Teddy Kennedy Makes NY Governor An Offer He Might Not Refuse

Teddy Kennedy may be in failing health, but his ability to twist arms is still intact:

Powerful senator and family patriarch Ted Kennedy has been working back channels to promote niece Caroline as the replacement for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate, family sources told The Post.

The elder Kennedy (D-Mass.), who's battling brain cancer, has sent word to Gov. Paterson's office that Caroline Kennedy, 51, has contacts and family connections that would mean legislation affecting New York would receive prompt attention, family sources said.

The only thing he left out was sending Gov. Paterson a dead fish in a newspaper. Of course, someone would have to read it to Gov. Paterson, but the smell might work.