'The Governor's Going to Pay for This'

Hmm. If I didn't know any better I would say this qualifies as a threat.

An "apoplectic" Kennedy family is seething over the rough treatment that heiress apparent Caroline got from Gov. Paterson's office and is spoiling for revenge, several sources close to the clan have told The Post.

"The governor's going to pay for this," said a well-placed Democrat. "Ted is furious. The family is furious. The Kennedys are now against the governor."

Among Paterson's offenses was a request that Caroline lie about her unexpected withdrawal for "personal" reasons, according to NY magazine.

"You can't withdraw. You've got to stay in this thing, and I'll just not pick you," Paterson reportedly told her over the phone late Wednesday.

Then a torrent of ugly rumors spilled from Paterson's office about Caroline's taxes, about her nanny, even about the state of her marriage - and Camelot's seeking payback, confidants said.

"I'm sure the family is going to protect her," one source said. "What did Caroline do to deserve getting dragged through the mud?"

Caroline emerged from her Park Avenue pad yesterday to say, "I have plans, lots of plans," when asked about her political future.

A confidant of hers said Caroline held "conversations with the governor in which he'd indicated she was the pick."

"His office was aware of every step she took," the confidant said. "He even called some upstate leaders to tell them to meet with her."

Paterson, meanwhile, is apparently oblivious to rough economic times.

Gov. Paterson will scurry off to a "junket" in a swank Swiss town this week, escaping from New York just days after his disastrous effort to chose Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate replacement, The Post has learned.

Two sources with knowledge of Paterson's activities confirmed that the governor will be heading to the World Economic Forum in super-rich Davos, the largest resort in the Alps, later this week.

The insiders said that Paterson's attendance at the gathering of important world leaders, was difficult to justify in light of the state's increasingly severe fiscal problems.

"Why is the governor going to Switzerland when the state faces a $15 billion budget deficit and a week after he was partying in Washington?" one source asked.

Last week, Paterson lugged along an entourage of relatives, six aides and what sources said were "at least" a dozen state troopers for a four-day stay in Washington during President Obama's inauguration, at a taxpayer cost of well over $20,000.

The second source called the Swiss trip a "junket" that would likely "reinforce David's reputation among those who know him for liking to party more than he likes to work."

High Comedy: NY Democrats Flip Out Seeing Gillibrand Next to Al D'Amato

I think I'm putting it mildly to say New York Democrats are flipping out over Kirsten Gillibrand. In particular, they're going nuts over the fact that none other than former GOP Senator Alfonse D'Amato was by her side when she was announced as Hillary Clinton's replacement.

Gov. Paterson yesterday named upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to be the state's new US senator - but the press conference took a bizarre turn when Republican mega-lobbyist Alfonse D'Amato moved front and center.

Democrats statewide were aghast to see the former senator and GOP power broker standing close to Gillibrand on stage throughout the nationally telecast news conference that Paterson called to unveil his surprise replacement for Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"I couldn't believe it," said one participant at the Albany news conference.

D'Amato, who recently held a fund-raiser for Paterson, said he came at the governor's invitation. Paterson's staff placed him on stage in front of some two dozen Democrats who gathered to support the controversial Senate choice.

At times, D'Amato - the former senior New York senator and an influential Washington lobbyist with a lengthy list of clients - was standing closer to Gillibrand than were Paterson or Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

"Twenty-two years ago, [Gillibrand] was an intern in my office," D'Amato told reporters before being rushed off stage by Paterson aides after the news conference.

Gillibrand's father, Doug Rutnik, a well-known GOP lobbyist, is a longtime D'Amato friend.

But the ex-senator's presence could prove damaging for Gillibrand, whose nomination had already come under attack from liberal Democrats.

The liberals are suspicious of her for bucking party leaders and taking right-leaning positions on gay marriage, immigration and gun rights.

Meanwhile, Democrat operatives now think Andrew 'Evil Eyes' Cuomo will challenge Paterson in next year's primary.

Paterson, making friends fast, says Princess Caroline turned nasty on him.

Much of the issue was "about respect," said one guest.

Paterson said that Kennedy had called him to say she was having second thoughts and "he asked her to wait a day and he thought she had agreed," another attendee recalled.

Then, he said, he couldn't get her on the phone for hours.

"He was absolutely frustrated that he couldn't reach her," the guest said of how Paterson described the scene. "He thought maybe she was sick. He felt she was being nasty to him, that she showed great disrespect."

Gateway Pundit links. Thanks!

Princess Caroline's Personal Issues? How About Tax, Nanny and Marital Problems

Now a source close to David Paterson claims he never had any intention of appointing here becasue of myriad problems.

