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The Spectacle Blog
My apologies to the admirable Adams Family (John, John Quincy, etcetera), but there is something in me that strongly rebels against the habit of governmental power passing from father to son (and to son and to son), even via elective means. It’s not that sons of powerful fathers should be excluded from power (or, rather, not that voters should be denied the opportunity to choose the sons of famous fathers), but this is to say that the political classes so often promote from within that the public is sometimes presented with a system that seems to favor dynastic legacies.
The problem now is acute, or at least the circumstantial evidence seems to support an interpretation that lends legitimacy to complaints about the perceived problem.
Witness today’s endorsement of Mitt Romney by George H.W. Bush, thus adding his weight to that of son Jeb and (if I remember correctly) the clear indications of wife Barbara.
What we have is the son of a senator (and scion of a long line of powerful Bushes and Walkers), who became president, along with his son, who became governor of one of the nation’s most populous states (and whose brother also became president) endorsing for president the son of a man who was governor of another big state and who once was the perceived front-runner for president.
You had Bush the father trying to outdo HIS senator father by becoming president, and Bush the son who tried to outdo his president father by becoming a re-elected president. (Both succeeded.) Now you have Mitt Romney trying to outdo his father, who failed at a presidential run, by becoming president.
Last election saw the son and grandson of Navy admirals seeking to outdo his forebears by becoming president. On the Democratic side, in 2000 we saw the vice-president son (Al Gore) of a senator (the elder Al Gore) who vied to be at least vice-president and dreamed of the presidency come within some 500 votes of defeating the son of president/grandson of a senator in order to become president.
In the Senate (recent past and present), Evan Bayh followed Birch Bayh. Mark Pryor followed David Pryor. Mary Landrieu followed former mayor and Cabinet member Moon Landrieu. Lisa Murkowski followed Frank Murkowski. Mark Begich followed House Member Nick Begich. Robert Casey Jr. followed Governor Robert Casey Sr. Rand Paul, Mark Udall, and Tom Udall are dynastic legatees. Connie Mack the umpteenth is trying to become one. And then, of course, there are the Tafts, the Kennedies, and the Roosevelts: Not even Joan Collins did dynasties like they did.
Again, all of these people won election fair and square. But does all of this give anybody else the creeps? Or is it just me?
View all comments (59) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Quin Hillyer
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/03/28/enough-of-primogeniture
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Ross Kaminsky | 3.28.12 @ 3:07PM
In answer to your last question, Quin, it's just you.
It's not as if the Bush family is endorsing someone named Bush, or some famous Romney is endorsing Romney.
You're reaching here, or should I say over-reaching?
Aleck| 3.28.12 @ 3:24PM
He's right, Quin, it's just you.
Dai Alanye | 3.28.12 @ 4:09PM
The more basic question -- which Kaminsky, as usual, fails to perceive -- is whether government by families should exist in a free society. The answer is, Generally Not.
Of those instances Quin mentions, Dubya Bush was marginally superior to GHW Bush, who is living proof of a flaw in the Peter Principle. Or perhaps the exception that proves the rule.
Among the others only Robert A Taft (Mr Republican) stands out as a superior scion, while his similarly named son and grandson would have to stretch to reach the level of mediocrity.
It's all about regression to the mean, of course, a principle we should all familiarize ourselves with.
Occam's Tool| 3.28.12 @ 5:34PM
Indeed.
Mike| 3.28.12 @ 5:06PM
Ross,
Will the Bush family endorsements mean anything? If you are inclined to like the Bushes, you probably already plan to vote for Romney.
The people who don't care for the Bushes, are probably supporting another candidate.
I just can't see this even vaguely mattering to anyone.
Let's just hope the next Bush who runs for office does so as a Democrat. Everyone would be happier.
Occam's Tool| 3.28.12 @ 5:25PM
No, Quin, it's quite possible this is creepy. But it is far from the MOST creepy thing in American politics that I have seen.
Mitt wanting to outdo his dad with a fortune that he created by himself, with his father dead, is not really worrisome to me.
Casey Abell| 3.28.12 @ 3:17PM
If Santorum somehow won the presidency, and one of his kids later somehow won the presidency running on the same beliefs, Quin would be...let's just say, happy.
