Stating that she was “dropping out for personal reasons,” Kennedy’s position was reinforced by friends saying that a new issue had arisen in the last few days, according to MSNBC.
Unsettling Response
According to the New York Times, “There was incredulity in Democratic circles on Thursday afternoon after the governor’s camp engaged in a ferocious public back-and-forth with Ms. Kennedy’s side, reaching out to numerous news organizations to disparage her qualifications.” It was said that Kennedy had a problem involving taxes and a household employee, claiming the governor never thought she really ready for the job.” Friends of Kennedy say there was a minor tax problem in the 80’s which had never been considered an obstacle.
“Ms. Kennedy’s only tax issue on the public record appeared to be a $615 city tax lien that she settled in 1994, a minuscule amount for a multimillionaire.”
Contradictions
The Times also said that people who had spoken with the governor said that he had indeed decided on Kennedy weeks ago and reportedly told her that she was his choice, but that he would “do “a little misdirection to keep the suspense up.”
Later in the day, Governor Paterson’s office said “the governor considers Caroline a friend and knows she will continue to serve New York well inside or outside of government” and that no “information gathered during this selection process created a necessity for any candidate to withdraw…speculation to the contrary is both inaccurate and inappropriate.” The governor reportedly told Kennedy to take a day to reconsider.
The Quiet Presidential Daughter
Referred to as “quiet celebrity daughter of a storied and tragic family, fondly remembered by many Americans," Kennedy lobbied hard for the seat, interviews hadn’t gone well. Heavily criticized, MSNBC reporter Mark Whitaker said that the scrutiny “was not only about what Kennedy said, but how she said it.” A lawyer, author and public school advocate, Kennedy’s cousin, Robert Kennedy, Jr, said that being a senator might have been a reach. “She was walking right onto Broadway without having done a debut in a smaller venue.”
The Governor's Choice
Governor Paterson’s choice of 2-term congresswoman Kirstin Gillibrand would secure a proven vote-getter re-elected from a Republican district. The New York Times wrote that “One of Mr. Paterson’s preferences had been to select a woman to replace Mrs. Clinton.
Gillibrand is “already being threatened with a primary challenge when she has to run to hold the seat by Carolyn McCarthy, a Long Island congresswoman.” Gillibrand is pro-gun and McCarthy is anti-gun due to her husband being killed by and gunman on a Long Island commuter train.
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