In a stunning revelation, a source close to Gov. David Paterson insisted this afternoon that the governor "had no intention" of picking Caroline Kennedy for New York's vacant senate seat - because she was "mired" in an issue over taxes, her nanny and possibly her marriage.

Kennedy was "mired in some potentially embarrassing personal issues," the source said, citing tax liabilities and worker compensation liabilities connected to the employment of a nanny.

The source also said the state of her marriage may have presented a problem as well.

"She has a tax problem that came up in the vetting and a potential nanny issue," the soruce said. "And reporters are starting to look at her marriage more closely," the soruce continued, refusing to provide any specifics.

Gossip columns have reported for more than a year that Kennedy's marriage to Ed Schlossberg is essentially over, and the gossip site Gawker.com has reported rumors that she's been linked to New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger.

Kennedy denied any issue over her marriage in an interview with The Post last month. Aides to Kennedy and a Times spokesperson couldn't immediately be reached.

Tax problems? Seems a lot of Democrats have those nowadays.

No small irony she was the one who recommended Tim Geithner.

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.

'It's Clear David is Just Trying to Play Mind Games With the Press'

The fix is in. Raise your hand if you're even mildly surprised.

DESPITE claims that he's still undecided, Gov. Paterson is "certain" to pick Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the US Senate, several unhappy contenders for the job have told friends and associates in recent days.

The contenders based their conclusion on the view that Paterson, after nearly two months of indecision, would "greatly embarrass" and "entirely humiliate" Kennedy, anger her prominent political family and even offend President-elect Barack Obama by picking someone other than President John F. Kennedy's daughter.

As for the governor's claim to be weighing a last-minute finalist, the contenders agree with a close Paterson friend who said, "It's clear David is just trying to play mind games with the press."

Some of the contenders warned, however, that the unelected Paterson, who must face the voters next year, could face a serious backlash from Democratic activists by choosing Kennedy, whose standing with the public, and with Democrats in particular, has been sliding in recent weeks.

US Rep. Carolyn Maloney of Manhattan, a would-be Clinton replacement who is backed by several women's organizations, was the most publicly adamant in saying the fix was in, citing a scenario - first outlined in last week's Village Voice - under which Paterson, in a deal with Mayor Bloomberg, a Kennedy friend, selects Kennedy in exchange for help for his own election bid next year.

Another potential candidate told The Post that he was convinced that Kennedy would get the job because Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, - who polls show is the public's favorite to succeed Clinton - failed to line up the right replacement at the AG's office.

"Andrew just couldn't assure the governor that he could arrange for [Assembly Speaker Sheldon] Silver to provide an acceptable successor," said the contender.

A third potential candidate claimed that Paterson's repeated contention - told to the media in private - that there is no front-runner is "baloney."

"It's been a done deal from the start," said the would-be candidate.

"David goes with Caroline with the understanding that Caroline, and her family and its resources, go with David next year. This stuff with Paterson saying he's looking at other people is a crock," the source continued.

Princess Would Topple King

You want to know what bad shape Republicans are in in the state of New York? Well, just 42% of respondents believe Caroline Kennedy is qualified to serve in the Senate, but she'd still hammer Republican Congressman Peter King in 2010.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of New York voters finds Kennedy would attract 51% of the vote in a match-up with Republican Peter King, a longtime congressman form Long Island. King, who has made his interest in such a race clear, earns 33% of the vote at this time. Nine percent (9%) say they would vote for a third-party candidate, and seven percent (7%) are not sure.

Still, there are hints of potential vulnerability for the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, who is the leading candidate to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

Just 42% believe she is qualified to serve in the Senate, and only nine percent (9%) believe she would do a better job than Clinton. Thirty-four percent (34%) believe she would not do as well as her predecessor, who has been nominated by President-elect Obama to serve as secretary of State.

Less than half the voters believe she's qualified yet she still crushes the Republican with the best name recognition.

Great.

'Shock' Poll: Cuomo Crushing Princess Caroline

The headline says it's a shock, but is it really? As repulsive as I find Andrew 'Evil Eyes' Cuomo, he at least has official government experience as HUD Secretary and currently as New York's Attorney General.

Kennedy, you know, has, you know, zero experience.

Caroline Kennedy appears to be losing momentum in her bid for Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate seat.

A new survey conducted by Public Policy Polling shows 58 percent of voters would prefer to see Gov. David Paterson appoint state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to the seat.

That's compared to Kennedy's 27 percent.

Among Democratic voters, Cuomo leads by about 20 points. That's about the same lead Kennedy enjoyed just a month earlier.

This revelation seems to fly in the face of various reports that have surfaced since the calendar turned to 2009. Sources close to Gov. Paterson have said repeatedly that Kennedy is close to being named as Clinton's successor.

