WASHINGTON – Sen. Edward M. Kennedy will be a tough act to follow, even for the Kennedys. His
death, coupled with the decision by family members not to seek the seat he held
for nearly five decades, has prompted predictions that the family's long-running
political dynasty is over. There's talk the Kennedy political bloodlines are
running thin. Some say
the younger brood lacks the grit and zest for political combat that drove the
liberal Democrat to become one of the leading politicians of the last 40 years.
Yet it's probably too early to write off one of America's most powerful and
popular families. A new
generation of Kennedys, many of whom are active in humanitarian and political
causes, could emerge to extend the dynasty. Among the possibilities: _The late
senator's eldest son, Edward Kennedy Jr. The Connecticut
attorney, 48, said he's considering following in his father's footsteps in
politics but has no immediate plans to do so. _Former six-term Massachusetts
congressman Joe Kennedy, 57, the eldest son of
Robert Kennedy. He recently balked at running for his uncle's Senate seat. His
congressional background could help if he returns to politics. But his public
image was hurt in 1997 after his former wife, Sheila Rauch Kennedy, published a
book about their marriage. _One of Joe Kennedy's two sons, Joseph Kennedy III.
He could seek his father's old House seat if the current holder, Democratic Rep.
Michael Capuano, wins the special election to replace Ted Kennedy in
Massachusetts. _Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the eldest of Robert Kennedy's 11
children. She was
lieutenant governor of Maryland, but her 2002 gubernatorial bid sputtered.
_Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy. The youngest son of Ted Kennedy has
used his struggles with depression and substance abuse to champion better care
for the mentally ill, but there are no signs he's eager for a Senate seat. Other
possibilities include the children of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was
founder of the Special Olympics and one of Ted Kennedy's siblings. Timothy
Shriver is chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. Maria Shriver is California's
first lady.
Anthony Paul Shriver founded Best Buddies International to help people with
intellectual disabilities. Mark Shriver, a former member of the Maryland House
of Delegates, works for
Save the Children.
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