Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg & RFK, Jr.

[H2O Man]

"I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president – not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."
--Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg; A President Like My Father; NY Times; 1-27-08.

There have been a number of threads on DU in the past four days, which have had discussions about the possibility of President-elect Barack Obama appointing Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and Robert Kennedy, Jr., to positions in his administration. Some of the comments have been positive, some negative, and a number of people have asked about each of their qualifications.

I think that it might be worth taking a brief look at the background of Caroline and Robert. I admit from the giddy-up that I am not fully objective in discussing this topic. My father was a first-generation Irish-Catholic; he was raised in a family of railroad workers and union activists who were staunch supporters of FDR. During my childhood, I was taught about FDR and the Kennedy Clan. Today, I teach the next generation in our family this same history. We tend to be progressive democrats, to the far left in the party. I also am comfortable describing myself as a "Kennedy Democrat."

So, who are these two – Caroline and Robert – who are taking on the mantle of "this generation’s Kennedys"? And what qualifications do they have that would lead Barack Obama to consider them for positions in his administration at this time in our nation’s history? These are important questions, and the answers are among the reasons why I am convinced the Obama presidency offers hope to my children’s generation.

{1} Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg

Caroline is being considered for the US Ambassador to the United Nations. It has been reported that she could also be picked for US Ambassador to Ireland, England, or the Vatican.

Born on November 27, 1957, Caroline is remembered as one of President Kennedy’s two children who lived and played in the White House. But it would be a mistake to think that Barack Obama is considering her based on those images from the past.

Caroline is an attorney, who takes a particular interest in the Bill of Rights. That part of the United States Constitution has been largely ignored by the current administration, and the legislative branch has unfortunately failed to protect it. The idea of a UN Ambassador who appreciates the implication of that Bill of Rights sounds pretty good to me.

Along with Ellen Alderman, Caroline has authored two valuable books on the Constitution. The first is "In Our Defense – The Bill of Rights In Action" (1990); the second is "The Right to Privacy" (1995). These two books should be considered "required reading" for progressive and liberal democrats.

Caroline is the president of the Kennedy Library Foundation. She co-founded the Profiles In Courage Awards. She also has served as a director of the Committee on Presidential Debates, as well as of the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund.

In 2007, she was an early contributor to Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Caroline had previously supported Clinton’s runs for the US Senate. But in early 2008, she endorsed Barack Obama. In February, she appeared with her cousin Maria Shriver, Oprah Winfred, and Michelle Obama at UCLA. She served on Obama’s VP Search Committee. In August, Caroline spoke at the Democratic National Convention, and introduced the tribute to her Uncle Ted.

Her role in the campaign was not to symbolize a 4-year old girl riding a tricycle in the halls of the White House. Rather, it was the Obama campaign’s tapping the talents of a highly intelligent woman who symbolizes the approach this administration will take in providing leadership in this country.

There are those who believe that the United Nations is a meaningless institution, and that the selection of an Ambassador there is insignificant. And indeed, when a US President sends a Secretary of State to the UN to lie to the international community, as happened in 2003, it would be easy to agree with that. But Barack Obama has never said that things are going to be easy.

The world community got the message when George W. Bush appointed John Bolton to the position. Here was a man who expressed his utter contempt for the United Nations. If President Obama appoints Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, it will send a very different message. I believe that she will be more capable of transforming the US image than any other potential choice.

{2} Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Robert, born on January 17, 1954, was one of US Attorney General and Senator Robert Kennedy’s 11 children. He is currently being consider for the position of director of the Environmental Protection Agency. Like the UN, the EPA has been an agency that the Bush administration has held in utter contempt. It has been used to promote the interests of VP Dick Cheney’s friends in the corporate field, rather than to protect the interests of the general public.

What are Robert’s qualifications to serve in such an important position in the Obama administration? Let’s start by reviewing his education. Robert earned a BA at Harvard; a law degree from the University of Virginia; and then an LL.M in environmental law from Pace University.

