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Caroline Hires Veteran Political Op

Kennedy hires consultant to spearhead Senate push

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Dec 16, 2008 9:09 AM CST

(Newser) – Caroline Kennedy wants Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, Politico reports, and she’s hired veteran consultant Josh Isay to calm the hype around her last name, give her image a boost, and get her networked. “She doesn’t know anybody, and he’s the guy to make the introductions and guide her through the process,” says a top New York Democrat.

Some suggest that the fallout from the Rod Blagojevich scandal makes Kennedy a more likely pick by Gov. David Paterson, who will want to make sure his actions wash clean. “Post-Illinois, [Paterson] has to make this a big person,” says one insider. An adviser to one rival thinks Kennedy may be unstoppable. “You can’t run against the little girl at the funeral.”

[Images (3)]

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Gov. David Paterson holds a news conference in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. Paterson testified before the House Ways and Means Committee hearing to stress the need for federal support. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Caroline Kennedy introduces Barack Obama at a fundraiser in New York, Wednesday, July 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg speaks at a Get Out The Vote event for Barack Obama at Pauley Pavillion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, Feb. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson)

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She had to work to undo the buzz for the last week — New Yorkers were starting to say, ‘We don’t know her,’ ‘She’s got no experience,’ ‘She’s presumptuous.' - Anonymous top New York Democrat

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Caroline Hires Veteran Political Op