[KEY UPDATE] Sweet Caroline…Ba Ba Bahhh…Good Times Never Seem So Good

UPDATE: The truth is trickling out. See the New York Times article, “Housekeeper and Taxes Are Said to Derail Kennedy’s Bid,” and all the accompanying stories and blog posts organized and linked at Memeorandum.com.

Whether you are a traditionalist and prefer the Neil Diamond version, or a late night bar patron who goes for a rousing Jimmy Buffet sing-a-long, it’s a good day to break out this seventies classic. Speaking of Neil Diamond, the Jazz Singer was on cable the other day and I have to wonder if Sir Laurence Olivier rolls over in his grave every time that piece of crap is shown. But, I digress. Here’s is why we are singing this morning.

“I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate,”

Caroline Kennedy’s people issued that one sentence statement late last night after a bizarre evening of revelations and denials.

The New York papers started reporting on the withdrawal early Wednesday night and the reports were quickly followed by denials from members of the Kennedy camp. Finally, all speculation was put to rest with the one sentence withdrawal using the shopworn but always effective excuse of “personal reasons.”

The New York Post claims the withdrawal came after Kennedy learned she would not be Governor Paterson’s selection to fill the seat once held by her slain uncle Robert F. Kennedy. On the other hand, if you read the New York Daily News they will tell you that she was still the pick as late as 24 hours ago.

Knowing New York state politics as I do, I still think that if Caroline really wanted to follow through and take this seat she would have been the pick. David Paterson is not in a position to put himself at odds with Caroline’s principal sponsors President Obama and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

As it is, he is going to face a bruising election battle (I can’t say re-elected since he was not elected governor in the first place) in two years and he will need cash and support from Obama Democrats and Bloomberg to stay on the sidelines.

So why did she drop out? What are those personal reasons? We can only guess. But, Uncle Teddy’s health isn’t it. He was already dying when she made the decision to pursue the seat. That may sound crass, but it’s true (and I’ve already subjected you to Neil Diamond.) I think it comes down to matters of privacy and who she really is.

Caroline got the bug about public service while on the trail stumping for President Obama. She was met everywhere she appeared by adoring throngs of “hopium stoned” Obama groupies who cheered, hugged and enveloped her in an intoxicating blanket of Obama love. They cried when they told her how “The One” was carrying on the legacy of her father. It had to be a great feeling. Why wouldn’t she want more?

The media shielded Obama from harsh study, so why wouldn’t it be the same for her? She could go to Capitol Hill, work for the people and feel the love. It sounds pretty appealing. The problem was Caroline forgot about one thing. New Yorkers are a tough crowd, even for those they like. You need thick skin and sharp elbows to swim in those cold, shark infested political waters. While many Kennedys are built that way she isn’t and New York is still Clinton Country. Hill and Bill supporters aren’t particularly fond of the Kennedys these days and they were leading a charge that had her public opinion polls slipping daily.

While Paterson would have probably picked her in the end, just knowing he really didn’t want to had to hurt her. The jabs from the media and You Tube crowd over her brutal interviews had to sting even more. Re-opening old family wounds from her cousin’s unseemly divorce from Andrew Cuomo just made it worse. Then she learned that the private questionnaire she filled out for Governor Paterson with very personal Schlossberg financial information could be made public. For the Kennedy who at public events (before Obama) usually chose to sit in the back corner, it was all too much. She really didn’t want it after all.

It’s not that she was unqualified (as so many have claimed). Caroline Kennedy is probably as accomplished as many already serving in the Senate. Many have come to the Senate with no prior public service, even from celebrity backgrounds (Senator Bill Bradley, for example) and have served well. But, they were elected.

An appointment from the Governor is something else. That person needs to be the most qualified to serve all the people of the state and should have a public record worthy of such a rare opportunity and Caroline did not.

Her withdrawal is a stinging rebuke for President Obama. Her appointment was going to be his opening to break the Clinton hold on New York State Democrats. Bill and Hillary have been loyal soldiers for the party in the state. They’ve personally donated to numerous campaigns for Congressmen, State Senators, Assemblymen and County Executives etc. More importantly, both have headlined at countless breakfasts, brunches, cocktail parties and dinners allowing the hosts to raise thousands of dollars off the Clinton name.

The Obama camp does not like seeing so many powerful leaders beholden to the Clintons. Caroline was going to be the new star, injecting tons of Kennedy cash and star power to the New York game while Hillary is forced to temper her activities in accordance with the protocol of being Secretary of State. With one sentence from Caroline, that plan is toast.

Now the likelihood is that whoever Paterson picks will not be a loyal Obama solider. Andrew Cuomo is his own man, part of a rich New York legacy and Clinton supporter to boot. Carolyn Maloney is her own woman.

Yup, good times never seem so good.