2010 Republican Opponent

If Caroline Kennedy is chosen to fill Sen. Clinton's seat, and if she runs again in 2010, she will likely run against Long Island Rep. Peter King (R-NY). King takes the "Dick Cheney approach" to foreign policy. He strongly supports the War in Iraq, and is an avid believer in citizen surveillance and the PATRIOT act. He once claimed that the "streets of Baghdad" were like the "streets of New York." We will need Kennedy to defeat this mess of a congressman, or we will get a Bush/Cheney Senator on Capitol Hill representing New York State

Caroline Kennedy's Political Platform

Kennedy released a questionnaire yesterday depicting her political views.

She supports same-sex marriage rights. Her views are pro-choice, and believes in strong gun control reform. She supports an undivided Jerusalem as the capital of Israel*

* This is significant because it shows that she is taking a stance on major foreign policy issues. 

Upstate New York

Many residents of Upstate, New York argue that Kennedy does not fully understand their needs. While Kennedy certainly does understand the economic concerns of the area, she must be a vocal advocate on their behalf. If Kennedy continues to visit Upstate communities (recently she visited Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo), she will win support. 

On a separate note, Kennedy must remind New Yorkers that her legal experience gives her a great understanding for public policy formation. Kennedy is qualified, but she must show it. Instead of her listening tours, I recommend that she hold town hall meetings and create a political platform. Her key issues are healthcare and education reform, and she must emphasize her work in the education field. 

The Case for Caroline Kennedy

It is common knowledge that Ms. Kennedy has never run for public office before. This does not mean, however, that she is not qualified to fill Sen. Hillary Clinton's senate seat when Clinton becomes the next Secretary of State. 

Kennedy is on the Board of Directors of the Committee on Presidential Debates and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. 

She is President of the Kennedy Library Foundation. 

Between 2002 and 2004, Kennedy worked as director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education. Kennedy worked as director for just $1 a week. During her tenure at the Office, she helped raise $65 million for New York City Public Schools. 

Kennedy served as the head of President Elect Barack Obama's Vice Presidential search committee as well. 

Her previous careers have given Kennedy executive and fundraising experience. Between 2009-2010, she will gain even more experience as a Senator and will have a transparent voting record to analyze. 

Caroline Kennedy meets with Rev. Al Sharpton

On Thursday December 18, 2008, Caroline Kennedy and Rev. Al Sharpton ate lunch together at the famed Sylvia's Restaurant in the Harlem Section of NYC. Sharpton announced his endorsement of Kennedy for Senate. The two discussed civil rights issues. Kennedy said that "government is a place where people need to come together.

This meeting will prove to be significant in the long run. If she makes inroads with the African American community, she can be assured great support during a potential Senate bid in 2010. As a Jewish American, I feel that it is important for Ms. Kennedy to meet with leaders of many different ethnic communities throughout New York.

Endorsement of Caroline Kennedy

As a member of the youth-community, I feel that Caroline Kennedy would be an appropriate choice as the next Senator from New York. This group is dedicated to promoting Ms. Kennedy's cause and allowing young voters to connect with other Caroline Kennedy supporters.