The LL.M focuses on US Environmental Law and comparative international environment law. It involves the study of the scientific, economic, and political factors involved in the enforcement of environmental law.

In 1984, Robert joined the environmental group, the Riverkeepers. He founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, which is an umbrella group with 177 environmental groups across the nation.

After working as an assistant DA in New York City, Robert became a Clinical Professor of Environmental Law at Pace University. He is also the co-director of the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic.

In his efforts to have the law enforced in a manner that protects the environment, Robert has established a close working relationship with many of the top scientists in the field. These include what are widely recognized as the two best environmental science groups in the country, in dealing with issues involving the threats to public safety posed by industrial wastes: (1) Disposal Safety Incorporated; and (2) Carpenter Environmental Associates.

In a 1997 article on CEA, author Ellen Lane wrote, "They’ve been threatened and sot at. They’ve slogged through muddy marshes and crawled up sewer pipes. They’ve spent holidays and anniversaries helping clients prepare for trial." Carpenter has helped Riverkeeper win dozens of cases, including against Exxon, the NYS Department of Corrections, and Orange and Westchester Counties. Other clients that CEA has assisted include the Sierra Legal Defense Fund, and the US Department of Justice. CEA co-founder Dr. Bruce Bell has testified in more Clean Water Act federal cases than any other environmental witness.

Robert co-authored the 1999 book "The Riverkeepers" with John Cronin. In 2004, he wrote "Crimes Against Nature: how George W. Bush and his Corporate pals are plundering the country and high-jacking our Democracy." These books are valuable resources for those interested in environmental issues, and for those who wish to know more about Robert’s qualifications to head the EPA.

Robert has also appeared on numerous network and cable programs to discuss enviro-political issues; has published articles in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, The Nation, and The Village Voice on related issues; and co-hosts "Ring of Fire" on Air America Radio, and is a contributor to The Huffington Post.

As I suspect is true of most DUers, I only know about Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg from what I’ve read and seen on television. But what I’ve learned about her has convinced me that she would be an outstanding UN Ambassador. None of the negative comments that have appeared on DU have raised any serious question about her qualifications or ability to serve the Obama administration in this capacity.

Years ago, I became acquainted with Robert Kennedy, Jr., in my work as an advocate for traditional Native Americans. This included my discussions with him, as well as discussions that leaders from the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy had with him, as we prepared the first legal case to put teeth into the 1990 Native American Burial Protection and Repatriation Act (Pub.L. 101-601; 104 Stat. 3048)

I also had the opportunity to work with Robert and others from Pace, along with DSI and CEA, on a Superfund Sites case, which eventually became the basis of the first federal case testing the EPA’s municipal solid waste policy (US v AlliedSignal Inc. N.D. NY No. 97-0436). The employees of both the EPA and Department of Justice who I encountered all had a very high opinion of Robert Kennedy, Jr.

I believe that Robert would be the best person that President Obama could pick to head the EPA.

Thank you,
H2O Man

[treestar]

1. She sounds more qualified for the bench than the UN

Both of them are children of privilege, but they could still be the best candidates for the job. As long as they aren't being appointed for their name/bloodlines, and are more qualified than other candidates, then it is fine with me if Obama wants them.

[Divernan]

52. Should have included she has a BA from Harvard and JD from Columbia

As to appointments to the bench, I'd like to see judges chosen (whether elected or appointed) from lawyers with actual courtroom experience - many corporate, real estate, etc., lawyers never set foot in a court of law. And I'm not talking divorce lawyers, or lawyers specializing in defending DUIs, but lawyers handling complex and/or constitutional law issues. I also prefer judges to start in trial courts before being appointed or elected to appellate courts. It gives both the judges and others the opportunity to see if the judges have the proper judicial temperament/impartiality. If a judge has spent years learning the ins and outs of procedure and rules of court, they can hit the ground running in focusing on substantive issues.

