Caroline in the City: No Financial Disclosure When at DOE

Another day of Caroline Kennedy/Senate talk! The NY Times has a revelation: Most other city employees—even ones with "nominal" salaries like Mayor Bloomberg and former Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff— must provide financial disclosures, yet Kennedy never did when she worked for the Department of Education.

While discussing her Senate credentials, Kennedy touted her experience working as the DOE's chief executive of the Office of Strategic Partnerships to prove her commitment to education. Among the various explanations for why Kennedy didn't reveal her finances, "City officials have most often pointed to Ms. Kennedy’s decision to accept $1-a-year in salary" and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein "explained that she was ultimately exempt from the requirement because the department did not deem her to be a 'policymaker.'" Kennedy has declined to disclose her finances, though some estimate it could be around $100 million.

Kennedy's awkward demeanor with the press has prompted the Daily News' Michael Daly to bring up her best recent media appearance: When she was interviewed by 10-year-old fifth-grader Damon Weaver while she campaigned for Barack Obama in Florida. Sure, Kennedy utters a few um's, but she's "at her best: smart and warm and funny and not even slightly patronizing."

Weaver, who had hoped to head to the inauguration but was denied press credentials, assessed, "Caroline's daddy would be very proud of her."

Governor Paterson, who is tired of the rumors, has said he will not reveal the next Senator of New York until Hillary Clinton officially leaves the Senate to become Secretary of State. There's been speculation that Kennedy's appointment is a done deal, but the political calculus of 2010 elections raise some questions. Still, the Times notes non-Kennedy picks have drawbacks: "Picking Mr. Cuomo could lead to a fight with the Legislature, which would appoint the new attorney general. Picking Ms. Gillibrand would anger her more senior colleagues. Choosing Ms. Maloney would add yet another Manhattanite to the ticket; Mr. Suozzi yet another Italian-American; Mr. Israel yet another Long Islander."