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It’s on: Kennedys vs Paterson grudge match

posted at 10:22 am on January 26, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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David Paterson rejected Caroline Kennedy as a replacement for Hillary Clinton — and the Kennedys are not amused.   According to the New York Post, they’re seething over Paterson’s “rough treatment” of Sweet Caroline, and they’ve vowed revenge for her humiliation:

An “apoplectic” Kennedy family is seething over the rough treatment that heiress apparent Caroline got from Gov. Paterson’s office and is spoiling for revenge, several sources close to the clan have told The Post.

“The governor’s going to pay for this,” said a well-placed Democrat. “Ted is furious. The family is furious. The Kennedys are now against the governor.”

Among Paterson’s offenses was a request that Caroline lie about her unexpected withdrawal for “personal” reasons, according to NY magazine. …

Then a torrent of ugly rumors spilled from Paterson’s office about Caroline’s taxes, about her nanny, even about the state of her marriage – and Camelot’s seeking payback, confidants said.

One has to wonder if they would have been so “apoplectic” had Paterson appointed a die-hard liberal instead of the upstate Blue Dog, Kirsten Gillibrand.  Paterson didn’t just reject Caroline Kennedy, he rejected Kennedyism in all its phases — as a dynasty, a policy movement, a political force, and as an inevitability.  That hurts a lot more than a few rumors about taxes and marriages, the kinds of rumors that have kept Kennedys in the headlines for decades.  Given the kinds of scandals attached to the family name since JFK, the peccadilloes noted by the Post seem very tame indeed.

The only people the Kennedys have to blame are themselves, for pushing an unprepared Caroline into seeking the appointment.  She didn’t want to talk to the press, and when forced to do it, performed terribly.  They put enormous pressure on Paterson to appoint her even as she stumbled so badly that she became less popular than Andrew Cuomo and couldn’t herself articulate any specific reason why she wanted the job.

In the end, Paterson had two options: come up with some excuse that disqualified Kennedy, or tell the world that she stunk up the joint as a candidate.  I’d argue that Paterson chose the more humane option.


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The Princess was unqualified for public office, just like most of the other members of the clan.

They get everything (e.g. going to Ivy League schools and vast personal wealth which permits not having real jobs) as a matter of birthright and not merit.

Kudos to Paterson for a good pick.

molonlabe28 on January 26, 2009 at 10:26 AM

man, put some more POPCORN on…….this day is off to a great start!

SDarchitect on January 26, 2009 at 10:26 AM

Ooooohh…offend a Kennedy? Thought they were offensive to begin with.

Narcissism…nothing more.

coldwarrior on January 26, 2009 at 10:26 AM

Well the Kennedy’s are not noted as being brain surgeon types.

The shooter is Hillary, of course, not Patterson.

notagool on January 26, 2009 at 10:27 AM

If I were the Gov, I would not accept any offer of a ride from Teddy.

Dingbat63 on January 26, 2009 at 10:28 AM

the Kennedys are not amused.

What are you talking about Ed? I find this uproariously funny.

BKennedy on January 26, 2009 at 10:28 AM

does this mean we can be rid of both caroline AND patterson?!

/score!

Buckaroo on January 26, 2009 at 10:29 AM

Paterson is not afriad at all. If they say something negatitive then the Kennedys are racist and hate blind people, aka BO way of winning.

BroncosRock on January 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Umm…Princess Caroline…you know…embarrassed herself

I have been amused by all of the references (from Hillary lovers) to Caroline’s bad teeth, skin, and hair.

flyfisher on January 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM

“Ah,” the Nobleman cried, “they have sullied the reputation of our family, OFF WITH THEIR HEAD!”

Romeo13 on January 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM

It seems to me he tried to let her out of this in as graceful a manor as possible under the circumstances, making people think it was her idea to bow out. Kick and scream, Kennedys, kick and scream like the spoiled little children you are. Just don’t choke on that silver spoon!

scalleywag on January 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM

You know, you know.

stenwin77 on January 26, 2009 at 10:31 AM

The shooter is Hillary, of course, not Patterson.

notagool on January 26, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Was she in the grassy knoll, or the book depositiry?

Sorry for the bad Kennedy metaphor.

UltimateBob on January 26, 2009 at 10:31 AM

I bet the bartenders were busy at “The Compound” this weekend.