Although she is licensed in both NY and DC, she has worked primarily as an editor, a writer and executive/director of various foundations and programs. I couldn't find records that she had ever worked for a law firm, or had courtroom experience. I think she would make an excellent ambassador, particularly to the United Nations.

[dailykoff]

2. K/R!!

:kick:

:headbang:

:yourock:

:patriot:

[H2O Man]

21. Thank you. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

3. I'm going to disagree with you H20man...

First, the analogy makes me uncomfortable for the obvious reason.

In addition to that, Obama brings to the game a lot more than JFK did. JFK was reckless, unhealthy, and should not have been president. He was vulnerable to blackmail. RFK was horrified by the pills JFK took every day.

Obama is cautious where JFK was reckless.

Putting RFKjr in the EPA spot would politicize it.

I'm glad to see Carline getting involed. Evidently, she's the smart one of the 2nd generation.

[H2O Man]

6. No, actually you don't.

Luckily for both of us, I am in a perpetual good mood, and am happy to clear up the confusion.

Unless you are saying that I misquoted Caroline's analogy in the quote from her NY Times op-ed (which I surely didn't), you can't disagree with me on it. You could disagree with with Caroline. But it would seem to be rooted in your dislike of her father, for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with her talking about how JFK inspired people she speaks with. I doubt that you are disagreeing with her saying that people tell her that her father inspired them, or that she felt inspired by Obama. To do so would be to ignore the obvious -- that she is telling the truth -- and to allow an opinion verging on a bias to cloud your judgement. Considering that you note your belief that Caroline is "the smart one," I'd bet a dollar to a jelly dougnut that you don't really disagree with her. Perhaps it made you mildly uncomfortable, and hence it morphed into "disagreeing" with me for accurately quoting her in a correct context. (grin)

The idea that appointing Robert to the EPA position would require some evidence, however slim, that he has engaged in a partisan political agenda in his work in environmental law. This, of course, would require that one ignore and deny the reality that Robert's environmental legal history has won the wide-spread support of democrats, republicans, Greens, and independants. I would quote the opening pages of his book "Crimes Against Nature," but rather than risk your "disagreeing" with me on the information there, I'll go "first person." From my own experience on issues involving the NYC watershed agreements with rural upstate counties, with coordinating efforts with the NYC DEP, the EPA, and Department of Justice, I've yet to meet a single republican who has dismissed his work as "political."

The Reagan and Bush2 administrations certainly "politicized" the EPA and related departments, in the sense that they promoted an agenda that reflected not only corporations that have damaged the environment, but more, which has reflected their specific religious belief system. The example of James Watt suggesting that we might as well use up natural resources immediately, because Jesus was to return quite soon, comes to mind.

If President Obama appoints RFK, Jr., to head the EPA, I think it will be for all the right reasons. On that, you might disagree with me. But I think that you will be happily surprised. Maybe even inspired!

[Captain Hilts]

8. I actually like JFK, but having read a lot of history from the period...

I have concluded we would have been a lot better off having Averill Harriman as president. Meeting him would not have emboldened Khrushchev to plant missiles in Cuba.

JFK - like GWB - had a confidence in himself that his track record didn't support.

I think Obama can be a whole lot better than that.

So many folks are using the JFK analogy. In many ways, JFK was style over substance. We are lucky he was a smart guy.

The folks in Mass. didn't go for the analogy during the primary.

Again, I think Obama can be so much more.

I would like someone with a more scientific background in the EPA job. It's such a hot political issue.

[H2O Man]

9. Ted Sorensen

was among the first people who said that Barack Obama reminded him of JFK. I've always admired him, and have a lot of respect for his opinion.

