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The Kennedys Are A Dynasty Among Dynasties

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Aug 26, 2009 10:10 pm US/Mountain

The Kennedys Are A Dynasty Among Dynasties

Good Question: Why do we like political dynasties?

Kennedy's Death Impacts Social Media: Facebook | Twitter

 CBS News Interactive: Cancer
Reporting
Alan Gionet
DENVER (CBS4) ― The death of Sen. Edward Kennedy removes the standard bearer of power from one of America's most powerful families. Rich and persuasive, loved and scorned, the Kennedys have been a steering current in American politics for decades.

"If you're trying to get somewhere in politics, if you're trying to get elected, it's really helpful to have money, it's helpful to have prestige," said University of Denver political science professor Seth Masket.

The Kennedys have had it all since Joseph P. Kennedy took wealth gathered from investments allegedly bootlegging and welded himself to leaders in the highest positions of American government in the early part of the last century. Then he and his wife, Rose, raised Sens. Edward and Robert Kennedy as well as President John F. Kennedy.

There are more Kennedys as well. Third-generation family member Patrick is a congressman serving Rhode Island. Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of JFK, considered running for the U.S. Senate last year in New York.

"Well, they're our version of royalty. They are as close as we're going to get," said one woman downtown Denver.

To many, the tragedies and foibles of the Kennedy clan have added to the attraction.

"They grew up in the spotlight," said another woman. "All the bad things that's happened to their family make you want to watch and keep watching them."

The Kennedys are not alone.

"There are at least 700 or 800 families since the founding of the nation that have produced at least two members of Congress," said Masket.

We've had father and son Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. In Colorado the Salazar brothers Ken and John are currently in power. Sen. Mark Udall is from one of The West's most powerful political families. His father Mo was a powerful congressman and former presidential candidate. His uncle Stewart was also a congressman and his cousin Tom is a senator serving New Mexico.

Families are like the brand names of politics.

"To some extent parties are brand names," added Masket. "You trust or expect something out of a Democrat or a Republican based on that name and the parties try to protect what the brand name stands for."

When it comes to brand names, Kennedy is as recognizable as any, and with more family members in the wings, politics is never far away.

Kennedy's Life & Legacy In Video:
President Obama Remembers Kennedy
Fellow Senators Remember Kennedy
A Look At Kennedy's Political Path
The Brothers Who Remade Politics
Kennedy Leaves Behind Large Family

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