and brilliant.. it's silly to hold their heritage against them.

The public will decide if he's worthy. Democratic voters. Histrionics will not be a factor.

Why pre judge him based on his family?

after 2 years in Office.. and his granddad 5 years later.

Not Joe Kennedy's fault they have service in their genes.

mcar

but she ran on her own accomplishments. We know a Kennedy is a big time political dynasty. Sorry but he bears the burden to prove that he is not just running on a family name. That is how I think most voters will judge this issue. But, i know you have a point.

like that.

"..running on a family name.." smh

He DID however, speak of everyone else & their needs & concerns in this country.
Not himself & his family name.

He certainly could have stood there and built his fame on the back of his family's name.
But He Did No Such Thing.

In his speech, he never once mentioned the word "I".
He did say the words "you & us & we", tho.

He needs his family. But he doesn't need his family name.
He has risen in respect & applause on his own merit & diligence, intellect & humanity..

Thank you

Mahalo!

His words are a balm for America.

Cha

Also silly to deprive the country of someone who is brilliant and dynamic because of their last name.

It's good to see you here again!

by what he/she brings to the table.

it looks like quite a few of us do find Joe Kennedy III to be so.

We've had one Kennedy President who didn't even serve a full term and it was in the 1960s. Thats not a fucking dynasty.

Not a dynasty. Not even close.

If not for Chappaquiddick

Shit its been 20 years since Joe II held office.

You aren't familiar with Ted, are you?

Not disparaging his long serving terms as senator, but that one incident had a negative effect on his chances of being elected president.

re-read your post that I responded to.

before they reached their full potential.

Some families are more motivated to serve.. I would not hold that against them.

And, it's about the individual.. who shines on their own.

Yup that Clinton dynasty. ..of ONE .

Hope they can come up with some new talking points for 2018.

I remember President Kennedy's funeral. My dad told me to sit down and watch it, and I said "why," and he said "this is history." Ever since, the Kennedy political legacy has carried on, in many of our hopes and dreams. But, it is time to level the playing field, no political dynasties to help jump start any political career.

And get elected and you aren't going to change that.

A Kennedy was president in this country for less than 4 years nearly 60 years ago. The voters will determine whether one was enough if he decides to run at some point.

5 years later.

I shall it change it.. Mahalo spooky!

Years go by so fast!

went a little faster for me.

the perfect storm for it.

I moved to a new town and my sisters came to visit.. one in May and June.. and the other in August.

I had plenty to do in RL.

not en vogue. As a matter of fact, they are a huge turn-off for most.

Joe the III could give the most amazing speech in history, but it would be overshadowed by dynasty fatigue.

What a pantload.

the rebuttal? IMHO to make political statement using the Kennedy name. Now, he did a great job, not contested. Just that Americans have had a bellyful of political families. Maybe he can shed this baggage.

The Millenial Kennedy: Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III
March 17, 2017

"The only current member of the Kennedy family serving in Congress, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III has made national headlines in the past week after he criticized the new Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), the American Health Care Act (AHCA).

During debate over the bill last week in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Kennedy went as far as to call the plan an “act of malice”, drawing a sharp contrast with the rhetoric of House Speaker Paul Ryan, who dubbed the bill an “act of mercy” prior to Kennedy’s remarks.

Kennedy, who has been a relatively low-key legislator ever since he took office in 2013, has taken to the airwaves in the aftermath of his scathing remarks about the AHCA. Since his defense of Obamacare and criticism of the Republican plan last week, Kennedy has appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Hardball with Chris Matthews, All In With Chris Hayes, and CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper. In these forums, Kennedy has continued his very public opposition to the GOP’s new bill."

sorry but I like to take people on their merits rather than family history or connections.

Just like I will NOT discount a person because of their race, sex, ethnic origin, sexual origin, religion as long as they respect other people's religious rights. Discounting a person for no good reason is BS.

reality. I agree so much with your fairness but most voters do not. Just saying the obvious.

If he is not right, he won't win the Democratic nomination if he runs, and if Democrats say that he is not ready.

He impressed me as being a very down to earth man.

He spoke with passion, eloquence, and determination that Democrats are not going to abandon the working people of this country. His message was not about him or his family, but about America and what makes us great. His speech included hope, appealing to our better selves and what we all are capable of achieving.

If this Kennedy rises, it will be on his merits and not solely because of his last name.

..and no one 's mentioned "dynasty" but a few republican talking heads.