JASmius | 3.28.12 @ 3:19PM
It probably isn't "just you," Quinn; but it damn well ought to be.
albert constantine jr.| 3.28.12 @ 3:32PM
It doesn't bother most baseball fans that Prince Fielder is the son of Cecil, Bobby begat Barry (though he has his own detractors) Bonds, Nick Johnson is the nephew of Larry Bowa, not to mention the Boones (sorry, Red Sox fans). But then, baseball is more of a meritocracy than politics, so a name might get you a look, but talent better be inherited if you want to play much.
From a historical perspective, don't forget William and Benjamin Harrison, whom I believe were a grandfather/ grandson dynasty.
On the other hand, from the realm of current politics, you left out the Biden dynasty, where son "Beau" (currently Delaware Attorney General was supposed to vie for his father's former U.S. Senate seat, until he feared Castle would beat him (anyone remember how that turned out?).
Mike 3/505| 3.28.12 @ 4:49PM
Al Unser...Bobby Unser.
albert constantine jr.| 3.28.12 @ 6:03PM
not to mention the Earnhardts...
Dr. X| 3.28.12 @ 4:59PM
Can Tim and Elisabeth Hasselbeck produce a quarterback even worse than Tim?
Bob K.| 3.28.12 @ 9:02PM
They had the talent to play without the name.
That doesn't go for most politicians kids.
Sparky| 3.28.12 @ 3:37PM
It's just you. And you sure are interpreting your pledge not to write about this primary campaign quite narrowly.
Ed| 3.28.12 @ 3:42PM
I think that the bigger problem is that since Ronald Reagan, every President has had a degree from Harvard or Yale. This situation is not going to change because Mitt Romney has a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young, but he has a LLD and MBA from Harvard. This is why nothing ever changes.
Mike| 3.28.12 @ 5:08PM
Good point.
Occam's Tool| 3.28.12 @ 5:33PM
Ed:
You are so right. I think the President in 2016 should have a degree from the Disciples of Christ mothership, Eureka College's famous older brother, Texas Christian. Go Frogs!
Bob| 3.28.12 @ 3:45PM
It's why Connie Mack is even being talked about as a serious candidate for Senate in Florida, despite the fact that his history shows he's devoid of character.
W| 3.28.12 @ 8:06PM
Connie Mack's grandfather owned the Phillies., Cornelius Magillacuddy.
Le Cracquere| 3.29.12 @ 9:23AM
I believe it was the Philadelphia ATHLETICS that Connie Mack owned. And to add to Bob's post: even his grandfather's legacy suggests a certain ... checkeredness of character. (Anyone recall the 1915 fire sale, or the "spite fence"?)
Derek Leaberry| 3.28.12 @ 3:52PM
I believe Mr. Hillyer refers to terms like family dynasties or nepotism or plutocracy or aristocracy but not primogeniture. Primogeniture is the passing of an aristocrat or land baron's property to the eldest son to the exclusion of the younger sons. In the case of the Bush family, we can only hope that political primogeniture will prevent the odious Jeb Bush from ascending into the White House.
As for American political dynasties, most perpetuate no more than three generations. An Adams has not been elected for over 150 years. None of any branch of the Roosevelts has been elected to anything in the past half-century. It would seem that we've seen the last of the political Rockefellers, Lodges and Longs. The political Kennedys appear to be on their last legs.
Mike 3/505| 3.28.12 @ 4:51PM
"The political Kennedys appear to be on their last legs."
That's the good news...Bad news...The Clintons & Obama's stiull have two generations remaining to torment us with.
Derek Leaberry| 3.28.12 @ 4:58PM
Chelsea Clinton's not going anywhere. Neither of the Obama girls are likely to get anywhere. Fortunately, neither of the Bush twins look likely to win office. Jeb Bush's Rickey Martin look-alike son has burned too many bridges.
Occam's Tool| 3.28.12 @ 5:26PM
What about that damned Carter grandson?
Le Cracquere| 3.29.12 @ 9:26AM
Amy would shoot right past Miss Lillian and Virginia Kelly in the "creepy First Mother" stakes.
Le Cracquere| 3.29.12 @ 9:27AM
Though probably not Rose Kennedy.
OOOHHH! TOO SOON?!
