Caroline Kennedy drops in the polls
Frankly, I’m tired of the name Kennedy. Yes, JFK was a good president. And yes, because of his “genius” we did plant troops in Vietnam that started the domino effect of the neo-redscare and now current plight of when and where we should ship our men and women off to foreign lands. To serve and protect… who exactly?
But, picket signs and Stop-losses aside, why do we continue to trust in the name Kennedy? Are we so quick to brand a person worthy of our vote and sympathy because of their last name? I hope not.
But, maybe people are beginning to move away from this branded legacy that has so long had a political presence and power in our country. According to polls today, Andrew Cuomo is now ahead as a favorite for Hillary Clinton’s seat in the Senate over Caroline Kennedy. I say good, a little competition never hurt anybody, right? If anything, it makes this race more interesting. But this is what worries me: CNN said that, “Caroline Kennedy has been treated fairly by the media.” Come on, we can do better than that, can’t we? Let’s push the envelope and treat her unfair. OK, and Cuomo too. Dig up some dirt, spread it around, and let’s play the poll game again. The problem doesn’t lie in treating her unfair, but that we are so quick to give her some space and privacy. Wrong. She deserves just as much criticism as the next public servant.
My point is this: legacies and family trees are great. But, do we really need another Kennedy in office? Sure, they have done some good things, maybe some (very few) great things. But the question remains, haven’t others?
I agree. A particular surname should not grant impunity from the press or the public.
The Kennedy name is powerful because it is associated with the legacy of JFK and the Kennedy family is still wealthy and influential in American politics.
History looks favorably on JFK despite his foreign policy blunders in Vietnam. JFK was a great orator, was popular in the polls, and took us to the moon.
Yet, Caroline Kennedy is no JFK. She is her own person with her own mistakes and accomplishments. She should be evaluated based on her past, not her family’s.
I think it’s also interesting to note that the Bush family name is also powerful and has possibly helped propel family members to prominent positions.
Family names carry power. But, the press and the public should not base their evaluation of a candidate for office on a name.