PrintDecember 17, 2008
Democrats turning the Senate into the House of Lords
I thought we fought a revolution so that we could be rid of royalty, titles, and dynastic privileges.
From Politico:
Barack Obama's path to the presidency included beating what had been one of the nation's most powerful families. But, in an unusual twist, his election last month is helping accelerate the trend toward dynasty politics.
His secretary of state will be Hillary Clinton, the wife of the former president. The Senate seat she’ll vacate is being pursued by Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of a president and the niece of two senators. Joe Biden’s Senate seat may go to his son Beau. Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar, Obama’s pick for Interior Secretary, could end up being replaced by his brother, Rep. John Salazar.
And Obama’s own seat could go to the son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. – less likely now in light of developments in the Rod Blagojevich scandal – or to the daughter of Illinois’ current House speaker.
He forgot Senator Bob Casey, son of a former governor and Andrew Cuomo who may run for the senate in 2010.. And the Republicans are not immune given that Jeb Bush will be running for senator and Mitt Romney will likely make another run for President,
What this really amounts to is evidence that those with name recognition due to a family connection to politics have a huge head start worth literally millions of dollars in ad money over any challenger not so blessed. In the case of these Democrats, party leadership in those states recognizes that advantage and wishes to capitalize on it by putting in office someone who won't have to spend a lot of time or money pounding a name into voter's heads when the next election rolls around. This will give these seat warmers a big advantage over any Republican challenger.
What it says about both parties and we as a nation is sad, indeed.
Hat Tip: Ed Lasky
Correction: An earlier version of this post identified Bob Casey's father as a former senator. He was a former governor. AT regrets the error.
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