Seems like the dynasty thing is not working a second time around.
No one gives a shit about the "dynasty" anymore.

He spoke to the America we all recognize.
His America belongs to it's people.

Thank you Rep Kennedy

the only sort who qualifies as "regular folks"? Have we learned nothing from electing neophytes and amatures with no political experience?

Its a stretch to refer to Joe Kennedy as part of a dynasty when the last Kennedy has been out of office and died almost a decade past. Joe Kennedy is only a grandson of former Senator Bobby Kennedy, and he is just a great-nephew of JFK and Senator Ted Kennedy. He graduated from Stanford, spent two years in the Dominican Republic with the Peace Corps, and earned then earned his law degree at Harvard, and then won a seat in the House, so I'd say he's more than made something of himself.

On his own merits.....
No matter his name.

...political dynasties are as American as apple pie. There have literally been hundreds, local, state, and national. People seem comfortable with them, and of course, there have always been more leaders who *haven't* been part of dynasties. Maybe you're right in the abstract, but it's a tradition, and I'm comfortable with it. As long as he/she is an able person...

to run for office as anybody else. He can't help who his grandfather was.

He didn't use the word "I" once in his speech, and he clearly understands the broad section of Americans he is speaking to -- and for.

If that may temper your attitude.

(I legitimately think she should run again, I'm still sour about Al Gore not running in 2004 after winning the popular vote and after being heavily involved in the Draft Gore movement.)

She's done with the bullshit. I would like to see her on the talking head circuit more. Just to get one last fuck you to the shitheads.

But I still think she should run. Al Gore left us hanging. This is the second time we've got fucked over by the Electoral College.

she was robbed ... when I lived NY I had the honor to vote for her for the Senate .... I think women create their own roads

Bernie relegated to the third stage, on Facebook. I don't know what plans Kennedy III has for his future, but he's giving more than a few folks here the willies tonight, that is for sure. To that I say: Bravo, kid.

What? Joe is supposed to shut up because of his family?

I just hope he doesn't get murdered. He's brave to even get into politics.

Did Jeb lose the nomination because he was a Bush or because his brother was fucking disaster as president. A president that gave us the worst economic collapse since the Depression. If anything being a Bush was the primary reason why W was able to win 2000 even though he was a complete incompetent at the time.

Hillary won the popular vote but lost the presidency because almost everything that could go wrong did go wrong, most notably the Comey letter which made everyone think that she was under investigation again. Still, she won the nomination rather easily. If people don't want political dynasties then why did she win the nomination and the popular vote?

So, your statement that most voters simply won't vote for a dynasty has little to no support from the actual data.

and accomplishments. Joe Kennedy is exactly the kind of Dem we need to win in 2020. We need exceptionally smart people with experience in government; Joe the plumber is not qualified.

is in the right place at the right time..for Democratic consideration to lead - whatever position the people choose..let the people decide...we have a very big tent....it isn't everyday a family is willing to sacrifice as much as this family...

If Joe Kennedy lll is elected, it will be by the people at the ballot box..not the SC or pootie...or gerrymandering...

Me, yes, from Mass. (retired to AZ, although wasn't like it is now, when we moved here) my only fear is for the well-being of someone named Kennedy..I was a teen in '63 when in school, the loudspeaker announced JFK was shot and killed..and we were ALL devastated...- and again in 68 we were traumatized and devastated with the killing of MLK and then Robt. Kennedy...

If Joe Kennedy has no fear, then who am I....

We will be a more functioning society with his assist.
He is bright, compassionate & well educated.
He clearly has been listening to us all.

I believe he brings together the young & old regardless of race, religion, or social status.

His speech is being applauded & quite well recieved by the reviews coming in.

He makes unity look so easy.
How about that!

talk about bright, well-educated - refreshing..thank you..

Whose brilliant idea was that?

Because you think a non-Christian has a chance in hell of becoming president? Where do you live? Because this agnostic in Florida can assure you we are 30 years away from a freethinker, Jew or other religion from winning the presidency.

who could possibly galvanize the Obama coalition and win a national election.

Because he comes from a well known family he's disqualified? Joe is a real Democrat who gave a real Democratic speech.

I don't know enough about young Kennedy to sign up but I'm not going to disqualify anyone because of his or her family.

Job.

I was very impressed by Joe Kennedy tonight. I will not rule him out for something he had no control over (being born a Kennedy)

this Malkowich.

being great but if folks don't think he will be measured and judged because of his name then folks need to look deeper. That's all I am saying.

