Jennifer, this is the best part:

Records show Kennedy did not pull the lever for any of her fellow Democrats in city primary races for mayor in 1989, 1993 and 1997 and 2005, which Republicans went on to win three out of four times in the general election.

She was also AWOL for the primary and general elections in 1994, when Sen. Daniel Moynihan was running for reelection to the seat Kennedy hopes to hold.

[…]

Records show she also took a pass on the 2002 gubernatorial primary as well as the general election, when Democrat Carl McCall took on incumbent Republican George Pataki.

Caroline Kenndy claims that 9/11 inspired her to get involved in government, yet she just couldn’t manage to make it to the polls in 2002 and 2005. Which leads me to believe she comes closer to the truth in citing her other big inspiration: Barack Obama. Although, I don’t know that he provided inspiration, so much as opportunity. During an interview with the Associated Press, in Manhattan’s Gee Whiz diner, she said,

I am an unconventional choice. I understand that. I haven’t pursued the traditional path. But I think that in our public life today, we’re starting to see there are many ways into public life and public service.

There sure are. You can write a couple of books and run against the exiting president; you can do a stint as the president’s spouse and purchase a home in a state of your choice; you can change a city’s laws to give yourself one more term to change the city’s laws; and you can try to outbid the next guy for an upcoming senate seat. So, you can probably say, my name is Kennedy and I’m in the mood.

The Obama age has already ushered in fundamental changes to the Republic and the President-elect hasn’t even been sworn in. Industries no longer have to compete, politicians no longer have to run, and voters no longer have to care. Historic firsts, as they say. Gee whiz.