I have to start by saying I am a Kennedy fan. I loved JFK as a kid. I do think the Kennedys have done a lot of good for this country. At the same time, looking at history, JFK really was a bad president. Even so, the family has charisma and is truly admired around the world. Not a bad thing.

There have always been political dynasties in America. Some good -- the Adams, the Roosevelts; some bad; some so-so.

Do I think Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg deserves to be a State Senator? If New York is okay with it, why not? She really has done a lot of good for NYC and her State through the years. Do I think she's the best candidate to be seated? Not at this time.

However, I see no reason to be so upset about whether she is appointed or not. She said she wanted the job. Ms. Clinton feels she would do a good job and I doubt there is any question that Ms. Clinton did do a good job for her constituency. Her opinion should count.

It has always been the practice of appointing people into open seats that are not necessarily the best qualified but who will do the most for the party in power, who hold the most cards so to speak about who is buried where, etc. Rarely are true qualifications a factor for politically appointed seats. CKS has more qualifications than many but definitely less than those who should be truly considered. Yes, her name is a cachet and a big one at that. She's proven to be a successful fundraiser. She's shown she can speak in public. She is a Kennedy and, whether you like the Kennedys or not, that is a name to be factored into any equation.

Can she win the seat in two years? It depends what she does if appointed now and how successful she is for her state. Upper NY is not going to vote for her if she doesn't do a good job. Neither will many in NYC. Automatic election to the seat is not a guaranty after this two-year appointment unless you do a good job while seated.

So, my question to gnu, et al. is, why is asking to be considered such an evil act in your minds? She didn't demand she be appointed. She was open that she was interested now that her kids are adults; in fact, she's always said she would try to work in the public sector and preferably in an elected position once she raised her children. Would you object if someone named Caroline Schlossberg (and a Kennedy) had tossed her hat into the ring? Remember, this is a woman who has raised tremendous funds for NY education, has been schooled in politics since childhood and has been raised to give to the public. So, if this woman without the Kennedy name had said she would be interested and the governor of her state felt she was worthy of consideration because of her past contributions to her state, would you be so incensed?