There are quite a few political dynasties here in the U.S.
The Udalls--descendents of David King Udall, a Mormon convert from England, have a political pedigree that spans more than a century and includes four generations. There are two Udalls currently serving in the U.S. Senate.
The Bush family is perhaps the best know and some would say, the most successful, have elected two Presidents, a Vice-President, a Congressman, two Governors and a Senator over the course of three generations.
Interestingly, those demonstrably successful dynasties have taken a back-seat to the Kennedys, who have have a far shorter pedigree, and appear to be diminishing in influence and vitality with the succeeding generation.
Caroline Kennedy embarrassed herself in her quest for Hillary Clinton's vacated Senate seat, and is unlikely to inject herself into the political process again. Its too early to tell whether her young children will pursue political careers, but it seems unlikely since there is no direct parental example to inspire such a course of action.
Only two of Robert Kennedy's kids went into politics--Kathleen Townsend Kennedy, who was Lieutenant-Governor of Maryland briefly, but has been generally unsuccessful at winning elective office. She has four daughters, who are in their early adulthood. None are known to have pursued law degrees--generally the first step towards a career in Democrat politics.
Joseph Kennedy is is 57 years old and a former Congressman (D-MA). His failure to win his Uncle's Senate seat strongly suggest that his political career has stalled. Joseph has no children.
Patrick Kennedy is Ted Kennedy's son, and a Congressman (D-RI). He's had issues with substance abuse most of his life, a fact highlighted by his recent non-arrest for drunk driving near Capitol Hill. His political future is, shall we say, dim. He never married and has no children.
With Ted gone, the Kennedys appear to be disappearing into the genteel districts of old money and celebrated ancestors--to be trotted out at memorials and political fund-raisers.
