Bush, Kennedy dynasties draw some parallels
By LAURA ROMPF
Assistant News Editor
Notre Dame is not the only institution in America where legacy is important. In the 21st Century, legacy has played a large role in national politics.
When George W. Bush earned the Republican nomination for president, it was the fifth nomination for either president or vice president awarded to the Bush family in recent decades.
These numbers have raised comparisons between the Bush's and another political dynasty of the 21st Century, the Kennedy family.
"The Kennedys only got one nomination for president or vice president, where the Bushes now have five vice presidential and presidential nominations," said David Shribman, political analyst for the Boston Globe.
However, Shribman said the "Camelot enchantment" surrounding the Kennedys was greater than the Bushes.
"There is less of a mystique with the Bushes but the Bushes have a lot of staying power," he said.
As for staying power, George W. Bush is governor of Texas and currently running for president. His father, George H. Bush, served as vice president for two terms and president for one term.
His brother, Jeb, is governor of Florida and his nephew, George P. Bush, is a Republican activist trying to recruit the youth vote.
During the 1960s and '70s, the Kennedy dynasty had a similar influence in American politics. Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr., served as ambassador to England and four of his nine children became politically involved.
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., had political aspirations and his father dreamed he would become the first Irish Catholic President of the United States.
However, on August 12, 1944, in England during World War II, his plane exploded, instantly killing him and his co-pilot.
John F. Kennedy then took over the family's political aspirations and was eventually elected the 35th President of the United States. He did not complete his term because he was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963. Robert Kennedy, the next Kennedy in line, began his path towards the presidency, but was shot while campaigning for the Democratic nomination in 1968.
Today, Edward "Teddy" Kennedy is a powerful senator from Massachusetts since first being elected in 1962. Grandchildren of Joseph P. Kennedy also play leading roles in the Democratic party.
Much like Joe Kennedy played an influential role in his sons' political lives, Shribman said George H. Bush has played an important role in his son's campaign.
"I think he played a large role in the selection of Dick Cheney [as vice president candidate]. Cheney is very close to the former president and his son," said Shribman. "The governor knows that any times he needs passionate, reliable advice with no self interests, he can call his father."
Shribman said Bush is not focused on removing himself from his father's shadow.
"It will be very difficult for Bush [to break away from being called his father's son], and he's not inclined to try to," he said.
Regardless of the outcome in November, like the Kennedys, the Bushes have left their mark on American politics.
"You won't be able to write a story about the 21st Century without mentioning the Bushes, just as you could never write a story about this century without mentioning the Kennedy's," Shribman said.
All News Stories for Thursday, September 28, 2000
