Over the last 50 years the Senate has had 3 Kennedys and 3 African-Americans.

[Radical Activist]

Caroline Kennedy would be the fourth. New York has the largest African-American population of any state and there are currently zero African-American Senators. It would be smart for Governor Paterson to appoint an African-American to represent New York in the Senate.

Does one single family really need more representation in the Senate than America's entire black population?

[Egnever]

1. I predict this post goes no where

total dumbfuckery

[Radical Activist]

2. How so?

Kennedy nostalgia is more important than diversity of voices in the Senate? I'd like to see that justified.

[Egnever]

3. Who cares what you want justified your post is flamebait nothing more

[Radical Activist]

4. Its also a point you can't counter, apparently.

[Egnever]

6. its not a point its sowing division

your post sucks

[Radical Activist]

10. I appreciate your well thought out and intelligent argument.

There's value in having diverse voices in the Senate. Currently, there are no African-American voices in the Senate and I see that as a bad thing. There are plenty of people from rich, white families in the Senate so their perspective is already over represented. I don't see what advantage Kennedy offers over other candidates other than boomer nostalgia.

[tblue37]

90. The Kennedy family members who end up in public service don't "represent" the Kennedy family.

They represent their constituents and do so quite well, by actively and effectively supporting progressive causes. I don't think, for example, that J.C. Watts represented African-Americans while he was in the House. What he represented was the interests of Big Business and all the other constituencies that RW Republicans typically represent. I don't think that Kenneth Blackwell served the interests of African Americans when he was SoS in Ohio. He also served the interests of RW Republican constituencies.

There is every reason to assume that Caroline Kennedy, if she becomes a senator, will promote causes that are dear to us--and that are dear to most African-Americans, who comprise one of the most progressive voting blocs in the country on most issues (though not all--witness LGBT issues). We are losing Ted Kennedy soon enough, and it will probably help us to have another Kennedy fighting for our issues in the Senate, because the Kennedys have connections and influence that many others do not have, and when they serve in public office, they use those connections and that influence to help real people, not to promote causes near and dear to the wealthy and powerful.

Like FDR, the Kennedys are "class traitors." They are on our side, not on the side of others of similar wealth and power.

[ruggerson]

23. Considering you label everything you disagree with "flamebait"

all the while flaming people for their opinions, I think we can take this with a grain of salt.

The OP is expressing his opinion. I disagree with it. You, on the other hand, attack his motives.

That's your modus operandi. Spew and flame angrily at everyone who holds a different opinion than you do.

[saltpoint]

5. For some reason, I don't think this is a compelling reason to

reject any given candidate.

It's an arbitrary cluster pretzled up to advance its own point.

Ben Nighthorse-Campbell was a Native American U.S. Senator from Colorado. First a Democrat, then a Republican, now gone. He liked motorcycles. There being sadly fewer Native Americans from all parts of the continent than was originally the case, one might argue that he disproportionately represented their current population, which would be that forementioned pretzling process, or one might argue that because they deserved better than they got that more Native Americans should sit in the chambers of the Congress.

Your post blames Caroline Kennedy for not being black. What would you have her do -- renounce public service on the basis of her race?

There are many demographic groups under-represented in a Constitutional republic. I'm not seeing how that can be remedied by speaking against people who want to serve, in this case a woman whose family legacy has been quite favorable to under-represented populations.

I'd like politics to be perfect, but my hunch is it won't be by this weekend.

[Radical Activist]

8. A democracy works best when all voices are heard.

There is currently no African-American voice in the US Senate. White people from wealthy families are already over-represented in the Senate.

I'm fine with Caroline Kennedy wanting to serve. I would suggest she start somewhere else. We're past the days when we should have to depend on white leaders to speak on behalf of minorities in the halls of power like we did in the 50's.

But this isn't primarily an argument against Kennedy. Its an argument FOR an African-American. I think the burden falls on Kennedy to explain why her appointment is worth excluding African-Americans from having a voice in the Senate. Especially in the state with the largest number of black citizens.

