The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Don Heupel The Associated Press In this Dec. 17, 2008 file photo, Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, listens to a reporter's question during a news conference at City Hall in Buffalo, N.Y. In a statement released early Thursday, Jan. 22 Kennedy says she told Gov. David Paterson that she is abandoning her attempt to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton for personal reasons.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Caroline Kennedy withdrew her Senate bid because of a personal matter unrelated to her ill uncle, rejecting the governor's attempt to get her to reconsider, a person who worked closely with her said Thursday.

Kennedy discussed withdrawing from the race with Gov. David Paterson on Wednesday, and Paterson asked her to reconsider for 24 hours, the person said.

But by 11 p.m. Wednesday, the associate said, Kennedy decided she couldn't take the job if appointed, and she issued a statement shortly after midnight saying she was withdrawing.

Kennedy did not decide to bow out because her uncle, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, suffered a seizure during an inaugural luncheon Tuesday, the person said. The 76-year-old Massachusetts senator was diagnosed in May with an aggressive type of brain tumor.

The person wasn't authorized to disclose the conversation between Kennedy and the governor and spoke on condition of anonymity. The person would give no other details about the personal matter.

Kennedy's one-sentence statement ended hours of uncertainty as she appeared to waver.

"I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate."

There was no comment from Paterson.

Kennedy, the 51-year-old daughter of President John Kennedy, emerged as a front-runner to replace Clinton. But there were questions about her experience and her reluctance to answer questions about her finances.

The seat was once held by Caroline Kennedy's slain uncle, Bobby Kennedy, and her initial announcement that she wanted to be considered was met with both excitement from supporters and skepticism from those who maintained that she was simply trading on her famous name to get into public office.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools