Paterson Needs Caroline To Get To Barack

The New York Governor might like the idea of a New York Senator who is a family friend to the First Family, especially in these trying times when even the state of New York is angling for some major federal dollars.

I don't know much about Andrew Cuomo. When Bill Clinton started thinking about running for president, he saw a big gorrilla standing in his way, then New York Governor Cuomo. Good thing Gulf War I happened, and Bush I looked so popular Cuomo decided not to run. Otherwise Clinton was running scared. So I guess you could argue Andrew Cuomo is from a political family.

And the junior ended up in Clinton's cabinet. Then he famously shared a stage with Bill Clinton where the retired president said the only person on stage who did not have a political future was Bill Clinton. Cuomo ran then did not run for Governor. He became Attorney General. When he did, he had big shoes to fill. Spitzer had been a stellar Attorney General.

But like JFK said when people argued Lyndon Johnson had been great in the Senate. I agree, he said, and that is why I think he should continue in the Senate. New Yorkers elected him to be Attorney General, not Senator. I hear he has been doing a good job. So why not keep him in the job?

Caroline personifies access to the new president, sheer access. These are trying times. New York lost two of its four major banks. The finance sector is in a major league mess. The tax base stands depleted. Federal help is needed.

Cuomo looks a little more comfortable in front of the TV cameras. Is that good or bad? Neither. The dude has been in front of the press more often. That is all that means. But this is no popularity contest. I am not pushing Caroline for American Idol. I am pushing her for US Senator. That is some somber responsibility. Especially in these trying times.

Advice For Caroline
Caroline Kennedy Is No Sarah Palin, She Is No Airhead
I Like The Caroline Kennedy Name

I guess I have a soft spot for Caroline because she endorsed Barack at a time when I was running a little nervous on his behalf. But I am allowed that. But I would not be pushing her name if I did not think she was qualified. Bloomberg is Mayor, and he thinks her plenty qualified. (Independent For Bloomberg)

I am supporting Caroline. But then I am also supporting Blommberg for a third term. You can't be Governor and not want to get along with the Mayor of New York City. Bloomberg wants Caroline.

Barack is for Caroline, it is just that he can't say it. Harry Reid is for Caroline. Now that guy knows the US Senate. Obviously he thinks Caroline is plenty qualified. I think Charles Schumer also wants Caroline.





In The News

Paterson downplays Kennedy-Cuomo polls Newsday, NY
Andrew Cuomo favored over Caroline Kennedy for Senate Los Angeles Times
Stop the coronation: Polls show Caroline Kennedy trailing San Francisco Chronicle
Paterson Nears A Pick Washington Post Conventional wisdom still dictates that Caroline Kennedy is the frontrunner for the nod and although Paterson was initially resistant to the idea he seems to have warmed to the idea of late -- proclaiming himself "impressed" with her.
Sarah Palin, Caroline Kennedy and moving on Kansas City Star, MO
Mason: About Palin, Kennedy and 'class' Milford Daily News
In a League of Her Own, Palin Swings Away at Couric, Fey and Kennedy New York Times
Sarah Palin mon amour Examiner.com
Poll: Cuomo tops Kennedy for US Senate seat Newsday, NY
Racism Wanes and Sexism Thrives, Roland Burris and Caroline ... U.S. News & World Report, DC
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING Chicago Tribune
Politico: Race Seems to Trump Gender in Senate Politics Women on the Web
Does race card trump gender card? Politico
Fact-checking Caroline Kennedy’s role at the Dept of Ed GothamSchools, NY
Bloomberg Maneuvers to Crown a Kennedy Village Voice, NY Dickens not only voted against her own immediate interests, but she appeared to counter the public admonitions of her Harlem Democratic co-leader, Congressman Charlie Rangel, who assailed the extension at first, only to disappear when the opposition grew so loud that it appeared it might be defeated (the final vote was 29 to 22). ..... With Barack Obama in the White House and Malcolm Smith now the majority leader of the New York Senate, Paterson associates tell me they see Thompson as one black political star too many at the moment ....... Caroline would be an asset for the city in securing aid from Obama ...... declared with Laura Bush at his side at the dedication of a 9/11 downtown memorial that the Iraq War "started not very many blocks from here" ......... Rudy Giuliani became a Republican shortly before Ronald Reagan installed him in a top Justice Department post, and Bloomberg switched only because he didn't think he could win a 2001 Democratic mayoral primary. ........ he's been quietly reaching out to Republican county chairs, keeping all of his 2009 options open ....... With Sheekey, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, and Bloomberg's consultant, Isay, driving the Kennedy candidacy ........ Sheekey's New Year's Eve accusation that Paterson would be guilty of "political malpractice" if he picked anyone but Kennedy was based, astonishingly, on the assumption that she alone among the major Democrats under consideration backed Obama and that the president "has an obligation" to help Kennedy if she is senator. "We need help from our new president," Sheekey observed, citing the budget gaps ........... Paterson's Clinton-financed trip there was with a woman he subsequently acknowledged had been his lover ("I-had-sex-with-that-woman-but-not-on-that-trip" was his defense).
Caroline Kennedy Rolls Up on Bed-Stuy MSNBC
New Yorkers Prefer Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over Caroline ... WTEN, NY