The people of the US elected Barack Hussein Obama to the Presidency.


A substantial majority don't base their opinion on color, or name, or who their family or pastor was.

they use to run things. The Kennedy's have always stayed in touch with the poor and working class. They established the Peace Corps.

That being said, I still feel it's time for a woman. I am hoping there is one out there who can inspire like Joe did tonight. But if it ends up being Joe who catches fire I won't have a problem getting behind him 100%.

He has made something of himself. He went to Stanford and Harvard. He is intelligent and compassionate. He is doing great work in Massachusetts and in Washington. Dismissing him because of his last name is weak and pathetic. He fights for the people. He speaks to the people.

He has all the right positions on things and is on our side. THAT should be the qualification.

Just because someone comes from money does automatically make him/her the enemy, or make them unable to understand the struggles of the average person.

fuck that

and they aren't fucking dynasties. they have to win elections.

How progressive!

He has a legacy of public service but the only family member who was president was killed two and half years into his term.

My father taught me better then that.

You need to read your history.

The Roosevelts .. without them we might not have the national park system we have. Thank you Teddy. FDR Teddy's cousin. Thank him for social security, the outcome of WWII, helping to end the depression.

On the other hand, let's look at a common man who became president, Nixon... if you are unfamiliar with the history you should read that too!! Prescott Bush the patriarch of the bush family advertised in the LA times- wanted young man willing to work and take orders, that man was Richard milhouse nixon just the common man ...shoved into the spot light.. completely unprepared AND a crook.

You could look at other counties too, and the great minds from "dynasties" that rose to power out of duty, honor and loyalty to their country.. Churchill, DeGaul. Again.. read your history

The Kennedy's are known because of JFK, RFK, and Ted. Their patriarch was a bootlegger turned power broker and yes, they are a political powerhouse in Massachusetts. However, why would you discount an individual based on the fact that their family has made public service a calling. What specifically about Joe III makes him disqualified? The fact that he was born to a family that gained advantages in life of money and reputation? We aren't talking about George W Bush here.

We need to judge people on who they are and what they have done. On what their policies are and on what they have fought for in their lives. I want a politician who will represent my views. If that comes from a person who came up from the streets, then great. If that comes from a person who was born into wealth, but understands the needs of people who were not, then that is great as well.

has always emphasized the value of service to ones country i.e. public service, Peace Corp. Joe Kennedy III is no exception. I am floored to read the negative Nellie posts on this thread discounting this man's brilliance and commitment to progressive values because he was born a Kennedy. Really folks?

This is the first time I've seen him and I was very, very impressed.....According to an article I pulled just pull up: "Graduating in 2003, Kennedy joined the Peace Corps; a fluent speaker of Spanish, he worked in the Puerto Plata province of the Dominican Republic from 2004 to 2006, helping local tour guides in the 27 Charcos reserve in the Río Damajagua Park. He reorganized the group with some outside backing, directing the guides to rebuild parts of the park and develop skills to make the operation more attractive to tourists.[3][5] "We basically created a union," said Kennedy, who reported that the group's efforts won higher wages for employees while improving revenue for the tour companies.[7] According to a press release, his other activities in the Peace Corps included "stints as an Anti-Poverty Consultant for the Office of the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and a Research Analyst for the United Nations Development Program."[8]

I'm not holding it against him because he's a Kennedy.....not if he is hard-working, sincere, and is truly fighting for the American people.....

And you think Congress member Kennedy is not a good choice for our next nominee.

Why not man or woman up and tell us who you support for our next nominee.

I am guessing you will defer.

And I am guessing most of us think we know. Please prove me wrong.

What will be your next proclamation?

And if he is the best candidate, may he win!

the Kennedys have always had a reputation for FIGHTING FOR THE REGULAR FOLK

I am sure you already know that

family dynasties was utterly opposed to Hillary Clinton running.

And that they all shoot down suggestions of Michelle Obama running for office.


The Kennedy family has a long history of public service, and there are an awful lot of them. This young man needs to be judge on his own merits, not his surname.

for his last name. Nor should they be considered because of their last name. I will say. he did a hood job of delivering that speech and one very important asset of a candidate is the ability to verbally connect with the people. The same thing can be said by different people and be perceived differently.

Competence, drive, desire, Democrat. More Kennedys! More Clintons! More Obamas! More Bidens!