I agree with you that President Obama has the ability to be a better Chief Executive than JFK. There's an old saying that applies: Very smart people learn from others' mistakes; most of us have to learn from our own; and fools never learn at all. Barack Obama is very smart, indeed, and has the history of all those presidents who went before him, including JFK, as examples to learn from.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Yes, hence getting REmmanual as Chief of Staff...

rather than the nice guy, Mack McClarty, that Bill Clinton had.

I think RE will be, ideally, Obama's RFK. RFK was one tough, mean bastard when he had to be.

It greatly contributed to the sense of chaos in the early Clinton admin.

But, part of me senses that Clinton, like FDR actually liked chaos.

Different strokes for different folks.

[H2O Man]

13. Right.

Two things come into play here: first, the need for Obama to pick people with a range of viewpoints to have a well-rounded administration; and second, the potential influence of a Chief of Staff.

I've been tempted to post an OP about the history of this position. There are examples of good and bad, and weak and strong Chiefs of Staff (and one President who played that role himself). One thing that I think is important is the role Card played in the Plame scandal, and how that created a difficulty for those in Congress who took an interest in investigating possible criminal acts and abuses of the power of office.

I am not 100% comfortable with Rahm Emanuel, just as with any other politician. But I think that he is the correct choice for the job now. In fact, it is probably one of the best steps that Obama could take now.

[Captain Hilts]

22. Yes!

[dpbrown]

15. I'm pretty sure that Averell Harriman was partnered with Prescott Bush in the Nazi bank in New York

And if that's true, or if Harriman was part of that family, I'm pretty sure I would not have wanted him to ever be President.

[H2O Man]

20. I have never been

impressed in a positive way by W. Averell Harriman. I do have an appreciation for his being very capable at what he did in life. And I do think highly of some of the people he was associated with, including some who held him in high regard.

Being a collector of books, I have an edition of his 1975 "Special Envoy to Churchill and Stalin: 1941-1946." It's autographed, with a note to a regional politician inside from 1976. I picked it up at a book sale a few years back. It is an interesting book, regardless of my opinion of him.

[independentpiney]

4. I've read some negative things here on DU about RFK Jr.

recently as far as his ability to deal with those who disagree with him, and suggesting that he sometimes allows his ideology to cloud reality.That's something I had more than enough of with the characters in the outgoing administration, and I don't want to see it in the Obama administration even if I do agree with the ideology.

The negatives above were news to me, as I've mainly known of him through Riverkeeper and Sierra, and have always held a very positive opinion of the man. Is there any legitimacy you're aware of to the accusations Ive seen?

[H2O Man]

7. Is it possible

that Robert has inherited some of the qualities that resulted in some calling his father "ruthless"? I prefer to think of him as "goal-oriented." And in his efforts to reach his goals, I am sure that there are some people that he has offended along the way. He is a human being, and as imperfect as all of us are. Still, I think he is the very best choice for the Obama administration for this position.

[rosesaylavee]

5. K & R

I agree with you - both of these candidates would be incredible assets to the Obama Administration.

[H2O Man]

23. Thank you.

Barack Obama is one of the few politicians/people in public life that I have a high degree of trust for.

I use a process of evaluating people, that I learned from reading Malcolm X's teachings. Malcolm rated everyone on a scale of 0 to 100 (with 100 being the most trust possibile). Malcolm said that he didn't trust anyone 100% -- not even himself! Oh, I like that.

He recognized, of course, that it is often those whom we trust the most, who are most able to let us down. Simple, but true.

Still, I have come to view Barack Obama as the most trustworthy politician of this era. There will be times that I disagree with him .... in fact, there are areas where I already do. Sometimes strongly. But I do trust that he will select those people who he believes are best able to serve his administration, and the American people. I believe that Caroline and Robert fit that description.

[rosesaylavee]

31. He is unlike almost any other politician right now...

He is bound to disappoint because people have a set way of thinking of how politicians should be. I think he will be breaking new ground with his appointments.