Paterson has said the search is ongoing, but on New Year's Day he cautioned everyone vying for the position by saying whoever is chosen to replace Clinton will have to earn re-election in 2010 on his or her own merits.

Um, Paterson, You Know, Will Likely Appoint The Princess, You Know: 'It Ain't Nothin' Till I Calls It'

Well, Paterson's boss, Shelly Silver, has already endorsed her, so it's in the bag. All we now need is the date of coronation.

Officials say the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy will be the governor's choice to fill the New York Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Two people close to Gov. David Paterson tell The Associated Press they believe Caroline Kennedy will be his choice, but the governor cautions he's still looking.

The New York Times reports that during a New Year's Day open house at the executive mansion, Paterson said "It ain't nothin' till I calls it." The quote recalls a statement once made by legendary baseball umpire Bill Klem.

Meantime, despite early reservations, New York state's most powerful legislative leader tells the New York Post he'll support Kennedy. State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he'll work for her election.

This dog-and-pony show will only have Kennedy fill the seat for two years before a special election in 2010 that will also fill it for two more before the regularly scheduled election fdor that seat in 2012. I wonder if, you know, The Princess is up to actually lowering herself to run against some commoner in those two years?

Typical New Yorker Owns $50 Million Martha's Vineyard Estate

Naturally, for someone from a party that bleats endlessly about "affordable housing," she lives large on a $50 million estate re-zoned so the little people have no chance of living near her.

Forget Chappaqua.

This amazing Martha's Vineyard spread will be the next home-away-from-the-Beltway for New York's junior senator if Caroline Kennedy is tapped to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The 366-acre estate - worth at least $50 million - just underwent a major renovation and rezoning that will keep it the exclusive province of Kennedy, 51.

It's also the spot where she got her first call to public service, six years before she launched her campaign for Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat.

In 2002, her houseguest, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, reportedly floated the idea of her coming on board the city's Department of Education as a fund-raiser.

Kennedy and her advocates have been relentlessly touting that two-year stint as qualifying her to be senator.

If Kennedy succesfully manages to finagle her way into a Senate seat despite having zero qualifications, she'll likely be the wealthiest U.S. senator.

If Kennedy were to be appointed to the Senate, her fortune would plant her firmly in the top five wealthiest members. Despite common perceptions of the Republicans being the party of wealth, the five richest senators are all Dems: John Kerry ($336.2M), Herb Kohl ($241.5M), Ted Kennedy ($103.6M), Jay Rockefeller ($93.7M) and Mark Warner ($90.9M).

A little dubious putting John Heinz Kerry on that list considering he married into the Heinz fortune. But even Kennedy's wealth surpasses that.

By all accounts a very wealthy woman who could be worth as much as $400 million, Kennedy has said she will not release details of her finances unless Democratic Gov. David Paterson picks her for the Senate seat that will open up if Clinton is confirmed as secretary of state.

Gee, I wonder how that common perception of Republicans all being rich came about?

Princess Caroline Takes a Beating

Having been safely ensconced on Fifth Avenue all these years, I wonder if she's ever been to Utica, Syracuse and Rochester before and mingled with the little people?

Well, apparently the locals aren't so enthused about this lame "listening tour," ripped straight from the carpetbagger pages of Her Thighness, Queen Hillary of Rodham.

Caroline Kennedy took a page from Hillary Clinton's playbook and began an upstate listening tour On Wednesday.

The road trip included stops in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo to help convince Gov. David Paterson and voters she's the one to replace Clinton in the U.S. Senate.

But it was a tough crowd.

The black SUV pulled up to Syracuse city hall Wednesday morning. It was stop one on Kennedy's upstate tour.

But after meeting with Mayor Matt Driscoll, she ran into a buzz saw -- angry reporters who wanted her to do more talking and less listening.

"But you've never held public office so what experience [do you have]?" one reporter asked.

Actually, she did speak briefly in Syracuse.

"I wanted to come upstate and meet with Mayor Driscoll and others to tell them about my experience and also learn more about how Washington can help these communities," Kennedy said.

Her quick remarks fell flat. Reporters seemed to feel brushed off and they pursued her out.

Don't they feel satisfied just to be in the presence of royalty? How dare they question the Princess? And by the way, why is she now called Mrs. Kennedy? What happened to her last name (it's Schlossberg, by the way)?

Not for nothing, but Mrs. Clinton didn't do diddly squat for Central and Western New York, which long preceded the nation into recession. You can also bet the fresh 137 taxes Governor Paterson is about to impose won't do much of anything for those regions other than drive more residents out of state.

Update: Mrs. Schlossberg's listening tour took her to Harlem today where she broke bread with racial arsonist/Democrat kingmaker Al Sharpton. I have a hunch she was the one doing the listening.

