Names From the Past

Two little news items brought back some names from the past.

First, Jack Carter, son of the former president, won the Democratic primary in Nevada to run against incumbent James Ensign. It'll be a tough race; Ensign is entrenched and probably safe, but it'll be interesting to see how Mr. Carter does and if the rule of sequels holds true for politicians as it does for films. Historically, descendants of presidents have rarely been as successful as their ancestors, with the notable exception of Franklin Roosevelt, who was a cousin of Theodore Roosevelt. Certainly the current example in the White House proves the rule.

Second, best wishes for a healthy and speedy recovery to Gerald Ford. The former president was admitted to the Mayo Clinic for tests. I've always had soft spot for Mr. Ford, probably because he was such a relief after Nixon. I didn't vote for him in 1976, but, as Archie Bunker once noted, "He did a pretty good job for a president that nobody voted for." Get well soon, Jerry.