No Camelot Redux in New York

Caroline Kennedy has dropped her bid for Hilary Clinton's Senate seat, citing personal reasons, which some speculate revolve around the failing health of her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy. The article goes on to say that Kennedy believed that the job was hers if she would accept the nomination from Governor David Patterson.

I'm not sure if I'm buying this competely. I suspect that while she does care deeply care about her uncle (and we should all be wishing and praying for his well-being), a growing tide of public disapproval of her ascension might be the prevailing factor. While I respect Ms. Kennedy's education and experience in working for a number of non-profits, I agree with a growing number of people in New York on both sides of the political fence who questioned her qualifications for the post, pointing out that she lacked legislative experience and her resume wouldn't have earned her a sniff of the post if not for her last name.

I'm actually seeing some interesting Sarah Palin parallels here, notwithstanding their strong differences in political beliefs:

1) Caroline Kennedy's gender played a large role in her consideration, as Governor Patterson notes the strong consideration of choosing a woman to replace an outgoing woman senator (on a side note, I wouldn't be surprised if Representative Carolyn Maloney is now the choice). Sarah Palin's gender played a large role in her consideration, with the Republican Party hoping to "expand the tent" represented in the presidential ticket in response to Barack Obama's nomination.

2) Caroline Kennedy was embraced by factions within her party due to her advocacy of education and women issues, but had a significant share of people within her own party who weren't thrilled with her. Sarah Palin was embraced by factions within her party due to her energy policy and evangelical Christian beliefs, but had a significant share of people within her own party who weren't thrilled with her.

3) Caroline Kennedy was criticized for her lack of political experience, having zero legislative experience, which she tried to spin as a positive citing the appeal of a 'non-establishment outsider'. Sarah Palin was criticized for her relative lack of political experience, having only served as the mayor of a town of 6000 people and as a governor for 20 months, which she tried to spin as a positive citing the appeal of a 'non-establishment outsider'.

4) Caroline Kennedy had a disasterous interview where utterances of "you know" and "umm" almost outweigh her actual responses; the public laughs and critics jump on this as proof of her lack of qualification for the post. Sarah Palin had a disasterous interview with Katie Couric where foreign policy questions made her look like a deer in headlights; the public laughs and critics jump on this as proof of her lack of qualification for the post.

5) Caroline Kennedy dropped out. Sarah Palin did not drop out, though many Republicans wish she had.

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UPDATE: It looks like indeed, Caroline Kennedy's departure wasn't simply about Uncle Teddy, but about tax problems with a household employee. This has become a big mess and there's continued sniping between Governor Patterson and Kennedy's camp. In the midst of this mess, Representative Kirsten E. Gillibrand has been named Hilary Clinton's replacement. Not quite as ugly as Illinois politics, but not exactly a shining moment for New York, either.