Had started TEAM OF RIVALS earlier this year but never finished. Intend to just go buy a copy this week to see what it is about Lincoln's appointments that have so intrigued Obama. Doris Kearns Goodwin is probably quite happy about all this no doubt!

[frickaline]

10. K&R, ty for a good read.

[H2O Man]

46. Thank you. n/t

[JitterbugPerfume]

12. thank you H2OMan

I hope this puts an end to the silliness over Caroline Kennedy and Robert Kennedy Jr

[H2O Man]

47. Thanks.

I doubt it will put an end to the curious dislike of Caroline and Robert. But I think that for those who have had sincere questions, as opposed to an agenda, it will be helpful. And that's good enough for me.

[Peace Patriot]

14. Thank you, H20 Man! I wholeheartedly agree.

I am a citizen expert on environmental issues--and a harsh critic of the failures of the Sierra Club and Greenpeace on forestry issues (their collusion with the corpo-dominated Forest Stewardship Council on 'green-washing' wretched corporate logging practices). So I listen for lies when I hear a well-connected, high-profile environmentalist speak. In my judgment, RFK Jr is not a liar. That is high praise from me.

It may be that some DU opposers of RFK Jr for EPA are too used to hearing nothing but lies about environmental issues, from entrenched groups as well as from corpo/fascists. Compromise, white-washing, 'green-washing,' brainwashing, propaganda, psyops, and just plain ol' bullshit are a HUGE problem in a society that plugs into the corpo/fascist 'news' monopolies, as to a nipple, to feel connected to our nation. It affects us all. Some have not tried hard enough to analyze this state-of-brainwashing that we all exist in, and to make it conscious and transcend it. And some people at DU--a wide-open forum (which I do like)--are interested parties, with ulterior motives in pushing corpo/fascist and other agendas.

Let me tell you this: the corpo-fascists will do anything they can to keep Obama from appointing RFK Jr as EPA chair. Nuff said.

As for Caroline Kennedy, in my opinion, she has kept a low profile for a reason. She is a friggin TARGET. And she had children to get through early childhood before she could take that risk. But everything I know about her points to a passionately committed, and highly knowledgeable and talented, civil and human rights advocate, who has been a quiet but influential presence behind the Obama campaign from early on. Further, the world knows who she is. Many people in other countries still have great affection for her father, her uncle RFK, and for her. She will hit the UN with tremendous good will on her side, on day one. That is half the battle. Her appointment would be a peace offering to the world.

These appointments are billions and billions of times better than Bush appointments and are better than any Clinton appointments. I think it is magnificent that these two--and their uncle Teddy Kennedy--after all they and their families have suffered, as the price of public service, still offer to serve the public. And serve the public they will. They are both committed to the public interest and the greater good. Those are rare qualities these days, among the members of our political establishment.

[Peace Patriot]

17. Just want to add that I'm extremely worried about the floated name of Chiquita

International's death squad attorney, Eric Holder, for Attorney General. I don't know if the Obama camp is floating it, or someone else. But this would be an appointment as bad as--and possibly even worse than--many Bush appointments.

Eric Holder is the high-priced corporate lawyer who got Chiquita execs off the hook, with a handslap (and secrecy provisions--both arranged by the Bushwhacks), after they paid $1.7 million to rightwing death squads to take care of their "labor problem" in Colombia, by murdering 4,000 labor leaders and workers in Chiquita's banana plantations.

FOR U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL!

I am waiting with thumping heart to find out that this is NOT being seriously considered by President-elect Obama, and will not occur. The writer of this pieced says Holder is the top contender:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-kovalik/lawyer-for-chiquita-in-co_b_141919.html
Discussion here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=405x9608#9653

This could cause an unhealable breach between me and Obama--and possibly between Obama and the South American labor movement and the left (the majority) in general. If he cares at all about the poor, the brown and the oppressed in Colombia, and about the long-defeated-at-U.S. hands aspirations of the poor and the brown throughout Latin America, which are now on track through peaceful, democratic, successful, leftist movements throughout the continent, he will not do this.

