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Caroline Kennedy

Philanthropist

Why She Matters

Kennedy is one of the country's most recognizable women, yet very little is known about her political views. Her early endorsement of President Barack Obama and frequent appearances with the charismatic young candidate created a compelling subplot to the 2008 campaign - the Camelot parallels were inescapable. And when a New York Senate seat opened up, so too, finally, were Kennedy's political ambitions.

Kennedy surfaced as a potential successor to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) soon after Clinton announced she would resign her Senate seat to serve as Obama's secretary of state. But the day Clinton was confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy informed Empire State Gov. David Paterson (D) that she was withdrawing her name from consideration for the Senate seat.

 

At a Glance

  • Career History: Head, President Barack Obama's Vice Presidential Search Team (June 2008 to Aug. 2008); Fundraiser, New York City Department of Education (2002 to 2004); John F. Kennedy Library Foundation (since 1988)
  • Birthday: Nov. 27, 1957
  • Hometown: New York, N.Y.
  • Alma Mater: Radcliffe College at Harvard University, B.A.; Columbia Law School, J.D.
  • Spouse: Edwin Schlossberg
  • Religion: Catholic
 

Path to Power

Kennedy's 1,000 days living in the White House as a young girl represent a unique chapter in American history, an era that was at once romantic and tragic.

Little Girl in the White House

Born on Nov. 27, 1957, near the end of John Fitzgerald Kennedy's first Senate term, Caroline was a toddler when her father accepted the Democratic presidential nomination in 1960. She rushed to greet him when he returned to Hyannis Port from Los Angeles and was blinded by flashbulbs. The little girl burst into tears.

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The Issues

Kennedy has staked out traditionally liberal positions on most social issues, at least those she has addressed in public.

She is pro-abortion rights and appears to oppose restrictions such as parental notification laws, although she has not directly addressed the issue of late-term abortions.

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The Network

Kennedy's most powerful political connection was her Uncle Ted, who passed away in August 2009 after a battle with brain cancer.

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