Mayor Bloomberg and the Quinn 29 wanted us to believe their experience was needed during a time of crisis. Their three terms were for our own good. Now, the political spin doctors lobbying for Caroline Kennedy want us to believe politicians don't need experience to be successful. So, which is it? Cause it can't be both.

For the first time today, Governor Paterson spoke publicly about Caroline Kennedy's strengths and weaknesses as a successor to Senator Hillary Clinton. Paterson cited her close ties to President-elect Barack Obama as a plus, and her lack of legislative experience as a minus.

He didn't say Kennedy was the front-runner. Instead, Paterson said the media created that perception. What do you say?

Do you agree with Governor Paterson about the possible pros and cons of appointing Caroline Kennedy? After a series of recent interviews, did your opinion of Kennedy change? Who is your leading candidate for the seat?

Send us your thoughts using the link above.

I THINK THAT CAROLINE KENNEDY WILL MAKE A GREAT JUNIOR SENATOR FOR NEW YORK STATE. SHE MAY NOT HAVE GOOD SPEAKING QUALITIES, BUT PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH DIDN'T EITHER. WHAT MS. KENNEDY HAS, WHICH TO ME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW YOU SPEAK, IS HER AMBITION TO HELP NEW YORKERS. ANDREW CUOMO IS OKAY, BUT I DIDN'T CARE FOR HIS FATHER AS GOVERNOR. GOVERNOR PATERSON HAS A RIGHT TO CRITIQUE ANYONE, BUT I THINK HE SHOULD THINK BEFORE HE SPEAKS. CAROLINE KENNEDY IS MY PICK FOR JUNIOR SENATOR FOR NEW YORK STATE.

RALPH,
BAYRIDGE BROOKLYN

Paterson wasn't supposed to be governor,he will not be governor after this term ends.

Larry
Far Rockaway

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANDREW CUOMO BE THE NEXT APPOINTED SENATOR. HE DOES A FINE JOB AS ATTORNEY GENERAL. HE SEEMS TO OPERATE WELL WITH THIS GOVERNOR AND OPERATES WELL WITH ANOTHER FORMER GOVERNOR, HIS DAD. IN MY OPINION, THAT IS EXPERIENCE WAITING TO BE TAPPED.

JOE
BAY TERRACE

I am in complete agreement with the Governor. The interview on NY 1 changed my opinion of her. The excessive use of "you know" was a turn-off. I thought I was listening to a college basketball player. I guess Cuomo would be the better choice, but I sort of like the job he is doing as the AG.

TOM
JACKSON HGTS

Hi John,

There are many things going on behind the scenes. In the beginning I thought it was returning a favor to Obama and now I think since Carrion's name has resurfaced this looks like Bloomberg getting rid of someone that could very well be a threat to him. So now Paterson can start to make his little remarks about Kennedy. I think she is not the right person at all, I never did, she looks lost. A lot of things going on in the back round.

Maxxiee
MP

The simple truth is that if Caroline Kennedy's last name weren't "Kennedy," no one would be talking about her as a serious contender for the appointment, and no amount of testimonials or politicking behind the scenes by Mayor Bloomberg's operatives or Kennedy partisans can change that.

As to the interviews Caroline Kennedy did, and their effect on me, I was a little, you know, skeptical before she did them and now, you know, I think she came off like an idiot.

As to other candidates, I could see Andrew Cuomo, or even Mario Cuomo as more viable, in terms of what they would bring to the job -- or even Governor Paterson's own father Basil Paterson, who is an experienced legislator and would bring some courtliness and dignity to the post, whether he kept it for only two years or decided to hold on to it in the 2010 election.

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

I really don't see Caroline Kennedy lack of legislative experience as that big a deficit or deal, for experience as we all know are acquired over time. Like others before her, Caroline Kennedy's desire to learn and serve may in future help her tower over her other predecessors. After all, a journeys of one thousand miles always start with a very important single step? My humble opinion is that Caroline will be just fine. And I support her as next New York Senator.

George
LeFrak

I would be happy with either Cuomo or Kennedy...Maloney is really an idiot and if it wasn't for the fact that she has smart people around she would never get elected to anything. The rest to me are a mixed bag.

Rich
Midtown East

Well Caroline Kennedy was better known before Hillary Clinton because her father was a handsome president, and she had a beautiful mother, she can even be governor for that matter. I feel she is capable of doing a good job, she has exposure in the political and legal arena, and she worked pro bono like Mayor Bloomberg. Caroline has credentials to become our New York State Senator.

