The next Kennedy weighs his next move

Despite his famous last name and wavy red mane, Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-Mass.) has kept a low profile on the national scene since being elected in 2012. | Michael Dwyer/AP




The congressman is inspiring grassroots Democrats, but is he ready to take a larger role in the fight against Trump?

By HEATHER CAYGLE 09/03/2017 07:03 AM EDT

Democrats are in search of new leaders to take on Donald Trump, and Rep. Joe Kennedy could fit the bill. But it's not clear he wants the job.

In short order, Kennedy has garnered a loyal grassroots following with a series of viral speeches challenging Trump on everything from health care to hate speech, leading some Democrats to believe he could help fill the party’s leadership vacuum.

It’s a shift for someone who, despite his famous last name and wavy red mane, has kept a low profile on the national scene since being elected to the House in 2012. Loath to be seen as a political celebrity, the 36-year-old from the outskirts of Boston has put in the work of a relative back-bencher and focused on delivering for his district.

But the fact is, he’s no ordinary lawmaker. He’s the grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy, a member of Democratic royalty. And his decimated party could use an infusion of young talent. As Trump continues to undermine the ideals Kennedy holds dearest, he’ll have to decide if and how to take a larger role in the party and fight back.

Kennedy has already proven he has the ability to harness his star power, after gaining national prominence for blasting GOP efforts to dismantle Obamacare earlier this year.

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http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/03/joe-kennedy-trump-democrats-241544