Caroline Kennedy will be chosen by New York Governor David Patterson to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.  There are other, more qualified candidates for the appointment, but like her cousin Patrick, Caroline Kennedy will get by on the family name.  The Governor appears to be carefully considering his options, but I really don't see how anyone else can get the seat.  The daughter of John F. Kennedy, and the niece of Robert and Ted Kennedy, not to mention having relatives in other elected offices.  In my opinon, it's a done deal.  I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

     The sad part  is how this process is seen as acceptable.  We have one group who seems to think she is entitled because of her last name, and another group who just shrugs their shoulders because they expect things like this to happen.  The bad news is that she will probably walk right into office.  The good news is that she will have to run for reelection in 2010 to finish Clinton's term, then again in 2012 for her own term.  Hopefully, she will face candidates who make her earn her seat, because at this point, she certainly hasn't eearned anything.