Saturday, December 20, 2008
Politics Our Priorities Are In Order
Posted by Dan Savage on Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Politico was allowed to ask Caroline Kennedy eight questions—or submit eight questions in writing (that's how royalty does it), which were answered, again in writing, by a "Kennedy spokesman"—and the second question is about same-sex marriage. (She's for marriage equality.) It comes before questions about the banking industry, taxes, the auto bailout, schools, and the Iraq War. Kennedy declined to answer just one question: the first question, which was about who she plans to support in the upcoming mayoral race in New York City. It's good to be the queen.
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1
Lots of politicians answer questionnaires. It's not that unusual. Or is it?
I'm so pulling for Caroline Kennedy to be the next Great Senator from the State of NY! Car-o-line. Ke-nned-y! E-vi-ta! E-vi-ta!
I'm so pulling for Caroline Kennedy to be the next Great Senator from the State of NY! Car-o-line. Ke-nned-y! E-vi-ta! E-vi-ta!
2
She's not holding press conferences, Balt, in the tradition of... Sarah Palin. And what I thought was remarkable, primarily, was that marriage equality was the second question asked, before Iraq, taxes, economy, banks, automaker bailouts...
4
Let's just do away with the formality and make a new law that anytime an important political seat is vacant we're have to appoint a relative of a powerful politician (Clintons, Kennedys, Bidens).
6
Don't you be disrespecting my Caroline, Savage. Her mother was a SAINT!
I am an unrepentant Kennedy supporter. And I'm also pro-porn.
I am an unrepentant Kennedy supporter. And I'm also pro-porn.
7
The Palin comparison ignores that Kennedy is trying to become one of 100 senators, not one of two people who could control the nuclear arsenal.
Junior senators only have to raise money and cast votes. She's definitely qualified for the former and probably for the latter.
Junior senators only have to raise money and cast votes. She's definitely qualified for the former and probably for the latter.
8
The Palin comparison also ignores the fact that Caroline is an intelligent woman.
Unfortunately, Caroline seems to be caught in that perfect storm of attacks from the right and the left. The right gives us the Palin comparison to defend the indefensible Palin and the left tries to show how non-biased they are by agreeing.
The fact is Caroline is as qualified as many Senators. Her appointment would be a good thing for NY and for the country.
Unfortunately, Caroline seems to be caught in that perfect storm of attacks from the right and the left. The right gives us the Palin comparison to defend the indefensible Palin and the left tries to show how non-biased they are by agreeing.
The fact is Caroline is as qualified as many Senators. Her appointment would be a good thing for NY and for the country.
9
I hope she not only gets the seat, but also fights hard for marriage equality. She's in a perfect spot to do so. And her reputation can't be hurt by the stand.
10
I'm watching this, wide-eyed, from the UK. Sarah Palin seems to have set some horrible precedent for US press cravenness. I look forward to their getting over it.
11
I think we are lucky anybody capable wants to do public service. Who knows, she'd make a better president than Palin would. Ha! Could you imagine those two women running for president in 2016.
13
Dan is the Chritmas grump...
The BEST thing for progressives and esp. GLBT folks is the name of Caroline Kennedy in the US Senate.
A few of the many good reasons -
1. I like women in public office, still fighting sexism
2. She will be the right hand of the Obama core in congress, and Barry will need all the good hard core supporters that he can muster.
3. She is intellignent and completely qualified
4a. No gross scandal to cut her short.
4b. She can rasie the money to do TWO elections in a state where it takes 100 mill to win
5. Hence the seat will stay Dem.
6. and Yes, Yes, Yes, she may set the stage to be on a national ticket down the trail ...
7. She will pull the current pro gay Gov. in the same elections ... a big plus for NY State.
8. She is of the new generation of leaders we talk about, then get all grumpy when they take the stage.
9. I bet the under 35 crowd will be her most ardent supporters.... Dems. need them ...
And many more ... and as Mere Bouvier Kennedy Onasis would have said, "C'est fait accompli, n'est pas?"
The BEST thing for progressives and esp. GLBT folks is the name of Caroline Kennedy in the US Senate.
A few of the many good reasons -
1. I like women in public office, still fighting sexism
2. She will be the right hand of the Obama core in congress, and Barry will need all the good hard core supporters that he can muster.
3. She is intellignent and completely qualified
4a. No gross scandal to cut her short.
4b. She can rasie the money to do TWO elections in a state where it takes 100 mill to win
5. Hence the seat will stay Dem.
6. and Yes, Yes, Yes, she may set the stage to be on a national ticket down the trail ...
7. She will pull the current pro gay Gov. in the same elections ... a big plus for NY State.
8. She is of the new generation of leaders we talk about, then get all grumpy when they take the stage.
9. I bet the under 35 crowd will be her most ardent supporters.... Dems. need them ...
And many more ... and as Mere Bouvier Kennedy Onasis would have said, "C'est fait accompli, n'est pas?"
14
I'm afraid Carolyn's not smart enough. She seemed to flake out, lose focus, during her speech at the Democratic convention.
15
#14 - training - Obama has wandered more than once -
10. She will hire the talent to correct any problem she has - and the BEST - will come to her staffing needs.
10. She will hire the talent to correct any problem she has - and the BEST - will come to her staffing needs.
17
@15: When you consider how smart Carolyn Kennedy's father was, it's more a question of inclination, isn't it? It's hard for scions to kick it into gear, without a real reason. Jackie O was very wide-eyed and blinky in her tour-of-White-House footage, but I always assumed that was the tranqs. Especially after reading Gore Vidal.
I suspect Teddy Kennedy is behind this... campaign?
I suspect Teddy Kennedy is behind this... campaign?
18
@15: "10. She will hire the talent to correct any problem she has - and the BEST - will come to her staffing needs."
Jesus, that's what they said about W.
Jesus, that's what they said about W.
19
#18 - you believed Republicans?
Caroline already has a couple of highly regarded operatives helping her lobby. she is serious and a winner - and will - WIN.
AND to top all the angst here - she will be the FIRST woman President in America. The one political goal of the high end political Kennedy's ... JFK, Ted, Robert ... do you all see a trend?
Caroline already has a couple of highly regarded operatives helping her lobby. she is serious and a winner - and will - WIN.
AND to top all the angst here - she will be the FIRST woman President in America. The one political goal of the high end political Kennedy's ... JFK, Ted, Robert ... do you all see a trend?
20
hmmmm, Obama went from Jr. Senator to the White House ... hmmmmmm.
How could a Kennedy repeat that? (rhetorical question)
How could a Kennedy repeat that? (rhetorical question)
21
A two year appointment to a seat that she is not likely to keep unless she does some incredible work is hardly a supreme injustice to our American Ideals. Jesus, people, can't you take just one thing in stride? This seat is not going to be doing anything important at all in the next two years, not if JFK himself was appointed to it.
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