Has that ruddy boozy look of a Kennedy, should be fine.

//but to be fair, so did I after spending time in the Peace Corps

My gut feeling says "no more Kennedys."

Does that make me a rightie?

Good lord, that kid is the spitting image of Robert Kennedy from 1960.

The $25000 Dodecahedron: Good lord, that kid is the spitting image of Robert Kennedy from 1960.

Thought I was the only one that saw Bobby in him...

You know, when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, we always found a great deal to be glad about that we, in the USA, didn't have a ruling "class" or "caste" as in other parts of the world.

Unfortunately, we now have the sons and daughters of politicians, and their grandsons and granddaughters who know of only the privileged life and perks of being a politician. How well that they can advocate for the common citizen, whose challenges and frustrations can only imagined and never truly felt, is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, since many voters look only at the name, and prefer "the devil they know", and they also look at superficial issues like height, hairstyle, weight, etc., I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought.

Flash_NYC: You know, when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, we always found a great deal to be glad about that we, in the USA, didn't have a ruling "class" or "caste" as in other parts of the world.

Unfortunately, we now have the sons and daughters of politicians, and their grandsons and granddaughters who know of only the privileged life and perks of being a politician. How well that they can advocate for the common citizen, whose challenges and frustrations can only imagined and never truly felt, is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, since many voters look only at the name, and prefer "the devil they know", and they also look at superficial issues like height, hairstyle, weight, etc., I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought.

And I would take that ten times over Rand Paul's known policy stances.

Flash_NYC: You know, when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, we always found a great deal to be glad about that we, in the USA, didn't have a ruling "class" or "caste" as in other parts of the world.

Unfortunately, we now have the sons and daughters of politicians, and their grandsons and granddaughters who know of only the privileged life and perks of being a politician. How well that they can advocate for the common citizen, whose challenges and frustrations can only imagined and never truly felt, is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, since many voters look only at the name, and prefer "the devil they know", and they also look at superficial issues like height, hairstyle, weight, etc., I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought.

Original thought from a politician. How cute.

Flash_NYC: You know, when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, we always found a great deal to be glad about that we, in the USA, didn't have a ruling "class" or "caste" as in other parts of the world.

Unfortunately, we now have the sons and daughters of politicians, and their grandsons and granddaughters who know of only the privileged life and perks of being a politician. How well that they can advocate for the common citizen, whose challenges and frustrations can only imagined and never truly felt, is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, since many voters look only at the name, and prefer "the devil they know", and they also look at superficial issues like height, hairstyle, weight, etc., I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought.

Oh please, our 6th President was the son of our 2nd President, and he had previously been an ambassador, a Congressman and a Senator. Its been that way for a long, long time.

Gulper Eel: whidbey: My gut feeling says "no more Kennedys."

Does that make me a rightie?

Not any more than my gut feeling saying "no more Bushes" makes me a leftist. Or celibate.

Probably the only thing we'll ever agree on...

bottsicus: Flash_NYC: You know, when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, we always found a great deal to be glad about that we, in the USA, didn't have a ruling "class" or "caste" as in other parts of the world.

Unfortunately, we now have the sons and daughters of politicians, and their grandsons and granddaughters who know of only the privileged life and perks of being a politician. How well that they can advocate for the common citizen, whose challenges and frustrations can only imagined and never truly felt, is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, since many voters look only at the name, and prefer "the devil they know", and they also look at superficial issues like height, hairstyle, weight, etc., I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought.

Oh please, our 6th President was the son of our 2nd President, and he had previously been an ambassador, a Congressman and a Senator. Its been that way for a long, long time.

And the Harrisons. And the Roosevelts (although very distant in relation: in fact, Eleanor was a lot more closely related to Teddy than FDR was). And the Bushes. Actually, you can trace most of the first 20 or so presidents back to a few common pilgrim ancestors making many of them 2nd or 3rd cousins to each other.

Wow, what a bunch of cynical people.

Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

Also, a politician who can't utter a single thought on his/her own isn't really a politician, but a mouthpiece; and empty suit, who perfectly says what his/her handlers have determined that the population that may elect them might like to hear.

I also believe that lifetime politians are BAD for our government and would love to see a return to the "citizen politician".

However, you folks seem to be happy with things the way they are as long as your particular pet peeve is given appropriate lip-service. I'm not, but too many of you are.

coeyagi: bottsicus: Flash_NYC: You know, when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, we always found a great deal to be glad about that we, in the USA, didn't have a ruling "class" or "caste" as in other parts of the world.

Unfortunately, we now have the sons and daughters of politicians, and their grandsons and granddaughters who know of only the privileged life and perks of being a politician. How well that they can advocate for the common citizen, whose challenges and frustrations can only imagined and never truly felt, is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, since many voters look only at the name, and prefer "the devil they know", and they also look at superficial issues like height, hairstyle, weight, etc., I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought.

