Kennedy stumbles in Senate bid

Caroline Kennedy's foray into politics has been anything but smooth -- initially avoiding the media, and then admitting that she has rarely voted

In American politics, the Kennedy name is like royalty.

But despite having a father who was President and two uncles who served as Senator, Caroline Kennedy's foray into politics has been anything but smooth -- initially avoiding the media, and then admitting that she has rarely voted or raised money for Democratic candidates in her home state of New York.

More recently she gave answers to questions in an interview with the influential New York Times that the paper described as "elusive."

The Brookings Institution's Stephen Hess.

SOUNDBITE: The Brookings Institution's Stephen Hess, saying (English):

"If she can't take it, clearly she shouldn't be running. So it's a good thing in a way that she has a month to campaign for this job-- and we'll see if she's made of certain stuff."

The 51-year-old Kennedy, who has never run for office, never held a 9 to 5 job, and has never sought the limelight, is hoping to succeed Hillary Clinton as the junior Senator from New York.

But the decision will not rest with voters. Instead, New York Governor David Paterson, will select Clinton's replacement, and he has has appeared annoyed about all the Kennedy speculation.

SOUNDBITE: New York Governor David Paterson saying (English):

"Everyday we could read these quotes, these sources close to this one and that one. And this one is your friend and that one won't be a friend of yours. Sounding more like the prelude to a high school prom then the choosing of the United States Senator."

In fact, campaigning for an appointive position so publicly, is rare. Most campaigning happens behind closed doors. But with her political lineage, Caroline Kennedy is not your run-of-the mill Senate candidate.

And while members of both parties continue to raise questions about her qualifications for the job, Caroline Kennedy only has to convince one person that she's ready and able to be New York's next Senator.

Jon Decker, Reuters.