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Some New York Democrats are pushing for Caroline Kennedy to be appointed to the Senate by Governor Paterson. The main rationale for the appointment seems to be that the Senate seat was once held by her uncle.
This is what Representative Tom Reynolds had to say:
“We’re seeing a seat-warmer in Delaware, a seat-seller in Illinois, and we’re making seat-cushions in New York for, kind of, an aristocrat royalty of entitlement coming in here.”
While Blagojevich was the worst, it seems the attitude in Washington is subtly shifting towards treating Senate seats as swag and booty.
December 21st, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I’m very troubled (and have been for years) by the increasing tide of dynastic politics in America. There has always been some of it (e.g., the Adamses), but it seems to be getting worse.
Perhaps I’m especially conscious of it as a result of living in Illinois. Blagojevich is the son-in-law of a top Chicago alderman; it was anticipated his successor would be AG Lisa Madigan, the daughter of the state assembly boss; the mayor of Chicago is of course the son of a former mayor, and the head of the Cook County board literally inherited the office when his father died. And the guy who appears to have been the top bidder for the Senate seat has a “Jr” appended to his name.
This is, obviously, not a partisan issue. In 2000, both parties nominated the crown princes of two of their leading houses. I wish voters would stop presuming a well-known name substitutes for qualifications.
December 21st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Well, people are hesitant to undergo big, immediate change – and they are usually most comfortable with what they are already familiar with. Hence the extra few points that having a family in politics can bring. Many people think “like father, like son”, and, sometimes, this is the case. Mitt Romney certainly seems to have inherited his father’s business leadership abilities. Other times, it is wishful thinking.
December 21st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Dynasties and families in politics, I can think of:
The Kennedys
The Bushes
The Clintons
The Romneys
The Cuomos
The Sununus
The Jacksons
The Udalls
The Fords of Tennessee
The Diaz-Balart brothers
The Mica brothers.
None of these are particularly good for our country.
December 21st, 2008 at 9:21 pm
“None of these are particularly good for our country.”
Kennedy was a decent President and Teddy is arguably one of the most effective Senators today. George Romney did good things, and Mitt has worked wonders.
Also, isn’t there another pair down in FL?
December 21st, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Well, George Romney turned around Michigan’s financial mess and promoted equal rights. If you disagree with those things, or think Michigan has been doing better under a democrat governor, than you’d have to disagree that “George Romney did good things”.
Oh, and if we’re talking about political families, how about that crook who tried to get his wife elected secretary of state while he was governor? How disgusting was that? If I remember correctly it happened somewhere around Arkansas.
Oh, and his son once said that he either wants to be president, or be the guy who makes the president, the president.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I think his son said that some time after he tortured and killed a dog, but before he was caught with a glock at the airport.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:47 pm
What’s the story on the glock at the airport?
December 21st, 2008 at 10:55 pm
“David Huckabee, a son of Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, was arrested at Little Rock’s airport Thursday after a federal X-ray technician detected a loaded Glock pistol in his carry-on luggage.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,268762,00.html
December 21st, 2008 at 11:13 pm
For all the Democrats shouting that Republicans exude elitism, it seems to me that appointing Caroline to the Senate seat would be one of the most elitist moves in politics. A no experience, no vote citizen who only is considered because of her name and background.
Democrats are hypocritical and pathetic.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Yeah, I remember it a little now.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:47 pm
#3: A few to add:
Taft
Daley
Gore
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:18 am
In fairness, many principled democrats are outraged by the potential nomination of Caroline Kennedy.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I think it would be sensible to have manditory special elections in the case of a vacated Senate seat.
Would this require a constitutional amendment?