Kennedy visits upstate

SYRACUSE - Caroline Kennedy finally made public her desire to carry on her famous family's legacy, reaching out to a handful of mayors and some political leaders Wednesday in a carefully choreographed effort to win support for her quest to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate.

Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, was driven across the state along the main east-west road, hitting three of its four biggest cities to talk to elected officials and Democratic party power brokers alike. She bypassed Albany, the state capital and seat of political power.

In Rochester, Kennedy stuck closely to a tightly controlled script but started to sound themes apparently designed to assuage those who question her readiness for a high-profile elected office.