Kennedy's spokesman decries 'mudslinging' over her Senate bid

New York, Jan.23 (ANI): A spokesman for Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of US President John F Kennedy, has criticized the "mudslinging" surrounding her decision to drop her U.S. Senate bid, as New York Gov. David Paterson prepared to announce his pick for Hillary Clinton's former Senate seat Friday.

After Kennedy shocked New Yorkers by withdrawing her name from consideration Wednesday, a set of press reports have claimed Paterson never intended to pick the daughter of the late President Kennedy.

The New York Post cited a source close to the governor saying Kennedy was "mired" in problems with her taxes, her nanny and possibly her marriage.

According to Fox News, Kennedy spokesman Stefan Friedman issued a written statement Thursday repeating that Kennedy withdrew for "personal reasons" only.

"Any statements to the contrary are false. The governor set up a fair and deliberative selection process. This kind of mudslinging demeans that process and all those involved," Friedman said. eanwhile, Paterson said in a statement released Thursday that Kennedy's decision to withdraw from the race was "hers alone," he added.

"The governor had a private conversation with Ms. Kennedy yesterday afternoon. Out of respect for her decision-making process, the governor's office did not respond to any inquiries in order to allow her time to deliberate," the statement read in part.

"The governor is now entering the final phase of his selection process. He has not informed any Senate candidates that they have not been selected, nor has any information gathered during this selection process created a necessity for any candidate to withdraw. Any speculation to the contrary is both inaccurate and inappropriate," it said. (ANI)