The New Hillary

By GAIL COLLINS
NYT

Just before she was confirmed as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton bid adieu to her New York constituents and her eight-year career as a U.S. senator. “I’ve had a lot of fun,” she said in a farewell speech. “Eight state fairs, 45 parades, 62 counties, more than 4,600 events across the state.”

A short list, yet the answer to many questions. Like why, in a state chock-full of distinguished residents, it was so hard to scrounge up Hillary’s replacement.

Caroline Kennedy, who seemed to have pretty much locked up the seat, told Gov. David Paterson this week that she wanted out, citing mysterious personal reasons. New York Democrats were a little resentful, particularly since for most of them there were few reasons — up to and including having been deceased for several weeks — that are grave enough to warrant passing up a free Senate seat.

Respectful of the longstanding state tradition that there is no situation so bad that it can’t be made worse, Paterson’s office followed up by sliming Kennedy.

(More here.)