Should a Political Post Be a Family Heirloom?
Kennedy's interest in N.Y. Senate seat sparks talk of "legacy" politics.
Dec. 21, 2008 -- As Caroline Kennedy began her "listening" tour this week across upstate New York, many were talking about the advantages her Camelot legacy gives her in the contest to replace Hillary Clinton as U.S. senator from New York.
On the Sunday morning network talk shows, panelists had a lot to say about Kennedy's interest in the seat.
"DNA doesn't necessarily give you all of the talents that everybody in your family has," said Rep. Gary Ackerman.
Rep. Peter King agreed. "Caroline Kennedy has basically been a Park Avenue Socialite," he said.
Kennedy has quietly tried to quell the criticism she is receiving, arguing she carries far more than a name.
"I've had a lifelong commitment to public service. I've written books on the Constitution and the importance of individual participation and I've raised my family," said Kennedy.
In Rochester, N.Y., the local newspaper dubbed her tour of the city the "drive-by visit."
In Buffalo, a reporter asked if she'd ever been there before, and she responded "three or four" times.
It's very reminiscent of the New York tour taken by another powerful female, Hillary Clinton, nearly a decade ago. It's also reminiscent of Caroline's uncle, Robert Kennedy, who campaigned in the state so many years ago.
Political observers say Caroline's effort takes legacy politics ever further. Political consultant Hank Sheinkopf compared Caroline's tour to her possible predecessor.
"First of all, Hillary Clinton showed up in New York a year or better before the seat was vacant. Showed that she had some knowledge about the things that mattered to the people in the state and then ran. Caroline Kennedy is running for the approval of one vote, the governor of the state of New York."
But if New York Gov. David Paterson doesn't choose a Kennedy, he could pick a Cuomo.
It's another New York family with a strong political legacy: Andrew Cuomo is the current attorney general, and his father, Mario Cuomo, was a governor. In Delaware, another father-son political legacy: Vice President-elect Joe Biden's son Beau is the current attorney general and could run for his father's former Senate seat.
