IIIII've been incliiiiined... to bristle at the mention of Caroline Kennedy's quest to be appointed to the Senate. I have had mixed feelings, and was reserving judgement.
I remember thinking that after her brother, John, Jr., spoke at the 1988 DNC that he could waltz into whatever political position he wanted, with all that charm and charisma -- the presidency looked iffy to me then, but seeing how Obama got in this time, it really wouldn't have been out of the question. When he died, the thought actually crossed my mind that "Well, I guess this means Caroline will have to take up the mantle."
But it seemed that she shunned the world of politics, and was content to follow in her mother's footsteps. Now this. As I said, mixed feelings. On one hand I love the Kennedy family story -- not as blindly as most, knowing more than a little about the less flattering aspects -- and I don't just mean the obvious scandals. But the idea of expecting great public service from your children is worth noting.
My biggest problem is obviously how this Irish Catholic family has for the most part turned its back on the pro-life cause, aside from Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Yes, Maria's mom -- Arnold's m-i-l -- is a big supporter of Feminists for Life and the SBA List.
(When I started this post I was under the belief that the matriarch Rose was silently appalled at the rest of her clan's abortion advocacy -- but she is credited on many websites as the person who said "If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament." I think this may be apochryphal, but that's a mystery for another day...)
So political ideology aside, I wasn't sure exactly what Caroline has done to show she is worthy of the position. I assumed that she had extensive experience in charitable works. But then I heard that she has only spent a couple hours a day, a few days a week in that pursuit. Just what does she do the rest of the week?
Not voting, was the next I hear. But was it just primaries we're talking about? Or was the outcome so clear, and she was up to her eyeballs in charity work that she couldn't find the time... I imagine if she continues this quest, we'll find out.
But one thing she has made clear is that if she is not appointed, she will not run for the office in 2010. In other words, unless this is handed to her, she will not go through the customary meat grinder to make her way there.
So, yes, the sense of entitlement issue arises. And, yes, that rubs me the wrong way. But here's what bothers me more about Caroline shunning the usual political process:
It will perpetuate the myth that women are just not up to entering the dirty world of politics. It's what suppressed women's suffrage a century ago, and it's what suppresses the number of women in political positions today.
Bestow this honor upon Caroline, and women across the country will continue to think that you have to have connections and pedigree to be a part of the process.
All the good that the story of Sarah Palin's rise from the PTA, to the city council, to mayor, and eventually to governor that women were inspired by this past fall -- will fade if we return to politics as usual.
Just say, no, Gov. Paterson.
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