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New era for Kennedy dynasty
Paul Thompson in Miami16 Dec 2008
THE sole surviving child of John F Kennedy is to continue the family's political dynasty by launching a bid for the Senate.
Caroline Kennedy, 51, hopes to secure Hillary Clinton's vacant seat for New York.
If selected by the state governor, the Kennedy who had always stayed outside politics until now, will continue the family legacy that began almost 60 years ago with her father's election to the Senate.
Her uncle Edward is the second most senior member of the Senate. Another uncle, Robert, served as New York's junior senator from 1965 until he was assassinated in 1968.
Ms Kennedy, who was an early supporter of Barack Obama, is among 12 people interested in the seat made vacant when president-elect Barack Obama chose Mrs Clinton as his secretary of state.
The mother of two and long-time New York city resident, has hired a political lobbying firm and is said to be "reaching out" to prominent leaders in New York to secure their support.
Civil rights leader, the Reverend Al Sharpton, said he had already received a call from Ms Kennedy indicating that she was ready to enter politics.
One person she can count on for support is Mr Obama. She made a high-profile endorsement of him during the primary battle with Mrs Clinton and was rewarded when she joined his team to select a vice-president.
After his election victory it was rumoured that he would appoint her as American ambassador to the UK.
New York governor David Patterson has the sole discretion to make the appointment. If selected, Ms Kennedy would serve out the two remaining years of Mrs Clinton's term then face re-election.
Before backing Mr Obama, Ms Kennedy had limited her political forays to writing books on civil liberties and serving as the guardian of her father's legacy.
After graduating from Harvard, she met her husband Edwin Schlossberg while working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her most prominent public roles involved overseeing her father's presidential library.
Her father was assassinated in 1963 when she was six. Earlier this year singer Neil Diamond revealed his best-selling hit Sweet Caroline was inspired by her after he saw her photograph following the death of her father. Other possible contenders for the New York seat include Andrew Cuomo, New York's attorney general and son of former New York governor Mario Cuomo.
Ms Kennedy's appointment would keep the Kennedy name at the forefront of politics. Her 76-year-old uncle Edward has brain cancer and is expected to step down from the Senate next year.