Oldefarte| 3.28.12 @ 3:55PM
You have a point BUT it could always be WORSE. Suppose the sons/daughters of say other well known politicians saught the office of presidency. If say a Pilosi, Sharpton, Jackson, Durbin, Conyers, Mckinney, Reid, Grayson, Rangel, Humphrey, Johnson, Kennedy etc were to seek said office, would that make the situation improved? I'd love to see a Limbaugh or a Reagan [Mike that is ONLY] etc run for the office [and I don't think I'm alone either]!!!!!!!!
Molly| 3.28.12 @ 4:35PM
It isn't just you. In my state we take it one step further - the father (incumbent) runs for a 2 or 4 year term office, gets elected, about 3/4 of the way into the term selects their son (usually) to complete their last year in office, then that son can run as an incumbent with none of the restrictions placed on them to meet certain requirements that are in the law and applies to all new candidates. BTW - the requirements of these new candidates is often written by the incumbent or their party delegate. It makes it much easier to throw any challengers off the ballot if someone actually dares to run against them. It also works for hand-picked replacements when there is no child. It is genius!
Simon Templar| 3.28.12 @ 4:48PM
No, it is not just you. Quin that was a very astute political observation that is worth pointing out and being concerned about. The question is is this a new phenomena or and old one, and to what extent is this happening.
It is frankly UN-American and speaks of the growing menace not only of a political elite class but one that is inheritable. We had a revolution over this very issue.
Perhaps, this is why we are all surprised when a Tea party, citizen candidate runs and actually wins. Our representative government was intended to be represented by citizens not aristocrats or modern day forms of them.
This form of transference of power should concern everyone.
Les| 3.28.12 @ 4:58PM
Honestly,I don't care who endorses who. Soesn't much matter. Saying that,had he endorsed Santorum I'm sure you would be singing a different tune. BTW,Santy has a 2 pt lead over Romney in PA. Congrats.
Oldefarte| 3.28.12 @ 5:01PM
PS: To be serious as some here semi-demand, this political inheritance is no difference than most other areas of life. Relatives/children of famous actors, corporate chieftons, sports athletes, etc all try and cash in on their name recognition, and politics is no difference. Some succeed on their own, some fall by the way-side due to lack of inherited talent. Politics is no different and is not unique in this regard!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 3.28.12 @ 5:04PM
PSII: If memory serves me, wasn't a Louisiana relative-predessor also involved in politics etc??????
toadold| 3.28.12 @ 5:21PM
What bothers me is not the direct lines, but the incest of lawyers from Ivy League schools that become the "elite". They all "know" each other go to the same vacation spots, the same parties, the same restaurants, and clubs. They all seem to end up with that North Eastern viewpoint. These past few decades they seem to be displaying the mental retardation that comes from cousins marrying cousins for too many generations.
Occam's Tool| 3.28.12 @ 5:31PM
toadold: Brilliant!
albert constantine jr.| 3.28.12 @ 6:09PM
Not to mention the merging of dynasties in the manner of European royalty: Chelsea Clinton marrying the son of Margolies-Mevzinsky, etc.
Le Cracquere| 3.29.12 @ 9:29AM
Well, such things sort themselves out eventually:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_of_Spain
Rich Rostrom| 3.28.12 @ 5:24PM
Molly: which state is this?
Some lesser-known dynasties:
The Bayards of Delaware: US Senators James Sr. (1801-1812), Richard (1835-1844), James Jr. (1851-1868), Thomas Sr. (1869-1886), and Thomas Jr. (1921-1928).
The Borens of Oklahoma: Rep. Lyle (1937-1946), son Sen. David (1979-1994), grandson Rep. Daniel (2005-2012+).
The Taylors of Tennessee: Rep. Nathaniel (a Whig), sons Rep., Gov., and Sen. Bob (a Democrat) and Rep. and Gov. Alf (a Republican). (Bob and Alf ran against each other for Governor in 1886. Bob won; Alf was elected in 1920.)
The Stevensons of Illinois: Vice President Adlai (1893-1896), son Governor Adlai Jr (1949-1952), grandson Senator Adlai III (1969-1980).
The Boltons of Ohio: Representatives Chester (1929-1940), his wife Frances (1940-1968), and their son Oliver (1953-1956, 1963-1964).