[saltpoint]

11. We agree. As more voices are heard, shifts in public thinking ensue,

witness the election of Barack Obama last month.

When I was a wee lad, trust me, that would not have been anywhere near a likelihood.

Your point on representation by race is taken, but what is the remedy? If we can dismantle capitalism and hereditary transfer of land and holdings, we would likely get a different ethnic mix in governing bodies.

But I'm not seeing any other window of opportunity than incremental successes, not the least of which was Caroline Kennedy's own endorsement of Obama. That was a stunning blow to HClinton. "A president like my father," she said, endorsing him.

[SwampG8r]

27. and that is the nugget that seems to be sticking in craws

that endorsement
if it was not given i think we would see an entirely different reaction

[LanternWaste]

44. I didn't know she had endorsed Obama...

I didn't know she had endorsed Obama (yeah-- I know, "d'uh!"). I think I'm now beginning to understand the resistance to her possible appointment.

A few statements about her on DU that were boggling in their absurdity now begin to make a bit more sense to me. I don't like it very much when things fall into place only to reveal a most disappointing picture of particular posters who's opinions I've come to respect...

[Radical Activist]

50. People here know

that I was never a Hillary supporter. I can't speak for why other posters argue what they do.

[LanternWaste]

53. For what it's worth, I wasn't referring to you.

For what it's worth, I wasn't referring to you-- either specifically or in the general sense (which isn't to say I don't respect your posts as you have made quite a few very excellent points on a variety of topics that I would otherwise not have considered).

[Radical Activist]

86. I didn't think you were, but

I didn't want others to think so.

And thanks.

[saltpoint]

64. Hi, swampg8r.

I confess to missing that from the beginning of the CK talk. I know you picked up on it, but I was asleep at the switch.

Looking over the field of responses now, yes, I do see that as a variable. I wish it weren't part of the dialogue, and I agree with your point about seeing a very different reaction if it weren't in the mix.

[SwampG8r]

68. i find it interesting

that the endorsement comes out of so many against her without being referenced in conversation before hand

usually as a statement of how the endorsement ISNT why anger has developed that comes flying out of the blue

[saltpoint]

69. That could be. It reminds me of how out of balance the nation is

region to region.

Texans just returned a Neanderthal like John Cornyn to the same chamber Caroline Kennedy aspires to.

It's crazy.

[SwampG8r]

70. think how i feel

im in florida
we have bill nelson who is now the senior senator but pretty useless and gutless
and soon we will likely proudly send jeb bush to the same senate
ill gladly take ms kennedy as my senator carpetbags and all

[saltpoint]

71. I hear you. Nelson is no leftist, that's for sure, and I will pray to

the gods of all faiths, plus the pagans, plus the agnostics, and the red-haired snakehandlers that Jeb chooses not to run.

The field down there becomes very interesting if Jeb doesn't make the jump.

I wish Betty Castor had whupped Mel's fanny the first time. It would have solved a lot of problems.

[SwampG8r]

74. i want wexler to make the jump

good guy

[saltpoint]

75. That would be a fine thing to have him in that seat.

Could he carry any of the upstate counties? He's refresingly liberal next to Bill Nelson.

[SwampG8r]

76. as a suth floridian

he would need to make sure he carried enough of the vote that upstate wouldnt matter
in florida the further north you go the further into the south you get

[saltpoint]

77. Yep. I always watch the election maps by county and it's always

Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade that seem to turn blue earlier than everywhere else.

A lot of Democrats in Pinellas and Hillsborough over on the other coast. I wish there'd be more.

[SwampG8r]

78. growing west coast numbers

also volusia seems to be turning regularly
if you carry the eastern seacoast you need not worry the rest of the state
i think wexler is long enough known and well liked enough to cut into the northern vote
he has a good rep here

[saltpoint]

79. It's encouraging to me that someone like Wexler might be able to

carry Florida in a Senate race.