Caper29 on January 26, 2009 at 10:32 AM

I wonder if Clinton convince Paterson of appointing a blue dog democrat to her seat, as a payback to the Kennedys not letting Clinton be the Democrat nominee for President.

BroncosRock on January 26, 2009 at 10:32 AM

Paterson is just awesome for entertainment value. Obama is embarassed. Ted wants blood. Caroline humiliated.

Mr. Joe on January 26, 2009 at 10:33 AM

Suddenly, I like Paterson a bit. Just a bit. I mean, he was still Spitzer’s lieutenant.

MadisonConservative on January 26, 2009 at 10:33 AM

You know, she could just run for the seat, herself in like two years, you know.
If she is like that good, the people will vote for her, you know.

dentalque on January 26, 2009 at 10:34 AM

Maybe the Kennedys can buy Paterson’s FBI file from Hillary.

whitetop on January 26, 2009 at 10:35 AM

Spitzer would have given Caroline the seat, but he would have made her earn it the hard way.

Mr. Joe on January 26, 2009 at 10:35 AM

LOL @ Mr. Joe

scalleywag on January 26, 2009 at 10:37 AM

I picture Teddy driving up to the Governor’s mansion and calling for Patterson to “Come and let’s take a little ride together…there’s a bridge I wanna show you”

JetBoy on January 26, 2009 at 10:37 AM

In a way you can understand why the Kennedy family would be so protective of Caroline, as the last surviving member of JFK’s family.

On the other hand, there does seem to be some sort of pathetic, desperation wish-fulfillment coming down from a dying, old man in Massachusetts that the unbroken string of 56 years of having at least one Kennedy family member in the U.S. Senate not come to an end (and as someone else posted, having Caroline take over a seat that once belonged to Robert F. Kennedy in their eyes probably not only seems desirable, but something they can’t fathom any loyal Democrat not agreeing to support).

The Kennedys also have always gone by the rule of “Don’t get mad, get even”. But since Patterson also is the son of a long-time, well-connected politician in the New York City Democratic Party in Basil Patterson, it will be interesting to see how many other New York City/State Democratic pols will be willing to take the Kennedy $$$ next year in return for the possibility of starting a race war within the party leading up to the 2010 primaries.

jon1979 on January 26, 2009 at 10:38 AM

Channeling Robespierre:
*buuuurrrrp*, “… tastes like chicken”.

Laura in Maryland on January 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Yet a high-ranking state Democrat involved in the selection process insisted that Caroline’s name was rarely mentioned.

I believe this. It was all on the part of the MSM that she was ever a front runner for this seat. She is even less qualified then the carpet bagger who previously held the seat. Obviously fresh for their success of electing the new president, the MSM wants to influence who is in the legislative branch as well.

Tommy_G on January 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Running for Democratic Nominee for President, 100 million dollars.

Losing to a guy from Bill Ayers’ Neighborhood? Heartbreaking.

Getting to give some payback to the Park Avenue Beeatch who did more to help Obama than anyone? Priceless!

Mr. Joe on January 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM

notagool on January 26, 2009 at 10:27 AM

HHmmm good point.
If true what does that portend for The Obama Administration with infighting between Hillary and … uh.. the Kennedy clan support for The Obama? Not just NY state politics, or factions in Congress.

Is this what Hillary was saying during the campaign when it looked so bleak, and she said “We’re going to be fine. It will work out”?

Skandia Recluse on January 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM

The Kennedys haven’t been a force in NY politics since Bobby was in the senate. (This, however, is his former seat, so maybe like Muslims, the Kennedys think once property is possessed by them, it is forever theirs and must be returned).

But what can the Kennedys do in NY? Teddy, is at the end of his life. He probably will be able to extract a promise that his wife gets his old seat when he’s gone.
Joe III is Chavez’ BFF.
Bobby, Jr. is an environut and conspiracy theorist.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend couldn’t win the governorship in MD.
Teddy’s boy Patrick was installed in a RI House seat, but that’s about as high as he can go.

Paterson’s father is an influential Dem politician in NY. Chuckie Schumer was apaprently pushing Gillibrand behind the scenes. No one crosses Chuckie (or crosses in front of him if there’s a camera there).

The Clintons have courted the NY black Dems for so long, they won’t diss Paterson and hurt Hillary’s chances in 2016 or whenever.

