A powerful labor leader with strong ties to Sen. Hillary Clinton yesterday joined the growing ranks of Democrats bashing Caroline Kennedy as a possible successor to the former first lady in the US Senate. "Caroline Kennedy, although I'm sure a fascinating and engaging person, simply doesn't have the experience or Washington know-how to get it done for New York," said Stuart Applebaum, president of the 100,000- member Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.
Applebaum, former chief house counsel to the Democratic National Committee and a Clinton delegate at the Democratic National Convention, blasted Kennedy for having failed to speak out against George W. Bush's policies during the Republican president's two terms.