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Caroline Kennedy Chats with NY Times, Daily News, Post

Jen Chung

Published Dec 28, 2008

Modified Dec 28, 2008

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Jen Chung

Published Dec 28, 2008

Modified Dec 28, 2008

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A day after speaking with the Associated Press and NY1, Senate hopeful Caroline Kennedy spoke to the NY Times, Daily News and Post. P.S.--all chats occurred at an Upper East Side diner, so there's that "common" touch.

Though she told the NY Times, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I would be the best," the Gray Lady was not that impressed: "[I]n an extensive sit-down discussion Saturday morning with The New York Times, she still seemed less like a candidate than an idea of one: forceful but vague, largely undefined and seemingly determined to remain that way... She provided only the broadest of rationales for her candidacy for the Senate, saying her experience as a mother, author and school fund-raiser, her commitment to public service and her deep political connections had prepared her for the job."

Kennedy was also peeved at the reporters, Nicholas Confessore and David Halbfinger:

With several weeks to go before Mr. Paterson makes his decision, she is doling out glimpses of her political beliefs and private life. But when asked Saturday morning to describe the moment she decided to seek the Senate seat, Ms. Kennedy seemed irritated by the question and said she couldn't recall.

"Have you guys ever thought about writing for, like, a woman's magazine or something?" she asked the reporters. "I thought you were the crack political team."

Dude, is that the woman's magazine vote waving bye-bye?

In her interview with the Daily News, she was less confrontational though still "defiant." Kennedy said she "wouldn't be beholden to anybody"--even Mayor Bloomberg, as Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver suggested--"I'm really coming into this as somebody who isn't, you know, part of the system, who obviously, you know, stands for the values of, you know, the Democratic Party. know how important it is to, you know, to be my own person. And, you know, and that would be obviously true with my relationship with the mayor."

Kennedy also said she spoke to her former cousin-in-law, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who is also interested in taking Hillary Clinton's Senate seat: "Andrew is, you know, highly qualified for this job. He's doing a, you know, a great job as attorney general, and we've spoken throughout this process." She said she'd help raise money for NY State Democrats and added she wouldn't turn down a sausage sandwich at an upstate fair, the way Rick Lazio did.

The Post reports on Kennedy's sports leanings ("She likes the Yankees, but isn't a huge football fan") as well as finds out the Obama has been "encouraging" of her efforts to head to the Senate, though he hasn't been involved. Of her husband Edwin Schlossberg, "Falling in love with my husband was by far the best thing that's ever happened to me. And we've been together for, what, almost 28 years. So, you know, he is, you know, an incredible person and the more time I spend with him, the happier I am." And her kids are supportive, " I think they, you know, they understand that there will be adjustments but I think they feel, like we all do, that if you have an opportunity to make a difference and help people and contribute in a positive way, that's a great thing to have."

Tagged

caroline kennedy

Clinton replacement

governor paterson

senate

Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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