THEY'RE STILL AROUND – AT 11:55 A.M. ET:   We don't do political dynasties in America.  Anyone from the Adams clan left in politics?  What about the Jeffersons?  And the Roosevelts?  Gone.

There is an important exception.  Very quietly, without any fanfare, a new generation of Kennedys is coming into electoral politics.   And now one is making a major move.  From Fox:   

CHICAGO – Democratic businessman Chris Kennedy said Wednesday he will run for Illinois governor in 2018, bringing the instant name recognition of his family's political legacy to what will likely be a sharply contested race to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

In an email and video sent to supporters, Kennedy, 53, said he's running because Illinois is heading "in the wrong direction."

"I moved to Illinois thirty years ago with an enthusiasm for business and a commitment to serve. Today, I am announcing my run for Governor because I love Illinois, but we have never been in worse shape," he said. "We don't need incremental improvement — we need fundamental change in state government."

Kennedy is the son of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy, who also served as attorney general, and Ethel Kennedy. He is the nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy.

The former chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Kennedy founded and now leads Top Box Foods, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable, healthy food to Chicago neighborhoods.

He also serves as chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises Inc., the Kennedy family's investment firm. He previously managed a real estate company whose holdings included Chicago's Merchandise Mart.

Kennedy, who lives in Kenilworth with his wife and four children, has flirted with running for public office before — including a bid for U.S. Senate — but didn't follow through.

COMMENT:  It's Illinois politics.  The lowest.  The state is in terrible shape, but now has a Republican governor who, at least, is trying.  Around Illinois are Republican-led states like Wisconsin and Indiana, which are thriving.  Gee, I wonder why.

I'm not so sure the name Kennedy means much these days.  Ted Kennedy tried for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1980, some 37 years ago, and failed.  There was talk of Caroline Kennedy, President Kennedy's daughter, becoming a senator from New York, but it never happened.  She became Obama's ambassador to Japan, which is not a headline-creating position.

John F. Kennedy, the star of the family, was assassinated 54 years ago.  Only Americans over, say, 60, would have any memory of him.

So let's see what Chris Kennedy can do, or even if he gets the nomination. 

But who wants to be governor of such a mess?

February 8, 2017