Bloomberg Aide's Push for Caroline Sparks Ire

Kennedy ally slams scrutiny, says process 'out of control'

(NEWSER) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pushing Gov. David Paterson to speed up his Senate appointment, the Daily News reports. “The governor should make a decision reasonably quickly because this is just getting out of control,” said the ally of Caroline Kennedy. “Everybody’s focusing on the wrong things.” Paterson says he plans to wait until Hillary Clinton is confirmed as secretary of State. More»

'She’s just another person. So what? Her name is Kennedy'

(NEWSER) - Not so fast, Caroline Kennedy: Your lack of elected-office experience “does not help” your bid to replace Hillary Clinton, warns the man who will decide your congressional fate. Gov. David Paterson said there are “10 to 15 good candidates” to fill New York’s open Senate seat, and scolded the media for obsessing over one person, the Buffalo News reports. More»

(AP) - Sen. Bill Clinton? Sen. Mario Cuomo? Don't rule it out. The former president and the former New York governor are among several big names being considered as possible "caretakers" for New York's Senate seat—people who would serve until the 2010 elections but wouldn't run to keep the job. Such a move could provide a way out of the Caroline Kennedy quagmire for Gov. David Paterson, who is said to be interested. More»

'Forceful but elusive' candidate says recession has hurt her

(NEWSER) - Caroline Kennedy continued her media blitz today, asserting in a sit-down interview with the New York Times that she is the best candidate for the Senate and that she could use her celebrity to draw attention to state issues. She remained vague, however, on many specifics, including her personal finances. When asked to describe the moment she decided to seek the seat, she zinged, “Have you guys ever thought about writing for, like, a woman’s magazine or something? I thought you were the crack political team.” More»

Gov. Paterson put off by inevitability talk, her Bloomberg ties

(NEWSER) - Many New York Democrats are getting increasingly annoyed with Caroline Kennedy’s push to be senator—most notably Gov. David Paterson, the man who’d have to give her the job, the New York Times reports. Paterson advisers say he’s frustrated Kennedy’s handlers are treating the appointment as a foregone conclusion, while other top Democrats grouse she’s too connected to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. More»