1. Political Dynasties in the United States
The Kennedy era of Camelot ended long ago, but new political dynasties have
replaced them across the country. Father Joe and sons John, Bobby and Teddy
consolidated their power throughout the 1900s, but their political fortunes have
waned in the current century.
While the United States doesn’t permit the inheritance of political power, the
citizens don’t mind bestowing the glory of previous generations upon the new
brood. Many of these families have ties that stretch back one hundred years. The
following families have established themselves as new political powerhouses.
They are new Kennedys in a way. Like the Roosevelts, Lodges and Tafts before
them, they hope to influence American politics for a long time to come.
1. The Udalls could be called the Western Kennedys. Their affiliation with both
political parties is split evenly depending on their mother. Mormon Polygamist
David Udall’s two wives had differing political viewpoints. Therefore among their
twelve heirs, the children of Ida have chosen the Republican path while Eliza’s
children have become Democrats. Two of David’s sons became Senators. Stewart
and Mo each represented Arizona in Congress. Stewart also was John Kennedy’s
Secretary of the Interior. There are numerous Udalls currently serving as elected
representatives. Mark is the Democratic Senator from Colorado. Brother Tom
holds the same position in New Mexico. Republican brother Gordon was a Senator
from Oregon for 12 years. Brother Mike is a Republican Senator from Utah. The
family tree is rife with various council members, judges and mayors. The Udalls
have ties to the Romneys from long ago. While the Udalls don’t have the wealth of
the Kennedy clan, they have made a name for themselves as public servants,
focusing on environmental conservation.
2. If there is a family of Republican Kennedys, the Bushes qualify. From their
Kennebunkport, Maine, compound, they have sent forth many politicians. Family
patriarch Prescott Bush was a Connecticut Senator from 1952 to 1963. Now the
family is more associated with Texas from where George H. W. Bush rose up to
become President of the United States. His marriage to Barbara has lasted 66 years,
the longest for any First Couple. George H. W. and Barbara Bush’s other son, Jeb
Bush, was Governor of Florida for quite some time. He could be the third in the
family to become president. He’s rumored to be an upcoming presidential
candidate in 2016 or 2020. Jeb’s sons, Jeb, Jr., and George P. are involved in
Florida politics. Within three generations of this family are two Governors, two
U.S. Senators, one Supreme Court Justice, a United States Vice President and a

2. United States President. The Bushes have hob-knobbed with state leaders at the
Maine and Texas homes. They are as close to American Republican royalty as can
be possible.
3. The Romneys would be good candidates for the Mormon Kennedys. This
staunch Republican family started out in Michigan, where George served as
Governor. Since then, the Romneys have been based in Massachusetts. The
Romneys are descendants of Mormon Miles Romney and they retain the faith of
their patriarch. Mitt Romney is in the running for the Republican Presidential
nomination this year, following in the footsteps of his father, who sought the
nomination in 1968. Mitt’s mother also made a run to be Senator of Michigan.
Brother Scott is a powerful member of Michigan’s Republican party. Mitt’s sons,
Craig, Tagg, Josh, Ben and Matt were all involved in their dad’s presidential run in
2008 and are helping again in the 2012 run. The Romneys aren’t short on cash.
They’re relocating the family to California, where they’re expanding their mansion
to accommodate their political aspirations.
4. The Shrivers are easily the reigning California Kennedys. While they technically
are Kennedys, this branch of the tree is more down-home than their Massachusetts
relatives. Patriarch Sargent Shriver and John Kennedy’s sister Eunice were both
active in Democratic concerns and public service. Maria Shriver is their most
famous daughter. The estranged wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger was First Lady of
California during Arnold’s reign as Governor. Her older brother Bobby is Mayor
of Santa Monica, California. Brothers Mark, Timothy and Anthony are also
politically inclined. Mark was in the Maryland House of Delegates. Tim and
Anthony are political activists. Maria’s son Patrick is a model who is starting a
new line of menswear. Daughter Katherine has published a book entitled Rock
What You've Got: Secrets to Loving Your Inner and Outer Beauty From Someone
Who's Been There And Back.
5. Since U.S. Rep. Ron Paul is the godfather of the Tea Party, the Pauls are
definitely the Tea Party Kennedys. While Ron ramps up his third bid to be
President of the United States, first term Kentucky Senator Rand Paul seems
poised to make a run for the Oval Office some day. Ron’s other son, Robert, has
shown interest in running for the Senate. Ron Paul believes the U.S. should be on
the gold standard, probably in no small part because he has considerable
investments in gold mining. They’re in the process of unloading their current home
in favor of building a new compound custom made for throwing tea parties.
6. The Pelosis are the Lady Kennedys. These Democrats are led by California

3. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the current House Minority Leader and the first
female Speaker of the House. Nancy was literally born into politics. Her father was
Thomas D'Alesandro, Baltimore’s prominent Italian-American Mayor who also
served Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her brother followed in his
father’s footsteps. Thomas D'Alesandro, III, was also Mayor of Baltimore. Nancy's
daughter Christine is a Democratic Party political strategist in California. Nancy’s
other daughter is more interested in being a filmmaker than a politician. Her son
Paul enjoys environmental activism. Nancy and her financier husband Paul have
another thing in common with the Kennedys—they’re wealthy.
7. If there is a Cajun version of the Kennedys, it has to be the Landrieus. These
Democrats ousted the Long clan from their seat of power in Louisiana. Family
patriarch Moon Landrieu has served in several positions. He was Mayor of New
Orleans, a member of Louisiana’s House of Representatives and President Jimmy
Carter’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Moon’s son Mitch is a
former lieutenant governor of Louisiana and is the current Mayor of New Orleans.
His daughter Mary is a Louisiana Senator. She was also State Treasurer. The
Landrieus share the Catholic religion with the Kennedys. They champion liberal
issues as well. In fact, Moon was the Mayor when New Orleans was desegregated.
Mitch has overseen the redevelopment of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
8. Vice-president Joe Biden is head of the Amtrak Kennedys. The Bidens left their
blue-collar roots in Scranton, Pennsylvania to plant new political roots in
Delaware. Joe was a U.S. Senator from Delaware for an incredible 36 years--from
1973 to 2009. His eldest son Beau is currently Delaware’s Attorney General. He
also served as an Army Judge Advocate in Iraq. Beau seems to have political
aspirations and may run for his father’s Senate seat sometime in the future. Joe’s
younger son, Hunter, has been on the board of directors of Amtrak and has served
in the U.S. Department of Commerce. Joe took his 18-year-old daughter Naomi to
Asia on her first state visit to get her feet wet. Like the Kennedys, the Bidens are
also Catholic liberals who are long on public service. In fact, Joe Biden is the
fourteenth-longest serving U.S. Senator in our history.