Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research

TOPIC #1)  KENNEDY EDUCATION RECORD AT ISSUE

Joel Klein says Caroline Kennedy’s education experience has prepared her for the big leagues of the U.S. Senate and describes her as a highly focused, efficient and hands-on fundraiser who helped rake in more than $200 million in private-sector contributions for city schools. But several people who worked with Kennedy during her department service take a markedly less grandiose view of her accomplishments.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16803.html

The only thing Kennedy has experience doing is raising money for NYC schools.  That may make her an excellent fundraiser, allowing her to build a war-chest of tens-of-millions of dollars, but it certainly doesn’t prepare her for the US Senate.

I’m really surprised that the message isn’t framed better here.  The message her camp and other supporters should be concentrating on is that she is an outsider with insider connections.  Appointing her to this seat would be the very definition of change.  New York would be putting a savvy, smart and strong woman who commands respect by her very name to take their problems to DC and get results.  I would imagine that after the mess with the Illinois appointment, the Obama messaging gurus are staying far away from this.

One article says that she brought “star power” to the NYC School System.  They used this “star power” to raise more money.  Make no mistake, Caroline Kennedy will only be bringing “star power” to Capitol Hill.  Trying to sell her limited role in NYC schools is a stretch.  Appoint a star or appoint someone else that has real experience.

The people of NY need to know that appointing a “star” has its advantages and disadvantages.  I think the issue of her only averaging approximately 3 hours in the office a day may be a glimpse of her overall work ethic.  The question should be, at this point, if she is appointed – will she commit fully?

Furthermore, will she be ready to make the tough decisions?  Everything coming out of her camp has been very “middle of the road.”  Can we expect her to be a whisper instead of a yell in DC?  It’s hard to be effective in the Senate without being capable of rocking the boat every once in a while.  She has given us nothing to judge her by that indicates that she will be a “take charge” type of Senator.  So, I ask again, do New Yorkers want a star or someone who has more experience?

TOPIC #2 ARE DEMOCRATS THE NEW ETHICS STORY? IS BLAGOJEVICH IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122964897338520479.html

The Democrats have some serious problems that aren’t going to go away soon.  Blagojevich is just the one that’s making headlines now, there are probably about a dozen more Congressmen – many who were re-elected last month – who have to answer for some unethical, and perhaps even illegal actions.

One thought here – you get what you sow.  When Democrats took the majority in 2006, they did so because Republicans were facing significant sandals.  In 1994, when Republicans took Congress they did so because the Democrats were facing scandals, too.  Both parties promised to reform Washington – Republicans in 1994 and Democrats in 2006.  Both parties blamed lobbyists for the problem and passed law after law until lobbyists were so far removed from the process that many question their effectiveness now.  The problem now is that the problems are still present, but the lobbyists and lobbying loop-holes are no longer there to take the fall.  We have finally stripped away the layers to find the true root of the problem – greed.

The earmarking process is still the catalyst for corruption on Capitol Hill, and in this game of hot potato, Democrats have been caught with the spud.  The news stories about on-going investigations will not disappear in the near future.  I think you will see Obama distance himself from the machine on Capitol Hill.  Likewise, I think you will see Speaker Pelosi and other leadership make some tough decisions, hanging a few rotten eggs out to dry.

No matter what Obama and Pelosi do, we may see trials, investigations and embarrassing revelations come out about a number of Democrats, softening their stronghold going into mid-term elections.  One thing is certain – the Republicans have not forgotten how they were treated and will work to keep these stories in the news.