The next Kennedy

The news that Caroline Kennedy might enter the political arena as the next Senator from New York, replacing Hilary Clinton, has me feeling mixed emotions.

Ever since she chose to steer clear of direct public exposure—choosing to work on the sidelines, but in enough public view to maintain her visibility and clout—I have been among the ranks who are inspired by her example, her decision not to get down in the trenches, her … well … unique separateness. It has been, I think, a source of her strength as well as a big part of her continuing mystique. She’s not a dilettante. She chooses her battles, and wages them quietly but effectively, whether for the New York education causes or as head of Barack Obama’s vice-president search committee. And despite the extraordinary push/pull that must always be there in the Kennedy family to assume one’s place in public life, she has kept her distance and led a quieter life.

Now, whether because of Ted K being on the wane or because of the inspiration of Obama, or maybe because her kids are grown and she can more freely devote herself to life in Washington, Caroline Kennedy seems ready to step up to the plate.

Don’t get me wrong. I have always thought of her as the most capable of the extended collection of Kennedy and Shriver kids. I don’t know her, and have absolutely nothing but her public persona to go on, but I just feel that she stands head and shoulders above the rest of her family’s generation.

But do I want to see her go into public office… to run for public office… and all that entails? I just don’t know… Yes, I would like to see her rise up and carry on the work and champion the causes that her uncle is beginning to relinquish. There is no one else who could do that (conversely, I shudder at the speculation that Ted is positioning wife Vicki as heir apparent for his Massachusetts seat). Our the country could be a better place for having Caroline Kennedy on the Senate floor. In fact, much of the world would cheer her arrival in our legislature and as a presence on the world stage. Her stature is simply that great.

Yet, I wonder if she could do just as much good off the campaign trail—step up her public prominence, perhaps, maybe assume a leadership role on some national or global foundation. Maybe I just have trouble dispelling the image of the little girl playing under the desk, who grew into the graceful person she seems today. She’s a quiet force right now. Does she really need to join the fray of public politics?