I'd donate to a good cause like that.

If you hear wind of it, give me a holler.

[SwampG8r]

80. if he does you wont need me to tell you it will be huge news /nt

[Cha]

29. Beautiful~

It's not about which "race" should be represented or do we absolutely need a "woman" right now in the White House..it's about who's best for the job.

And, Caroline Kennedy grew into an intelligent, compassionate, and focused woman..just what one would hope for as a daughter of JFK.

<snips>

By DAVID M. HALBFINGER
Published: December 15, 2008

"She has not held a full-time job in years, has not run for even the lowliest office, and has promoted such noncontroversial causes as patriotism, poetry and public service. Yet Caroline Kennedy’s decision to ask Gov. David A. Paterson to appoint her to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate seat suggests that she believes she is as well prepared as anyone to serve as the next senator from New York — and is ready to throw her famously publicity-averse self into the challenge of winning back-to-back elections in 2010 and 2012.

<...>

Ms. Kennedy’s work with the city’s public schools has won much attention, but has not been widely understood. Hired in October 2002 (her $1 salary meant she did not have to fill out financial disclosure forms) to overhaul the schools’ private fund-raising, she took on a haphazard operation and gave it a new mission: privately raising seed money to test new reforms, while trying to persuade New Yorkers to get involved in the schools in meaningful ways.

A rock concert in Central Park raised $2 million; a tag sale there drew tens of thousands of bargain hunters. (Some of them, unwittingly, walked off with evening bags that had belonged to her mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, according to Ann S. Moore, the chief executive of Time Inc., which sponsored the event.) By the time she left in August 2004, she had raised more than $70 million for an academy to train reform-minded principals. Nearly 200 city school principals are graduates, the majority in high-poverty schools.

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein credited her with bringing in a $51 million gift from Bill Gates’s foundation despite lingering ill will over Mr. Klein’s battles with Microsoft while he was at the Justice Department.

“She’s good in the room, but she’s also good at getting people to focus and come together quickly,” Mr. Klein said. Ms. Kennedy is now vice chairwoman of the schools’ nonprofit fund-raising arm, but she continues to visit schools across the city, with no entourage or press aide.

Indeed, one of the more interesting hurdles Ms. Kennedy faces would be in telling her story to voters, and to interviewers. Like her mother, she has carefully guarded her privacy.

Yet Ms. Kennedy spent about six weeks barnstorming battleground states for Barack Obama and took to it with gusto: An aide recalled her strolling into a Republican headquarters near Ocala, Fla., and peppering voters with questions at every turn."

<more>
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7985722&mesg_id=7985722

<snip>

"But friends and associates say that Ms. Kennedy, 51, is no dilettante, and that her career is replete with examples of the kind of hands-on policy work and behind-the-scenes maneuvering that could serve her well."

Oy vey.

[Radical Activist]

37. I don't understand how someone can argue

that we should pick who's best for the job, and then defend the appointment of Caroline over far more experienced and qualified people who weren't lucky enough to have been born a Kennedy.

[Cha]

59. Because "experience" per se doesn't always

cut it..we have just been through that with Obama and as a supporter of his you should be able to fathom that.

I like the kind of experience and good judgment Caroline Kennedy would bring to the job.

[saltpoint]

66. My first choice is either Bella Abzug, who is dead, or Mario Cuomo, whose

time is passed.

After that, a hard-bitten practical streak prevails in my thought, meaning I want to hold that seat blue for as long as it can be humanly held.

Obama is well-served by having a demonstrable supporter in the 111th Congress. That's worth a lot when you're a young president with a change agenda.

[saltpoint]

65. Hi, zidzi. Yes -- there is the behind-the-scenes organization

that many gifted people conduct, out of sight of the floodlights and media microphones.

For this one shy Kennedy to step forward as she has to say she'd be willing to take on the issues we face head-on in full public view, is a remarkable thing.

