tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post440685737149625760..comments2023-08-18T00:46:15.377-04:00Comments on Roland Hansen Commentary: Political Dynasty: Good or Bad?Roland Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14510269002146276854noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post-7781788393609913782009-02-03T16:21:00.000-05:002009-02-03T16:21:00.000-05:00Political dynasties are a natural phenomena that e...Political dynasties are a natural phenomena that emerges in American politics. Name familiarity is a major component to political success. I have no problem with political dynasties if they are organic. The Kennedy dynasty is organic as is the Clinton dynasty and the Bush dynasty.<BR/><BR/>However, I see the appointment of Caroline Kennedy (now a dead issue) to to be artificial perpetuation of a political dynasty. If she were to run for office and win it, that is fine. But there isn't anybody who can reasonably argue that Caroline Kennedy was the most qualified Democrat for the job.Brian Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08410190999338150569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post-81035430274728601532009-01-30T16:04:00.000-05:002009-01-30T16:04:00.000-05:00Roland,I wouldn't dismiss them, but based on my re...Roland,<BR/><BR/>I wouldn't dismiss them, but based on my recent experiences in Toledo I might set the bar a bit higher than I normally would.Timothy W Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17118861693269565715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post-33624252307859915692009-01-30T13:42:00.000-05:002009-01-30T13:42:00.000-05:00Likewise, Tim, people should not dismiss someone a...Likewise, Tim, people should not dismiss someone as a candidate solely on the basis that the candidate is related to someone else. All candidates for elective or appointive office still must pass the litmus test and still must go through the political scrutiny prior to being elected or appointed to office. <BR/><BR/>Another aspect that sometimes gets a "bum" rap is allegations of "conflict of interest" when a husband and wife or parent and adult child or siblings wish to seek office on the same body, such as school board or city council or board of county commissioners, etc. I have had people tell me that these folks should not be elected to the same body politic simply because of their relationship posing a conflict of interest and that they would think and act the same. I always respond to that allegation with citing the example of <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Carville" REL="nofollow"><B>James Carville</B></A> and <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Matalin" REL="nofollow"><B>Mary Matalin</B></A>.Roland Hansenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14510269002146276854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post-1985067285204714352009-01-30T12:30:00.000-05:002009-01-30T12:30:00.000-05:00Roland,I agree on the qualifications for Senator, ...Roland,<BR/><BR/>I agree on the qualifications for Senator, am not sure about dynasties in general. I think that the real problem with dynasties is that there is an assumption of competence without proof. <BR/><BR/>The example that you cite of Caroline Kennedy was not unfortunately about whether she was qualified, but was about whether she was qualified simply because she was a Kennedy. <BR/><BR/>Does she have the right to run for office? Absolutely. Does she need to show qualifications to the voters of that district to achieve office? I would hope so. Does she deserve to be given the high office of Senator without prior experience in government simply because of her last name? I would hope not.<BR/><BR/>Families who go into the same profession; medical, legal, etc., still must take the required schooling or training and pass such training. They are not granted an MD by right of birth.<BR/><BR/>It sometimes seems that we are adopting a "House of Lords" philosophy in US politics these days, and I for one find it disturbing.Timothy W Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17118861693269565715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post-72815686170068833282009-01-29T14:15:00.000-05:002009-01-29T14:15:00.000-05:00It should be what you do to earn respect not what ...It should be what you do to earn respect not what your last name might be!Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18069933782595452618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post-27637681445739425072009-01-27T20:26:00.000-05:002009-01-27T20:26:00.000-05:00Roland - I think you make a good case. It shouldn...Roland - I think you make a good case. It shouldn't matter what the candidate's last name happens to be, but will they do a good job for their constituents? Be they Kennedys, Bushes, Clintons, Cuomos, whoever, just judge the person on their own merits.J. Rowseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03438971405576459612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505180960909001059.post-39341851741462244832009-01-27T19:40:00.000-05:002009-01-27T19:40:00.000-05:00Roland,Of course, you're right on regarding the re...Roland,<BR/><BR/>Of course, you're right on regarding the requirements.<BR/><BR/>But, when you're from a so-called dynasty family, people seem to expect more.<BR/><BR/>Right or wrong, people raise expectations/(unwritten)requirements when you have that certain name,<BR/><BR/>And apparently, when is came to the latest Kennedy, it appears as though she didn't meet the expectations.<BR/><BR/>(She was kinda hard to listen to, so I have to agree on the lack of an impression that she failed to make.)<BR/><BR/>Being from a dynasty family apparently cuts both ways. . .Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13176392380086227377noreply@blogger.com