If not Caroline, who? If not now, when?

If not Caroline, who? If not now, when?

Posted on December 15th, 2008 by Clark DeLeon

You want to see the difference Democrats can make when in charge of American politics? Consider this: Rod Blagojevich won’t quit, Caroline Kennedy wants to run, and George Bush can’t run fast enough to dodge Iraqi shoes. This is a new world order, ladies and gentlemen. I have no idea what it means or will mean. I have great hopes for it. But whatever it is, it has begun.

I’m old enough to remember thinking that Bobby Kennedy was a shameless opportunist when he ran for senator from New York — he was a Kennedy from Massachusattes just like his dead brother. It struck me as obscene in a sort of Philadelphia neighborhood way. How could you just move to New York and get elected senator?

Well, sir, I have learned my lesson about American politics. I have seen a Boston Irish anti-Brahmin not only become the first Catholic president, but have seen his scheming younger brother win an election and my heart. And I have felt that heart, still broken from the first, break again. And then I swore off Kennedys and wondered why anyone would ever trust them again. We need leaders, not martyrs.

But the hope of what the Kennedys represented has bubbled forth like liberal plasma beneath the Republican magma all these years, as long as I’ve been alive basically, and I no longer doubt its potency. I always thought Ted Kennedy was overrated, if not under-investigated. I thought young Joe was terrific and dreamy. I thought John John was doomed doomed along with the rest of the cousins. And now Caroline wants to replace Hillary in the United States Senate and all of a sudden it makes more sense than not. Why not another Kennedy? What’s our risk? At least it’s not another Bush.

The way our President, George Bush, dodged those shoes thrown at him from close quarters in Iraq reminded me of a vaudeville comedian dodging thrown tomatoes. Like he was expecting it. Like he was glad to finally see it coming. Thank God, an honest reaction. There was no fear in the President’s eyes. Only that infuriating Bush amusement with the events at hand.

This is what we call a transition. From a president who laughs and ducks to a president who stands and laughs.