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Who Will Carry On Kennedy Legacy?

By ANDRA VARIN

AOL News

posted: 5 HOURS 33 MINUTES AGO

comments: 1276

filed under: National News

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(Aug. 27) -- His three older brothers all died violently, leaving him to take on the role of clan patriarch. But with the death of Edward Kennedy, there is no obvious heir to carry on the family's storied legacy.

Is it really the end of an era? The nine children of Joseph Kennedy Sr.and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy produced a host of their own offspring. Many of them have tried their hand at the family business, but so far none has emerged as a star.

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The Kennedy Legacy

Joseph Kennedy Sr. and his wife, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, are shown in 1937 with eight of their nine children. The baby of the family, Ted, would end up becoming the family patriarch following the assassinations of his brothers John F. Kennedy Jr., third from right, and Robert F. Kennedy, third from left. Now that Ted is gone, who will pick up the torch?

Keystone / Getty Images

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The crown prince of Camelot was John F. Kennedy Jr., who died at 38 in a 1999 plane crash. JFK Jr. never ran for office, but Kennedy fans always believed the handsome, charismatic son of the slain president would come into his own one day.

"John F. Kennedy Jr. certainly had it," said Edward Klein, author of 'Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died' (Crown Publishing). "All he had to do was walk into the room. But he's gone."

It's not even clear what will happen to Ted Kennedy's seat. In Massachusetts, a special election must be held within 145 to 160 days of a Senate seat falling vacant. Gov. Deval Patrick has indicated he would not object to amending the law so that he could appoint an interim successor, but the legislature has not yet acted.

Joe vs. Vicki?

There are, of course, a number of potential candidates to succeed Ted in the family. A lot of speculation centers around his widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, and his nephew Joseph Kennedy II, a former congressman from Massachusetts and Robert F. Kennedy's oldest son.

Although Victoria Kennedy is said to have disclaimed any interest, she is a lawyer from a political family of her own, and many would see her as a logical choice.

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Remembering Ted Kennedy

Edward M. Kennedy, who served in the Senate for more than four decades, died at his Massachusetts home Tuesday. "We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," his family said.

Susan Walsh, AP

"It's the widow syndrome," said Mary Ellen Balchunis, a political science professor at La Salle University in Philadelphia. "That could happen. She gained the knowledge through her husband. She's made a number of contacts, although she's stayed in the background so far."

Joe Kennedy gave up a run for Massachusetts governor in 1997 amid a double scandal. His first wife, Sheila, was so incensed about his attempt to have their union annulled that she wrote a book about it. And his brother Michael was caught in an extramarital affair with a teenage baby sitter.

The annulment mess has long faded, and Michael Kennedy died in a Jan. 1, 1998, skiing accident. But Joe could face flak because his Citizens Energy Corp., a nonprofit organization that helps the poor and elderly heat their homes, gets a lot of its oil from Venezuela's very vocal anti-American president, Hugh Chavez.

"I don't think the people of Massachusetts care that much about it," said Klein. "He has bought a huge amount of air time for commercials about his Citizens Energy, almost as if he was running for office."

Klein sees a possible rivalry emerging between Joe and Victoria, but doesn't think either one would want a showdown. Neither one, he said, enjoys great popularity within the family -- "Joe because he's a bull-in-a-china-shop kind of guy and Vicki because she's considered to be an outsider."

As for Robert Kennedy's other children, RFK Jr. has chosen environmental activism over politics. His sister Kathleen Kennedy Townsend served as lieutenant governor of Maryland but her 2002 bid for governor failed miserably. "She has fizzled," Klein said. "I don't think she has a political future."

Ted himself had three children, Kara, Edward Jr. and Patrick, and two stepchildren. Only Patrick has ventured into politics thus far. He was still at student at Providence College when he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives. In 1994, he was elected to the U.S. Congress. But he has struggled with addiction and depression.

"He doesn't seem to be able to stay clean and sober," said Klein. "You would call him a competent legislator but not a great legislator."

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Remembering Kennedy

President Barack Obama: "For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts."

Jewel Samad, AFP / Getty Images

Time for a Kennedy Woman?

His cousin Caroline Kennedy, JFK's daughter, dipped her toe into the political water when she expressed interest in the New York Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton. But she quickly withdrew amid media questions about her qualifications and Gov. David Paterson's obvious resentment of her supporters.

"Caroline should have had it for the asking but she flubbed it, in part because she stumbled and in part because the governor handled it very shabbily," said Klein.

Caroline isn’t likely to try for elected office after that experience, but Balchunis said she could still make her mark, perhaps as a Cabinet member or ambassador.

Another Kennedy woman who could make a mark doesn't even bear the family name.

