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Jack Dona… err… Alec Baldwin is quite on point over at HuffPost on the issue of who gets Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat. Baldwin has what I would call a… sketchy… record of rational decision-making (writing a book about divorce right after a very, very bitter and acrimonious divorce, for example - not the best idea), but this time he’s nailed it.
Last week he called for an appointment based on experience, not celebrity, and was lambasted for it as hating Caroline Kennedy. Today he’s back with yet another well-thought-out, not at all crazy (though somewhat sickeningly apology-laden) piece defending his logic. He seems to be developing into the voice of reason here (not neccecarily a good sign for the state of reasonable behavior in New York), noting that there are consequences to dynastic behavior in the current climate. There’s a huge abuse of power scandal going in within the Democratic camp - Baldwin is quite right to say that now isn’t the time for nepotism. The money quote:
This is more about protecting a Democratic Senate seat than romanticizing it.
And then he brings it home:
But this must be done with great care. Patience and care. You know, the way that we beat John McCain.
The crazy bastard is right. Of course, I’d take it a step further - no time is the time for nepotism, and dynastic power is anathema to the American system. This isn’t a monarchy and governing skill doesn’t run down bloodlines or across marriage contracts. We need to be electing individuals, not brand names. That’s one of the biggest reasons I’m glad Hillary lost the primary - two generations of a family holding power has turned out horrible enough; two from one generation, a husband and wife both in the presidency, could well have been a practical and ethical disaster. As-is, even at State, they’ve had to muzzle Bill.
This isn’t the Queen’s England. We elect new faces - we don’t swear in the heir apparent. Just ask Barack Obama.
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