RFK Jr. "A Possible Contender" for Hillary's Senate Seat

[RFKJrNews]

Last week the New York Daily News reported that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may have his eye on his father’s former place in the U.S. Senate, a seat currently occupied by Hillary Rodham Clinton. But perhaps not for long.

Should Clinton become the Democratic nominee and go on to win the general election in 2008, it would fall to New York Gov. Spitzer to choose Clinton’s successor if she leaves before her term is up.

Naturally, several Democratic hopefuls already have their eye on that coveted prize, and according to the Daily News, Bobby Kennedy Jr. is one of them:

"Another contender might be prominent environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who, a party insider noted, possesses a “magic, magic, magic name” in politics."

This isn’t the first time Kennedy has expressed a desire to run for the Senate. In previously published interviews, he has said that he would be interested in possibly running for Senator or Governor of New York. So this is really just the latest round of rumors regarding Bobby’s future political plans — a secret which, at least for now, he is keeping to himself.

Of course, we’d rather see him go for it and run for President instead.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE:

http://rfkin2008.wordpress.com/2007/09/23/rfk-jr-a-possible-contender-for-hillarys-senate-seat/


Clearly, he is close to making a decision as to whether he will enter the 2008 race or wait this one out. This is the time he needs to hear from YOU! Please tell Bobby your thoughts on the petition to draft RFK Jr. into the 2008 presidential race. Sign it today!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/RFKin2008/

[bigdarryl]

1. if shes the nominee Kennedy won't have to worry about running for her seat

[RFKJrNews]

2. Whoever replaces Hillary would have to be appointed...

by Gov. Spitzer in 2009 to serve out he remainder of her current term, then they would have to turn around and run a full campaign in 2010, I believe.

No doubt Spitzer will lean towards the candidate who has the best chances of winning the next election. Kennedy's name recognition and his father's service as New York Senator from 1964-68 would be a huge plus in his favor.

[ronnykmarshall]

9. It wouldn't be the remainder of her term.

Hillary's term in senate is up in 2013. If she's elected to the presidency, the appointed Senator would have to run in 2010 as you said for the rest of the term and then run for the full 6 years in 2012.

And I agree that RFK Jr would be a great candidate.

[RFKJrNews]

11. What ronnykmarshall said!

You're right - by law, his appointment would only be for about a year, then he'd have to run again in 2010 to complete the rest of Senator Clinton's term. It's all a bit confusing, thanks for helping to clear that up!

Whoever the Gov appoints, this person will have to be a fundraising dynamo, someone whose name is guaranteed to get people to open up their checkbooks. Running two full senate campaigns in 2010 and 2012, one almost right after the other, will be financially, physically and emotionally draining, making the Senator almost a slave to the campaign trail. It's going to be quite a challenge, one very few could meet head-on and succeed, but I'm convinced that Bobby's got what it takes!

[CK_John]

3. IMO, Bill would be the best choice. n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. I nominate Rangel. Common sense, intelligence...

good judgement and just enough chutzpah to make himself conspicuous without appearing 'fringe'.

Question is: would he give-up House seniority?

RFK: He's OK... but let's start at, I don't know, the House level? Let him distinguish himself there. Then we'll talk Senate.

Sorry... the RFK for Pres dealie is not going to fly this year... no matter how hard you push it.

[RFKJrNews]

5. Rangel's sittin' pretty right where he is

Paulho writes:
"Sorry... the RFK for Pres dealie is not going to fly this year... no matter how hard you push it."

Wow, did somebody wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?:)

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Not at all. I *like* him. Just that....

>>Wow, did somebody wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? :)>>>

he's not a candidate for the DEM nomination for pres in 2008... so I presume ( correct me if I'm wrong) the 'RFK in 2008' thing refers to a possible 3rd party run?

A la Nader?

[liberalnurse]

6. Excellent!

I'm on this train!O8) :bounce: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :kick: :loveya: :applause:

[SoFlaJet]

7. me too

signed the petition

[RFKJrNews]

12. Thanks for giving Bobby your support and your signature!

Thank you for signing the petition to draft RFK Jr. into the race for the White House!

The point of the petition is, of course, to try and convince Bobby Kennedy to run for President in 2008. Even if he does not run at this time, your signatures send a very strong message that the people want him to run for SOMETHING, that he is needed to serve his country in public office.

Maybe it will be as the Senator from NY in 2009, maybe it will be as NY Governor. Maybe he will run for the presidency in 2012 or 2016, although many of us think that America needs him right now, that the country cannot afford to wait another 4-8 years for the leadership he can bring to the world stage.

It's not too late for him to enter the race as a late arrival...who knows whether he would go third party or independent at this point? It's hard to imagine him running as anything other than a Democrat, although I've heard rumor that the Greens are courting him very aggressively to be their presidential candidate...just a rumor, tho'.

[saltpoint]

10. For me the hinge is whether someone like Robert Kennedy Jr should be in

positions of policy influence.

And of course he's exactly the sort of person who should be in positions of policy influence.

Whether as president or senator or what have you -- I'd leave to his own choosing and be grateful for his impulse to serve.

The longer he serves at the highest level he chooses, the better off our country is. I say hire the best. RFK Jr meets that criterion and then some.

Thanks for this post.