I admit I don’t get the backlash coming from the potential Caroline Kennedy appointment. I don’t feel the anger, the urgency, the outrage at the idea of appointing someone like Caroline Kennedy. I can understand the arguments being made – but, as with all political issues, there is a gut-level response that is driving the issue forward – a gut-level response that is then justified by a variety of arguments.
Perhaps I’m missing that certain gene that causes people to root against dynasties. I’m not a Yankees fan – but I like their dominance – and I root for them to maintain it, to some extent. I like the fact that the Kennedys are involved in politics – and can usually get elected when they run. If I followed football (soccer), I’d probably be a fan of Manchester United. I don’t think it corrupts either sports or politics when dynasties are present. I don’t viscerally root for the underdog. To be fair – one of the reasons I like dynasties is that they are excellent foils. When the upstart Florida Marlins are playing the dynastic and storied New York Yankees, it makes the games all the more dramatic. The same was true of Obama when be beat the Clinton machine. I often root for dynasties to do well until they are beaten by a worthy opponent.
But with Caroline Kennedy, that’s not my feeling. I’m not certain she’s the best candidate Gov. Patterson could appoint. But I think she stands a good chance of being an excellent Senator. Most people seem to agree on this point – even as they oppose her appointment.
It’s a very odd argument opponents of Caroline Kennedy are putting forward. Most would acknowledge that Gov. Patterson wants her on the ticket because she would be a very strong candidate drawing many voters in 2010, and that she also would be able to raise money easily, including for his reelection. Yet, the opponents maintain that even though Caroline Kennedy would probably do very well in an election, appointing when she hasn’t run for any office conveys a sense of entitlement. Now – if Kennedy wouldn’t need to run in two years, and again two years after that, I feel like this argument might have more weight.
3 replies on “Caroline Kennedy (cont.)”
Kennedy does have the one quality I find quite attractive in any person running for office and that is she has thought deeply about issues that have been of importance to her. She will be one of 100 so will have plenty of time to to get up to speed on how the Senate actually works. It is difficult to know how long Teddy will be with us, but can you imagine having one of the most effective (legislatively) Senators in our history as your mentor? She also appears to be as cool as a cucumber when under the gun, and I REALLY like that quality in a politician. (It reminds me of ol’ what’s his name. You know, that guy we just elected.)
It’s my understanding that her fundraising would be quite distinct from that of other Democrats seeking office. Therefore, she would take no money away from others running for office. She also has the ability to raise the 60-70 million required in the 2010 special election and the 2012 general when she would be required to run for the full 6 year term.
She also has the added bonus of being a personal friend of the President. That would certainly make her the most powerful freshman, no? NY would lose not one ounce of influence with HRC moving on to the State Department.
Caroline Kennedy has a cousin name Matthew Kennedy who is not only LDS (mormon) but he owns LDS Living Magazine. LDS Living was the one highlighted in the Boston Globe newspaper for openly helping Mitt Romney run for president. When I checked donation Records Kennedy and his wife gave the max amount to Romney for President. This month, LDS Living is doing a highlight on Caroline Kennedy in their news section and the article is written by Matthew kennedy himself. Matthew Joseph Kennedy gradutaed from Hardvard Business School after completing his degree at BYU. Brigham Young Univ. I wonder if there is any LDS support for Caroline in New York. I know that the Mormon church started in New York. There is some connection between Matthew J. Kennedy and the White House…. Kennedy is listed as a guest of the White House this past summer. If the Boston Globe got after LDS Living Magazine for supporting Romney, I wonder what, If anything it will say about Caroline Kennedy being featured.
I seriously don’t believe it. I hope Wayne is better for the world cup!