It was a quick, upstate tour for Caroline Kennedy on Wednesday as she broke the silence on her decision to pursue Hillary Clinton’s senate seat.

First it was Syracuse, then Rochester, then snowy Buffalo.

“Now it’s time I think with the problems that we have for me to really step forward and do more,” said Kennedy, referencing the state’s soon-to-be open US Senate seat.

Caroline Kennedy is already atop of the governor’s list. But trying to ward off charges she’s just running on her family name, Kennedy began a listening tour of sorts off her Manhattan circuit, reminiscent of that done nine years before by the woman she wants to succeed.

While Clinton’s lasted months, Kennedy’s was crammed into a day.

“First of all, this was a great visit and I’ve already learned a lot. And I would come back, were I to be fortunate enough to be chosen,” said Kennedy.

Her first time in at least one stop, she met each time with mayors to discuss local issues from fleeing population to economic development to schools.

“In the last year, I spent a lot of time campaigning across this country, in a lot of communities that are struggling with the same kind of issues, and obviously New York State is hit harder than most and I saw really the need for people who are strong advocates, who have relationships in Washington and I would do everything I can,” said Kennedy.

Everyone stressed it was Paterson’s call alone. But it was clear that Kennedy’s star power shines in the north.

“Well, first of all it really is an honor having Caroline Kennedy visit Rochester,” said Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy.

“Ms. Kennedy is a very strong, candidate, is a candidate that would fight for the entire State of New York and I look forward to continuing our dialogue,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

Without the Kennedy name, of course, she’d never be a candidate — an issue she avoided in Syracuse, then briefly addressed in Buffalo.

“I know that I’m fortunate to be in a position where people know who I am and I want to put that to work,” said Kennedy.

It’s unclear where the next stop is on the abbreviated tour before Paterson’s announcement next month. Kennedy is stressing she’s not campaigning, but in effect she is in an attempt to be seen as qualified and humble.

Source: NY1