As Caroline Kennedy traveled across the state Thruway last week meeting with Democratic Party operatives and large-city elected officials behind closed doors, some political observers likened the trip to the “listening tour” carried out by Sen. Hillary Clinton when she first sought the Senate seat.

But the truth is Kennedy's exercise was nothing like Clinton's undertaking in 1999.

Clinton, who was moving to New York from Washington, went to large and small communities all over the state over the course of many months. And she met with thousands of people, and held numerous town hall meetings. Yes, she gathered information to help get informed about what was on the minds of New York residents, but she also outlined her vision for the state in the process.

In other words, she ran a campaign. And based on that campaign, the people chose her.

Kennedy's situation is obviously different, as she is trying to earn the vote of just one person - Gov. David Paterson, the man who will appoint the person to replace Clinton when she takes over as U.S. secretary of state.

But given her lack of political experience, it would have made sense for Kennedy to at least say something meaningful about what she believes the state needs from its senator. Instead, she dodged direct questions about her experience or vision from reporters.

It almost seems that Kennedy wants to maintain the same level of minimal public interaction that she's worked hard to preserve as a member of one of the country's most famous political families. That approach doesn't work in this job.

There's no question that Kennedy is an intelligent, accomplished person. And someday she might make an outstanding senator.

But that should come after a true campaign. The person Paterson picks must have proven that she or he already has a command of the challenges this state faces.