An “apoplectic” Kennedy family is seething over the rough treatment that heiress apparent Caroline got from Gov. Paterson’s office and is spoiling for revenge, several sources close to the clan have told The Post.
“The governor’s going to pay for this,” said a well-placed Democrat. “Ted is furious. The family is furious. The Kennedys are now against the governor.”
Among Paterson’s offenses was a request that Caroline lie about her unexpected withdrawal for “personal” reasons, according to NY magazine.
“You can’t withdraw. You’ve got to stay in this thing, and I’ll just not pick you,” Paterson reportedly told her over the phone late Wednesday.
Then a torrent of ugly rumors spilled from Paterson’s office about Caroline’s taxes, about her nanny, even about the state of her marriage – and Camelot’s seeking payback, confidants said.
“I’m sure the family is going to protect her,” one source said. “What did Caroline do to deserve getting dragged through the mud?”
Caroline emerged from her Park Avenue pad yesterday to say, “I have plans, lots of plans,” when asked about her political future.
A confidant of hers said Caroline held “conversations with the governor in which he’d indicated she was the pick.”
“His office was aware of every step she took,” the confidant said. “He even called some upstate leaders to tell them to meet with her.”
Yet a high-ranking state Democrat involved in the selection process insisted that Caroline’s name was rarely mentioned.
Additional reporting by Susan Edelman, Maggie Haberman, Angela Montefinise, Stephen Nessen and Georgett Roberts
gotis@nypost.com