The ones that Paterson has to watch out for are the Cuomos, if only because Kerry Kennedy Cuomo is Andy’s cheatin’ ex-wife. What schadenfreude for him it would have been to snatch this from her cousin Caroline..

Wethal on January 26, 2009 at 10:41 AM

In reality, though, is she any less competant than the Kennedy who smashed up his car in DC in a drunk driving, single car accident at 2 in the morning and told the cops he was on his way to the Capitol for a vote?

The whole clan is a cancer.

wildweasel on January 26, 2009 at 10:41 AM

Where’s Grue when you need him?

Grue, you’re more than welcome to come over to my pad and watch this fight. You bring popcorn, I’ll buy the beers.

leetpriest on January 26, 2009 at 10:43 AM

Given the fascination our country has with beauty and status, it’s a good assumption that if her brother were still alive, he would be the new Junior Senator of New York.

sherry on January 26, 2009 at 10:49 AM

Maybe if Caroline had held so much as a city council position, she might have been more acceptable.

The Kennedy’s have become a cancer on the nation; good for Paterson for mooning them.

Bishop on January 26, 2009 at 10:49 AM

wildweasel on January 26, 2009 at 10:41 AM

Mary Jo Kopechne, RIP. They call it manslaughter or vehicular homicide nowadays. And since it was never established whether or not she was pregnant it could have been two counts. Sleezebag. The people just keep voting for him though so that makes them no better.

scalleywag on January 26, 2009 at 10:50 AM

Does this mean the unicorn deliveries are on hold? I mean, what with an upset princess and all.

rbj on January 26, 2009 at 10:51 AM

“The governor’s going to pay for this,” said a well-placed Democrat. “Ted is furious. The family is furious. The Kennedys are now against the governor.

So the fudge what? The Kennedy name has some cachet admittedly but what power do they have? Pride, one of the deadly sins, won’t allow Ted to resign from the Senate but his attendance is somewhat infrequent. And the Kennedys are notoriously cheap and don’t even contribute much to candidates and party. (Teddy practices his largesse With Other People’s Money.)

One has to wonder if they would have been so “apoplectic” had Paterson appointed a die-hard liberal instead of the upstate Blue Dog, Kirsten Gillibrand.

That is based on a false predicative. The Kennedys are only concerned with themselves. The personal has all precedence over the political when it comes to the Kennedys.

The next installment of the Kennedy dramedy is scheduled to take place when Sen. Kennedy relinquishes his seat. He wants to bequeath the office to his wife Vicky (of course) but I’ll be stunned if two generations of Mass politicians, who have been champing at the bit for a Senate seat to open up, will just sit back and let Ms. Vicky simply waltz away with the prize.

thegreatbeast on January 26, 2009 at 10:51 AM

I was going to tell Governor Patterson to watch out for the Kennedys or they would try to blindside him. But that would be just wrong.

I apoligize for that, Lord. And be with all the starving pygmies in New Guinea. Amen

kingsjester on January 26, 2009 at 10:53 AM

“Uncle Teddy, I’m bored… wahhhh.” – Princess Caroline

The Kennedy side:
Uncle Ted came out against Hillary, reaping what they sow…

Hillary:
Fool me once….

Patterson made the right decision, the Clintons will remember this and he’s gonna be all set.

maineconservative on January 26, 2009 at 10:53 AM

” Do we operate under a system of equal justice under law?
Or is there one system for the average citizen and another for the high and mighty? ”
~ Senator Ted Kennedy, 1973

hahahahahaha

scalleywag on January 26, 2009 at 10:53 AM

If I were the Gov, I would not accept any offer of a ride from Teddy.

Dingbat63 on January 26, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Ah, why not? Poucha Pond is probably frozen for a while. Might be a nice day for a little skating.

misslizzi on January 26, 2009 at 10:54 AM

apoligize=apologize
oops.

kingsjester on January 26, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Caroline Kennedy was never qualified to become senator of New York. She had no experience, never held a political office nor aspire to. It was a farce, a attempt to continue a faux dynasty of the Kennedys.

I am very proud of Gov. Paterson for standing against this Kennedys and filling the position with someone who is qualified and who has actually served the State of New York.

