Caroline Kennedy might be part of a political dynasty, an aristocrat who wants to join the Senate before having to campaign in Utica, and, you know, a less-than-polished public speaker.

But she is not, to my knowledge, related to New York Gov. David Paterson, the person who’ll decide whether to appoint her to the Senate. So enough already with the talk of nepotism.

A recent New York Times article addressed Kennedy’s interest in a Senate seat, saying “nepotism is one of those things that just sticks in the American craw.”

Sure it does. And with good reason. Robert Wechsler — research director for City Ethics, a nonprofit group that advises local governments on ethics programs — says nepotism involves “putting personal interest ahead of the public interest.”

But the Times article “misconstrues nepotism in government into something having to do with elected dynasties,” Wechsler says on the cityethics.org Web site. “Nepotism is something different. Nepotism is when one family member hires or appoints another family member.”

He notes Paterson is not related to Kennedy or to the other member of a political dynasty who’d like the Senate seat — New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. And he notes that while Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy is “the Lion of the Senate,” he would not be supervising his niece.

Wechsler says the debate is really about “what sort of system we want, an aristocracy or a democracy.” And he suggests, “People aren’t outraged or offended at all about members of dynasties being elected.”

Consider those who have finished first in elections in part because of their last names: Locally, we have Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy and former Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee. Nationally, we have President Bush and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who’s about to become secretary of state and leave the Senate seat Caroline Kennedy covets.

But in an interview, Wechsler said, “I don’t happen to like dynasty. It’s not an ethics issue. It’s more your view of democracy. It’s the idea that people in public service are supposed to get there on their own.” That was part of President-elect Barack Obama’s appeal. “His name didn’t help him at all,” Wechsler said.

Caroline Kennedy seems to polarize people, with Kennedy haters and worshipers dominating the debate. Supporters portray her as qualified — intelligent, with star power to light up a room. Critics portray her as unqualified — a rich, liberal version of Sarah Palin, minus the moose hunting. I find it difficult to join the ranting either way. I’m all for picking leaders based on merit. And I’m open to the idea that she’s the right kind of aristocrat — one who has merit.

But as a reporter for the past 20 years who has worked at four upstate New York newspapers, I’d like to see Caroline Kennedy field questions about the Adirondack Park from the Glens Falls Post-Star. I’d like to see her talk to The Daily Gazette about replacing General Electric jobs in Schenectady. I’d like to see her discuss the thoroughbred racing franchise with The Saratogian.

In short, I’d like her to earn the Senate seat and not have it handed to her. I know that if appointed, she’d have to run in 2010. But first things first. Put Mario Cuomo in the seat for a short stint — he has merit. Meantime, New York can find out more about Kennedy’s views on the complex foreign and domestic issues facing senators. I’m impressed she wrote a book about privacy, but it’s time for openness.

Ask not for a Senate seat before campaigning. Ask rather when a good time would be to meet with the folks from the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

efitzpat@projo.com