Any chance to continue the John F Kennedy legacy I will welcome with open arms

[mtnsnake]

I will be proud to have Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of John and Jackie, as my Senator if she gets appointed.

Caroline Kennedy is smart, she's a fine person, and she's a Kennedy....as in JOHN F Kennedy. Who better to follow in his footsteps than his wonderful daughter?

So yes, the name has something to do with it, and why shouldn't it? It's magic.

[goclark]

1. Caroline is wonderful IMO

[Cha]

28. Look what Al Giordano of The Field has to say

about Caroline.. I always liked him during the primaries and general.



It's official: Caroline Kennedy has indicated to New York Governor David Paterson that she would like to serve in the US Senate. The reactions from many quarters are fascinating.

Some folks I respect and often agree with, like Markos and his front-pager Brownsox seem to absolutely detest the idea. Kos compared a possible Kennedy appointment to a "monarchy" a week ago. Yet the rank-and-file Kossacks apparently aren't swayed (in a poll there this morning, 61 percent favored Kennedy - her numbers appear to be increasing from previous Daily Kos diarist polls - to just 12 percent for Andrew Cuomo, 9 percent for US Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand and 17 percent for "other").

Others I have often disagreed with this year, like Jeralyn at TalkLeft (but with whom I share a passion for civil liberties and the Bill of Rights), however, sees what I see:
think she's more than qualified to be a U.S. Senator and I hope she gets the position. We need more Senators who are cognizant and respectful of our constitutional rights. She'll be great for education and funding for the arts.

"She's outside the Washington power grid but knows how it works. Her celebrity will bring increased attention to the progressive bills she introduces, co-sponsors and supports. I think she's exactly the kind of change we need to bring to Washington."

<much more>
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/

[Booster]

2. I'll never understand people. People get into the Senate on a

lot less talent than Caroline and that's ok with some people; Al Franken was a comedic writer/radio host, Hillary the wife of a President - some on DU think these people are worthy of a seat, but a Kennedy? Never. I would guess that Caroline is a better person than just about anybody already in the Senate, and in my mind she deserves a seat. Can anyone relate ONE bad story about Caroline? I doubt it. I think we owe a great deal to any Kennedy, and Caroline would be at the top of my list.

[mtnsnake]

3. I think there are a lot of Americans out there who woud agree with you

especially those in their 50's or older, who went through something that is just too hard to understand unless you were there.

[peace frog]

4. Amen to that

I tell my adult children: it's hard to understand if you didn't experience it firsthand, but it was unalloyed magic. My son gets it but my daughter is still baffled at the Kennedy mystique.

[EFerrari]

18. People don't really understand the disciplined commitment to public service

that is just part of the family culture. They don't get it. That's sad, actually.

[peace frog]

25. You're right, there is no comparison

The Kennedy family's commitment to the public good has been steadfast through generations. Compare that to the Bush family's commitment to the appearance of public service while they work under the radar to enrich themselves and their cronies, to the detriment of the remaining 99.9% of the population.

[question everything]

32. Hillary has been an activist since her college days

and even while the first lady of Arkansas.

Al Franken was a host on Air America, well attuned to political issues. Both have been out front, subjected to scrutiny that Caroline never had and never will have.

Both actually campaigned, going in the trenches to meet people, to listen to them.

If you are not aware of these activities you may want to at least go to Wikipedia before you show your ignorance.

[galaxy21]

5. I don't think wanting to continue the 'JFK' legacy is a good enough reason

To just give someone a seante seat. Especially since JFK's legacy is usually overrated by people anyway.

This whole Caroline Kennedy thing is nepotism, pure and simple. And even people supporting Caroline know that. So all this 'well, under qualified people have got senate seats before' and 'but she's a Kennedy! OMG!' is just a way to justify something they know is blatantly unfair.

[galaxy21]

23. delete

[Metric System]

6. I've already said that I don't care whether she gets the seat or not. The only thing that bugs me a

bit is the hypocrisy/double standard around here. Caroline is pushing VERY hard to get the seat, including having surrogates go on TV (cousin Kerry was on Larry King Live tonight) to make the case for her, and has many people working the phones for her. Where are all the cries about Caroline "boxing" Gov. Patterson in? Heck, I even heard tonight on CNN that arguments being made to Patterson include the fact that the Senate always has a Kennedy (ie, Teddy has health problems and who knows how much longer he will be around) and that the NY seat is a "Kennedy" seat. Talk about entitlement.