I think she'd force a lot of the clueless Pukes in the Senate to behave better. They wouldn't know quite what to do with her. And I think that would give her a significant upper hand.

[Radical Activist]

35. How do we start?

We start in the very practical way of appointing someone to the Senate who is African-American instead of perpetuating white privilege by appointing someone whose only qualifications are the family she was born into.

You suggest incremental change so why not support this incremental step instead of kicking the can down the road?

[saltpoint]

67. I just don't see this appointment in racial terms, unless you consider

the periphery. You have Paterson and you have Obama as prime players in this landscape, but I don't think either are pushing any specific racial agenda, but rather an Effective Team agenda.

Women might say, "Well, hell, HClinton was female, so you have to keep appoining females to the Senate in these situations because there is a gender disparity."

I don't go on that hayride.

A strong and practical case can be made for Paterson to appoint CK, if that's what he winds up doing. I still am not hearing from anybody, including Kos, any compelling argument against her appointment.

[sandnsea]

7. Agree

I love Caroline but I'd prefer diversity and merit in the Senate.

[saltpoint]

9. Your Che quote in your signature line is refreshing, and I note that

it is a political and personal (and necessarily self-held) social admonition borne by anyone who has witnessed injustice and suffering, and not least, cuts across all demographics.

The Buddha and St. Francis were both rich folks' younguns before they became The Buddha and St. Francis, etc.

Zorro is a refined, highly-educated, aristocratic land-holder by day. His impulse to defend the unheard and oppressed is breath-taking because he could sprawl on a hammock every night if he wanted with several hot babes and several cold drinks. Instead, he's out on that wonderful steed, ripping thru the countryside, doing all kinds of good rescues.

I assess the Kennedy family not by their bank holdings but by their impulse toward public service.

I say more of them in the Senate would be better for everyone than fewer of them.

[Radical Activist]

12. Right now I believe

the best way Caroline can live up to her family legacy of speaking out for civil rights and on behalf of the downtrodden is to step aside and ask Governor Paterson to appoint a black Senator who's better qualified than she is. Given her name and wealth, her ability to make positive change without holding public office is far greater than most people's.

[saltpoint]

14. Well, I don't know. She could do that or not, but in pragmatic terms,

she is on a fast track to that job. Senator Clinton yesterday sent word to her people "not to impede" any possible appointment of CK to the post.

Schumer is evidently on board, if quietly.

Al Sharpton weighed in in favor of CK as well. Sharpton and CK share more consultant connections than is generally known.

The argument I hear on DU and elsewhere is that 'legacy' should not ensure itself, that a daughter or son of an established political celebrity is in some way tainted by virtue of that bloodline or legacy.

I reject that argument on grounds that the Kennedy legacy, to choose one, is a legacy of public service, where the Bush legacy, to choose another, offers no examples of the same public service because none was at its source. John Kennedy was murdered in Dallas, but the audio tapes of the phone calls he and his Attorney General brother made to southern governors are astonishingly forward-looking.

Needless to say, the southern Governors on those tapes were playing their own backyards, which from South Carolina to East Texas were strewn with Strom Thurmond Democrats. The Kennedys were back-east and up-north boys, and the southern Governors didn't like them much.

[thatsrightimirish]

13. As one of two African American governors

I'm sure Gov Patterson will do what is best for all New Yorkers

[dsc]

15. I agree with you

but I think this is a lost cause, here and in NY. Maybe Webb will get the Colorado seat or maybe Illinois will elect an African American.

[4lbs]

16. You might want to blame the voters for this more than rail against the Kennedy name.

After all, you said New York has the highest number of blacks, both by number, and percentage of state, yet how many African-American Senators has it elected in the last 25 years? None. In fact, NO African-American U.S. Senators from New York *EVER*.

But, I'm sure that's the Kennedy family's fault, right?

[JVS]

17. No, but it seems some supporters of another over-represented family are super pissed about it, so...

I think she'll be great.

[mwei924]

18. Who's a potential African-American for this seat?

I haven't heard ANY floated around or expressing interest. Rangel has crap going on right now. I assume Patterson won't be appointing himself-- why the hell would he?

[MrSlayer]

19. Just having the name shouldn't be enough to dismiss everyone else out of hand.

I agree with that. I don't know that it should go to an AA exclusively either. Why ranking members in the New York legislature aren't making cases for themselves is beyond me. It should go to a person who has really invested themselves in the welfare of their state and distinguished themselves with wise decisions. Is there no one of worth in New York politics at all anymore?

[mucifer]

20. I agree with the OP and I'm glad to say I'm from IL where we voted for 2 of the 3

African Americans. I was really hoping Jesse Jr. would get the seat. I'm curious to see where the blago thing is going. It now looks like Jesse Jr. might be cleared.

The thing that bothers me most about most of the outrage against Caroline is that I really don't think there would be as much anger here if it was RFK Jr. being appointed. Just my opinion.

[mmonk]

21. Interesting twist. So if you're a Kennedy, you are seeking

family representation. Does her inquiry prevent someone else from inquiring or having their name placed into consideration? I'm all for any AA becoming a Senator from New York though I fail to see why her seeking the office is a problem. Maybe the idea of looking to the African American community should be presented to Patterson.

[S_E_Fudd]

22. Now if we could just find an African American with the last name of Kennedy...

Then...Problem solved!!!

[Radical Activist]

38. lol

[kwassa]

24. Therefore, the 3 Kennedys are African-American?

just trying to find the logic here.

[Tatiana]

25. As a Black person, I'd take a Kennedy over a Harold Ford, Jr. anyday. n/t

[No Elephants]

26. I live in Massachusetts. Ted Kennedy does NOT represent his wealthy family in the Senate. He

represents those who need jobs, health care, etc. And he does it very well, too.

Nice try at a catchy way of putting it, but the premise is false.

[Hansel]

28. If we are going down this road, over 50% of the America pop is female.

So obviously the seat should go to a woman. :sarcasm:

Let it go to the person Gov Patterson feels would be the most effective senator without regard to race or sex. If that person is African-American, so be it.

I don't think that it's inaccurate to say that the Kennedy's represent the Kennedy family in their official capacity as Senators. They represent some of the most voiceless and powerless people in the United States. Including the black population.

[riverdale]

31. I'll play

A certain percentage of the population is atheist, and has *never* had any representation

[Renew Deal]

41. No pun intended?

O8)

[Hansel]

46. No kidding. That means I've never been represented.

Well, I'm more agnostic than atheist, but still.

[Radical Activist]

32. If there were no women in the Senate

then yes, I'd say it should go to a woman.

How about we pick someone on the basis of their experience and qualifications rather than the family of wealth and privilege they were born into? That quickly eliminates Caroline.

[Hansel]

57. I think she is being considered for more than just being from

a family of wealth and privilege.

Caroline Kennedy has some very good experience and qualifications in her own right. It's not just about her family's wealth and privilege. It's about her family being strong advocates for the American people, especially those without a voice.

Caroline comes from a family that has strongly advocated on behalf of progressive ideals for decades. She has been heavily involved in educational issues. She is well educated and has a tremendous amount of experience from her relationships with some of the powerful progressive politicians in America. She campaigned nearly daily on behalf of Barack Obama and has the ear of some of the most influential people in New York. And she is well respected and highly regarded by most.

She is more qualified than probably most of our current senators to advocate on behalf of Obama's agenda. And that's important.

I trust Gov Patterson to make a good choice and I don't think he would pick anyone just because of the family they come from. And I would be very happy if he selects an African American. I just don't want that to be the primary criteria for his choice.

[Radical Activist]

60. All the experience you mention

from running foundations to having relationships with powerful people, is directly tied to the family she was born into. That's where those easy opportunities came from. She was born on third base.

