground until their late 40’s and early 50’s – because of child-rearing. Caroline has three so…it’s just another thing to add into the mix. A commenter on that same post said also that women seem to come into their own power around that time (menopause!) and begin seeking other careers or a career after having spent the first half of their life doing for others (husbands, kids, parents, and the like). Now it’s their turn.

Let’s face it, Hillary didn’t become a politician until after she left the White House. Before that she was a mom…and a lawyer working on children’s rights issues and pretty much behind the scenes.

Well, Pelosi was certainly of that model, and I have nothing against it. It’s just that I really think she’d be far better at something she’s made an effort to be involved in before, like the arts or the humanities – both of which have chairs in the President Elect’s gift.

Which is why I will continue to wonder about the Ted angle. I think this thing just came along at an opportune time for her – and I bet Teddy is chafing at the idea of having someone watching over him, although he probably needs it, but my hubby was the same way. Chafed at the watching over, until he got himself in trouble and then grumbling because he needed the help but glad I was there nevertheless. This Senate seat would give her good cover to keep it up, protecting him and allowing her to be close by if he needed anything without him being able to say too much about it.

In response to Julia@65 and lokywoky@64

It’s a shame — but Patterson’s initial criteria was right on the mark – upstate, woman, hispanic. With the events of the past two weeks, I think he lost the initial window of opportunity to appoint someone who wants the job long term.

My hope is that Patterson names a placeholder — Spitzer (!), Bill C. or Mario C and opens the field in ‘10. Let’s have a Senate Dem primary race that rivals our most recent Democratic Presidential Primary. Lord knows NYS needs to have a full blown discussion of the issues.

CK might just have the right stuff to be an amazing Senator – her age, her lineage, her NY roots, her intelligence. Women (I think) are amazing post 40 – and even better post 50. My issue is the way that she is attempting to become Senator and the political gymnastics that are going on on her behalf. It doesn’t bode well for a fresh start.

And I agree with Julia’s comment at 49 – Gillibrand is great and would be a popular choice upstate.

that would certainly be choice!

I’ll just repeat what I have been saying here for more than 2 years.

We need term limits for all elective offices. The upside to this is far better than the problems on the downside.

There are plenty of competent people who can serve and get out of the way. No more Reids, DiFi, Schumer, not to mention Stevens and all the retreads. ICK.

This would have a positive impact on the close relationship to lobbyists and go a long way toward getting public finance in place since raising billions for the next campaign will disappear as a “thing to do.”

Please term limits.

Good guys who want to continue to serve the people can work in other non elective posts in government. Do you hear that Bloomie?

Bill C says he definitely doesn’t want it, and I doubt Mario C would take it, given how his son is involved, but I have to agree, this whole thing is making it really difficult for Paterson to make a smart choice.

Offhand, I’m saying no, he doesn’t. He’s certainly not being very friendly to anyone who opposed him on overturning the term limits voters have repeatedly put in place.

But then, he has his own agenda for all this, and I really don’t think it’s governing NYC.

Well, he probably has at least another month to think about it. Hillary is still the sitting junior Senator from New York, and will show up in that capacity this week. The Rethugs are making all kinds of noise about dragging out all the confirmation hearings, and Hillary said she will not resign until hers happens. So, it could be just a couple of weeks, or it could be months yet before Gov Paterson has to or even CAN make a choice in this matter.

Which, I suspect, acts against this, because everything that’s gone on up to this point has suggested a shock and awe campaign, and that appears not to be going well.

And, here again, it’s not that I have specific beef with Ms. Kennedy, it’s just that this situation does not scream concern for NY voters.

I don’t know why we don’t have a special election. Small turnout? better than one man making the choice for everyone.

If Charlie Savage’s report in today’s NYT has legs, and I think it does, all of the bloviating over Kennedy, Cuomo, Maloney, et al. is moot. Senator Clinton, friend of developers who give her husband money, will keep her day job where she can continue to befriend developers who give her husband money.

The Constant Weader at http://www.RealityChex.cm

“Women above 50 are amazing…”

Men above 50, on the other hand, are chopped liver.

No, they’re not.

They are, however, significantly less likely to have taken a few decades out of their careers to be the primary caregivers of children.

Thanks for these insights. (CK and Pinch? Really????)

I am such a fan of Robert Kennedy, Jr., but he has an unvettable history I guess. I would push for his dynastic legacy!

Love your graphic. :)

Bloomberg had a pretty good idea, great timing, and he executed well. That’s why he’s a billionaire. I don’t know that that success necessarily makes him the right man to handle NYC’s problems.

I lost all respect for RFK Jr when he started peddling that malicious anti-vax nonsense. It constituted a deliberate and vicious attack on public health.

Will explore. Have not heard about that.

There IS A SPECIAL ELECETION for the NY seat. This appointment is to fill the vacanacy UNTIL the special election