THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE LET THE CALL GO INTO HIS VOICE MAIL

In an unbelievable example of nepotistic arrogance, Caroline Kennedy has spoken to New York Gov. David Paterson about the Senate seat that will come open when Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

Here are Caroline's qualifications for entering the senate: she is the daughter of JFK, period. And oh yeah, she stumped for Obama with Oprah Winfrey, another close Obama aide unqualified for the position (and someone who just released a press release letting us know she does not want a job in the Obama administration, as if....). If pure nepotism works in place of real experience, how about Jenna Bush, or Chelsea Clinton? This is too ridiculous for words.

Of the other possible names floated for Hillary's Senate seat is another Kennedy, but certainly not Caroline. It is her cousin Robert Kennedy Jr., who supported Clinton in the primaries, going against Caroline and his uncle, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, who both supported Obama. Robert Kennedy reportedly said in January 2007 that he would consider running for Clinton's Senate seat if she were to win the presidency. But this too, is a trip into fantasy land. Now lets look at the one person capable of filling the Senate seat of Hillary Clinton.

New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, has strong ties to the Clintons. He was secretary of housing and urban development for four years under President Bill Clinton before being elected the state attorney general in 2006. Cuomo also has ties to another legendary Democratic family: the Kennedy clan. Cuomo was married to Marry Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, for 13 years until their divorce in 2003. They have three children. Polls show the people of New York overwhelmingly endorse Cuomo to take over the seat in Clinton's absence. Maybe Caroline could go Sarah Palin and make some calls about the ouster of her ex-cousin-in-law. Sometimes politics take some fairly nauseating turns, to be sure. Forget the Clinton's, they don't even compare to the Kennedy clan. Unfortunately, the idea that Caroline Kennedy might be appointed by New York Gov. David Paterson to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate, the same chamber in which her late father -- John F. Kennedy -- served and the same seat her uncle -- Robert Kennedy -- held, is drawing huge amounts of attention. Let's hope it is just a political stunt. The senate is no place to start (and end) your political career. Caroline, ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country, and step aside for serious people. Serious people about to do some very serious work.

SUNDAY UPDATE: HERE WE GO......HERE IS HOW KENNEDY POLITICS WORKS..FROM THE NEW YORK POST

Powerful senator and family patriarch Ted Kennedy has been working back channels to promote niece Caroline as the replacement for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate, family sources told The Post. The elder Kennedy (D-Mass.), who's battling brain cancer, has sent word to Gov. Paterson's office that Caroline Kennedy, 51, has contacts and family connections that would mean legislation affecting New York would receive prompt attention, family sources said. In a nutshell, this is how American politics works.
Ted Kennedy - who forged strong ties with Barack Obama after backing him in the primaries - is the president-elect's closest ally in the Senate. He is also leading the charge on health-care legislation, a pet project of Obama's.
Caroline had been more interested in being ambassador to the United Nations, the source said. But after that position went to Susan Rice last Monday, she called Paterson and the two discussed Clinton's Senate seat, the governor confirmed Friday. A Senate seat as a FALL BACK POSITION...you have to love that.
The governor, who has the job of appointing a replacement for Clinton, has said he won't make any decision for weeks, pending Clinton's confirmation as secretary of state. A Paterson-administration source said that because of Caroline's limited political experience, she is "barely in the game." (Thank God !!)
Yet, the introverted lawyer made a big splash when she stepped onstage with Uncle Teddy and endorsed Obama early this year. "Her name recognition and the power of the Kennedy legacy can't be overlooked," said one Democrat.