Caroline needs to shut up and go back to her hidden, elitist life.

stefystef on January 26, 2009 at 10:57 AM

if she’s so qualified – have her run for an open seat… get the seat the same way as everyone else.. oh, wait, we are talking about the kennedy’s – they have their own rules

gatorboy on January 26, 2009 at 11:02 AM

and a nose job couldn’t hurt either….

*ducks*

maineconservative on January 26, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Keep in mind, it was Paterson who wanted to cut government spending and the Republicans told him to go punt. Given this and standing firm on the Senate appointment, I would go as far as to say he’s more conservative that most Republicans in NY.

matd on January 26, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Caroline Kennedy was never qualified to become senator of New York. She had no experience, never held a political office nor aspire to. It was a farce, a attempt to continue a faux dynasty of the Kennedys.

But she was, like you know, a, uh, like you know, heck of a public speaker.

Mr. Joe on January 26, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Running for Democratic Nominee for President, 100 million dollars.

Losing to a guy from Bill Ayers’ Neighborhood? Heartbreaking.

Getting to give some payback to the Park Avenue Beeatch who did more to help Obama than anyone? Priceless!

Clintons Never Forget and Never Forgive Slights.

Mr. Joe on January 26, 2009 at 11:05 AM

Frank Rich comments on Caroline Kennedy dropping out of bid for the Senate Seat left vacant by Hillary Clinton.

http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/01/frank-rich-new-york-times-imus-guest.html

Dr Evil on January 26, 2009 at 11:06 AM

R.I.P. Camelot

Rovin on January 26, 2009 at 11:13 AM

It’s looking like stoking the flames of Kennedy worship have been Teddy’s work all along. His staff will leave when he leaves, and no family member will be burdened with carrying on his legacy. It’s good to be moving on. We won’t remember much about Caroline, but history will hold Teddy responsible if his push for Barry turns out to be a disaster.

Mark30339 on January 26, 2009 at 11:14 AM

There’s some time to go before the last Kennedy is out of office. Remember, Arnie is a Kennedy. A Kennedy is a city councilman in Santa Monica.

Apologetic California on January 26, 2009 at 11:16 AM

It is my hope that the Kennedy worship in this country for my entire life will be over soon. That family has been a drag on the US for as long as I can remember. JFK and Bobby may have been good leaders, though we will never know, but the rest of them have traded on those assassinations since the sixties and we have suffered because of it.

Good on Gov. Patterson. I hope he has someone watching his back.

Jvette on January 26, 2009 at 11:16 AM

couldn’t herself articulate any specific reason why she wanted the job.

Uncle Teddy had the same problem when he was running for president in 1976.

Maybe it’s genetic.

AZCoyote on January 26, 2009 at 11:18 AM

David Paterson rejected Caroline Kennedy as a replacement for Hillary Clinton — and the Kennedys are not amused.

Why, dear me, any kind of royalty, howsoever modified, any kind of aristocracy, howsoever pruned, is rightly an insult; but if you are born and brought up under that sort of arrangement you probably never find it out for yourself, and don’t believe it when somebody else tells you.
- Mark Twain

“The governor’s going to pay for this,” said a well-placed Democrat. “Ted is furious. The family is furious.

The commercial millionaire may become a beggar; the illustrious statesman can make a vital mistake and be dropped and forgotten; the illustrious general can lose a decisive battle and with it the consideration of men; but once a Prince always a Prince–that is to say, an imitation god, and neither hard fortune nor an infamous character nor an addled brain nor the speech of an ass can undeify him.

Paterson didn’t just reject Caroline Kennedy, he rejected Kennedyism in all its phases — as a dynasty, a policy movement, a political force, and as an inevitability.

They put enormous pressure on Paterson to appoint her even as she stumbled so badly that she became less popular than Andrew Cuomo and couldn’t herself articulate any specific reason why she wanted the job.

No God and no religion can survive ridicule. No political church, no nobility, no royalty or other fraud, can face ridicule in a fair field, and live.
- Mark Twain

MB4 on January 26, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Andrea Mitchell was on Morning Joe today citing a circa 1980 interview that Teddy K. had with Roger Mudd (when’s the last time you heard that name) in which Teddy supposedly had a similar “you know” pattern. Andrea’s point was that Caroline’s performance may be best explained as evidence of a family speech mannerism.

