HuffPo: The Political Growth and Power of Caroline Kennedy

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by Madeleine M. Kunin
Posted December 18, 2008

It's possible that I am being too sensitive about gender bias, but is the "experience" question raised more frequently for women than it is for men? Men are often naturally assumed to have certain qualifications simply because of their gender, without having to prove it on their resumes. For instance, rarely is a man questioned whether he is tough enough for the job. (Except for a brief stint during the Democratic primary when that question was raised by some about Barack Obama.) Female politicians still have to strike just the right balance between being tough enough, and simultaneously feminine enough to be liked.

Clearly, Caroline Kennedy is no Sarah Palin. She is bright and articulate in ways that Palin could not acquire overnight. But just because Kennedy is attractive, some may assume she doesn't have the grit (one of Hillary Clinton's credentials) to run future tough campaigns. That would be a mistake.

(. . . .)

The "experience" question is being asked of Caroline Kennedy in a way it was never asked of her uncle Bobby--who also had never held prior elective office--because she has had different life experiences as a woman, wife, and mother than a man, who is a husband and father. Except for coming from a privileged background, her experiences are not dramatically different from other women who may seek political office. "Differently qualified" does not translate into "less qualified."

(. . . .)

There are some things that can be learned fairly easily--the geography, personalities, and issues of upstate New Yorkers who are particularly fearful of being neglected, especially as they are experiencing tough times. The rules of the political game, both written and unwritten, also can be learned--and she will not lack for tutors. I suspect she is a quick study. What cannot be learned is a qualification that she has--a passion for public service. Part of it comes from her family, and much of it comes from within herself. Her father expressed his call to service through public office, as was expected for men of his time. Her mother too, had that calling, working in the arts, and almost single-handedly saving Grand Central Station, expressing herself as expected for women of her time. She learned from them both.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/madeleine-m-kunin/the-political-growth-and_b_152191.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Her being a Consitutional scholar isn't exactly a negative, either.

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2. And the fact that she interned for her uncle Ted,

and the fact that she's nobody's tool and in nobody's pocket, which is why the NY Times and others are running a swiftboat campaign against her.