A Third Explanation For Kennedy Withdrawal

Since Caroline Kennedy withdrew her name from consideration for Senate early Thursday, three different New York newspapers have offered three different explanations for her decision.

The New York Daily News said that Kennedy pulled her bid because of a personal reasons unrelated to the health of her uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who is fighting brain cancer. The Daily News report relied on an unnamed aide to Caroline Kennedy.

The New York Times had reported that she was withdrawing because of Sen. Kennedy’s health, while the New York Post suggested that she left the race because Gov. David Paterson (D-N.Y.) wasn’t going to appoint her to the vacant Senate seat.

Kennedy herself has done little to clarify why she left the race aside. After conflicting reports over whether she was withdrawing, she released a one-sentence statement announcing her decision early Thursday.

“I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” she said.