Politics: The Next Kennedy

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Human Nature The Next Kennedy Can Joe Kennedy III take over the family business? By David Weigel Posted Thursday, Aug 23, 2012, at 11:10 PM ET The redheaded man runs across the street, scans the cars that are slowing for the red light, and runs up to the windows. He is followed by a fast-moving amoeba of blue, white, and khaki. On closer inspection, the amoeba is made up of an assistant, volunteers, and signs that read "Joe Kennedy for Congress." The drivers quickly realize that their windshields will not be squeegeed. They roll the windows down. "Good morning, I'm Joe Kennedy," says the candidate. "I'm running for Congress in this district." He hands over a leaflet. He jogs to the next car. For quite some time he sprints across the intersection of President and Eastern avenues in Fall River, Mass., shaking hands. The candidate's grandmother, Ethel Skakel Kennedy, stands on another corner, waving at cars. She's campaigned, successfully, for her late husband, her two late brothers-in-law, one son, one daughter, and one nephew. So: As a candidate, as a hand-shaker, how's Joseph Patrick Kennedy III? "I think he's got the traffic pattern down," she quips. The next Kennedy is pretty good at this. His campaign for Massachusetts' 4th district, the one currently held by the retiring Barney Frank, launched with the hype and care that you typically see for a Michael Bay movie that's supposed to anchor a studio's summer schedule. The Boston Globe's first long profile of "JKIII"—who turns 32 in October—led with a story about the candidate's teetotaling. (His old ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate The Next Kennedy A New Slur Can Identical Twins Get Away With Murder?	Advertisement
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