Senator Caroline Kennedy? Hopefully, not!

Instead of studying for my finals, or writing the two term papers I owe tomorrow, I am sitting in my chair, watching MSNBC saying “Governor Paterson…Say NO to Caroline Kennedy!” On Friday, the argument was made that Caroline Kennedy would be “a perfect fit” for New York. I absolutely disagree, and here is why:

Just because Caroline can seems knowledgeable of the issues does not qualify her for the Senate! What issues has she fought for? The only issues I have ever heard her promote are the sales of her own books!  There are plenty of qualified New Yorkers that are "knowledgeable" on the issues and would be stellar representatives in the U.S. Senate: AG Andrew Cuomo, Rep. Nita Lowey, Rep. Jose Serrano, Rep. Steven Israel, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., just to name a few!

While she is a native New Yorker, which is more than we can say about Hillary, she is grossly under qualified for the position, at least when put up against the other options named above, and appointing someone who not only endorsed and supported Senator Obama in the primaries but actively campaigned against Senator Clinton would be a gross insult to someone who has been an outstanding Senator for the State of New York and would upset New Yorkers across the state, including three in my own household.

Even if one is to argue that she deserves the position because she is a Kennedy (and think it would be nice to exchange a Clinton with Kennedy), which is what seems to be happening, you could at least replace Hillary with a qualified Kennedy, like RFK Jr. And if you would solely make an argument for Caroline in that regard, you are grossly insulting the qualification of Senator Clinton when she ran for office.

In Law school, Hillary served on the Yale Law Board, worked at the Yale Child Care Center, and worked for Walter Mondale on the Washington Research Project. She then worked for the Children's Defense Fund, was a member of the impeachment inquiry staff that took down Nixon, and worked for the Rose Law Firm (first woman partner). In Arkansas, she founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families group, was appointed to the Legal Service Corporations by Jimmy Carter, created the Arkansas's Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth, served on the board of the Arkansas's Children's Hospital Legal Services, and served on the board’s for Wal-Mart, TCBY, and Lafarge fighting for equal pay and rights, and chaired the New World Foundation, during which time the National Law Journal twice named her to the top 100 most influential lawyers ... In essence, she would have been an influential Senator regardless of who she married.

And lastly, I would hate to see Chuck's reaction when he has ANOTHER junior senator that outshines him.

Have another opinion? Tell us about it in the comments!

~ Ian Rivera is the New York City Regional Chair of CDNY.