Breaking:

Per the NY post, Caroline Kennedy pulled her name out of consideration for the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton.

CAROLINE KENNEDY ENDS SENATE SEAT BID

Caroline Kennedy has told Gov. David Paterson that she is withdrawing her name from consideration to replace outgoing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate, The Post has learned.

Kennedy cited “personal reasons,” according to sources.

Her stunning move comes as sources revealed that Paterson had intended to appoint her to the now-vacant seat today.

The 51-year-old Camelot daughter’s decision removes the highest-profile name in the ring to step into Clinton’s seat, as she departs after getting confirmed as President Obama’s Secretary of State today.

The surprise decision leaves a crowded field of about 15 people, mostly elected officials, vying to replace Clinton - including Long Island Rep. Steve Israel, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, upstate Rep. Kirstin Gillibrand and Rep. Carolyn Maloney.

For the first time on Tuesday, shortly after Obama was inaugurated, Paterson acknowledged publicly that he is considering state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for the slot.

Cuomo has not publicly said whether he’s interested in the job, but has not tamped down speculation that he’s making a play for it.

She was a pure shoe in, I wonder what made her bail?

Breaking Update:

Or is she out?  It is not clear.  And this story also speculates on some of the reasons she may be wavering.

Source: Caroline Kennedy remains in Senate contest

After wavering briefly, Caroline Kennedy renewed her determination Wednesday to win appointment to the U.S. Senate seat once held by her slain uncle, Bobby Kennedy, a person close to the decision said.

After her surviving uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy, suffered a seizure on Inauguration Day, Caroline Kennedy had misgivings about taking on the new job, the source said, speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak for Kennedy. Earlier in the day, The New York Times and New York Post reported that Kennedy had ended her monthlong bid to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was confirmed as secretary of state.

MSNBC also reported that a person close to Kennedy denied that she was out of the running.

Spokesmen for Caroline Kennedy and for Gov. David Paterson, who will make the appointment to fill the Clinton seat, wouldn’t comment.

The hours of mixed signals were the latest twist in the Kennedy effort, which began with popular support that withered after she drew criticism in her brief tour and early press interviews.

The reports were a shock to supporters and to Paterson, who had appeared likely to appoint her to the seat by Saturday.

Edward Kennedy, who has been treated for an aggressive brain tumor, suffered a seizure Tuesday at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

The New York Post was first to report his niece’s withdrawal from the Senate contest.

The New York Times cited a source it didn’t identify as saying Kennedy withdrew out of concern for her uncle and his illness. But the Post cited an unidentified source as saying she dropped out because she learned Paterson had decided not to choose her.

Paterson said that on Wednesday he would begin reviewing the candidates’ responses to the 28-page questionnaires he had asked applicants to complete. The forms asked about personal finances and other background issues, many of which Kennedy has long shielded from the public.

Kennedy, an author, lawyer and fundraiser for New York City schools, has long guarded her privacy, and the questionnaires were expected to include some closely guarded Kennedy financial data.

Paterson had said he thought the candidates’ responses would be confidential because it was his personal request that they fill them out. But the state’s open-government expert and good-government groups told the AP that once the forms were written and submitted to the governor at least some of the responses would be subject to public review under the state Freedom of Information Law.

Maybe fear of disclosure?  Hmmmm

UPDATE:  AP now says she is out…again.

Kennedy Has Final Say: I’m Out Of Senate Race  Despite Conflicting Reports, Princess Of Camelot Informs Gov. Paterson She Is Withdrawing From Consideration

Apparently she’s out, for real this time.

There was complete confusion Wednesday night over whether or not Caroline Kennedy had dropped her bid for Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate seat.

However, late Wednesday night Kennedy confirmed an earlier New York Post report by releasing a statement saying she is removing herself as a candidate for the now vacant New York Senate seat.

“I informed Gov. Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” Kennedy said in a statement obtained by CBS 2 HD.

I hope she means it this time.  I am getting dizzy…

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