It was classic. I don’t recall that Andrea explained away Palin’s upper-Midwest nasal accent as a product of her region and middle-class background. To the left, she is an ignorant tramp. Meanwhile, Caroline Kennedy is apparently handicapped by her upbringing because the Kennedy clan “don’t know how to talk good.” Hah!

BuckeyeSam on January 26, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Uncle Teddy had the same problem when he was running for president in 1976.

Maybe it’s genetic.

AZCoyote on January 26, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Curses. You beat me to this. I was too busy bloviating to refresh.

BuckeyeSam on January 26, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Oops. Let me hit the right button. It pays to hit Preview.

Uncle Teddy had the same problem when he was running for president in 1976.

Maybe it’s genetic.

AZCoyote on January 26, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Curses. You beat me to this. I was too busy bloviating to refresh.

BuckeyeSam on January 26, 2009 at 11:23 AM

BuckeyeSam on January 26, 2009 at 11:24 AM

My Kingdom for paterson’s head!

Ted Kennedy

artist on January 26, 2009 at 11:26 AM

They get everything (e.g. going to Ivy League schools and vast personal wealth which permits not having real jobs) as a matter of birthright and not merit.

Kudos to Paterson for a good pick.

molonlabe28 on January 26, 2009 at 10:26 AM

Bonaparte instituted the setting of merit above birth, and also so completely stripped the divinity from royalty that, whereas crowned heads in Europe were gods before, they are only men since, and can never be gods again, but only figure-heads, and answerable for their acts like common clay. Such benefactions as these compensate the temporary harm which Bonaparte and the Revolution did, and leave the world in debt to them for these great and permanent services to liberty, humanity, and progress.
- Mark Twain

MB4 on January 26, 2009 at 11:30 AM

ya Know, this could be, ya Know, fun.

tarpon on January 26, 2009 at 11:32 AM

I know I’ll be kicked around for saying this, but I repeat:

The Right is gaining important positions on the high ground of NY politics. It’s beginning.

LibertyBoyNYC on January 26, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Ha — I would rather listen to ‘you know’s all day instead of the ‘uhhhnn’s, ‘um’s, ‘ahhhh’s and ‘hmmm’s of our Community Organizer in Chief.

Funny, other Ivy League grads I know are clear and articulate. Their ideas may stink but their expression is very good. You don’t think either of these worthies got preferential treatment do you?

IlikedAUH2O on January 26, 2009 at 11:36 AM

Paterson didn’t just reject Caroline Kennedy, he rejected Kennedyism in all its phases — as a dynasty, a policy movement, a political force, and as an inevitability.

I know the gutter and I know the stink of the street
For too many years I have pressed through this festering heat
All you beauties who towered above me
You who gave me the smack of your rod
Now I give you the gutter
I give you the judgement of God!

Justice victorious
These are the glorious days
Women of New York, come gather your bouquets!
Now gaze on our goddess of justice
With her shimmering, glimmering blade
As she kisses this accursed dynasty she sings them a last serenade

PercyB on January 26, 2009 at 11:37 AM

Patterson was able to see, (no pun) that it was time to drown (no pun) the Kennedy name once and for all.

I personally applaud the man for this.

I patiently await the day I don’t see her face on my favorite websites. (hint)

FireBlogger on January 26, 2009 at 11:43 AM

The majority of the country is sick and tired of the Kennedys and their B.S. Dynasty mentality anyway.

Let them go ahead and try to take out some wrath on a legally blind man who happens to be the Governor of the state of New York, and the Kennedys will end up with the full blown fury of the rest of the country coming down on their skulls.

The Kennedys should just put their thumbs in their mouths and have a nice hot cup of SHUT THE HELL UP!

pilamaye on January 26, 2009 at 11:51 AM

“The only people the Kennedys have to blame are themselves, for pushing an unprepared Caroline into seeking the appointment.”
Bingo, Ed. If she wanted the job, why hasn’t she done anything that would qualify her to be a member of Congress? I’ll bet that they think: If Hilly is qualified, Caroline is too, especially considering that she’s a Kennedy.
For years I posted in Lucianne.com that I wished that Teddy would explode like the fat guy in Monty Python’s Meaning of Life. Now I wish he would just shut up and get his house in order because he is not long for this world. Why should he make his sham career as a politician (or an ‘honorable’ man) any worse by pitching a tantrum?…Because he is a Kennedy, a Royal member of the ruling elite.

