New York, Dec 15 : Key supporters of Secretary of State-designate have continued their backlash against Caroline Kennedy replacing Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

In recent days, Robert Zimmerman, a Clinton adviser and member of the Democratic National Committee, and Stuart Applebaum, a former Clinton delegate and president of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, have ripped Kennedy's qualifications.

Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens, Brooklyn) and Gary Ackerman (D-Queens), both of whom are loyal to Clinton, have also harped on Kennedy's lack of political experience, the Daily News reported.

Ackerman compared Kennedy's name recognition with that of Jennifer Lopez, saying popularity doesn't make someone qualified to be a US senator.

Some New York Democrats are still miffed that Kennedy, along with her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, endorsed and campaigned for Obama over Clinton - who is leaving the Senate to become Obama's Secretary of State - during the primaries.

Meanwhile, some leaders in Democratic rank supported Caroline's candidature.

"It's been a little vicious," said longtime Democratic strategist Joseph Mercurio of the backlash. "It's a little over the top."

The criticism followed days of praise of Kennedy - though no official backing - from political powerhouses like President-elect Barack Obama and Mayor Bloomberg as well as members of the Kennedy clan, the paper added.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines said that out of respect for Governor Paterson, the outgoing senator will not comment publicly on the process or any particular candidate. "Nor does any third party speak on her behalf," he said.

A number of elected Democrats, have however, said that the governor would be smart to pick Kennedy. (ANI)