And It's not Caroline in New York. A different Kennedy in a different state may be testing the waters for a run in 2010.
Lynn Sweet posted a brief message this evening on her Chicago Sun-Times blog.
It is very short, but here is the first paragraph:
WASHINGTON--Chris Kennedy is taking soundings for the Illinois 2010 Senate race. I heard that he's been making some calls about his prospects if he jumped in what would be a contested (probably) Democratic primary. I've heard there is some polling going on testing his electability.
Speculative, of course, but it's Illinois, so anything could happen as I have learned during my decades as a resident of this state.
Other possible candidates being passed around the rumor mills are Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Sen. Roland Burris.
I live in the southern part of Illinois and I admit that I don't know enough about Schakowsky's record to form an opinion today. I guess that I have some homework.
I have met, listened to and watched Giannoulias at a small formal dinner. The entire administration, including Blago, constituted the honored guests and speakers at a local county JFK celebration. For me, Giannoulias was the only politician there that gave me a positive first impression. He is a great public speaker. He is young, handsome and has a charming personality. If you happen to have watched Dateline on NBC last night, you could have seen him in action. They did a segment on state governments trying to find the owners of unclaimed tax refunds, property and other assets that the states have on their books. They filmed Giannoulias surprising an Illinois resident with a $1.5 million dollar check of an unclaimed investment. He is prominently displayed on the government's website for unclaimed assets and he is getting alot of positive press in Illinois for the program.
I admit that I don't know too much about my current Treasurer. I guess that I have even more homework.
Burris doesn't even have a slim chance to get my vote, so I will not waste anymore time writing about him.
My first impression on reading about Chris Kennedy (RFK Jr.'s son) is probably the same as KOS's ... I don't like unmerited political dynasties. I had concerns about Caroline getting Hillary's seat. For those who did not go to Lynn Sweet's link, we learned there that Chris is currently in charge of The Chicago Merchandise Mart. Now, I was, at one time in my life, a merchandise buyer and have done business there. It is an impressive operation, but I am unclear as to how the skills required to manage the Mart translates to the Senate. We also learned that he has always wanted to run for an elected office but has been waiting for the right time. I guess if you are part of the Joe Kennedy lineage - the right time is never for alderman, mayor, representative or county chairman - it only feels right if it is a Senate race.
My second impression brought out the nostalgic part of me and reflections on Ted's career and the deep sadness that I will feel when the ineviatable happens. Could I be suckered into voting for a Kennedy for Senate just because he's a Kennedy? I think not, but I damn well know that there are a hell of alot of Illinois voters that would.
I was unfamiliar with Chris Kennedy until I read Lynn's post, so I guess the homework has really piled up for me.
Although my school days are long gone, I am looking forward to all of my assignments to be prepared for the 2010 primary for Illinois. It looks like it will be quite interesting.