New York Local News

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Like a story made for Broadway, New Yorkers are now asking if a daughter of Camelot can replace a former first lady as New York's junior Senator. Caroline Kennedy moved to make that happen Monday and the political scramble is already underway, with her potential Republican opponent in 2010 dismissing her move as an act of entitlement.

Governor David Paterson confirmed her inquiry about the Senate seat during a political event in upstate Niskayuna, New York.

"She told me was interested in the position," he said. "She realized that it was not a campaign. She'd like at some point to sit down and let me know what her qualifications are."

Political observers indicate it is a sure bet she will get her appointment with the governor who has the sole authority to appoint Sen. Clinton's replacement when she is confirmed as Secretary of State in the Obama administration.

As the daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy and a niece of both Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy of New York she has political star power that is almost unparalleled, and fundraising muscle that would come in handy as the governor himself seeks election to an office he inherited when Eliot Spitzer resigned earlier this year.

The news broke, ironically, just as Long Island Congressman Peter King was sitting down with members of his family and staff to plot out a possible run for that same Senate seat in 2010.

"I have nothing against Caroline Kennedy," he said, "but the fact is that I don't believe anybody has a hereditary right to a senate seat from New York State."

King admitted, though, that Kennedy's entrance into the "race" for the job would mean he'll likely have to face her as an incumbent.

"I guess it's hard for Democrats to say no to a Kennedy, but I think the voters of New York will. Given a choice between someone who's never been involved in public issues, who's never been involved in fighting for New York, compared to someone like myself … with a proven 16-year record in Congress," King said.

Caroline Kennedy, though, certainly knows the political complexity of what she's trying to do. She made calls to major Democratic kingmakers advising them of her intentions. Sources told CBS 2 HD's Marcia Kramer that she called both Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver as well as New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The Rev. Al Sharpton said he received a call from Ms. Kennedy at about 2 p.m. on Monday and he believes she's as qualified for the job as any of the other people being considered, especially given her work raising millions of dollars for New York City public schools.

"What Peter King said about Caroline Kennedy is what they said about Hillary Clinton. That's the one she'd be replacing, right?" Sharpton mused.

Other potential appointees to the Senate seat include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. Paterson isn't saying who has the inside track, but some New Yorkers we spoke with thought Caroline Kennedy would have to be the front runner, based on her emotional appeal alone.

Lennette Blackshear of Tremont seemed to sum up the nostalgia for JFK's Camelot. It seems to be at the core of her appeal.

"I think she'll be good if she follows in her dad's footsteps," she said.

Whoever gets the appointment will have two years to prove themselves to voters before standing for election. A special election to fill the last two years of Clinton's term will held in 2010, to be followed by a new election for a full six-year term in 2012.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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