Oh please, our 6th President was the son of our 2nd President, and he had previously been an ambassador, a Congressman and a Senator. Its been that way for a long, long time.

And the Harrisons. And the Roosevelts (although very distant in relation: in fact, Eleanor was a lot more closely related to Teddy than FDR was). And the Bushes. Actually, you can trace most of the first 20 or so presidents back to a few common pilgrim ancestors making many of them 2nd or 3rd cousins to each other.

Yes, but other than the local, "Boss Hog"-type, these sorts of examples were the exception, rather than the rule. Again, just because it happened before, doesn't mean it's good or desirable.

I er uh look like a caricachah of a Kennedy.

Maybe we should start crossbreeding our terrible noble houses. Send Joseph Kennedy III to Hollywood and put Joe Estevez in office.

"Hold my Chivas and watch this.. "

Is this anything like the son of a former governor and then a governor himself running for president?

Joseph Kennedy is his great grandfather.

Dat Kennedy Look. Wow.

The smile, the eyes, the hair, the posture.
Yup, that's a Kennedy.

Flash_NYC: Wow, what a bunch of cynical people.

Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

Also, a politician who can't utter a single thought on his/her own isn't really a politician, but a mouthpiece; and empty suit, who perfectly says what his/her handlers have determined that the population that may elect them might like to hear.

And what makes you so sure that Kennedy III is any of the above. He went to Stanford and Harvard, was in the Peace Corps, and has worked as a prosecutor. He's clearly not an idiot, and if all he wanted to do was milk the family name to get into politics, he could have done that a long time ago (like his cousin did...)

Flash_NYC: Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

What is inherently bad about having someone in government who is related to people who have been in government?

If my dad was a Senator or Congressman, should I be banned from running for office?

Pants full of macaroni!!: I thought we as Americans all agreed, no more Kennedys in government, ever?

No we just agreed no Kennedy's are allowed to drive cars over bridges

bottsicus: Flash_NYC: Wow, what a bunch of cynical people.

Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

Also, a politician who can't utter a single thought on his/her own isn't really a politician, but a mouthpiece; and empty suit, who perfectly says what his/her handlers have determined that the population that may elect them might like to hear.

And what makes you so sure that Kennedy III is any of the above. He went to Stanford and Harvard, was in the Peace Corps, and has worked as a prosecutor. He's clearly not an idiot, and if all he wanted to do was milk the family name to get into politics, he could have done that a long time ago (like his cousin did...)

That was more a response to coyeagi's comment of " And I would take that ten times over Rand Paul's known policy stances.", which was in response to my "I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought." comment.

Lighten up Francis, I known your Stanford and Harvard, Peace Corps volunteer, Prosecutor, (sounds like another Kennedy who was a prosecutor or attorney general heard of), probably isn't an idiot. But tell me, what has he done that would distinguish himself from any other prosecutor? Other than the last name thing.

I'd vote for and / or hit that.

Car_Ramrod: Flash_NYC: Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

What is inherently bad about having someone in government who is related to people who have been in government?

If my dad was a Senator or Congressman, should I be banned from running for office?

As I already explained in my earlier post, people who are senators and congresspeople live lives that are very much different from the lives you and I live. They can, and often do benefit from inside knowledge of what legislation will pass and how it will effect the stock price of specific companies. They are often the recipients of gifts, and perks and certain "courtesies" that are unavailable to the average person. The helicopters, the private jets, the motorcades certainly one who grows up in such an evironment really doesn't have much of a bearing in what Joe Sixpack deals with.

If my dad was a Senator or Congressman, should I be banned from running for office?

No, not at all. You could run. But I wouldn't believe you for one minute if you even pretended to "know my pain", or understand what we, the general taxpaying, law-abiding public have to go through.

BTW, why all the love for this politician. The name? The "D" after it? What makes him so special?

Flash_NYC: bottsicus: Flash_NYC: Wow, what a bunch of cynical people.

Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

Also, a politician who can't utter a single thought on his/her own isn't really a politician, but a mouthpiece; and empty suit, who perfectly says what his/her handlers have determined that the population that may elect them might like to hear.

And what makes you so sure that Kennedy III is any of the above. He went to Stanford and Harvard, was in the Peace Corps, and has worked as a prosecutor. He's clearly not an idiot, and if all he wanted to do was milk the family name to get into politics, he could have done that a long time ago (like his cousin did...)

That was more a response to coyeagi's comment of " And I would take that ten times over Rand Paul's known policy stances.", which was in response to my "I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought." comment.

Lighten up Francis, I known your Stanford and Harvard, Peace Corps volunteer, Prosecutor, (sounds like another Kennedy who was a prosecutor or attorney general heard of), probably isn't an idiot. But tell me, what has he done that would distinguish himself from any other prosecutor? Other than the last name thing.