Of all the attorneys in the U.S.--people who do good work on civil rights, human rights, consumer protection, enviromental protection, election protection, the public interest, and lawful law enforcement--he cannot find someone better for A.G. than Chiquita's death squad attorney?!

I am praying this is just a rumor.

[H2O Man]

48. Thank you.

When I read or hear attacks on RFK, Jr., in the media or on the internet, I am usually able to identify the person as belonging to one of three groups: the Sean Hannity types; the industry attack dogs; or the narrow-minded, jealous pip-squeeks.

I've told before about ten years ago, when a group of racist thugs viciously attacked my nephew, and left him for dead. Robert provided much-appreciated support to my family. He contacted the NYS Attorney General, and requested that he become involved in the case. (It was one of a series of attacks on non-white students in the region. In another, the gang fired a rifle seven times into a house to "scare" people; in another, at SUNY-Binghamton, a few Asian-American students were targeted, and subjected to vicious attacks.) I will never forget what he did to help my family.

[senaca]

16. I agree with your assessment of both.

Caroline's compilation called the Patriot's handbook is invaluable also in our family. I don't know how many times our kids have found what they needed to support their arguments for history/government assignments. To have someone with a keen sense of history as respect for other cultures as Ambassador to the UN would be invaluable. Although Shirley Temple Black and Audrey Hepburn had nowhere near her qualifications they, made exemplary ambassadors to other countries for America. Symbolism can be powerful. We have basically in the past 8 years had an administration that didn't believe in the ideals of the UN. The wanted to de fund it to the point of getting rid of it. Caroline's appointment would say to the world that we fundamentally believe in the ideal of countries around the world coming together and discussing the issues that effect our world. Collective discussions on possible solutions from many viewpoints in invaluable and it's time we once again acknowledge that. It will be nice to once again have appointments that truly are the best for the position. I believe Caroline and RFK Jr. would be the best in their positions.

RFK Jr. association with NRDC and the above associations you mentioned, means he knows all the changes to the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act that have taken place. He knows what can be done to fix that. I would rather have someone who can step in day one to help fix our environment than someone who doesn't have the passion for it. I would rather have someone who has my back to make sure the water we're drinking and the air we're breathing is not hazardous to our health. That's basic and yet for the past years a deterioration of the quality of both. The relaxing of the standards to make it seem like states are okay does not count.

Thanks for your post H2O man.

[H2O Man]

49. The 2008 elections

have opened my young daughters' eyes to a new world, with many new role models. Caroline is someone who they look up to now.

The election of Barack Obama as President has given hope to many people around the world. Having Caroline at the UN would be a powerful statement. I've read a number of authors who commented how people around the globe had pictures of President Kennedy in their homes. The people of the earth need to see that this country can be a positive force. Certain people symbolize hope, and that is a big part of Obama's strength in communicating, "Yes, we can."

We face extremely serious problems due to the damage we have done, and are doing, to the environment. We will not begin to make change without having someone who takes a business-as-usual approach at the EPA. We know that Barack Obama has said that Al Gore will be playing an important role in helping his administration on environmental issues, such as global warming. RFK, Jr., and Al Gore are long-time close friends. Obama knows that. I believe he has a plan in mind.

[grantcart]

18. I knew this post was coming and was waiting for it with anticipation

I have had some personal experience in the United Nations system (Its not a monolithic organization but rather a collection of independently governing bodies, UNESCO, UNHCR, etc.)