India struggles to get to grips with a bewildering corporate fraud Economist Mr Raju, his brother, and Satyam’s chief financial officer are in custody, charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. Satyam is in the hands of three directors appointed by the government. If they do not act swiftly, Satyam’s rivals may pick up its most lucrative customers and its best employees. But right now all that its Indian competitors want from Satyam is distance.
Chandni Chowk to China Times of India
East meets East in 'Chandni Chowk to China' San Francisco Chronicle just maybe, the future of global pop cinema. ...... the first "Bollywood kung fu action comedy" and opens Friday in the Bay Area ..... "Bollywood became what it is because people in India have so much trouble in their lives," Advani says. "When the common man in India goes to the theater, he doesn't want to be reminded of his problems; he wants to fly away, to be taken into an exotic, fantastical place. ..... while martial arts cinema has successfully transcended its Chinese roots to become a truly pancultural phenomenon, Bollywood's popularity is still largely limited to Indian (and Indian diasporic) audiences ...... "Bollywood is still struggling to find its ambassadors, guys and girls who people will recognize in the streets of Manhattan as well as Mumbai." ...... it is releasing the film in 50 global markets while getting the biggest U.S. opening in history for a Bollywood film (not to mention a staggering 1,400-screen premiere in its native India). ....... director Shekhar Kapur ("Elizabeth"), who announced last month on his blog that it was time for the "Dragon and the Elephant" to join forces. ..... Who wouldn't pay to see Jackie Chan, Kumar and Padukone team up in "From Panjiayuan Market to the Punjab"?
China's answer to economic meltdown? Lend more: Leo Lewis on Asia Times Online
As Bank Lending in China Picks Up, Some Investors Applaud Wall Street Journal
China shares rebound on rise in lending The Associated Press
Google announces end of Google Video, Jaiku and other projects in ... Telegraph.co.uk
Merrill Lynch Turns Into a Black Hole for Bank of America BusinessWeek
JPMorgan Profit Drops 76 Percent on Asset Writedowns Bloomberg
Acer Closes In on Dell's No. 2 PC Ranking BusinessWeek While Dell shipments fell 6.3% in the fourth quarter, Acer's jumped 25.3%. ..... puts the Taiwanese company solidly in the No. 3 position worldwide, it puts Acer less than two percentage points away from Dell, with 11.8% share to Dell's 13.7%. ...... its longtime role as a lower-cost alternative to the likes of Dell and HP ..... "Acer has real tight management on its costs," she says, and it has just 6,000 workers. "The smaller size of Acer puts it in a better position." ..... "Everybody's netbook looks very similar now," says Chang, so companies selling them "can compete only on price."
Google Cuts Recruiters, Video, Notebook, Catalog Search and More eWeek
Facebook Sacrifices Burger King “Whopper” App eWeek
Swayze’s secret weapon in cancer battle is wife MSNBC
Geithner’s Skill May Trump Tax Issue New York Times, United States
For Obama, campaigning is not over Boston Globe, United States
Obama and Biden Visit Supreme Court Washington Post, United States
Obama visits Supreme Court that he could reshape Reuters
Burris set to replace Obama in Senate today The Associated Press
Democrats in House Unveil $825 Billion Stimulus Bill New York Times, United States$54 billion to encourage the production of energy from renewable sources and to upgrade the transmission grid, as well as to weatherize public buildings and homes and raise energy efficiency. And it would provide $10 billion for science facilities and research, and $6 billion for broadband service in rural areas. ..... $79 billion to prevent education cuts at the state and local levels, it also includes $41 billion in additional aid, including $13 billion for schools serving mostly impoverished students, $13 billion for disabled students, $14 billion for school construction and modernization and $1 billion for technology. Another $15.6 billion would be used to increase the size of Pell grants by $500. ...... $43 billion for extended jobless benefits and retraining; $39 billion to help the unemployed keep their health coverage ...... $20 billion for a temporary increase in food stamps.
Obama Dines With Conservative Columnists FOXNews
Ex-Fighter Pilot Could Be Next NASA Chief Washington Post Jonathan Scott Gration traveled through Africa with Obama in 2006 ....... "In the shadow of Nelson Mandela's prison cell, I saw a leader with the understanding to build new bridges over old divides." ....... would probably be the first NASA administrator who speaks Swahili

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