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Kennedy or J-Lo: Who's Better for the Senate? A local Congressman raises the question as he challenges Caroline Kennedy's qualifications

By  MICHAEL CLANCY

Updated 8:44 AM EDT, Thu, Dec 11, 2008

Caroline Kennedy and Jennifer Lopez
Getty Images

Who would get your vote for New York's junior Senator: Caroline Kennedy or Jennifer Lopez?

 

Jennifer Lopez or Caroline Kennedy? Who is more qualified to be Hillary Clinton's replacement as New York's junior Senator?

Rep. Gary Ackerman, a veteran Queens Democrat wants to know. 

"I don't know what Caroline Kennedy's qualifications are," the 25-year Congressman said on Steve Malzberg's WOR conservative chat-fest, becoming New York's first prominent Democrat to openly challenge the credentials of JFK's daughter as a potential replacement for Sen.  Hillary Clinton.

""Except that she has name recognition, but so does J.Lo," Ackerman said, according to the New York Post. "I wouldn't make J.Lo the senator unless she proved she had great qualifications, but we haven't seen them yet."

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Sen. Ted Kennedy personally lobbied Gov. Paterson, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) on behalf of his niece.  Both Paterson and Kennedy denied the report.

 “We just haven’t talked at all,” Paterson told the Times. “He hasn’t sent any message to me from anyone. And no one has even called me and said they’ve spoken to him.”

But that's not to say that Paterson isnt' feeling any heat from some quarters.

"It's important for the candidates to focus all of their activities on trying to establish that they are the best candidate, and not on trying to assert any undue influence," said Paterson was quoted as saying in the Post.

Comments (6)

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  • Brut Friday, Dec 19 at 2:53 PM FLAG COMMENT J-LO is more qualified than Caroline. J-Lo has done more with her career. Caroline is a smart woman, but Caroline is going to have to build a resume and get voted in. No hand me downs. I think the idea that Kennedy because of her name shoud be appointed Senator is an insult to New Yorkers. I am troubled by Ms. Kennedy’s inexperience. Her bio indicates she is an attorney by training and has been involved in fundraising. I woul ... MORE >
  • Jessy Friday, Dec 12 at 8:12 AM FLAG COMMENT Jennnifer Lopez sure¡¡ :) JLo have a lot of good energy for all her jobs. Talent, intelligent, and great person..what more?
  • Jesse Taub Thursday, Dec 11 at 4:49 PM FLAG COMMENT Caroline is certainly more qualified to be Senator than was LBJ to be President. Also,what has Mr.Ackerman accomplished for his coinstituents for the many years he has served? I'am certain Caroline will not disgrace that high office.
  • Dr. Arthur Frederick Ide Thursday, Dec 11 at 2:55 PM FLAG COMMENT Caroline Kennedy has no qualifications to be a US Senator. She has no political background (even thought she is the daughter of an assassianted president), little world experience, and no outstanding academic achievements--and even less knowledge of New York and the needs of the people of New York. Cuomo would be far better than she could be.
  • Agent_C Thursday, Dec 11 at 9:37 AM FLAG COMMENT Once we get past all the warm & fuzziness, I see noting which makes me think she'd be a truly *effective* Senator. This is a spot where you actually do want a Washington insider, who knows the lay of the land and how to conduct herself in those smoke filled rooms. Otherwise, here colleagues will walk all over her, especially the Southerners, and she'll be in no position whatsoever to bring home the bacon. ---- Hillary's kn ... MORE >

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