Christine on January 26, 2009 at 12:01 PM

But, but, they’re THE KENNEDYS’, they’re ENTITLED, they’re OWED………..

And the Massaidiots keep them in office. Just wait until Splash dies. Guaranteed his wife will get his senate seat.

GarandFan on January 26, 2009 at 12:01 PM

I’m not sure I believe that the K’s are all that upset. They must realize that it was they who caused this anyway. Caroline is probably ticked because she is used to red carpet treatment and the realities of politics just hit her head on. It was obvious from her interviews that she is not used to being second guessed and would have been ill suited for the job. But, I can’t help wondering that the Kennedy’s must have more pressing things to do than go after Paterson.If it is true though, it’s one of the best arguments I’ve ever heard for ridding the country of Kennedy influence once and for all.

jeanie on January 26, 2009 at 12:06 PM

Y’know.

Jim Treacher on January 26, 2009 at 12:16 PM

It seems to me he tried to let her out of this in as graceful a manor as possible under the circumstances, making people think it was her idea to bow out. Kick and scream, Kennedys, kick and scream like the spoiled little children you are. Just don’t choke on that silver spoon!
scalleywag on January 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Well, the scuttlebutt is that the charges about her marriage being rocky and her tax and nanny issues are not true and were peddled by the Governor’s office. That suggests a personal vendetta to me. My guess is that Princess Caroline pushed way too hard for the job and, when it became politically impossible to appoint her, she refused to take her name out of contention.

Outlander on January 26, 2009 at 12:28 PM

In the end, Paterson had two options: come up with some excuse that disqualified Kennedy, or tell the world that she stunk up the joint as a candidate. I’d argue that Paterson chose the more humane option.

I have to say it is somewhat unseemly for Patterson or anybody from his office commenting on the state of Caroline Kennedy’s marriage. I’m no fan of the criminal Camelot crowd but there’s rejection and then there is the (literal) bitch slap that Patterson dealt Caroline Kennedy.

highhopes on January 26, 2009 at 12:37 PM

I don’t imagine Paterson is exactly shaking in his boots. The Libs didn’t like him in the first place. It is the liberals that will be marginalized, won’t it be tough for the Kennedys to decide who they hate more in a Gov. Primary, Cuomo or Paterson? I figure there are all kinds of political messages being sent in the selection of Gillibrand;
http://conservativewomenunited.blogspot.com/2009/01/ny-politics-if-you-can-make-it-there.html

Done That on January 26, 2009 at 12:38 PM

Surely Paterson, however inept he may be, would have better sense than to circulate rumors about Caroline that would be easy to prove false. And the Kennedy’s would/should have better sense than to jeopardize any political future in NY for the Clan. These are some of reasons that I think this vendetta gossip is out of proportion to the truth. I do think they’re affronted(gently put)but not to the extent this gossip would have one think.

jeanie on January 26, 2009 at 12:42 PM

Andrea Mitchell was on Morning Joe today citing a circa 1980 interview that Teddy K. had with Roger Mudd (when’s the last time you heard that name) in which Teddy supposedly had a similar “you know” pattern. Andrea’s point was that Caroline’s performance may be best explained as evidence of a family speech mannerism.

It was classic. I don’t recall that Andrea explained away Palin’s upper-Midwest nasal accent as a product of her region and middle-class background. To the left, she is an ignorant tramp. Meanwhile, Caroline Kennedy is apparently handicapped by her upbringing because the Kennedy clan “don’t know how to talk good.” Hah!

BuckeyeSam on January 26, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Was that the one where Teddy Kennedy couldn’t give a compelling reason for why he wanted to be President? I remember that he had a Robert Mudd interview that was simply a disaster.

As for Caroline Kennedy’s communication problems and political tin ear, these things were, you know, caused by umm… you know the fact that like she you know has never you know help a real umm like job.

Illinidiva on January 26, 2009 at 12:49 PM

This is hilarious.

rockmom on January 26, 2009 at 12:50 PM

Since when is it OK to elect/appoint someone with little or no experience to a high political office—oh wait.

MrFreeman07 on January 26, 2009 at 12:51 PM

As for Caroline Kennedy’s communication problems and political tin ear, these things were, you know, caused by umm… you know the fact that like she you know has never you know help a real umm like job.

