Kennnedy dynasty's new hope

[No Elephants]

Source: Boston Herald (sorry)

Kennedy dynasty’s new hope

Joe III refuses to rule out run for Barney’s seat

By Chris Cassidy and Dave Wedge
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - Updated 12 minutes ago

Middlesex prosecutor Joseph P. Kennedy III — widely seen as the best hope to carry the torch of the legendary family dynasty to a new generation — told the Herald last night he is leaving the door open to a run for Congress.

“I just haven’t had the time to give it any thought, the type of careful consideration that it requires,” Kennedy said outside Cambridge District Court. “I’ve always thought politics is an honorable profession. It demands that you give it careful thought before you jump into it. When I get the time to do that, I’ll think about it, but we’re not there yet.”

Kennedy — the son of former U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and grandnephew of President John F. Kennedy — was one of several Democrats whose name has emerged as a possible contender for U.S. Rep. Barney Frank’s seat after the 16-term congressman announced his retirement two days ago.

Read more: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_1130dynastys_new_hope_joe_iii_refuses_to_rule_out_run_for_barneys_seat/srvc=home&position=0

[Kingofalldems]

1. I like this one

K and R

[lunatica]

2. The only thing that could assuage my grief over Barney leaving is a Kennedy

That family has a tried and true legacy of Progressive legislation. They have literally given their lives for Democracy in this country.

[Mass]

3. If he wants to run, why not, but what is disturbing is that a party that claims being for ordinary

people pine over these big names, as if a regular person did not do the trick. May be we should reestablish royalty. (I say that with the greatest respect to the Kennedy family, some of whom I admire profundly, including this person's father and grandfather). I am just bothered by the notion of political families in general. It seems to be contrary to democracy.

[No Elephants]

4. Both Parties do this, as well as recruiting athletes and other celebrities. Name recognition alone

counts for a lot in elections.

And right now, the person with the most name recognition in that district likeliest to run for this seat is the Rethug who opposed Frank the last time. There is some speculation that Khazei might run, but despite his run in two Senate primaries, his name is still not exactly a household name.

If you read the article, though, it is far from clear that Joe III wants to run.

[Mass]

7. I read the article, and I know that it is just the same type of speculation

that happens in every single election in MA. We cannot think of an election without a Kennedy on the ticket. And now, some are pining for a young man who is not even from the district in question.

This said, this is not the sign of a vibrant democracy and this is what should worry us.

[bottomofthehill]

25. he is a Kennedy, they are never from the district in question

But regardless of where they live before they run, when elected, they are great progressive voices. He seems like a bright, sincere young man who has already started to follow in the family steps of public service as a ADA. A little thing like residency in the district is not a problem, just ask his father, grandfather and uncles...

[jwirr]

27. My first thought was to keep him safe. The second was - isn't he the

Kennedy who has to non-profit business helping the poor with fuel for heating in the winter? I thought about what I know of HIM not his family.

Name recognition is half of getting elected for any candidate.

[Mass]

28. You're thinking of his father.

BTW, the seat is mostly safe and there are many good Dems in this district ready to run. This does not mean he should not run, but he should do it on his merits, not his grandfather's name.

[bottomofthehill]

30. His grandfather was a Senator from New York

[Mass]

31. Not sure what your point is. I know who his grandfather was.

[jwirr]

38. Okay - thanks.

[MADem]

41. I agree with you. I'd rather see someone like Seti Warren or some of the

very fine field that has fallen away from the Elizabeth Warren race try for the slot.

Nothing against the Kennedy family, but we don't need dynasties. There are plenty of opportunities for public service that don't involve elective office.

Of course, it's not my district, so the people who live there will be making their own choice, never mind what I think!

[Township75]

5. Hope? Who hope's for nepotism other than the 1% who benefit from it?

?

[No Elephants]

6. That's what they said when JFK appointed RFK attorney general and Ted ran first ran for the Senate.

They seem to have worked out okay for the 99%.

Besides, if you read, the RW Herald's headline writer is imagining, contrary to everything else in the article, that Joe III's candidacy is the hope of the Kennedy "dynasty."

[FailureToCommunicate]

11. Agreed. The Herald is fish&chips wrapping paper.

[DesertFlower]

8. K&R. nt

[Wait Wut]

9. This quote:

“I just haven’t had the time to give it any thought, the type of careful consideration that it requires,” Kennedy said outside Cambridge District Court. “I’ve always thought politics is an honorable profession. It demands that you give it careful thought before you jump into it. When I get the time to do that, I’ll think about it, but we’re not there yet.”

...is something you'd never hear out of a Republican's mouth. No, you hear, "I'm praying on it and waiting to hear what God thinks". Yes, Joe, politics is an honorable profession. At least, it used to be. Thanks for taking it seriously. Now, seriously consider running.

[woo me with science]

10. I am not big on dynasties, but I will welcome any real liberal into the fold right now.

We have desperately few of them.

[LanternWaste]

16. I'm guessing that many people believe a candidate's blood

"I am not big on dynasties..."

