LAST OF THE KENNEDYS – AT 8:20 A.M. ET:  Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Democrat of Rhode Island, son of the late Edward M. Kennedy, has announced his retirement from Congress after eight terms.

For the first time in nearly five decades, there will be no Kennedy family member in Congress.  John F. Kennedy served in the House, and then the Senate, from 1947 to 1961, when he assumed the presidency.  There was a brief break in Kennedy Congressional service until Edward M. Kennedy was elected to the Senate in 1962. 

Unless another Kennedy emerges and is successful in achieving office, this essentially ends the Kennedy political dynasty.  Caroline Kennedy, President Kennedy's daughter, made a brief effort to be selected for the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, but failed. 

The fact is, Americans don't like dynasties.  There are no Adams family members, or Thomas Jefferson descendants, in Congress.  The most powerful president of the 20th century, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was himself a member of a famous family, and had five children who survived to adulthood.  Two of them went to the House, but rose no higher.

There has been talk of a Bush dynasty.  Bush 41 and 43 were the only father-son presidents since John Adams and John Quincy Adams.  There has always been some presidential buzz about former Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, but it's a restrained buzz.  You don't hear of any national wanting of another Bush.

I'd watch Hillary though.  She will not be denied.

February 12,  2010