[Beacool]

16. She should move to MA and wait to get Teddy's seat.

Of course it's hypocritical, but that's nothing new around here. The senate is becoming the House of Lords. What do they mean that the senate always has a Kennedy???? Sweet Caroline, never ran for a blessed thing in her life but heck, if you're a Kennedy that's a mere formality.

:eyes:

[sohndrsmith]

33. who on CNN said that re arguments being made to Paterson? Hopefullly it was

just one of their pundits not thinking about his/her words... if it's someone with some legitimacy, that's really way out of line... like way... no matter who you're hoping for (or not). That's just inappropriate - or, if a talking head... sadly the status quo. I hope, ironically, it was the latter...

[kwassa]

7. The Kennedy magic died in Maryland a long time ago ....

with Kennedys who actually went to the ballot box.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend lost the bid for governor to a Republican in a very blue state after being Dem Lieutenant Governor.

Mark Shriver lost the Democratic primary for Congress to Chris Van Hollen.

[Rowdyboy]

8. It's nice hearing from someone who actually gets a vote on the question....

Anyone who doesn't understand the magic of the Kennedy name (especially in NY) can't understand. Thats their problem. She'll make an incredible senator.

She's 3 years younger than me, has been part of my life since 1961 and I've always felt enormous empathy for her. I wish her only the best.

[Doremus]

9. I wish her the very best. n/t

[zulchzulu]

10. She would do a fantastic job as a Senator... and she has been gracious

Let's let whatever happens go the way it will. If she gets the chance to serve as Senator, I surely think she would give it her all.

[ShortnFiery]

11. That makes one of us.

I was not EVER into *Idol Worship,* especially toward the filthy rich within the political ruling class. :puke: :thumbsdown:

[ecstatic]

12. I don't think it's helpful to use words like "magic"

Caroline's supporters should lose the words "magic" and "Camelot" ASAP. A lot of younger people cannot relate plus it sounds nutty.

[salguine]

13. True that. I suppose we should be thankful there was no imagery of

unicorns and waterfalls.

[mtnsnake]

14. Magic in the context I used it shouldn't worry you to death

You're making a mountain out of a molehill.

[nemo137]

15. Why does the Kennedy thing matter?

It just smacks of dynastic privilege? What makes Jack Kennedy's daughter better than the daughter of anyone else killed in 1963?

[apocalypsehow]

17. Sure. Why not get Jeb & Julie & Amy & Chip & Ron Jr. & Lynda Bird & David in while we're at it? n/t.

[EFerrari]

19. Because service has nothing to do with being in those families.

Although, to be fair, Ron has already been a much better man than his father ever was.

[apocalypsehow]

26. Oh really? History begs to disagree - maybe you ought to brush up on some.

1. Lynda Bird's Dad worked in FDR's New Deal, then was a Democratic congressman from Texas for twelve years, then a U.S. Senator another twelve. Eight of those years in the Senate he spent as Majority Leader, and, hence, one of the most powerful political leaders in the country. He was Vice-president for two and a half years, and President of the United States for six.

Public service has nothing to do with the Johnson family?

2. Chip Ford's Dad served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and then was a member of the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973 - eight years as the House Minority leader. He then served a brief tenure as Vice-president before Nixon resigned, and then was President of the United States from 1974 to 1977.

Public service has nothing to do with the Ford family?

3. Amy Carter's Dad served honorably in the United States Navy, before returning home to his native Georgia, where he served two terms in the Georgia State Senate, before moving on to become Governor of Georgia. He then ran and won a term as President of the United States. After the White House, the former president plunged himself into a number of charitable causes and diplomatic work around the world - perhaps you've heard of Habitat for Humanity? The Carter Center? The Nobel Peace Prize?

Public service has nothing to do with the Carter family?

4. Ronald Reagan - and we are not assessing anything here other than his tenure in public service since that was your sole criterion - was a two-term Governor of the largest state in the nation, California, and then served eight years as President of the United States.

Public service has nothing to do with the Reagan family?

5. Jeb Bush's grandfather was a United States Senator, and his father a Navy pilot who served honorably in World War II. His father went on to serve in the U.S. House, then a stint as an ambassador, was CIA director, Vice-president of the United States for eight years and President of the United States for four. Since leaving office, George Bush Sr. has worked with former President Clinton in several joint charitable causes. His brother has been President of the United States for eight years, and he himself has served eight years as the Governor of Florida.

Love them or hate them, can one honestly say that public service has nothing to do with the Bush family?

6. Julie Nixon's Father served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and then went on to serve four years in the U.S. House and a couple of years in the Senate. He was then Vice-president of the United States for eight years, and President for five and a half.