[Hansel]

61. Yes she is. But that should not be a disqualification in a democracy. n/t

[Renew Deal]

45. Ambidextrous people are also under-represented in the Senate.

I find your oversight of ambidextrous people insulting. :clown:

[Hansel]

48. Yes, but I believe south paws are well represented.

So if you combine them with right-handed people they are half represented. Then wouldn't that qualify?

As a side note: I don't mean to belittle the OP's post, but I think this country needs to put the most effective person in place considering the mess we are in. I hope on the OP's behalf that that person is an African American. But I don't have anything against appointing Caroline Kennedy if Patterson thinks she's the right choice for this time.

[WI_DEM]

30. How about in IL or CO (too late for DE) why should it be only NY which appoints an African-American?

[Radical Activist]

33. IL has already had two. Why not NY?

NY has the largest black population of any state.

[LisaM]

34. And there are currently only 16 women in the Senate

when there should be about 51. I think we can all agree that the Senate does not proportionately represent the population.

I assume that you are also going to call on the governors of Delaware and Colorado to even up the demographics in the Senate - or is Caroline your only target?

[Radical Activist]

40. Just one or two

african amerian senators is still a far cry from making things even. I'm not arguing for proportional representation. I'm arguing for at least one voice. If there were no women in the Senate, then yes, I would argue for the appointment of a woman.

[LisaM]

47. But why do you only insist on it in New York?

There are four Senate seats where someone new will be appointed. I think you just dislike Caroline Kennedy. The Colorado vacancy is new, but I haven't heard jack from anyone on who's going to replace Biden. Heck, as an older white male, he is part of the group most disproportionately represented in the Senate, so his seat seems a more likely target than a woman's.

[Radical Activist]

49. Illinois is in turmoil because of Blagojevich.

No one knows how the Illinois Senator will even be appointed or elected, or when.
There's nothing wrong with CO or DE picking one, but once again, having a larger black population is a good reason for New York to not pass the buck to another state.

[LisaM]

56. If there is a qualified candidate of any sex or race then I don't think it's passing the buck

But really, it's older white men running the show, and Biden is the only one of the four being replaced who fits that category. I totally agree that African-American representation in the Senate (and the House) has been shamefully low. But I also think you have something against Caroline Kennedy, who has a good record of public service, has lived most of her life in New York, and would likely serve the state, and the country, well. I think she has a lot to offer, and I think it would also be unfortunate to downsize the number of women in the Senate.

[Radical Activist]

84. Are you Lisa Madigan?

You're just making the argument for more women in the Senate because you want to get yourself appointed in Illinois, aren't you? :silly:

No, I don't have anything against Caroline Kennedy in particular. I do think there are far better qualified and more experienced people. Most of her public service experience is fundraising and handing out her family money. That doesn't impress me. It's no substitute for having experienced the kind of troubles most Americans go through. I don't think baby boomer nostalgia is a good enough reason to make someone a Senator.

Its already very difficult to get elected without having a lot of money or a famous name. Why perpetuate that problem instead of picking a good candidate who comes from a different background than the rest of the Senate millionaires club?

[brentspeak]

73. That's funny. Last month, you WERE calling for a black person to replace Obama

"It's racist not to appoint a black in place of Obama, etc."

Had that thread locked, too. How come you didn't just now mention that fact to the other poster?

[Radical Activist]

82. Not funny at all.

I don't remember making that argument and I seriously doubt I ever wrote that it was racist. But even if I did make that argument it doesn't contradict what I'm writing today.

Notice that I didn't argue against appointing a black person in IL. I pointed out that the state is in political turmoil so there's no telling who we'll get. Having a black person appointed in IL would be nice but there's no way of knowing what will happen. IL could have a special election and be without a Senator for months. The current disgraced Gov. could try to appoint someone which would set off another political and legal battle. Who knows?

[PBS Poll-435]

36. DANG YOU HILLARY SUPPORTING PUMAS!!!

:throwsshoes:

[Radical Activist]

42. hah

:rofl:

[SuperTrouper]

39. And the country has had Three Bushes causing chaos on FL and in the nation in the last 20 years

and Jeb is not done and George P. Bush is getting ready to rumble.