'I Don't Know What Caroline Kennedy's Qualifications Are'

Neither do I. Except for the fact she's got the Kennedy name. But that's all it takes with Democrats, right?

Apparently not. My guess is Gary Ackerman, being from Queens, is probably a Cuomo guy.

A prominent New York Democratic congressman publicly questioned Caroline Kennedy's credentials to replace Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, saying she's no more qualified to hold office than Jennifer Lopez.

Rep. Gary Ackerman of Queens, a 25-year veteran of Congress, declared in a radio interview: "I don't know what Caroline Kennedy's qualifications are."

"Except that she has name recognition, but so does J.Lo," Ackerman continued on Steve Malzberg's radio show on WOR. "I wouldn't make J.Lo the senator unless she proved she had great qualifications, but we haven't seen them yet."

Well, according to popular lore, she's got a nice ass. Doesn't that count for something? Oh, and she can sing and act a little bit.

On second thought, she is more qualified than Kennedy.

Ackerman's interview was posted on the Web by Malzberg yesterday after being broadcast Monday.

Ackerman is the first prominent New York Democrat to question Kennedy's credentials at a time when Gov. Paterson is considering John F. Kennedy's daughter as one of a dozen potential replacements for Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama's choice for secretary of state.

Some Democratic activists have publicly questioned the fitness of Kennedy, a lawyer and mother of three who has never sought public office, for the Senate. But no prominent elected Democrat had been willing to take on a member of the powerful Kennedy clan until now.

Michael Moore Advises Obama on VP Selection

Really, you can't quantify such idiocy.

The Democrat Party's 800-pound gorilla comes up with this political masterstroke. Actually pushing forth a candidate with less experience than Barack Obama, though she likely is far more savvy that the neophyte street activist from Chicago.

What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we've known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all.

That person, Caroline, is you.

I cannot think of a more winning ticket than one that reads: "OBAMA-KENNEDY."

Caroline, I know that nominating yourself is the furthest idea from your mind and not consistent with who you are, but there would be some poetic justice to such an action. Just think, eight years after the last head of a vice presidential search team looked far and wide for a VP -- and then picked himself (a move topped only by his hubris to then lead the country to near ruin while in office) -- along comes Caroline Kennedy to return the favor with far different results, a vice president who helps restore America to its goodness and greatness.

Such sage advice. I'm sure Obama will run with it.

Building Bridges Rather Than Driving Off Them: Fat Drunk From Taxachusetts Endorses Barry O

Just watch it, Barack. Between The Swimmer and the Clintons, there's a long trail of, um, accidents, so make sure the Secret Service is on full alert.

Two generations of Kennedys—the Democratic Party's best known political family—endorsed Barack Obama for president on Monday, with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy calling him a "man with extraordinary gifts of leadership and character," a worthy heir to his assassinated brother.

"I feel change in the air. What about you?" Kennedy said in a speech salted with scarcely veiled criticism of Obama's chief rival for the nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as her husband, the former president.

Kennedy's endorsement was ardently sought by all three of the remaining presidential contenders, and he delivered it at a pivotal time in the race. A liberal lion in his fifth decade in the Senate, the Massachusetts senator is in a position to help Obama court Hispanic voters as well as rank-and-file members of labor unions, two key elements of the Democratic Party.

He is expected to campaign actively for Obama in the eight days leading up to next Tuesday's delegate-rich primaries and caucuses across 24 states, beginning later this week in Arizona, New Mexico and California.

The senator made his comments at a crowded campaign rally at American University that took on the appearances of a Kennedy family embrace of Obama.

He was introduced by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late president, who said Obama "offers that same sense of hope and inspiration" as did her father. Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, son of the senator, also offered his support.

In is own remarks, Kennedy sought one by one to rebut many of the arguments leveled by Obama's critics.

"From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq. And let no one deny that truth," he said, an obvious reference to former President Clinton's statement that Obama's early anti-war stance was a "fairy tale."

"With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion.

"With Barack Obama we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay," Kennedy said.

So the Democrats are going to stop pitting the race against race? Sure.

They'll stop playing the gender card? Sure.

They're stop using gays as mascots to bash people with? Sure.

Oh, that's just for Democrats?

You can bet every nickel you have Kennedy will just lie with impunity and misrepresent everything the GOP says.

And naturally, the media will let him get away with it.

It will be most curious to see the next card the increasingly desperate Clintons now play.

Next to the Kennedys, getting the endorsement of Janet Reno isn't exactly a big deal.

UPDATE: Suitably Flip and Gateway Pundit link. Thanks!

UPDATE II: You've got to be kidding me. Via Hot Air.