Let's Hear it for the Girl!

Views: 23,510
Added: Tue. Dec 16, 2008 10:11am
Posted in: Politics

• » print
• » report
• » email

The Kennedy family does it again! Caroline Kennedy is now seeking the U.S. Senate seat left open by Senator Hillary Clinton's appointment to Barack Obama's new Cabinet.


Kennedy, a married mother of three, is one of the best-known names in politics, but did you know that she's never run for office herself? In fact, she hasn't held a full-time job in years, and has seemed most interested in supporting charitable causes and preserving her family's name.

But, in the Growing Bolder spirit of "it's never too late," Kennedy is starting a new career at age 51. She has the educational credentials -- an A.B. from Harvard; a law degree from Columbia. She's spent years pushing for school funding and outreach, and while she's always been considered a private person, has been the face of the Kennedy family through the years. (See why some say she's not ready for the job here.)

Kennedy has faced tragedies throughout her life -- the assassination of her father in 1963 and uncle in 1968, the deaths of her brother and mother, and has been a close companion of her uncle Ted Kennedy as he battles terminal brain cancer. But she has managed to turn the tough times into opportunities for helping others, and supporting good works through the Profiles in Courage Awards and the Kennedy Library Foundation.


In fact, it may be the ailing Senator Kennedy who helped convince his niece to step into the political spotlight. Sources say he has encouraged her to pursue Senator Clinton's seat since it became clear that she would be appointed as President-elect Obama's Secretary of State. Those same sources say Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also supportive of the decision. And what a move it would be!


Caroline Kennedy is the only daughter and only surviving child of John F. Kennedy -- and up until now, the Kennedy legacy has largely been led by men. To get (and keep) the seat, she does face quite a battle. The New York governor has the sole authority to fill the vacancy. If she's appointed, she'd have to finish out the remaining two years on Clinton's term, then run again in 2012. That's a lot of campaigning in a short period of time!

So what do you think about her choice to jump into the political hot seat? Leave a comment below!

Like this? Check out:

• The Growing Bolder Politics Channel
• Big Names
• Making a Difference
• Never Too Late

And don't miss these stories:

• One of the Greatest Political Speeches Ever
• Impersonator-In-Chief
• I Was a POW With John McCain