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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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10

Top US Political Dynasties

Kennedys, Rockefellers, and Harrisons sit at the top, while newer Bushes rank 6th

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(Newser) – The Constitution states "no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States," but political dynasties are "as American as apple pie," writes Stephen Hess, who ranks America's top political families in the Washington Post. With one president, three senators, four reps, and a cabinet member, the Kennedys took first place handily.

Close behind, however, were the Roosevelts: Two presidents, one vice president, two governors, and four representatives. The super-rich Rockefellers were third with a vice president, three governors, two senators, and two representatives. The Harrisons and Adamses round out the top five, each with two presidents, but both families seem to have left public office for good. And what of the father-son duo with matching "41" and "43" hates? The relatively new Bush dynasty nabbed sixth place.

Joseph Patrick Kennedy (1888-1969) in 1938 with son John Kennedy (1917-1963), and, to his right, his other son Joseph Patrick Kennedy (1915-1944) who was killed while flying in World War II.
Joseph Patrick Kennedy (1888-1969) in 1938 with son John Kennedy (1917-1963), and, to his right, his other son Joseph Patrick Kennedy (1915-1944) who was killed while flying in World War II.   (Getty Images)
Joseph Patrick Kennedy (right), the ambassador to London, with his wife Rose Kennedy (second from right) and eight of their nine children in 1937.
Joseph Patrick Kennedy (right), the ambassador to London, with his wife Rose Kennedy (second from right) and eight of their nine children in 1937.   (Getty Images)
circa 1796: John Adams (1735 - 1826), the 2nd president of the United States of America (elected 1796).
circa 1796: John Adams (1735 - 1826), the 2nd president of the United States of America (elected 1796).   (Getty Images)
circa 1825: John Quincy Adams (1767 - 1848), the 6th president of the United States and the son of John Adams, the 2nd President.
circa 1825: John Quincy Adams (1767 - 1848), the 6th president of the United States and the son of John Adams, the 2nd President.   (Getty Images)
Theodore Roosevelt speaks as he travels the country for William McKinley during the presidential campaign of 1900.
Theodore Roosevelt speaks as he travels the country for William McKinley during the presidential campaign of 1900.   (AP Photo/file)
President Franklin D. Roosevelt puts his signature on the G.I. Bill of Rights at the White House in 1944, putting into law the measure for veterans aid.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt puts his signature on the G.I. Bill of Rights at the White House in 1944, putting into law the measure for veterans aid.   (AP Photo/File)
President George W. Bush participates in the unveiling of The Union League of Philadelphia Presidential Portrait at their club in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
President George W. Bush participates in the unveiling of The Union League of Philadelphia Presidential Portrait at their club in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
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"One rule for long-term dynastic success: Have lots of children." - Writer Stephen Hess

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10 comments
VIEWING:
 
JonmarkP
Sep 13, 09 10:52 AM CDT
Gee, why is the Nazi financier/swindler Senator Prescott Bush omitted from this charming attempt to pin dynasty on Democrats? The Bush nest has produced one Senator, two Presidents, three blowfly maggots. Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Forderon
Sep 13, 09 11:43 AM CDT
To be fair, Joseph Kennedy was an anti-Semite and pro-Hitler. Thankfully his sons were the complete opposite. Not the case with the Bush sons though. They continue their father's tradition of being in bed with the bin Laden and Saudi royal families, using the government to make oil profits, and they've made election fraud a family business.
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 13, 09 11:47 AM CDT
And why not include Jeb?
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Forderon
Sep 13, 09 12:06 PM CDT
Who me? I did say "Bush sons", didn't I? Jeb was the one who got his Sec of State Katherine Harris to purge 90,000 black "felons" in Florida (95% were not felons). Then Bush "won" by 537 votes, ChoicePoint (the company contracted to find the "felons") got a $67 million contract with the Bushes, and Katherine Harris got into Congress.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Sep 13, 09 12:30 PM CDT
Jeb Bush was and is being groomed for the White House, the old man said he wants to see both make it to the Oval Office but I just don't think we can afford another Bush in the White House. our military is down to bare bones so who would they send to kill 3rd world nations with?
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

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