Dan Rather, Contributor
THE ANNUAL Kennedy Center Honors in Washington never fail to provide memorable moments, but this year, at a ceremony held last weekend, they offered a sight that was truly rare: President Bush looking on from the VIP box while his father, President Bush, paid tribute to country-music legend Loretta Lynn.
Lynn "would have made one heck of a politician," the elder Bush observed, before going on to note that his son is "a couple of quarts low on musical talent."
It was the family's trademark self-deprecation and good-natured gibing on display. But even if none of the Bush clan can carry a tune, they are, as the present President Bush continues to show, blessed with a healthy share of political talent. Once before and long ago, America had a father-son presidential combination, in John Adams and John Quincy Adams. When John Quincy took office, though, his father was in the last year of his life. Scenes on a par with that in Washington last weekend must have been infrequent at best. And with speculation that Jeb Bush, now governor of the hugely important electoral state of Florida, might run for president in 2008, the Bushes have a chance to become, arguably, the most influential family in this nation's political history.
Perhaps such dynastic thoughts are inevitable in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg presiding as master of ceremonies. The last surviving member of President Kennedy's own immediate family has, in the wake of her brother John's death, made herself progressively more available to the public eye. And she, too, has been the subject of political speculation, with some wondering if she will run for her Uncle Ted's seat in the Senate if and when he should decide to retire.
POLITICAL DYNASTIES
Neither the Kennedys nor the Bushes court or much enjoy publicly, at least talk of political dynasties. Such thoughts are considered anathema to the American democratic tradition. Yet, paradoxically, Americans themselves seem to truly like the idea of having their own homegrown royalty. I don't think anyone wants a king or a queen; it's more that the atmosphere that comes with a politically involved family cast of characters seems to awaken some primal taste for generational sagas.
Now, with representative families on both sides of the political aisle, it's a taste that can truly be labelled ecumenical. Some of the appeal of these two political families must lie, too, in the understanding that their members are well-enough off, financially, to live out their days playing golf or fishing off the Gulf or New England coasts yet they have pursued careers in the public service. Scptics will note that high office can and often does carry its own rewards, and that is true. But anyone who has witnessed a major election campaign up close knows that there are easier ways for the wealthy to pass their time and get what they want done. No one would undertake such an ordeal without a genuine passion for serving his or her country, however that is defined by the candidate in question.
The present President Bush faces his own looming electoral test before his family can think of adding another member to the roll of American presidents. Looking way ahead to '08, it is also true that the thought of one more Bush in the White House might elicit as many groans as it does cheers. And for those inclined to groan, there might be yet another familiar name on the ballot belonging to a certain U.S. senator by the name of Clinton.
Dan Rather is a television news anchor.