Anna
Kips Bay.

I think not, John!

From what I hear about her, she has no qualifications to take on the Senate seat running -- and after hearing last night's show about the "perilous" State of the State, New York needs someone who is experienced, has been vetted, and knows how New York politics works. We deserve a senator who can really fight for ALL of us and has a better grasp on the situations we are facing.

My pick would be Andrew Cuomo. He's been in politics for a while. He's worked for us in various positions and I think he has what it takes to help all of us. If Mrs. Schlosberg (funny, ever since she backed Obama, we never hear her being referred by her married name!) really wants a political position, let her start like many and run for something like City Council in November. You gotta work your way up to Senator and no, I did not support Hillary Clinton's push for the senate when she won since she wasn't a "real" New Yorker and strings had to be pulled in order for her to be in the running. But Mrs. Clinton was still more qualified than Caroline.

Dina and Ed of Throggs Neck.

John,

Caroline Kennedy is not qualified to be Senator. She has no experience and no knowledge of what it takes to be a Senator. That's not to say there have been no other equally incompetent candidates elected. But why knowingly put an incompetent in the office?

This is not a position for on-the-job-training. Besides all she would be is a shill for Mayor Bloomberg with the mission of looting money from taxpayers across the nation to benefit NYC. If her last name wasn't Kennedy, this would not be a topic on The Call. I'm for Tom Suozzi.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

y'know I feel andrew cuomo y'know is the candidate who's earned it y'know I also think our guv will pick him in order to eliminate him as an opponent for the gubenatoral race but I have no problem with Caroline challenging him in the primary. y'know. (its like blinking the more you dwell on it the more often yu blink,y'know).

John
Kissena Park

WHY DON’T WE CROWN HER QUEEN??????? WHO NEEDS A REPUBLIC????

DW
QUEENS

John,

Everyone has good points and bad points. Caroline has not ever been in the limelight or in politics. I never had any experience with a union and I was elected as a union official and beat an incumbent for a union representing 6,000 members in NJ. Give Caroline a shot. She may be even better than Hillary.

Jeanne
Flushing, NY

How come Christine QuinnofScotts isn't groveling for the seat? or what about his lordship? Maybe the best choice would be Tom Suozzi for New York Senator. And a stepping stone for Suozzi, I also could see Tom Suozzi a leading Democratic Candidate for The Presidency in eight years

Jake
Upper WestSide

YES, CAROLINE KENNEDY WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE THE FRONT RUNNER. THE VOLUME HAS REALLY BEEN TURNED UP BECAUSE OF HER ROYAL BREEDING. THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE REASONED DISCOURSE IF IT WERE ONLY ABOUT THE OTHER CANDIDATES. UNFORTUNATELY, POLITICS HAS BECOME A REALITY SHOW AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO CARE IF SHE IS PICKED OR NOT. UNFORTUNATE AS WELL, FOR THE OTHER SEEMINGLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. IF CAROLINE KENNEDY WAS THE REAL DEAL, SHE WOULD TRADE IN THIS "OPPORTUNITY" FOR THE NEXT SENATORIAL RACE, THEN JUMP IN. AH, BUT THAT WOULD BE TOO FAIR.

JACK
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS

Governor Paterson badly underestimates the political backlash and fierce anger he will provoke if he patronizes us by appointing a person who is the total embodiment of elitism and privilege, Caroline Kennedy to the senate. Let's not forget that Caroline is also the heir to a family whose legacy includes being a prime beneficiary of the racist malfunction of American criminal justice, in the Chappaquiddick incident involving her senate sponsor, Uncle Teddy.

Once upon a time, there was a State Senator from Harlem named David Paterson who cared about the displacement of long-time residents of color from their homes by gentrification, the still un-reformed Rockefeller drug laws and spoke truth to power on behalf of ordinary people of all backgrounds. David, come home, please - before it is too late!

Charles in Canarsie

She's no orator, but I do not believe she should not be disqualified because of her name. I feel she should get an even chance. I like the fact that she comes from a family that believes in SERVICE.... Also, how many Presidents, Governors, Senators, Congressman had experience before they took office

Cherry

My question for you today is What about Al Sharpton to replace Hilary Clinton in the Senate seat?

Nequan from Bedford Stuyvesant

Selecting Kennedy because of her name is not democratic. It is aristocratic. why are we promoting democracy for the other countries and we are going toward aristocracy? You asked one of your talker if he had someone in mind, I do, Krigman whose knowledge is badly needed in this time in this world in crisis.

M.Y. Saaed