By your sole criterion, public service, the Nixon family is as steeped in such service as anyone.

7. David Eisenhower's grandfather was a West Point graduate and General Officer during World War II. He led the allied invasion of Europe that helped bring the horrific Nazi regime to an end. After the war, David's grandfather was president of Columbia University, then went on to serve two terms as President of the United States. David's father-in-law was Richard Nixon, whose tenure in public service is detailed in #6 above.

Public service has nothing to do with the Eisenhower family?

Now that you've been educated, perhaps you will wish to, er, "revise and extend" your remarks above.


(Wait for it...wait for it..."b-b-b-bu-bu-but that's different!!!1")

[EFerrari]

29. Not at all. In fact what you have shown is individual effort

not a culture of service, not the habit of serving as a widely held and acted upon value. There is no comparison.

Oh, and you forgot Lady Bird's environmental work.

[apocalypsehow]

30. Non-responsive - about what I expected.

Public libraries are free - try one.

[EFerrari]

34. You also forgot Betty Ford's work in addiction. Laura's work

promoting literacy and literature. And probably a lot of other single issue advocacies.

There's no comparison to the ethic of community service shared, developed and handed on in the Kennedy family. :)

[apocalypsehow]

36. Still non-responsive - and ever fond of pedestrian sitcom cliches, per usual.

Intellectually laughable, and proud of it. Cute. :eyes:

[tabbycat31]

27. don't forget Chelsea, Jenna, Barbara, Sasha, Malia

if you want to go that route.

[sohndrsmith]

20. the problem is people are judging Caroline as her dad - that's not

fair or reasonable. She's incredibly accomplished, particularly on the Constitution (which one would think would be a pretty useful asset if vying for a Senate seat) as well as education and NY (being born and raised and a life-long contributing resident thereof)... her dad and her uncle have nothing to do with HER qualifications. If you exchanged Paris Hilton with Caroline Kennedy, would people view her as qualified based on her CV? I'm doubting it.... she is not pursuing this for the limelight or for her "political prowess"
... nothing could be more clear. This is not a maneuver, this is a calling. If we can't appreciate that then, heck... I don't know what to think...

[bottomtheweaver]

21. Absolutely, there's that, but there's a lot more too.

It's hard to boil it down but I think what it comes down to is that JFK and Bobby started something big, really big, and it pretty much died with them. I'm talking about returning power to the people basically. I think Caroline is intensely aware of that legacy and is intent on restoring it. So it's much more than a personal thing, but, of course, it's that too, and that's what makes it so unbelievably inspiring.

[Hekate]

22. This is a generation that knew not JFK. I don't think the name has the resonance it used to ...

... when we were ourselves the young voters.

I was genuinely touched by the knighting ceremony held by Caroline and Ted Kennedy -- I mean, the endorsement press conference-- and I believe it had a positive effect on the outcome. But I'm not sure how much further that goes.

As for a Senator Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg appointment, imo there's no impediment to her appointment and she'd do well. The people who really have a right to be ticked off, however, are the state-level pols she intends to leapfrog over to get there.

Hekate

[galaxy21]

24. JFK's legacy summed up

1. Cuban Missle Crisis
2. Banging Marilyn Monroe
3. Being indifferent to civil rights to the point civil rights leaders regarded him as unsupportive.
4. Banging Audrey Hepburn
5. Being assassinated.

I prefered RFK and Ted to be honest.

[IndianaJones]

35. did RFK bang Jackie? nt.

[xenussister]

38. JFK got us to the moon

And even if you don't think that in itself was worthwhile, all the technology that came from the space race have changed the world considerably for the better (except to Luddites).

[sohndrsmith]

31. Man, I would hate to be judged or deemed invisible otherwise, unless

equated with or replacement for my father no matter how great he was...

I get your point, but wouldn't it bug you to have that the one thing people appreciated about you? Who you weren't? It makes me uncomfortable for some reason... (then again, my dad was a very unique individual, so perhaps my reaction is personal. Still, my dad was wonderful, but - his "legacy" didn't and wouldn't just dismiss me or who I am, success - failure - whatever... there is still an individual there. It just seems sort of demeaning at best... even though I know that's not what you meant by it and I'm not arguing that. It's just - that's what leaped out at me when I substituted any other names but those of legend... and it just didn't work.

Maybe that's one of the tragedies of fame and all that... yikes.

[BlooInBloo]

37. Continuing the legacy does NOT require a family member.