As you know if you follow this Blog, I don’t believe political experience is a virtue. In most cases it seems exactly the opposite, the more experience the less common sense the politician seems to have. But in the case of Caroline Kennedy and the open NY Senate seat experience does matter and here’s why.
It is an appointment outside of the normal voting process. She believes that she is entitled because her family has been involved in politics for years. They have also been boot legers so I guess she would be a good appointment for Chairman of the ATF committee but I digress.
If she were making her case to the voters rather than the inside NY political machine her experience would be on display for the voters to decide. In that case I would say experience or lack thereof would be for the voters to consider and make their choice. As a matter of fact, I believe whenever there is an open Federal seat there should be an election by the people of that State or district.
Governor appointments are political calculations with a complete disregard for the citizens those appointments impact. Costly yes, but what is the cost of a true representative democracy worth?
So in the case of the NY Senate appointment it is safe to say it will be a democrat that fills the seat. Elections do have consequences after all. But if I were Governor I would offer up a couple of strong democrat and republican candidates and poll the voters of NY as to their preference. It will at least have the appearance of some sense of democracy although very flawed. How about someone that has a background in running the finances of a private for profit business? Agahst the thought of real experience not political hackdom!
The appointment process is an extremely flawed process when it is for seats that are normally filled by elections. The one caveat I would add to the State constitution is the clause; if you obtain a Federal senate or house seat through the appointment process, you are not eligible to run for that seat in the election for that seat for a minimum of two terms. That would keep the real political hacks on the sidelines and we may just end up with some competent people in congress by accident. Just a thought…
True knowledge of American history is necessary to insure the future of the America we love… This is an important time in our country's history. We must be wise and measured as we choose our leaders going forward.
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