Occam's Tool| 3.28.12 @ 5:28PM
Don't forget that Robert Lincoln, who lived until 1923, I believe, was a former SecState. he died childless, I believe, and all the other Lincoln kids died in childhood or early adulthood, so thus ended the Lincoln "dynasty."
albert constantine jr.| 3.28.12 @ 6:10PM
Rick Bayard was the chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party in the late 1990s.
W| 3.28.12 @ 8:14PM
California: Governor Pat Brown and his son Moonbeam Brown.
NY: Mario Cuomo and his son Andrew Cuomo.
Nelson Rockefeller, gov on NY, his brother Wintrop, gov of Arkansas, his nephew Jay, senator from West Virginia.
In Western Pa, anybody named Flaherty can win, we had a mayor, supreme court justice, legislator, controller. In Pa, anyone named Casey can win, we had a couple of Caseys, unrelated to Gov Casey win so that Gov Casey ran a campaign saying "I am the real Bob Casey."
mrd| 3.28.12 @ 5:28PM
Its not just you, but what you describe is not so much about familes and dynasties as it is about what Angelo Codevilla so aptly described in TAS as the preferences of the "Ruling Class". Romney is part of this class, and Santorum is not. Members of the ruling class who are Republicans attend planned parenthood fund raisers, take the votes of those ill bread evangelicals ( though do not get too close to them....) and make sure they have degrees from IVY league institutions. Romney fits in very well. If you are a serious Pro-life, Catholic, Italian-American, with degrees from Penn St, Pitt and Dickinson, you are definitely not a member of the "Ruling Class" and if you flirt with power, calls will be made, and friends of the ruling class in the press, even the conservative press, like say over at Drudge will distort your record, and you will surely not win. So the class perpetuates itself. Americans think they have a choice, they sort of have one, they can wear a green hat or they can wear a red hat, but for sure the ruling class will make sure they wear a hat.
Quin| 3.28.12 @ 8:00PM
Bingo!!!
It's A Cunning Plan Actually!| 3.28.12 @ 8:36PM
I'll second Mr. Hillyer's BINGO! Republican Party politics is very similar to the card game UNO. Every time the conservative thinks they're going to get a turn to "go out" & win the game the "Ruling Class" RINOs lay down a "Skip A Turn" card, skipping the conservative, then "go out" & win the game. They've got plenty of "Skip A Turn" cards up their sleeves to ensure only a RINO gets his turn. And they wonder why they're referred to as The Stupid Party. The Ruling Class Angelo Codevilla alluded to isn't so much in it to win elections, but moreso to PREVENT conservatives from winning elections. The GOP Ruling Class are like "classic rock" radio stations. They just keep on playing the same old song, election after election after election...
Simon Templar| 3.29.12 @ 1:43AM
Bingo again!
Lover of Freedom| 3.29.12 @ 3:21PM
The members of this ruling class do not love freedom. They mistakenly equate economic prosperity and opportunity with liberty, instead of viewing economic freedom as a necessary, but not sufficient condition for independence. (That’s why the Mitt crowd is ready to move on. Their candidate has promised to put the economy back on track; therefore the debate is over. No more discussion about Romneycare and its impact on the people of Massachusetts.) Furthermore, this elite class naively believe that their positions, wealth, and influence will protect them from disaster should our freedoms be snatched from us.
Bob Miller| 3.28.12 @ 5:31PM
If a family finds that it does well in a particular line of work it often stays involved in that over the generations. If the line of work is politics, the voters have the ability to send the family in some other direction.
C Bowen | 3.28.12 @ 5:49PM
The Skull N Bones election of 2004 gave me the creeps--that was just weird. The top issue was the foolish idea to invade Iraq and the Dems nominated a guy who not only voted for the war, but had agitated for it during the Clinton Era.
As the civilization collapses, family is about all one can support--the only folks one can trust.
That is why the Dems have elected Clinton and Obama, both with strange ties to the CIA in their past (Clinton at Oxford, and Obama's work with Business International--let alone his mother's work)--and both with absent fathers, let alone, suspicion paternal lineage.
