Michael Myers, an aide for Ted Kennedy, has been the spokesman for the both Ted and Caroline Kennedy with the labor unions. This is largely so that Ted Kennedy doesn't appear to be pressuring union leaders on behalf of Caroline. No one is more respected by the unions than Ted Kennedy, so it goes without saying that Myers requests carry a lot of weight.
Maloney and Cuomo both have loyal support, but we see how Applebaum was asked to keep his opinion under wraps earlier in the week by the Clinton camp. In addition, Applebaum's office received calls from Ted Kennedy's office wanting to know why he was making these statements about Caroline's experience. Applebaum, a union leader himself, took this as a "message". All in all, Obama and Ted Kennedy have made it well-known the way Gov. Paterson's decision will go.
What we have is a series of experienced contenders for Hillary's senate seat who have been out-foxed in their desires to openly campaign for the Clinton seat. Andrew Cuomo deliberately did not campaign for the seat believing that it would be in poor judgment to use his family name in doing so. Cuomo has worked hard over the years for New York residents having been at odds with the Democratic party numerous times. Cuomo has over the last few years worked his way back into their good grace. Cuomo feels very frustrated not having received any signals from Paterson whether the Gov. wished open campaining for the seat or not. The fact that he is the unfriendly "ex" of Kerry Kennedy doesn't help either.
Several other would-be contenders like Carolyn Maloney are in the same predicament. As Caroline Kennedy campaigned in upper New York this week, we can imagine the frustration Cuomo and others felt. The fix was in long ago.
Source: The New York Times:
