Kennedy: Family name a mixed blessing

NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate hopeful Caroline Kennedy says that her famous family name dissuaded, rather than prompted her, to seek public office in the past.

"If my last name weren't Kennedy, maybe I would have run for office a long time ago," the daughter of slain former U.S. President John F. Kennedy told the New York cable television news station NY1 Friday.

In a 30-minute interview, Caroline Kennedy talked about the debate over her qualifications for high office as well as private reminisces of her family. She is seeking an appointment by New York Gov. David Paterson to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.

"I think I have relationships in Washington that I would like to put to work to benefit the people of New York," she told NY1. "I helped run the vice presidential search for Barack Obama, I have a good working relationship with him."

Asked what her late mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, would have thought of her Senate bid, Kennedy said she "would roll her eyes about the whole thing, but she was an incredible patriot herself and I think she would be really proud that I'm doing this."