Caroline Kennedy a Controversial Choice for New York Senate

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of former president John F. Kennedy, is lobbying to fill the New York Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton, who’s leaving to become Obama’s Secretary of State. This has raised quite a few eyebrows by those who argue that Kennedy’s role as a high-dollar fundraiser doesn’t qualify her to be senator, and that she’s only being considered because of the legacy of her name.
As CBS News reports, Kennedy does have experience working with the New York City Public Schools. Some feel that her work there is exemplary enough to qualify her for public office, while others do not. As a fundraiser and goodwill ambassador for the New York City Public Schools, Kennedy raised about $200 million between 2002 and 2004. As the school system’s chancellor wrote in a New York Times op ed, “Caroline took over an office that previously oversaw donations to PTAs and alumni associations and recreated it around a model of a public-private partnership.”
On the other hand, Kennedy wasn’t involved in hands-on legislative decisions involving the schools. She also took few public policy positions on education, so it’s hard to know where she stands the issue that’s been the focus of most of her political involvement. What do you think?
Caroline’s own educational background includes a degree from Radcliffe College and a law degree from Columbia Law School.