There have been some DUers who have questioned Caroline's appointment there because of her shyness and apparent lack of diplomatic experience. These are good points. I for one would like to see all of the Ambassadors to countries picked from the diplomatic corp. The State Department has been under siege for 10 years by an administration that has quite frankly hated it. To judge how bad it has gotten Secretary Rice's appointment has actually improved morale because at least they knew that they would be taken seriously. Secretary Rice's tenure as National Security Adviser was of unbelievable incompetence but her role as SOS had some successes including negotiating improved relations with Libya. I would be most impressed if President Elect Obama would forgo the tradition of a political appointment for SOS and select an outstanding diplomat. Most Americans are very familiar with dozens of Generals and exactly one diplomat, Ambassador Wilson.

Despite the comments above I think that Ms. Kennedy's appointment to the UN would be a masterstroke. It is true that she is shy, it is also true that when she felt she was called to engage something of importance for the country she put aside her discomfort and take up the task at hand.

The role of Ambassador to the United Nations is a fundamentally symbolic position but in a very substantive way. What I mean by that apparently contradictory phrase is that Ambassadors to other countries are often considered because of personal expertise that they may bring to that Embassy. Some postings require security background, others require a trade background. Secretary of the United Nations requires somebody that can reflect the country and the Administrations' basic point of view. When specialists are required for particular points of importance they are provided either from the mission or from DC.

The appointment of Ms. Kennedy would be the clearest signal that the United States was abandoning the childish rantings of John Bolton (who was never confirmed as ambassador and should not be give that title in pundit retirement) and the neo-con administration.

It would signal not that we were returning to the days of Kennedy but to the days of Truman/Eisenhower/Kennedy/Johnson/Nixon/Carter/Bush Sr and even Reagan where our national interests were pursued by rational people who were committed to using a multilateral approach to systemic world problems, to a time when the United States was more interested in demonstrating how effective our foreign policy could be rather than how effective our bombs are.

Ambassador to the UN requires somebody that has broad knowledge of the country, confidence of the administrations, and is able to advance the interests of the country by developing personal contacts with other Ambassadors. I can tell you that diplomats are particularly susceptible to celebrity and her historic family connections will be an asset in building relations with Ambassadors.

[Ichingcarpenter]

24. Thanks Grantcart and H2O man for your important input

I agree with both of you
they would be good picks and have the professional
backgrounds to legitimate the choice.

[H2O Man]

57. Thank you.

I think that President Obama will make the right choices.

[BlueMTexpat]

39. I have already agreed with you on another thread about Caroline.

I'm just posting here to say that my opinion has not changed. And I come at this from a background of international law, international development, State and UN experience.
The bottom line, so far as I am concerned, is whether Obama wants her in that position and whether she would accept. If so, she would have access to plenty of qualified career staff at the US Mission in New York who can fill in knowledge gaps more than competently.

[H2O Man]

54. Thank you for posting this.

I appreciate it. It seems like most people here understand the deal.

[me b zola]

19. K&R!

:kick:

[H2O Man]

58. Thanks! n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. So out of all of the highly qualified attorneys out there...

the ones most qualified for the jobs just happen to be Kennedys?

That's a remarkable coincidence.

[babylonsister]

53. Yes. That's the reasoning. I'm getting it now. nt

[joanski0]

26. Thank you very much.

I worked in the Office of the Special Trade Representative, in the Executive Office building next door to the White House, during the Kennedy years. Those years are the highlight of my life. I love those people. The family is special to me.

[H2O Man]

59. That must have been

a great experience.

The Kennedy Clan is special to me, as well. Ir strikes me as funny when people speak of Caroline and Robert as being the "second generation" of the family, involved in politics. Their roots go back a good bit further than that, as I'm sure you know.

[bleever]

27. Sounds good to me!

Recommended!

[H2O Man]

60. Thank you.

Whatever choices President Obama makes are going to be good. I think that we are witnessing one of the most important shifts in our lifetimes. The potential for having these two outstanding people be a part of that is exciting.

[mrs_p]

28. tend to agree

but the criticism i have heard regarding robert kennedy, jr. is his anti-science bent, especially when it comes to vaccines and autism. as a scientist (zoonotic disease researcher), this is REALLY important to me. i'm tired of policy based on ideology and not science.

