Coronation Interrupted: Caroline Kennedy, Um, You Know, Withdraws

Personal reasons, of course, as opposed to the reason she's totally unqualified.

Caroline Kennedy has told Gov. David Paterson that she is withdrawing her name from consideration to replace outgoing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate, The Post has learned.

Kennedy cited "personal reasons," according to sources.

Her stunning move comes as sources revealed that Paterson had intended to appoint her to the now-vacant seat today.

The 51-year-old Camelot daughter's decision removes the highest-profile name in the ring to step into Clinton's seat, as she departs after getting confirmed as President Obama's Secretary of State today.

The surprise decision leaves a crowded field of about 15 people, mostly elected officials, vying to replace Clinton - including Long Island Rep. Steve Israel, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Carolyn Maloney.

For the first time on Tuesday, shortly after Obama was inaugurated, Paterson acknowledged publicly that he is considering state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for the slot.

'Evil Eyes' Cuomo is the likely successor, but I've suspected for some time Carolyn Maloney may have a shot for several reasons. She's stridently liberal, represents the Upper Left Side of Manhattan and is a woman. Some in New York argue that since it's Hillary's seat it should go to a woman. Go figure.

Fairly quietly she's also be upstate working for it, something the Princess apparently couldn't handle after her disastrous public, you know, debut.

With New York Gov. David Paterson's announcement of a successor to Sen. Hillary Clinton just days away, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney tried Friday to inject a blue-collar image into the star powered field of contenders led by Caroline Kennedy and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

In meetings with fellow Democrats and reporters in Albany, she underscored her established contacts with top Washington officials, noted she is already on key committees working on a stimulus package for New York, and pointed out she is simply a hard worker who doesn't have a famous father.

Maloney is well-established in Washington, and does have credibility. Paterson would likely gain more appointing her than he would Cuomo.