MSNBC is reporting that Ted Kennedy, Jr. will seek a seat in the CT State Senate. The only other “Kennedy” I can think of to serve in a state legislature is Mark Shriver, son of Eunice Kennedy, who served in the MD House of Delegates.
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Patrick Kennedy was in the Rhode Island house of Representatives before he was elected to Congress.
Unlike his brother, Joe Kennedy II, RFK Jr. or others who have an entitled outlook and feel the offices should seek them, Teddy Jr seems like the genuine article and an humble soul who values his family and wants to make a difference. I would’ve gladly supported him had he run for office in MA and felt he could’ve run straight for the Senate, glad to see him want to work his way up at the local level. Who knows, he might just like it better there.
Patrick Kennedy served in the RI legislature, and didn’t run in Mass. JK III spent some time in the trenches in the DA’s office. RFK, Jr. is a leading national voice and best selling author on environmental issues . I don’t think it’s fair to say (or imply) that the other Kennedys mentioned in your first sentence didn’t want to “make a difference.” I think they all want to make a difference in some way. To be sure, that last name is a blessing in some ways—name recognition, personal wealth, fundraising—but it’s a curse in some ways too.
But I think jconway was referring to JPK II, the father of JPK III, going to Congress back in the 80s.
I stand corrected. But my point’s the same.
I’ll refute the Kennedy bashing accusation leveled by Metheun below.
I try and have a reality based view of the Kennedy’s. Too many Democrats of a certain age (my parents, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Chris Matthews to name a few) tend to view them through rose colored glasses and get excited by the idea of ‘restoring the dynasty’. I think Joe Kennedy was far less effective as my Congressman than his predecessor was and his successor has been. The fact that he has stated he feels he made a bigger difference at Citizens Energy and has refused to return to political life seems to confirm he views his tenure the same way.
His cousin Patrick didn’t do much as Rhode Island’s Congressman, but seems to be having a good career advocating on behalf of prescription drug addicts. Caroline has been a bit of a walking embarassment in Tokyo, but hopefully will regain her footing.
In short, MSNBC will be getting a tingle up it’s leg and Fox will be blowing a gasket. But Teddy Jr. seems to have all of the compassion and tenacity of his father with none of the midlife crisis baggage that undid him in the 80s. I think he is the most promising.
It’s sad to see the Kennedy bashing has already begun here.