[CitizenLeft]

43. I'm black, and I don't want a "token" in the Senate. However...

... there was a call from Colorado today on Tom Hartmann - he mentioned a Mike Miles who he and other Coloradans (is it Coloradans?) are enthusiastically backing to replace Salazar, who just got named as Obama's Sec. of Interior. He's an African-American. If there's going to be a black Senator, I'd hope he was qualified and competent. Apparently this guy is both.

ETA something apropos of nothing: I hadn't read or heard that Obama and Salazar were close friends. Cool. Loved the cowboy hat, too!

[Radical Activist]

51. No doubt there

are many black New York politicians who are far more qualified than the latest token Kennedy.

Nice to hear about CO.

[CitizenLeft]

54. I'm sure there are, but none as well-known - or maybe as well-liked - as Caroline Kennedy.

I live in Ohio, and it's none of my business - it's between Paterson, Kennedy, and the good people of New York. If they want her, they should have her, no matter what anyone else says about "experience." We just elected a man considered lacking in experience, and I think we're gonna be fine.

As for myself - my own opinion based on nothing since I've never lived in New York state - I think it would be serendipitous for her to named Senator. I'm thinking many who want her think so too. Nothing wrong with that.

[Spider Jerusalem]

52. Misleading, I'd say

New York has the largest African-American population in raw numbers; not in percentage (NY state population is roughly 16% African-American; which would put the number at around 3 million...for purposes of comparison, the population of Georgia is 30% African-American, or around 2.85 million).

And Senators represent their states, not all of a particular demographic nationwide.

[moondust]

55. Doesn't matter. M$M wants drama.

M$M knows that six or more years of Caroline on display means ratings.

[ProSense]

58. So not appointing Caroline Kennedy is supposed to be a fix for the racial inequities in Congress?

How about this: let's get Caroline in there and lose some of the less progressive Senators for a few black Senators. Start with Wellington Webb in Colorado and Jesse Jackson in Illinois.

It's ludicrous to make this argument in opposition of Kennedy's appointment.

"There has never been a black president" was avoided as an argument for Obama. He was qualified and his campaign was extremely capable.

[Alexander]

62. Since it looks like JJ Jr. ratted out Blagojevich, he'll probably be the next Senator from Illinois.

Not to worry, we can continue to have both a Kennedy and an African-American at the same time.

[Radical Activist]

63. I wouldn't count on it.

People still have questions about Jackson's role and he would have been a controversial choice even before Rod's address.

[brentspeak]

72. Is this the 2nd or 3rd time you've trolled this thread topic out?

The last time, it was about Obama's vacated seat: "A black person should be appointed to replace Obama! There are no black senators! This is racism on the part of the Democrats!"

[Radical Activist]

85. I don't recall that.

But this is the second time you've raised it in this thread.

[Metric System]

81. At least you're consistent in your views, unlike some others around here,

[Renegade08]

83. Yes, the lack of AA representation in the Senate is APPALLING. And I support Caroline Kennedy's

bid for HRC's senate spot.

[MadMaddie]

87. If the person is qualifed

I don't care about their race, sexuality, gender etc, my criteria is basic, are they qualified for the position.

Condi is Black and she is a fucking utter failure....(yea I said it). Colin Powell is trying to redeem himself for the lie, and he still has Nam to account for...

If Caroline Kennedy is qualifed I have no problem with her. It's almost as if people think the Kennedy name is tainted or something. They are a political family that's what they do, there is nothing wrong with that.

[Beacool]

88. But..........but.........she's a Kennedy!!!!!

And there's always a Kennedy in the senate, or so I've heard.

:eyes:

[kwenu]

89. What's up with the derail Caroline Kennedy group? She has the resources and appeal to hold the seat.

She is unquestionably devoted to public service as are many in the Kennedy family who have given time, money and blood for this country. She would be a reasonable pick.