WG| 3.28.12 @ 5:55PM
It is a bit problematic but has been around since the Founding. Major issue today is that because campaigns cost so much, political families have an advantage in fundraising networks. GW Bush running for governor of Texas comes to mind as if his father wasn't president would he have been able to come up with the funds to run for governor w/o self-financing. And of course, without becoming governor of Texas, that Bush would not have been the nominee but Jeb might have perhaps if he had won against Chiles in his first race.
MyGirlFriday| 3.28.12 @ 5:58PM
An endorsement from G.W.B. is an exercise by the old "Washington Royalty" letting the Big Daddy Starbuck donors know that it is now o.k. to open up their wallets to Romney.
Les| 3.28.12 @ 8:13PM
mrd-Give me a break with the ethnic identity politics. I'm 100% Italian-American(and my mother's Sicialian. Santy's grandad and dad came from far north Italy anyway which barely counts as Italian in my family).
Bob K.| 3.28.12 @ 9:24PM
It's human nature. It goes all the way back in history to Israel's cry: "Give us a King to judge us!" 1st Samuel 8:6 So G-d did.
The United States has been an elective monarchy for a long time. It is the nature of a democracy to devolve into one. We create monarchs at every electoral level in our former Republic! And we elect their sons and daughters as if they are princes and princesses. That's why Ben Franklin, when asked: "What have you given us Ben?" answered that they had given the people a Republic, "If you can keep it!"
We haven't been able to keep it and it looks like quite a few of the posters here are happy about it. Including, especially including, Ross Kaminsky, if his initial post above has any meaning. Right Ross?
Molly| 3.28.12 @ 11:06PM
The state that gave us our current disaster....
Molly| 3.29.12 @ 12:20AM
Rubio endorses Romney - surprise.... So we will get the establishment pick after all. A man who has nothing but time to organize a presidential run over four years, backed by lobbyists who are disenchanted with the first African American president, who would have lost a re-election in Massachusetts so he did not run, has succeeded in destroying all other candidates in a scorched earth campaign, and who lost to McCain, who lost to Obama, will be the GOP nominee??? Gee, I am so excited.......Yay.....
ling ling park| 3.29.12 @ 10:27AM
I see several corrupted politicians in this article but where is the evidence that it passes from generation to generation in their families? Sure somebody like Mark Pryor used his influence to stop an IRS tax evasion investigation into his family but has that trait been passed on?
Brian Richard Allen | 3.29.12 @ 1:46PM
.... I see several corrupted politicians in this article but where is the evidence that it passes from generation to generation in their families ...?
Look at the lives and corrupt activities of a few of them. The Kennedys' corruption is an open book - open wound, more like it - but for a little more proof research the first and second-generation corrupt and treasonous activities of a couple of "Democrats:" Al Gore (don't forget to look up their connections with the Soviet agent, Armand Hammer) and John Kerry, say.
Brian Richard Allen | 3.29.12 @ 1:40PM
.... Lisa Murkowski won election fair and square and followed Frank Murkowski. But does that give anybody else the creeps? Or is it just me ...?
That the folks you have mentioned and lots more you have not have effected a "ruling class" comprised of several generations of a class of entitlement-deluded offspring of public-purse parasites. Career politicians to the marrow of their bones, all but about 5% of them are "Democrats" but slightly fewer than half of those get to wear the RINO costumes and to play, come election time, anyway, at being Romneys ... um .... "Republicans."
Both the abjectly-corrupt Lisa Murkowski and her old man fell into that category but, given only the blatantly overt corruption surrounding the Alaska Primary process and the election proper, if Ms Murkowski "won" election fair and square, so did Al Franken, Patty Murray, Michael Bennet and Harry Reid!
That's all dead creepy, that's a given, But surely the creepiest recent political action and ongoing activity was George Walker Bush's rehabilitation of the abjectly and absolutely disgraced lying looting, thieving, mass-murdering, impeached, disbarred Billy-Bubbah Blythe and his as-treasonous and as-recidivist co-serial-rapist "spouse," Bruno? And their being subsequently re-seated at the trough, fully restored to the oligarchy and re-gaining political viability.
Creepy, indeed!
jocon307| 3.31.12 @ 2:50AM
Wow, and what about our current president, the son of a middle-class hippie chick and her radical African husband, what is President Obama, chopped liver?
Hey, Obama is a DREADFUL president, but he became president.
I'm not worried about nepotism.
But I will say NO to Jeb Bush, if asked.