Slaughter Backs Caroline Kennedy for US Senate ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - Congresswoman Louise Slaughter is backing Caroline Kennedy to succeed Hillary Clinton in the US Senate.

Governor Paterson is considering whom to replace Clinton, who has been tapped by President-elect Barack Obama to be Secretary of State.

Kennedy confirms she is interested in the appointment, and Slaughter believes she'd be "extraordinary." Slaughter praises Kennedy's intellect and highlights her work in starting an institute to train school principals.

Kennedy was on a tour of upstate cities Wednesday to meet with local Democratic leaders.

Kennedy has never held elective office, but Slaughter says it is not unusual for a senator to have no prior legislative experience.

Caroline Kennedy serves as a director of the Commission on Presidential Debates and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. © Copyright 2009, WXXI