Caroline Kennedy: I'm Interested In Hillary's Senate Seat

When Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton of New York takes her post as US Secretary of State on January 20, 2009, Caroline Kennedy could possibly take her seat.

Senator Hillary Clinton of New York was a strong and formidable rival to US President-elect Barack Obama during the Democratic primary. Clinton and Obama emerged as frontrunners for the race. At the end, it was Obama that ended up with the Democratic nomination. Come November 4, it was Obama that ended up winning the US Presidency. He had picked Clinton to fill the position of US Secretary of State. Is it a wise decision on Obama’s part? The verdict is still up there. We will have to wait until 2009 to see what happens. However, it would mean that Clinton’s seat in the United States Senate will be open. But, that is if Clinton will assume the position of US Secretary of State. When Obama won the presidency, his US Senate seat was vacant. Also, his VP Joe Biden will have his US Senate seat vacant as well. In regards to Clinton’s Senate seat, Caroline Kennedy has expressed interest in filling it. So far, she has already spoken to New York Governor David Paterson. On a historical note, Paterson is New York’s first African-American governor. He is also the first US governor to be legally blind. Paterson was the lieutenant governor for then-Governor Eliot Spitzer. Spitzer resigned his seat early in 2008 amidst the prostitution scandal. The conversation between Kennedy and Paterson comes from an anonymous Democratic source. However, this is still a bit too early to jump to conclusions. Clinton has not been confirmed for the post. Also, Clinton does not plan to give up that seat yet. In that respect, Paterson is in no rush. Plus, Kennedy would have to compete with a bunch of other candidates. On a side note, Kennedy is the daughter of then-US President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated. During the Democratic primary, Caroline Kennedy and her uncle Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts had given their endorsements to Obama. Will Kennedy get Clinton’s seat? We will have to wait until 2009.