Caroline Kennedy? New York can do better.

Anyone who needs to be told at this point that Caroline Kennedy is interested in being appointed to the Senate to replace Hilary Clinton probably also needs to be introduced to sliced bread and the wheel. Although smart and, presumably, well-versed on the issues (and perhaps, therefore, overqualified for being governor of Alaska), she isn't the best choice, despite the fact that her having been a New York resident since 1964 actually puts her one up on the current occupant.

Her record in any sort of elected, or even appointed, office is very sparse. There is a two-year stint for the New York city Department of Education and that appears to be it. Her work up to this point has otherwise consisted of writing and serving on the boards of various non-profits. She has written two books on civil liberties that have been well-received.

Although she wouldn't necessarily be a bad senator, New York has better qualified people. Andrew Cuomo has executive experience at both the federal (HUD secretary) and state (Atty. General) level. He has run and won a political campaign for himself and worked for his father in politics. Thomas Suozzi has been in New York elective politics for sixteen years and seems to have done a decent job as Nassau County Executive (in addition to having the political chops to break the Republican machine that long ran things there). Byron Brown has served in the state legislature and is currently mayor of Buffalo. I believe there are others who have expressed interest as well.

It is worth mentioning that the person selected would have to run in 2010 to finish the term and again in 2012, when the term expires. However, having even a short stint in the Senate could confer the standard incumbent advantages.