Illinidiva on January 26, 2009 at 12:49 PM

Name one Kennedy that has ever worked an honest day’s work.

highhopes on January 26, 2009 at 12:52 PM

The moral of this story is:
NEVER PISS OFF A CLINTON

bloggless on January 26, 2009 at 12:57 PM

I Don’t understand why the kennedy’s aren’t focusing on creating the proper atmosphere for the Princess to assume Teddy’s seat when he either has to resign because of health or as is very likely, passes on.

Do the Kennedy’s really want to risk an outsider ruling Camelot?

opusrex on January 26, 2009 at 1:06 PM

Kennedy’s all suck…can’t wait until Teddy kicks the bucket…

NRA Lifer on January 26, 2009 at 2:25 PM

Andrea Mitchell was on Morning Joe today citing a circa 1980 interview that Teddy K. had with Roger Mudd (when’s the last time you heard that name) in which Teddy supposedly had a similar “you know” pattern.

in 1980, how long had Teddy been in Public office?

Andrea’s point was that Caroline’s performance may be best explained as evidence of a family speech mannerism.

I thought you’d need to speak well to get into Harvard. Isn’t there an interview process?

It was classic. I don’t recall that Andrea explained away Palin’s upper-Midwest nasal accent as a product of her region and middle-class background. To the left, she is an ignorant tramp. Meanwhile, Caroline Kennedy is apparently handicapped by her upbringing because the Kennedy clan “don’t know how to talk good.” Hah!

BuckeyeSam on January 26, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Growing up rich and priviliged is (no sarcasm intended) an impediment to leadership because it’s harder to understand how the Average Joe lives his life. The rich elites have a harder time grasping what it’s like to live an everyday life. That’s why I prefer to vote for someone who has actually accomplished something on his/her own, like:

A solid military career
An entrepeneur who built a business
A local politician who actually needed to interact with constituents to be successful

Red State State of Mind on January 26, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Name one Kennedy that has ever worked an honest day’s work.

highhopes on January 26, 2009 at 12:52 PM

Joe and John were war heroes, and deserve our accolades. Dad, not so much. And the kids, not at all.

Red State State of Mind on January 26, 2009 at 2:32 PM

Given the kinds of scandals attached to the family name since JFK…

I’m pretty sure you can go back to at least Joe Kennedy. The scandals didn’t start with Jack.

slug on January 26, 2009 at 2:42 PM

HA!! BWAAAHAAA!!

I LOVE IT, EVERY FRAKIN MINUTE OF IT!! And I am a DEM!! BWAAHAA
yeah Im a PUMA, rowrr baby :0)

here is the message we sent Caroline last week

girl dont go awayy mad, girl just go away….

I couldnt be happier than I am with Gillebrand, ecstatic !!!
my mom and my daughter in NY are ecstatic too..

moderates rule and kennedys drool

I may have to donate to paterson if the kennedys are against him…

ginaswo on January 26, 2009 at 3:36 PM

Kennedy’s all suck…can’t wait until Teddy kicks the bucket…

NRA Lifer on January 26, 2009 at 2:25 PM

In Nantucket.

Maybe a little off-topic, but people are probably getting so sick and tired of Governors appointing airheaded nobodies to the Senate that Russ Feingold (D-WI) wants to introduce a Constitutional Amendment requiring special elections for Senate vacancies. I don’t know about the rest of the Hot Air crowd, but after Blago trying to sell a Senator and Sweet Caroline wanting to be one “cause, ya know, my daddy was, um, the President”, Feingold’s amendment makes a lot of sense. Do we lobby Republican Senators to support it?

Although it might not get Lisa Murkowski’s vote…

Steve Z on January 26, 2009 at 4:38 PM

I thought you’d need to speak well to get into Harvard. Isn’t there an interview process?

Well, yeah, if you’re a member of “the great unwashed”. If you’re a Kennedy…not so much, I’d guess.

uncivilized on January 26, 2009 at 4:52 PM

The moral of this story is:
NEVER PISS OFF A CLINTON

bloggless on January 26, 2009 at 12:57 PM

I say let ‘em fight it out…Kennedys vs. Clintons, WWE Raw, cage match…

uncivilized on January 26, 2009 at 4:54 PM

What strange days we live in. Anytime anybody does something right anymore, there’s hell to pay.

rrpjr on January 26, 2009 at 9:36 PM

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