Palin says Kennedy qualified to be senator

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she wasn't criticizing Caroline Kennedy when she expressed frustration with media reports about Kennedy's Senate aspirations.

Palin, in an interview posted last week on YouTube, said she received much harsher treatment from the media when she ran for vice president than Kennedy has received since announcing she wants to be the next U.S. senator from New York, Politico reported Saturday.

"I was not commenting at all on Caroline Kennedy as a prospective U.S. senator, but rather on the seemingly arbitrary ways in which news organizations determine the level and kind of scrutiny given to those who aspire to public office," Palin said. "In fact, I consider Ms. Kennedy qualified and experienced, and she could serve New York well."

Palin, in her interview with conservative filmmaker John Ziegler for his move "How Obama Got Elected," said Kennedy has been treated more gently in the press because of a "class issue."

"I've been interested to see how Caroline Kennedy will be handled and if she will be handled with kid gloves or if she will be under such a microscope," Palin said.