Too Much Legacy in The U.S. Senate?
EmailThere’s been quite a lot of commentary in recent weeks that the U.S. Senate is starting to look a lot more like the British House of Lords.
There’s the possible appointment of Caroline Kennedy to Sen. Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.
And Vice President-Elect Joe Biden’s son, Beau, 38, is rumored to be interested in a 2010 bid for the longtime Delaware senator’s seat.
In an exclusive interview airing Sunday on "This Week," I asked Vice President-Elect Joe Biden about his son, and whether he supports Caroline Kennedy’s bid for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s New York Senate seat.
"Look, I love Caroline Kennedy. I think Caroline Kennedy is an incredibly talented woman. I think she’s an incredibly talented person who has a lot to offer," Biden told me.
But, he said, "That, that’s for the people of New York to, to make … For the governor, and, eventually, within two years, the people of New York to decide whether the governor’s judgment was correct."
When I asked Biden about whether his son, Beau, 38, will run for his seat in 2010, Biden said he hasn’t decided yet. If he does, Biden said, he’ll earn it.
"Look, he’s attorney general of the state of Delaware. They’re looking at him, he’s getting great grades. This is in terms of what he’s done. He’s doing it," Biden said. "You know, his judgments, good or bad, aren’t because his name is Biden. I mean, people can judge him based on what he’s done. "
–George Stephanopoulos
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Our congress (for many many years) have been run by people who do not represent the American people. I don’t know what happens after we vote them in, but at that point, most of them represent their party and not the people that voted them in.
Senator Webb and Warner from Virginia for example. They had poll numbers of 60% of Virginians saying NO to the First Bailout and around 65% saying NO to the Auto-bailout. Did they vote as the people that voted them in wanted? NO!! They both voted YEA!
When I called Senator Webb’s office to voice my opinions on the Auto Bail-Out, they even told me that it was 65% saying NO!
Our Government is run by Elites. Don’t know when they hell we are going to get off our rear and do something about it, but don’t you all think we should?
Posted by: ajax | December 20, 2008, 9:45 am 9:45 am
Both George and Ajax are correct. Our government has been a House of Lords for decades. We have career politicians in House/Senate. When the WH/Congress change party dominance, you once again see those names appear that were merely “hiding in the wings”. Money and political power are their goals, not true leadership. All full of eliteism. And sadly, ajax, we can’t vote them out because of politics and money. The party machines decide who will have the office and then inform us of their choice. And if we DID manage to actually vote out all the powerful in government, would they actually, willingly leave? Or would they simply ignore us and tell us they know better (like the bailouts). P.S. Here in California we have all of the above problems, and gerrymandered districts as dessert!
Posted by: Terrence O'Day | December 20, 2008, 11:17 am 11:17 am
The $4700.00 a year pay raise that congress has just received says it all. In an economy where people in our country are going hungry, congress laughs and spits on them.
Posted by: Disgusted | December 20, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
Caroline Kennedy may be a wonderful Senator for New York but she is very presumptuous to think that because of her name she can just step into the vacancy. She has no experience in government, business or public duty. Her childhood was sheltered, her lifestyle better than almost everyone else, her income guaranteed and her real life experiences as compared to most Americans do not exist. Let her run for office and be questioned, prodded and poked by the press as most candidates are and see if she is real or just an image.
Posted by: jim 234 | December 20, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Just what we need..another Kennedy in the senate….isn’t Uncle Chapaquiddick Teddy enough?…
Posted by: Ramage | December 20, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
The need for experience is overrated. Just mail in your family’s entitlement paperwork and get your secret senatorial decoder ring.
Posted by: LongT | December 20, 2008, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
If Caroline’s last name was Palin…everyone would yell about her lack of experience. Caroline has never held office and has less of a track record than Obama. No on Kennedy.
Posted by: Roger King | December 20, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
I sincerely hope Gov Patterson does not select Caroline. There are more qualified and deserving people. Just like Richardson, she expected something in exchange for her endorsement–is Rahmbo involved in this one too? I think she’d be a splendid Ambassador somewhere.
Posted by: leighmcv | December 20, 2008, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
Duh, I think I will run for the Pope position because, although I have no experience in the field, my family has always been in religion and I am well regarded for my connections. I think I could represent the cause of the common mass because I have a nice smile and my speech writers can tell me what to say that would go over well.
Posted by: zdskypilot | December 21, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am
I hope the Governor takes the Senate seat. He seems a good honest guy. Certainly not like the problems in Illinois anyway.
In Illinois the Gov hangs on. In NY he resigns and gets no prosecution. But then a sex scandal is different from selling Senate seats to the highest bidder.
We have 50 governors and lost two now in a few months. Spitzer in NY and Blagojevich in Illinois.
It would be cool if he names Chelsea Clinton to take Hillary’s seat. After all no one pays attention to the Constitution any more. If Obama can refuse to show his Birth Certificate to prove he is eligible then Chelsea can refuse to show her Birth Certificate.
