The Lines Are Buzzing...

With the possibility that Paterson will pick Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg after all. Sigh. Between the crapola with Burris and Kennedy, I scarcely recognize our form of government any more. But it is not yet a done deal on Kennedy Schlossberg, so this isn't about that specifically.

Rather, I want to share with you the backbone, the intestinal fortitude, with which some of NY's politicians are made. You may recall that not everyone in NY was happy with the whole Kennedy Schlossberg push for Clinton's Senate seat. Specifically, the Assembly Speaker, Sheldon Silver, was opposed to her appointment. I know I should not be surprised by this, but in this NY Post article, "Silver Now Takes Shine To Caroline," we learn WHY he has made this 180 turn. Ready for this? Here it is:

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who last week sharply questioned whether Caroline Kennedy should be appointed to the US Senate, said yesterday he's rethinking his views because he believes Gov. Paterson may soon pick her.

The emphasis is mine. I am practically speechless. Silver wasn't, though:

"I have determined there's a good possibility she will be the appointee of the governor," Silver, the state's second most powerful Democrat, told The Post.

"If she is the appointee of the governor, I will certainly be supportive of her. I will work for her and will work strenuously for her election."

Let's see - even though he was opposed to her the other day, because he now thinks the governor may pick her, he's for her. Wow - way to stick to the courage of your convictions there, Silver! Oh, yeah - and he's willing to work for her re-election, too! Just like that - snap! I am sure his constituents are thrilled that he is such a man of his word.

Here is the recap of the past week on Silver's position:

Last week, Silver said Kennedy seemed more loyal to Mayor Bloomberg, who has twice defeated Democratic opponents, than she was to Paterson.

He also said he was unhappy with Kennedy's less than 100 percent commitment to support the Democratic candidate who'll run against Bloomberg, who was twice elected as a Republican, this year.

Asked if he was now more favorably inclined toward Kennedy then he was last week, Silver responded, "Yes, it's true."

The speaker insisted he had no inside information - from the governor or anyone else - that Kennedy would be named to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be secretary of state.

But he said he reached the conclusion her appointment was likely because of "public opinion polls, which are not negative, and because the governor, I think, wants to run [in 2010] with a strong candidate, and I'm sure . . . having a well-known woman on the ticket will be helpful."

Well, one would think. Didn't help Hillary, but, oh, yeah - that's because she was cheated, as we all were. But I digress.

Here's the problem. Silver's math comprehension:

While a national poll earlier this week showed a majority of Americans view Kennedy as qualified to be senator, a survey of New York voters last week found that 41 percent felt she was not qualified and 40 percent thought she was.

Apparently, he is not clear on PERCENTAGES. A friend who's a math professor could help him with that. And even though it is a small percentage, it is not that Kennedy Schlossberg is being received with OVERWHELMING support the way, oh, I dunno, CLINTON was. Just sayin'.

But get this explanation for why it should be the exceedingly wealthy, connected Kennedy (and someone remind me why this is not a "pay to play" scheme? Does ANYONE think favors have not been promised for her to get in? Really??):

Meanwhile, Bloomberg's top political aide, Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey - who has been lobbying for Kennedy - played his trump card yesterday. He argued that only Kennedy, an early Obama supporter, would have the clout a cash-strapped New York will need within the next administration.

"I think New York needs someone who can work with the new president. I think New York needs someone who supported the new president. I think New York desperately shouldn't appoint someone who opposed the new president," Sheekey said.

I think Sheekey means to say this is the payback for all Kennedy Schlossberg did for Obama during the campaign, like comparing him to her father, though there is absolutely no basis whatsoever for such a comparison. And for her coming out of her private little world to stump all over creation for The One (and no doubt, her uncle's influence in having the RBC make a mockery of any sense of decency and fair play).

Just seems to me that this is different only in small degrees from what has happened in IL. She is someone Obama wants in there because she won't EVER buck him (I assume that's what Sheekey means when he says she'll "work" with PEBO), and will simply be a yes-woman to him. We all know that would NOT have been Hillary's role - acquiescing to whatever PEBO wants. The other piece of the equation often left out is the representation of the people of NY. Cuomo would be a much better pick for that, but why quibble. If PEBO wants her in, you know she'll get it, even though she is unqualified for it. Welcome to New Politics Obama-style, same as Chicago-style. Seems it's here to stay...