Potential Illinois Governor Floats Chris Kennedy For Barack Obama's Seat

By now everyone has heard that Caroline Kennedy is under consideration by New York Governor David Paterson for the New York Senate seat being vacated by Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton. According to Chicago Sun-Times Columnist Michael Sneed, yet another member of the Kennedy clan may join family patriarch Ted Kennedy in the next Senate.

Sneed, coyly referring to herself in the third person, wrote, "To wit: Sneed hears [Chris] Kennedy's name has been wafted into the inner circle of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who would be the guy who chooses Obama's replacement if Gov. Blagojevich resigns."

Chris Kennedy, President of commercial property realtor Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., is the son of former Attorney General and New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of current Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy.

Why the Kennedy double play?Of Paterson's selection process, MSNBC political analyst Lawrence O'Donnell wrote, "The worst thing the governor could do is appoint an obscure member of Congress who promptly loses the seat to the opposing party--exactly what happened the last time a New York governor appointed a senator." If it makes sense in New York, where the possible selection of Caroline Kennedy polls well, it makes sense in Illinois. Very likely the Democrats believe the only way to make sure that the selections they make to succeed Obama and Clinton don't crash and burn is to send in a deeply entrenched name brand.