I was so relieved to read that Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg was interested in the senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. It's good to see such a talented person coming out of her shyness shell. And after all, her father was president and two uncles were/are senators. What other qualifications would we need to know about?
And it was inspiring to read someone reflect that in expressing her interest in "public service" she may simply be heeding her father's exhortation to "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."
I have to admit, however, that whenever I hear about a millionaire expressing an interest in public service via serving in the incredibly prestigious and perk-filled position of a Congressman, I'm always tempted to say: "Public service? No problem....I've got a list of soup kitchens in the city right here in my backpack."
I have positive regard for Caroline Kennedy and I've actually read part of her co-authored book (or was it actually written by Ted Sorenson?) on the Constitution. Not bad. And I have the impression that she's thoughtful, decent, even "nice."
But how much further are we willing to go in the perpetuation of dynasty politics. If she's the best choice because of her contacts and connections to national fund-raising possibilities, isn't it clear that we need campaign finance reform and publicly-funded elections more than a "wired" senator for every state. Are we willing to trade democracy for oligarchy and plutocracy? Again? Still?
Please join me in the important game of "Name that dynasty pol" Off the top of my head I've listed some senators and a few House members. I'll bet Kossites could fill out the list rather quickly.
Let's just look at the senate:
John Sununu (son of governor)
Judd Gregg (son of governor)
Chris Dodd (son of senator)
Evan Bayh (son of senator)
Mark Pryor (son of senator)
Lisa Murkowski (daughter of senator/governor)
Ted Kennedy (brother of president/senator)
Bob Casey (son of governor)
Elizabeth Dole (wife of senator)
Olympia Snowe (wife of former gov.)
Hillary Clinton (wife of president)
Mary Landrieu (daughter of New Orleans mayor)
sen-elects:
Tom Udall (son of congressman and Interior Secretary)
Mark Udall (son of congressman)
and that's off the top of my head--and just the senate! A look at the House would knock you out, but for starters:
Dan Boren
Russ Carnahan
Kathy Castor
Ben Chandler
Mario Diaz-Balart
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Jesse Jackson Jr.
Patrick Kennedy
Bob Latta
Connie Mack IV
Mary Bono Mack
Jim Matheson
Kendrick Meek
Nancy Pelosi
Lucille Roybal-Allard
Linda Sanchez
John Sarbanes
Bill Shuster
Niki Tsongas
Congressman-elect
Ben Lujan
And that's not even looking at
George H.W. Bush (son of senator)
George W. Bush (son of president)
Gov. Jeb Bush (son of president)
Al Gore (son of senator)
Gov. Mitt Romney (son of governor)
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (daughter of governor)
Gov. Chet Culver (son of senator)
and...
presumptive future senator Beau Biden (DE)
short list for IL senator Lisa Madigan, Dan Hynes
and Caroline Kennedy NY senate rival Andrew Cuomo.
Come on, people. We just showed the world something about American political possibilities with the election of Barack Obama. Surely we can find supremely talented people who were not "born with silver spoon in hand and "ain't no senator's son (or daughter)."