JFK's daughter opts out of New York Senate race

Former US president John F Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, has withdrawn her name from the race for choosing a replacement for Hillary Clinton in the US Senate after learning that State governor David Paterson wasn't going to choose her.

According to the New York Post, Kennedy's decision removes the highest-profile name in the ring to step into Clinton's now-vacant seat, as she departs after being confirmed as president Obama's secretary of State.

Sources said the reason Paterson had decided not to tap the daughter of John F Kennedy was her poor performances in media interviews and in private sessions with various officials.

Aides to Kennedy couldn't be reached for comment.

Paterson had earlier said he was not yet sure who he would select, but planned to announce his pick by the weekend. An announcement is expected either Friday or Saturday.

On Tuesday, shortly after Obama was inaugurated, Paterson acknowledged publicly that he is considering state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for the slot.
 
Cuomo, who has soared in public polls over Kennedy in the past two weeks in popularity for the seat, has not said whether he's interested in the job, but has not tamped down speculation that he's making a play for it.

Kennedy's entrance into the bidding for Clinton's seat was intended to have the effect of clearing the field, and forcing other contenders to see her as the inevitable choice for the post once held by her uncle, Robert F Kennedy.

Mayor Bloomberg privately backed her and publicly praised her abilities, and his top deputy, Kevin Sheekey, worked the phones aggressively on Kennedy's behalf, and set her up with powerhouse consulting firm Knickerbocker SKD.

But her rollout received stiff criticism, as she ducked press questions during her first trip upstate, fared poorly in her initial round of media interviews - and several critics said she had a lack of a clear rationale for her candidacy.

The decision to appoint Clinton's successor is solely Paterson's. The surprise decision leaves a crowded field of about 15 people, mostly elected officials, vying to replace Clinton - including Long Island Rep. Steve Israel, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Carolyn Maloney and teachers union head Randi Weingarten.

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