[TexasObserver]

29. They're both highly qualified for appointments.

When I read posters who were dismissive of them, it only caused me to conclude such posters are poorly informed.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

33. So what's your opinon on anti-vaccine nuttery?

[TexasObserver]

34. It's not nuttery.

[H2O Man]

35. Please ignore

that person on this thread. Thank you.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

38. Why would you want to ignore the issue?

Haven't we had enough anti-science frauds under the Bush administration?

[H2O Man]

41. It's not "the issue" ....

it's you. If I thought that you had anything worthwhile to add to this discussion, I would respond differently. I am satisfied that if anyone wants to read your opinion on the topic, they can go to your thread. I am not interested in it, and feel no compulsion to try to disrupt your thread. I wish that you had a similar degree of respect for me, but understand that isn't the case.

[Viking12]

42. So you prefer to stick your head in the sand and sing La-La-La-La?

RFK Jr's pseudo-scientific conspiracy theories ARE an issue. Just because you don't want to hear them won't make them go away. If you don't want criticism of your posts, then don't post stupid shit.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

45. The issue speaks directly to his qualifications.

Ignoring it won't make it go away.

[TexasObserver]

43. will do

I'm not taking the bait.

If there's a thread on vaccines, I'll talk about it there, if I want to.

I don't think highly of drama queens whose only purpose is to hijack threads.

[H2O Man]

44. Thank you.

I suppose it's possible that Barack Obama will lay awake at night, wondering about their opinions on vacines, as it relates in their minds to the EPA. But I suspect it is very, very unlikely.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. It's very much nuttery whether you admit it or not.

This says more about you than it doesn't about RFK Jr.

[mmonk]

30. I'm Catholic and my sons are named Robert & John. I'm not objective either

but I haven't pretended to be. But the good thing is, they are good choices so my lack of objectivity doesn't matter.

[Viking12]

32. Sorry, RFK Jr.'s pseudo-scientific rants disqualify him as EPA Chief

We don't need to fill that all important positon with a paranoid conspriacy theorist.

[TheZug]

36. I agree--and also, just say no to dynasties.

[Me.]

55. Pish

Tosh

[eleny]

40. We've suffered greedy ideologues these past 8 years

If these two were appointed to the UN and EPA respectively I'd be overjoyed. If RFK Jr doesn't put up with people who oppose him, I'd be inclined to side with him. These past years must have been agony given what he knows about the subject.

These two would be a gift from Obama to the world. I know that almost sounds like hyperbole. But only to those living in a cloister, imo.

Recommended reading here. Thanks!

[Me.]

50. Thank You

The questioning of Caroline's abilities has been nonsense. The fact is that the work she does she usually does quietly, not seeking the spotlight. She has worked to better the NYC school system for years. The amount of her philanthropic work has been impressive and awesome. Further, while some may discount the importance of her ability to persuade others to her causes, there is no one who won't take her call.

[dailykoff]

51. Funny how the bailout fluffers are also the Kennedy swiftboaters.

Coincidence I'm sure.

[BrklynLiberal]

56. I have a lot of respect for your opinions...and if you say they would be good in those

positions, I have no doubts.

I did not know that much about Caroline Schlossberg until I read your post.
I have known of RFK Jr's work for quite a while. I listen to him and Mike Papantonio on Ring of Fire, and seen some of his very inspiring speeches on TV.

[saltpoint]

61. I trust Kennedy Democrats because they are tremendous public

servants.

We've just had 8 years of the reverse model.

I'm for RFK Jr and CKS to serve in Obama's administration in whatever capacity is mutually agreeable, and feel that the rest of us are the better for that collaboration.

Yes.

[Odin2005]

62. Appointing a "vaccine causes autism" nut would be an insult to all of us on the Autism spectrum.

I have no respect for people that think I am "poisoned" and need to be cured, famous name or no famous name.