"Maria Shriver is the dark horse of the Kennedy family," said Balchunis. "I think you're going to see her emerge."

A former TV journalist, Shriver isn't likely to be intimidated by media questions. "Her children are growing up, her husband is going to be finishing his term [as California's governor]. Politics could be more appealing to her," Balchunis said.

Shriver certainly has a political pedigree far beyond her status as California first lady. Her father is Sargent Shriver, the 1972 Democratic vice-presidential nominee. Her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was a powerful advocate for the mentally disabled and the founder of Special Olympics. But Shriver's political aspirations, if she has any, have so far taken a back seat to Republican husband Arnold Schwarzenegger's career.

What's in a Name?

The Kennedy name is still powerful, particularly in Massachusetts. But with no obvious stars waiting in the wings, is the Kennedy dynasty done as a political force?

If there is a political powerhouse among the younger generations, he or she will make it on more than the Kennedy name, said James Campbell, head of the political science department at the University at Buffalo, SUNY.

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The Kennedy Family

The Kennedy family is a true political dynasty, and Ted Kennedy was last surviving brother of his generation. Here, President-elect John F. Kennedy, center, poses with relatives on Nov. 9, 1960.

"A lot is made of the family connection but so much is the individual," Campbell said. "The family name and the family fortune both help, but then it's their own particular talents combined with the situation that makes for a successful politician."

Klein doesn't believe the family is finished as a major political force, but it may have a brief hiatus.

"I think maybe we’re going to have to wait until 10 years until the fourth generation comes of age,” he said, referring to the great-grandchildren of Joe Sr. and Rose.

"There's no great spark of political genius in that third generation," Klein said. "But it would be very surprising if that political gene didn't pop up again.

"For those of us who will be around in 10 years, it's very likely we'll be seeing some very compelling and interesting figures emerging from that family again."

2009-08-26 20:46:38

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Walkabjdog

06:34 PMAug 27 2009

ANNOY AN OBAMANITE........................be a begger and ask an Obamanite for CHANGE............their fresh out.

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redneckcraka9

06:34 PMAug 27 2009

NEXT..................

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Sandia524

06:33 PMAug 27 2009

Personally I would prefer the Kennedys stay out of the spotlight. We could use a break from lives.

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FFFFFFFEAR

06:33 PMAug 27 2009

eury....judge much?

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monkeeskilla

06:33 PMAug 27 2009

William Kennedy Smith!!

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S321Saint

06:33 PMAug 27 2009

"Caroline should have had it for the asking but she flubbed it, in part because she stumbled and in part because the governor handled it very shabbily," said Klein" it shows how pathetic the Kennedys are. Now they dont even have to get elected, they should just be appointed. Hey..I WANT THAT SENATE seat...oh wait, my name isnt Kennedy. Now all you will hear, from the NY Times, the LA Times and other liberal rags, is them throwing out article after article on which liberal should "replace him". Hey...how about Massachusetts citizens grow up and elect honest, intelligent people instead of a kennedy. Why not? because they are rather stupid and really cant think for themselves..so they look "up" to teddy as somehow a "Man of the working man"...teddy who never had to work a day in his life and after getting handed his senate seat, never had to spend his own money...even after killing a woman....

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SERGEANT RUSS

06:33 PMAug 27 2009

Let's hope the Kennedy story is over. I think this Country has had enough of the Kennedy clan. The Kennedy's are a prime example how money corrupts and can buy you out of crime and problems. Anybody who lives vicariously through the Kennedy's should just move to England. That is what the Brits do through the stupid royal family.

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Eurythmy2

06:31 PMAug 27 2009

This is what I have learned about Repugnant Cons... They live to Lie!!! Their hearts (if you can find them) are filled with the desire to seeth Hatred!!! They care mostly about cells and not much at all about the Living, Breathing Children!!! They turn a blind eye and deaf ear to their Pedophile Priests & Politicians and embrace Out of Control, Obese, Loud Mouth, Druggie Liars like Lying Limbaugh!! They wear the flag like it belongs only to them because in their unevolved minds...it does! In their brainwashed, sad little minds they truly believe that they are the only ones who Love & Die for OUR COUNTRY!! The only message they send to the world is I Love my Money & I Hate You!!! See my Guns...they make me a Man!!! I'm the Only Real Christian because I think anybody who calls God by a different name should be Dead and Go to Hell!!! SICK, PERVERSE, UNEDUCATED, ARROGANT, GREEDY, HATEFUL, MEAN SPIRITED, BACKWARDS HATE AND FEAR MONGERS WHO SHOULD BE LOCKED UP FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY...

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chicagoan57

06:30 PMAug 27 2009

do we really care who carries the legacy? maybe they will finally fizzle out and go away.

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redneckcraka9