The Rev. Al Sharpton took Caroline Kennedy to lunch Thursday at a famed Harlem soul food restaurant as she continued her quest to join her uncle in the U.S. Senate. Kennedy smiled as she and the civil rights activist made their way through a throng of media and into Sylvia's, whose walls are lined with photographs of visiting politicians including the Clintons. "Oooh! Nice place! How're the ribs?"
Think I'll try the corned beef and cabbage.
The what?
"I come at this as a mother, as a lawyer, as an author, as an education advocate and from a family that really has spent generations in public service," Kennedy told reporters after lunch.
"And I thought the chitlin's were marrrrvelous!"
Yo, Al. Who the skinny white chick?
"I feel this commitment, and this is a time when nobody can afford to sit out. And I hope that I have something to offer."
"I had two helpings of the sweet potato pie!"
The late President John F. Kennedy's daughter acknowledged Wednesday she's seeking to be appointed to the Senate seat held by Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has been nominated by President-elect Barack Obama to be secretary of state.
"Oh, and try the collard greens. They're just delish!"
Kennedy was asked what she would need to do to prepare herself for the post, which has attracted the interest of at least a dozen Democratic officials including her former relative by marriage, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. "I have, you know, quite a lot to learn, but I feel like I bring a lot with me, as well," Kennedy said.
"And lemme tell yez about Nehi and gin! Wowzers!
She was also asked why she was plunging into politics now, after spending most of her life carefully cultivating her privacy. "These are issues that I care so much about and I understand that, really, I have been trying to work on them as a private citizen and in the position that I have," she said. "But really, to solve our problems, I think government is the place where people need to come together."
"F'rinstance, I know what it's like to spend an entire meal with Rev. Al trying to feel me up!"
Kennedy's emergence as a contender has generated both buzz and controversy. She comes from a Democratic dynasty but has never held public office, and some Republicans and Democrats have criticized her lack of experience.
Many of them are the same ones who denigrated Sarah Palin's experience.
"Oh, but that was different. She didn't go to Harvard."
Democratic Gov. David Paterson has said he won't make an appointment until
"Hello? Is this Albert?"
"Who's 'Albert'? Dis is Big Al!"
"This is Caroline."
"Caroline who?"
After speaking to Kennedy, Sharpton released a statement saying he disagreed with those who say she isn't qualified to be U.S. senator. He said he had invited her to dine wtih him at Sylvia's this week, reminding her that he took Obama there during his campaign "so it's a good luck stop since he did all right."
"Yeah. I took him to the Motel 6, too. Y'wanna go, Caroline?"
So who paid?
