A Kennedy from Illinois?

Chris Kennedy, a son of Bobby, is reportedly thinking of running for US Senator from Illinois. He'd be competing against Alexi Giannoulias and Jan Schakowsky in the Democratic primary (well, also against Roland Burris, if he actually runs).

First off, yes, I love the Kennedys.

But.

Not to compare the Bushes to the Kennedys, but at some point you risk watering down the candidate by simply electing the name. This was the concern a number of the blogs had with Caroline Kennedy being talked about as a possible replacement for Hillary in NY. The concern was whether Caroline would be a good Senator, rather than just being a good name. And doubts are already surfacing about Chris Kennedy's ethics, and whether he's really as good a guy as his uncle, or his dad.

There's also the larger issue of the future of the party. Chris Kennedy vs. Alexi Giannoulias is also about the larger debate over Ted Kennedy vs. Barack Obama. Chris is the son of Bobby, while Alexi is the protege of Barack. Both the Senator and the President are great men, and pillars of the party. But it is an interesting point to consider whether we want to look forward to the future, or reach back to the past. In a very real way, this discussion parallels the Republicans' ongoing fixation with Reagan. In their desire not to lose the good old days, they're losing their present and their future. The party is so mired in the past that it can't reform, adapt or grow.

It saddens me that Ted Kennedy is aging, and ill. And it's disturbing to watch any dynasty so tied to your youth drift away. But a Bush, a Kennedy and a Clinton in every state? I'm just not sure I'm there yet.