Question from an outsider

[B0S0X87]

Hi, I'm not from Massachusetts, although I am a huge Sox fan, my mom grew up in Cambridge and my family has a house in Rockport... Anyway, I read this article in TIME about how the voters of Massachusetts like Kerry, but they don't love him the way they loved the first JFK. One person was quoted as saying, "We've had our political family for the last fifty years. And that family is Kennedy."

So, my question is how much power the Kennedy family still has. Are they still worshipped the way they were in the sixties? When Teddy leaves his senate seat, will it just be assumed that Patrick Kennedy or one of his cousins will run for senate and win easily?

Thanks for your time.

[saltpoint]

1. Patrick Kennedy is not a Massachusetts resident and --

-- represents a Congressional district in I believe Rhode Island.

[B0S0X87]

2. I know that

but I assume it would be pretty easy to carpetbag, especially for him.

[MADem]

5. RFK was a carpetbagging senator n/t

[saltpoint]

7. He hopped over the state line, yes.

William Weld also considered the same route a short while back -- and also to New York State.

While Patrick could return to the Bay State, his electoral base is in Rhode Island. I'm betting he remains there.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

3. People either love or hate the Kennedys still

my Catholic relatives have a picture of the Pope and JFK in their homes, and my family loves Teddy. He has served his constituency very well, and still has a lot of respect.

Kennedy power is more federal than state power. There are many more prominent movers and shakers in Mass than the Kennedys.

And can I say that I'm bummed that the Spankees got Randy Johnson...

[TaleWgnDg]

4. JFK was special. Whenever there's a "most favorite president"

JFK was special. Whenever there's a "most favorite president" poll across the country, John Fitzgerald Kennedy's name still comes out somewhere on the top of the list. He remains poignant in the hearts and minds of America, both he and his wife, Jackie. They were the "new generation" in Washington D.C. in 1960, not old curmudgeons from WW2. Just young, fresh and handsome faces, he, his wife, and his two young mischievous kids, John-John and Caroline, in D.C. His name and his personification is frozen in time . . . that's what his death did in 1963.

As for Massachusetts and the Kennedys, we love them. Edward Moore ("Ted") Kennedy is our "favorite son" and the most Democrat of Democrats in D.C., overall. We, here, in Massachusetts are proud of him and for all the public service dedication over a lifetime he has given to us. I don't believe Ted will step down from his Senate seat. Instead, I believe he will die in office, he loves it so. Another Kennedy will replace him, I am sure of it. Joe Kennedy (Joseph P. Kennedy II, son of Bobby Kennedy and wife Ethel) says he doesn't want to go back into politics. He's running a Massachusetts non-profit foundation re (1/2 price) heating-oil-for-the-poor and other charitable stuff (Citizens Energy Corporation). Joe is appreciated and admired for this work.


Joe Kennedy w/ Citizens Energy Corporation

Yes, the Kennedy name remains powerful in Massachusetts. However, the Kennedys have been in D.C. politics, not state politics since the matriarch of the clan Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy's father "Honey Fitz" was mayor of Boston back in the early 1900s. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy's name was recently honored by naming the "Big Dig's" (www.bigdig.com) new surface roadway "The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway."

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kennedys/peopleevents/p_fitz.html
http://genealogy.about.com/library/family_trees/bl_kennedy.htm
http://www.citizensenergy.com/Company_History.htm

.

[MADem]

6. The greenway will be very special once it is finished

And it will make our city one of the best in the land, not that it isn't already in that category.

Rose Kennedy Greenway
A series of parks that extend primarily in the path of the old elevated Central Artery from Chinatown through the Wharf District and North End to the Fleet Center is now known as the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The Kennedy family, government officials and others met to dedicate the Greenway on July 26, 2004. The nearly 30 acres of parks and greenspace will be accessed from a new boulevard and other reconstructed surface streets with improved pedestrian walkways and landscaping.
http://www.masspike.com/bigdig/parks/greenway.html

[TaleWgnDg]

8. Yup, I agree. And thanks for the updated url . . . n/t

[newyawker99]

9. Hi BOSOX87!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[B0S0X87]

10. Thanks

for the welcome!

[ExclamationPoint]

11. The reason why people love the Kennedy's is...

their sheer ability to provoke patriotism for ones own country and to fight for justice. J.F.K. was in many ways like King Arthur.

[jackster]

12. is there still talk of Joe running for Gov?