Chelsea might become the first woman President. She is a terrific woman who is earning her stripes. She was out on the campaign trail answering questions. Caroline Kennedy was simply standing next to an illegible candidate who is not even a Natural Born Citizen. I would not trust Caroline to present the public with the truth. She was basically a part of the fraud of Obama.
The Supreme Court will announce the truth and will never allow Obama to be President since it is against the Constitution. He was born dual citizenship of Britain and USA. The constitution says you must be born 100% American citizen with both parents citizens.
Posted by: Democrat All My LIfe | December 21, 2008, 10:14 am 10:14 am
This INDEPENDENT is still so angry that the people of America has chosen an arrogant, experienced, unqualified wannabee to be our next President. The only thing that gets me even more upset is the position that Joe Biden (a long time political favorite of mines) and Hillary Clinton have NOW taken:To strongly support BHO, someone they both said was highly unqualified to be Prez (among other negative criticisms) but now have taken an about turn. These two people are nothing more than fxxxxxxg political WHORES. With such obvious weakness in BHO I can see them SUPPORTING AMERICA but to support BHO as they are doing with such vigor is just sickening. I will never look at Biden again in an interview: My position on Hillary is yet TBD.
Posted by: calypsoman | December 21, 2008, 10:56 am 10:56 am
I think the governor should be given the opportunity in the legal forum to defend the charges against. As a nation we can not allow assume that the governor is guilty of all charges in the public arena.
Posted by: Nathan Aguru | December 21, 2008, 11:31 am 11:31 am
After reading all the posts so fare, I have to say there have been some highly important points that we the American people have address. For surely if we don’t, no one else can or will.
The following are some classic comments….
“Our congress (for many many years) have been run by people who do not represent the American people.”
“We have career politicians in House/Senate.”
“The $4700.00 a year pay raise that congress has just received says it all.”
(That’s your money they are using for their pay raise) let me repeate that (that’s your momey they are using for their pay raise)
“Caroline Kennedy has no experience in government, business or public duty. Her childhood was sheltered, her lifestyle better than almost everyone else, her income guaranteed and her real life experiences as compared to most Americans do not exist.”
(thank you or sanity)
“Just mail in your family’s entitlement paperwork and get your secret senatorial decoder ring”. (a all time classic)
“If Caroline’s last name was Palin…everyone would yell about her lack of experience.” (good shot, and ya um, that one hurts)
We get the goverment we allow, and thus, deserve.
I’m or a little revolution!
Posted by: Franco | December 21, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am
“I think the governor should be given the opportunity in the legal forum to defend the charges against. As a nation we can not allow assume that the governor is guilty of all charges in the public arena.”
Yes I fully agree, everyone has the right to defend himself or herself in a court of law against their accusers, even if that person may or may not be liked. Liked as nothing to do with it. If someone is quiltiy then prove it! BUT the Illinois Democrats what him (one of their own) gone and buried ASAP. What’s the hurry Democrats? That is way they formed their own burial commission for impeachment so the details of this case never come to light. These elitist tactics (above the law) if allowed to go on will only foster more of the same and will one day lead to revolution and violence in the streets of America. For when there is no justice, these is violence, and this is a natural fact bigger then we all are. It would be nice to give Bill Ayers a taste of his own medicine.
Posted by: Franco | December 21, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
In one of ABC’s articles it was said about the inauguration that America wants royal splendor and has its own royal families, in so many words. I saw our forefathers spinning in their graves and wishing they could come out to haunt the current US press, Congress, and White House. Still, with the BO taking on all Clinton cronies as well as Hilary. With the Bushes fingers in all parts of politics and the CIA, and with the Kennedys getting re elected over and over again, as well as elected, as well as placed without campaigning simply because of the Kennedy Name (Legacy), I ask Americans, is this what you truly want? If you don’t, simply say NO! I have nothing against Caroline, but I don’t think she should be handed the seat because she is the daughter of JFK. Jackson Jr shouldn’t get Illinois, and Biden Jr shouldn’t get his dad’s place. Even if it takes awhile, elections should be held. Just say NO! That is unless you think we should have royal families. I want someone to represent me.
Posted by: clancy49 | December 21, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
Legacy? Too much graft in the Senate and in the House.
The only thing that will save this country from total ruin is term limits.
Then the only people to run for election are those interested in doing the peoples work instead of their own.
Politicians claim we can’t survive without all of their experience. We havn’t done too well so far. Usually they have 1 year of experience for 20 years.
Posted by: Dave | December 21, 2008, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm
The only difference between use and Britan is we have the illusion of electing our masters, when they control who gets nominated from both parties and how the votes are counted. (Or not) How much can you take before it’s time for a Revolution!?! Oh that would involve talking to another person, and getting off the couch, Nevermind!!! Are you enjoying your servitude yet!?!
Posted by: please! | January 9, 2009, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm