Suitably Flip

George P. Bush For Senate

With Caroline Kennedy now confirming that she would very much like to be hand-picked to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, I feel compelled to advance another candidate:  George Prescott Bush, son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, nephew of the President, and grandson of Bush 41.

It's true that "P." doesn't currently live in New York, but as Hillary aptly carpetbagged demonstrated in 2000, one doesn't need to establish residency in New York (until the day of election/appointment) to become one of its Senators.

It's also true that Bush has not demonstrated any particular political ambition or experience, beyond campaigning for family members.  Of course, the same can be said for Caroline...

So far as I can tell, Bush and Kennedy's qualifications are remarkably well-matched: both are at least 30 years old and both count several family members who have held high office.  If the latter represents Kennedy's primary qualification, I'd say Bush likely edges her out with his doubly Presidential family resume.

Yes, the American people carry a certain nostalgia for the image of young Caroline romping around the Oval Office in the 1960s (and I don't mean to diminish the relevance thereof as relates to Senatorial qualifications).  But let's not forget George P.'s adorable leading of the Pledge of Allegiance at age 12 at the 1988 Republican National Convention.

Finally, while I'd hesitate to play this card under normal circumstances, here it's worth pointing out that P. is of Hispanic descent.  And New York Governor David Paterson - upon whose shoulders falls the terrible burden of picking Clinton's replacement - has explicitly stated that he wants to pick "a woman or an Hispanic candidate."

Thus vanishes any advantage Caroline might have over George.  If we're going to incorporate familial considerations into Senate appointments, we may as well be orderly about it.  There's been a George Bush or a Prescott Bush in Congress, a Governor's mansion and/or the White House for 42 of the last 57 years (20 of the last 28 as part of a Presidential administration).

This one's a George Bush and a Prescott Bush.  And he's a member of the largest and fastest-growing minority in the country.  It's as if he were bred in a lab to be the ultimate American politician.  I can see it being debatable if Caroline's middle name were Teddy or Bobby, but that incongruous first name and gender tend to muddy the dynastic symmetry.

Update: The incomparable S.E. Cupp has an op-ed in the New York Daily News questioning why Paterson ought to feel compelled to fill Cilnton's seat with another woman.

Comments

George P. Bush For Senate

With Caroline Kennedy now confirming that she would very much like to be hand-picked to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, I feel compelled to advance another candidate:  George Prescott Bush, son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, nephew of the President, and grandson of Bush 41.

It's true that "P." doesn't currently live in New York, but as Hillary aptly carpetbagged demonstrated in 2000, one doesn't need to establish residency in New York (until the day of election/appointment) to become one of its Senators.

It's also true that Bush has not demonstrated any particular political ambition or experience, beyond campaigning for family members.  Of course, the same can be said for Caroline...

So far as I can tell, Bush and Kennedy's qualifications are remarkably well-matched: both are at least 30 years old and both count several family members who have held high office.  If the latter represents Kennedy's primary qualification, I'd say Bush likely edges her out with his doubly Presidential family resume.

Yes, the American people carry a certain nostalgia for the image of young Caroline romping around the Oval Office in the 1960s (and I don't mean to diminish the relevance thereof as relates to Senatorial qualifications).  But let's not forget George P.'s adorable leading of the Pledge of Allegiance at age 12 at the 1988 Republican National Convention.

Finally, while I'd hesitate to play this card under normal circumstances, here it's worth pointing out that P. is of Hispanic descent.  And New York Governor David Paterson - upon whose shoulders falls the terrible burden of picking Clinton's replacement - has explicitly stated that he wants to pick "a woman or an Hispanic candidate."

Thus vanishes any advantage Caroline might have over George.  If we're going to incorporate familial considerations into Senate appointments, we may as well be orderly about it.  There's been a George Bush or a Prescott Bush in Congress, a Governor's mansion and/or the White House for 42 of the last 57 years (20 of the last 28 as part of a Presidential administration).

This one's a George Bush and a Prescott Bush.  And he's a member of the largest and fastest-growing minority in the country.  It's as if he were bred in a lab to be the ultimate American politician.  I can see it being debatable if Caroline's middle name were Teddy or Bobby, but that incongruous first name and gender tend to muddy the dynastic symmetry.

Update: The incomparable S.E. Cupp has an op-ed in the New York Daily News questioning why Paterson ought to feel compelled to fill Cilnton's seat with another woman.