Caroline Kennedy’s withdrawal from the Senate race seems intended to prove the argument that she wouldn’t have been a good senator.

The statement, released just after midnight, came after hours of confusion — and angry recriminations — over whether Kennedy intended to seek the appointment. Some New York media had begun reporting her withdrawal earlier in the evening, but Kennedy family confidants angrily dismissed the reports as smears aimed at undermining her chances.

In a sign of the confusion over Kennedy’s intentions, the Associated Press first reported she was withdrawing, based on unnamed sources, then later issued a correction saying Kennedy was determined to run, according to persons close to her. The AP reversed itself again when the statement from [Kennedy spokesman Stefan] Friedman emerged.

But no one really believes she’s dropping out because of Teddy’s health—not even her friends.

On Wednesday evening, some of Caroline Kennedy’s friends had expressed disbelief that she would drop out of the race because of her uncle’s health.

Maura Moynihan, a roommate of Caroline Kennedy’s at Harvard and a daughter of the late New York senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, said she doubted Caroline Kennedy would withdraw from contention for the seat.

“Without question, Caroline is totally concerned about the health of Senator Kennedy — we all love Senator Kennedy and we’re all concerned,” said Moynihan. “But Caroline is a very strong and gifted woman, and I’m sure her uncle Ted would want nothing more than to see her in his brother’s seat in the United States Senate.”

Which sounds right, of course. But apparently Moynihan didn’t get the memo. (I do, however, love the use of that phrase, “his brother’s seat.” I never knew that Senate seats were familial property!)

One day after the inauguration, after a speech of such candor and inspiration, Caroline Kennedy delivers a statement of such spin and disingenuity that even her friends undermine it, and then she refuses to give interviews.

Yes, she supports Obama. But isn’t this kind of behavior a sign that she really isn’t on board with the new politics of honesty and transparency?