I actually don't know much about him, and don't live in the district he's running to represent, so won't be able to vote for him anyway. But I do think it's ill-advised to rule somebody out (or in) just because of their name. Your point is that he shouldn't get a free pass because his last name is Kennedy. I agree. But automatically declaring him unfit for office because of his name is just as wrongheaded. He probably hasn't done anything to distinguish himself from his fellow prosecutors, and plenty of prosecutors, DAs and AGs have made the jump to elected office. However, as we all know, for better or worse, just being qualified isn't always enough to get elected to office in this country.

Flash_NYC: Car_Ramrod: Flash_NYC: Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

What is inherently bad about having someone in government who is related to people who have been in government?

If my dad was a Senator or Congressman, should I be banned from running for office?

As I already explained in my earlier post, people who are senators and congresspeople live lives that are very much different from the lives you and I live. They can, and often do benefit from inside knowledge of what legislation will pass and how it will effect the stock price of specific companies. They are often the recipients of gifts, and perks and certain "courtesies" that are unavailable to the average person. The helicopters, the private jets, the motorcades certainly one who grows up in such an evironment really doesn't have much of a bearing in what Joe Sixpack deals with.

If my dad was a Senator or Congressman, should I be banned from running for office?

No, not at all. You could run. But I wouldn't believe you for one minute if you even pretended to "know my pain", or understand what we, the general taxpaying, law-abiding public have to go through.

BTW, why all the love for this politician. The name? The "D" after it? What makes him so special?

Your average members of Congress don't fly in private jets or helicopters and they dont have motorcades. I used to work for one, he flies Southwest back and forth to Washington, and rides in his personal vehicle both around Washington and when in the district. Patrick Kennedy, who used to represent me in Congress, does the same.

Just an FYI: rank-and-file members of Congress make $174,000 per year. Yes, many of them were millionaires or wealthy before they ran for Congress, but many were not, and they're not making millions by being in Congress.

Flash_NYC: Car_Ramrod: Flash_NYC: Just because we've had family members in politics before, doesn't make it a good thing, nor does that mean it can't change.

What is inherently bad about having someone in government who is related to people who have been in government?

If my dad was a Senator or Congressman, should I be banned from running for office?

As I already explained in my earlier post, people who are senators and congresspeople live lives that are very much different from the lives you and I live. They can, and often do benefit from inside knowledge of what legislation will pass and how it will effect the stock price of specific companies. They are often the recipients of gifts, and perks and certain "courtesies" that are unavailable to the average person. The helicopters, the private jets, the motorcades certainly one who grows up in such an evironment really doesn't have much of a bearing in what Joe Sixpack deals with.

If my dad was a Senator or Congressman, should I be banned from running for office?

No, not at all. You could run. But I wouldn't believe you for one minute if you even pretended to "know my pain", or understand what we, the general taxpaying, law-abiding public have to go through.

BTW, why all the love for this politician. The name? The "D" after it? What makes him so special?

I don't really think basing your vote on the lifestyle in which they grew up in is the best idea. At best you're making wide generalizations that may not fit this particular person, and at worst you're blatantly miscontruing who they are. I think looking at the policies they would put forward and/or support would be what matters the most, whether they be Dem, Rep, or other.

I just think this whole "ruling class" or "political dynasty" concern is overstated. People who have been elected into office often instill into their children a sense of civic duty. I don't see a problem with that at all, and don't get why people automatically disqualify someone because of their familial ties.

Did Joe Jr have a kid before he died in WWII?

No?

Then this guy ISN'T "Joe III"

/pedantic

Well, there goes the Republicans' hope of flipping that district.

I am opposed to dynasties, such as Gores, Romneys, Kennedys, Bushes and any other you care to name.

Flash_NYC: coeyagi: bottsicus: Flash_NYC: You know, when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, we always found a great deal to be glad about that we, in the USA, didn't have a ruling "class" or "caste" as in other parts of the world.

Unfortunately, we now have the sons and daughters of politicians, and their grandsons and granddaughters who know of only the privileged life and perks of being a politician. How well that they can advocate for the common citizen, whose challenges and frustrations can only imagined and never truly felt, is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, since many voters look only at the name, and prefer "the devil they know", and they also look at superficial issues like height, hairstyle, weight, etc., I'm sure he'll be elected without even uttering one unscripted, or original thought.

Oh please, our 6th President was the son of our 2nd President, and he had previously been an ambassador, a Congressman and a Senator. Its been that way for a long, long time.

And the Harrisons. And the Roosevelts (although very distant in relation: in fact, Eleanor was a lot more closely related to Teddy than FDR was). And the Bushes. Actually, you can trace most of the first 20 or so presidents back to a few common pilgrim ancestors making many of them 2nd or 3rd cousins to each other.

Yes, but other than the local, "Boss Hog"-type, these sorts of examples were the exception, rather than the rule. Again, just because it happened before, doesn't mean it's good or desirable.

Never said it was desirable, just pointing out that this is hardly something shocking. Sheesh. But thanks for editorializing my factual outlay of fact-like facts.