She is not only angry, but she seems to be used to having people treat her with a lot more respect than those reporters from the local newspaper did recently. O.K. the local paper happens to be the New York Times, which generally is kind to Democrats, and is not exactly averse to the policies of her klan, but that didn't seem to matter.
The article now on line As a Candidate, Kennedy Is Forceful but Elusive while clearly reporting some bad vibes between reporter and subject said much more.
While being a reporter for the Times is the epitome of journalistic career achievement for most, it doesn't represent either the aristocracy of wealth or celebrity, both of which Ms. Kennedy possesses. The sparks were exemplified by this exchange:
But when asked Saturday morning to describe the moment she decided to seek the Senate seat, Ms. Kennedy seemed irritated by the question and said she couldn’t recall.
"Have you guys ever thought about writing for, like, a woman’s magazine or something?" she asked the reporters. "I thought you were the crack political team."
Hmmm. What is interesting is how this inability, or lack of desire, to be cordial to members of the working press sits with this claim of hers:
And she said she would have no trouble relating to New Yorkers of more modest means. "I have lived a very advantaged life, and I am very fortunate," she said. "But our family tradition has been always to work r, as I said, for working people."
Followed by:
"What I think people are really looking for is for people to work together," she said finally. "It’s something that I take really seriously. We need Republicans and Democrats, all Democrats — people need to look at what we have in common.
What I know mostly about Caroline Kennedy was her as a child of a now mythologized president, as a charter character of that moment of Camelot where she played her part as one of two scamps of a magical family. Of course she has managed to live a life, raise a family, and to have....grown up.
Unlike other public figures who are vying for this job, which make no mistakes about it, would be her seat for as long as she wanted it, she has no other history to balance an interview like this. The other potential designees have made decisions, made enemies, done right things, and wrong things; but also have developed the skills to deal with pressure....the least of which is an interview by friendly journalists.
I have deep affection for little Caroline, who was there as the nation suffered a blow seared into the memory of all who lived through it. I don't know this new person at all, but I do know just how much is needed from one who has this position in the Senate.
Elevating Caroline to this position is not bringing Jack, Robert, Jackie or even John back to life. These people are gone. We have this person, this good mother and decent citizen, who now asks to represent the people of New York.
Let's hope that Governor Patterson makes a wise decision.