I'm guessing that many people believe a candidate's blood and heritage in and of themselves are valid and objective justification to deny or allow support for an individual.

[CTyankee]

26. dynasties can be good or bad but in general I agree with you.

However, look at FDR, certainly a member of the ruling class and relative of Theodore Roosevelt. And, as has been pointed out on this thread, the other Kennedy's have been progressives. I am hopeful.

[LeftinOH]

12. Brand name, Ivy League, good-looking, but there is another Kennedy tradition which

he will hopefully NOT follow -adding to the Family's political baggage of violated, crippled or dead women.

[GliderGuider]

14. Not to mention their other tradtion

Of ending up either physically or politically assassinated.

[karynnj]

13. Video of Joe - I saw him speak at an election eve rally in 2008 and he is great

Senator Kennedy had always had an election eve rally in Barnstable, but in 2008, he was too ill and in DC. He asked Kerry to host it instead and young Joe Kennedy was one of the people who spoke - and he was incredible. Kerry's web site had a very nice, but short, excerpt - http://www.johnkerry.com/multimedia/entry/barnstable_democratic_town_committee_election_eve_rally_video/

Joe is at the beginning. The signs, incidentally are special. Kerry's campaign printed Kennedy signs, which say paid for by Kerry, as there were no Kennedy signs saved from past years. They were stapled back to back with Kerry signs.

For those who forget that Democrats like Kerry, spoke of the greed of Wall Street causing the 2008 crash - listen about 9 or so minutes in to Kerry at that rally - http://www.jkmediasource.org/node/164 - this was taped by Noisy Democrat, who posts here.

This is the only MA rally I have ever seen - and way more fun than any NJ one!

[RoccoR5955]

15. Run Joe Run! n/t

[adam in oregon]

17. another one

Can this country survive without a Kennedy in office? Just because you came out of a lucky womb doesn't mean you have to run for office. This country fought a war to get out from under royalty. Lets let some other family, who isn't totally corrupted by money, run for office. We need people who are not of the 1% to run. People that actually know what it means to have to struggle, and get a real job. Not trust fund babies.

[karynnj]

19. The fact is that he has NOT opted to run when asked in the past

He was asked to run in 2010 to replace Delahunt. His decision was that he thought it better to continue doing what he was doing in the DA office. He has a twin brother, who ran Ted Kennedy's 2006 campaign and was up in NH working on the Obama campaign there. They both are working hard for Democratic values - and though both have options that most people would never get, both seem to being putting in their dues.

Not to mention, if his name were NOT kennedy, and he had the intelligence, looks and personality he does, he would be exactly the type of person who others would hope would run.

[xxqqqzme]

21. I think there is one running for the

Senate - Elizabeth Warren - sound familiar?

[bottomofthehill]

33. not talking about the senate race but the house seat that is being vacated by Barney Frank

[blue neen]

22. The citizens have the choice of voting.

What's the problem?

I guess the Bush Family Dynasty, and the corruption that has ensured for years because of it, has ruined it for everyone!

[bottomofthehill]

32. So if you have money and the best intentions, you should not be able to run...

Hmmmmmmm

[xxqqqzme]

18. Robert Kennedy's

GRANDson! Yikes - I feel old.

Good luck to all the residents of the district.

[karynnj]

20. You weren't alone

At a Hyannis rally, Senator Kerry mentioned that he never thought of Bobby as being a grandfather - thought the same thing. http://www.jkmediasource.org/node/164

[Lena inRI]

23. Poetic Justice. . .

. . .let it happen with you, Young Joe Kennedy!

God only knows your family's poetic justice is long overdue. . .thought your father would get it but apparently instead your taking up the legacy is in the cards.

Win for them all. . .win for us ALL.







:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[MaineDem]

24. Better him than his father. n/t

[harmonicon]

29. Can we please stop the Kennedy worship? nt.

[peace frog]

35. Can we please not dictate to others how and what

they should think and feel? Thanks.

[AtheistCrusader]

34. Do we do dynasties in this country?

I thought not, but I guess the Bush family has been sort of one.

Didn't work out so good for us.

[tawadi]

36. Time for new generation to start their own legacy

[malthaussen]

37. Isn't he just about

... the cutest thing you ever did see?

-- Mal

[CountAllVotes]

39. me gads yes!

:loveya: Joseph P. Kennedy, III ...

Run Joe Run!!!!

:D

:kick:

[Matilda]

44. Interesting to see how the genes come out

He has the Kennedy colouring, but his features are Fitzgerald. After three generations, those are some strong genes!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

40. I'm ready for "Jones," "Smith," or whatever the fuck ever.

Ruling Family? :thumbsdown:

[dipsydoodle]

42. I thought the usual choice was

No hope or Bob Hope.

How does it follow that simply because he's a Kennedy he'd be any good?

[tabasco]

43. Fuck dynasties

'nuff said.

[Matilda]

45. If you can remember Jack and Bobby,

there is a sense of unfinished business.

It would be good to see the baton picked up by somebody who can complete it.

[tabasco]

47. You betcha.

Their last name probably won't be Kennedy.

[Kingofalldems]

46. Kick this one to the top