Maureen Dowd had some sea legs when she stepped into work, I guess. It's hard to make much of her latest opinion, that Caroline Kennedy is a good fit for the office of Senator because, essentially, Maureen Dowd knows her.
This is hallmark Maureen Dowd. Maureen Dowd, as a writer, has gotten to know people over the years, and her knowing someone matters more to her than news information that anyone could access and comment on. She has conscientiously staked this out as her position (and if you see the Charlie Rose interview, she elaborates on it), that while other writers talk about facts and stated opinions, she wants to get to know the people behind the news and report on the people as she clearly sees them. Because, isn't that important too? Couldn't it even be a little objective?
Here is the Caroline Kennedy that Maureen Dowd supports:
soft-spoken, having spent a lifetime away from the public spotlight
someone who hasn't played politics to make political gains
a fresh face and new perspective, an infusion of class, intelligence, and guts
smart, cultivated, serious and unpretentious
But, of course, all of these things point to the very reasons that Caroline Kennedy is doubtful as a good pick:
can she handle the public spotlight, which is a politician's responsibility?
can she get things for NY citizens, seeing as how she's never had to try before, as a politician?
how many times has a new person really enacted change? It's just a total gamble whether or not the leftfield pick will be a dud or a miracle worker, or plain mediocre.
aren't there scores of other people: men, women, and minorities, who have devoted their lives to public service, in the public sector, that would also have these traits? (but their last name is not Kennedy?)
Judging Caroline's actions, it seems clear that she wants the easy route to a prized position. No campaigning, no hard work, no gobs of money tied up in a campaign. No risk. Taking risks and respect go hand in hand. We can appreciate what Caroline Kennedy has done, for instance, with public schools, but in New York State, that's not much of a position. And, as a downstater, she's done a terrible job carrying the downstater's burden: charming the upstaters.
And, just to be clear, this has NOTHING to do with her gender. Overall, state and national, there are scads of women who spent their lives, while Caroline stayed safe on the Upper East Side, campaigning, networking, bootstrapping, and politicking. She's got no dirt because she never did anything. If anything, she misrepresents the female politician.
At least Maureen Dowd gets to stand opposite reason, which clears her competition in the op-ed stage. Most people would fear the reputation of their judgement, and we appreciate Maureen for going boldly in the face of it.
I would love an interview with Caroline Kennedy where she would explain her plans to run for the 2012 Senate seat if she does not get picked. If she's so great, maybe she'd like to share herself with the public.
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"aren't there scores of other people: men, women, and minorities, who have devoted their lives to public service, in the public sector, that would also have these traits? (but their last name is not Kennedy?)"
That's my main beef with her. All of her qualifications are easily matched by others, but who don't have the privilege of belonging to the "right" family.
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