We have a political aristocracy in America that is increasingly becoming hereditary as well. We scold Syria and belly laugh over North Korea, but we’re in the game too (this is my own very incomplete list, but check out Oligarch Kings for more on the subject).
Anyway, lookee:
- Senator Prescott Bush
- his son, Congressman and President GHW Bush
- his son, Governor and President GW Bush
- his brother, Governor Jeb Bush
- Governor and President Bill Clinton
- his wife, Senator and Sect’y of State Hillary Clinton
- Governor and Presidential candidate George Romney
- his son, Governor and Presidential candidate Mitt Romney
- Congressman and perennial Presidential candidate Ron Paul
- his son, Senator Rand Paul
- US Ambassador to England, Joseph P. Kennedy
- his son, Senator and President John F. Kennedy
- his brother, Attorney General and Senator and Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy
- his brother, Senator Ted Kennedy
- his son, Congressman Patrick Kennedy
- assorted other Kennedys in State offices
- NY Governor Mario Cuomo
- his son, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo (married ot RFK’s daughter)
- California Governor Pat Brown
- his son, 2-time California Governor Jerry Brown
(Of course, there were the Adamses, father and son, in the early 1800’s and the 20th Century Roosevelts – although their relationship was very distant.)
So, who am I missing?
The Chaplin adds two more 19th century names:
- President William Henry Harrison
- his grandson, President Benjamin Harrison
One of the most interesting things about these people is that many of them are interrelated, i.e., one family to another.
You can have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, or democracy. But you cannot have both.
You left out the Cuomo’s. Mario and his son the Governor of New York. Also you could probably add some media figures headlined by Tim Russert’s kid, Luke, who has become the guy they send out in the hurricane to give a weather report. Also Fox and Friends goofy Steve Doocy and his offspring. As well as Minka Brezinski and her father the ultimate ” The World is a Chessboard”. And poor Chelsea couldn’t keep her NBC job. I’m sure Mommy and Daddy can get her something.
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Hey JP – nice to see you! Look closer my friend – I have the Cuomos in there. And you make a great point. I think I should draw up a media list as well!
And Wilile Geist! And Maria Schreiver!
There’s usually nothing suspect about kids following into their parents’ professions, but elected office and media mouthpieces are different, aren’t they.
(Now, if you’d write about something besides baseball, I’d come visit!)
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Interesting list. Good to know.
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Interesting list, indeed. How did George Romney become a candidate for President if he was born in Mexico? I can’t remember anything about that.
When you’re doing the media list, include Jenna Bush, or isn’t she on any more either? Anderson Cooper had famous parent, but not political. However, long hair, cleavage, and short skirts seem to have a lot of sway when it comes to media job opportunities, too, so all is not a lost cause if there’s not any nepotism to be had.
Oh… and then there is George Clooney, whose father was a newsman. If he wants to anchor the news, that’s fine with me.
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Yeah, I say we toss all the rules for George Clooney. He can move to the front of my line anytime! 🙂
I’ve wondered about that Geo Romney/Mexico thing. Think I even asked in a post here – had an interesting thread with jonolan but I don’t think we came up with an answer. The thread is here if you’re interested:
https://maureenholland.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/david-brooks-reaches-and-reaches-also-the-romneys/
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I think this is why Obama was so refreshing–he didn’t come from any established line of politicians. Perhaps he can start a new dynasty, looks like we need a little more color on that list :p
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And we need to mix it up with the genders too!
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Agreed! I like Hillary, but one isn’t enough!
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VERY INTERESTING…YES SOMEONE ASKED HOW COULD GOV ROMNEY I RUN FOR PRESIDENT SINCE HE WAS BORN IN MEXICO? MAYBE THERE IS AN EXCEPTION FOR MORMANS…..NOW MITT WILL CLAIM TO BE A FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN AND A MEXICIAN ONE AT THAT
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Good thought Jay – that immigrant Mexican thing will just add to his already sterling credentials as just a ‘regular’ guy.
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He said it tonight in the debate….talking about immigration….”My father was born in Mexico”
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I’m still mighty confused about how George romney could have been considered a viable candidate for prez (and he was!) when he was born in Mexico????
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We Presidents William Henry Harrison and his grandson Benjamin Harrison in the 19th century.
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Updating the list now!
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We had Presidents…
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