Isn't That True of Everyone?

Markos Moulitsas makes an impassioned case against the appointment of Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton's open Senate seat in New York. Though I've also argued against her appointment, albeit with reservations, I take issue with the premise of Kos's argument. "When you're rich and come from a political family," he writes, "and are heir to American royalty, you can apparently dispense with dealing with pesky voters by simply ringing up the governor."

Well, yes, it's true that Kennedy has called Governor David Paterson to express her interest in the seat, just as other interested parties, like Andrew Cuomo, probably have. Wouldn't anyone who wants to be appointed have to reach out to Paterson? Isn't that how this works? Kos seems to think that it's not democratic for Kennedy to be appointed to the position, but also that it would be democratic for others to be appointed. I don't really see that. It may be true that Kennedy would be an overwhelming favorite in 2010 if she gets the appointment, but I think we could say that about any prominent New York Democrat. The fact is that the process of appointment is undemocratic, but that has nothing to do with Caroline Kennedy.

I have to say that I'm increasingly on the fence about Kennedy. I know it would probably be better, healthier for democracy, if someone else takes Clinton's place in the Senate. But I like Caroline, and I respect the Kennedy legacy, warts and all. And in any case, if Paterson doesn't select Kennedy, it seems to me that he's likely to choose Cuomo. I'll take the Kennedy legacy over the Cuomo legacy anytime.

Of course, this may be my inner Bostonian talking, which brings me to the subject of Caroline Kennedy's 2010 campaign theme song. There's really only one possible choice, and it also happens to be a Red Sox anthem.