Caroline Kennedy to Seek Hillary's Senate Seat

The speculation has run rampant but today it looks like it's official: Caroline Kennedy will go after the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Hillary Clinton. The New York Times reports Kennedy will ask New York governor David Paterson to consider appointing her to the position once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

Ms. Kennedy's decision is likely to have a major impact on the governor's considerations as he mulls who should succeed Mrs. Clinton.

Already, some other Democrats have pointedly questioned her credentials for the job. United States Representative Gary Ackerman, a Queens Democrat, said last week that he did not know what Ms. Kennedy's qualifications were, "except that she has name recognition - but so does J. Lo."

J. Lo was apparently unavailable to comment. Maybe she's mulling her own run for office.

Among Kennedy's boosters are NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg and, not too surprisingly, her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Hillary won't give up the seat unless and until she's confirmed as secretary of state, which might not happen until February.