Jimmy Carter, Founder of Political Dynasty?

America should count itself fortunate that four of our first five presidents -- George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe -- did not have sons that survived to adulthood. Otherwise the early days of our republic would have featured presidential elections which would have seemed like wars of dynastic ambitions. There were certainly some political dynasties -- the Adams family, the Harrisons, the Pierces, the Tylers, the Van Burens, the Lincolns and even a populist like Andrew Jackson whose nephew Andrew Jackson Donelson ran for vice president.

The 20th and 21st centuries have had more than their share of political dynasties as the Roosevelts, Tafts, Bushes, Wilsons-McAdoos, Lodges-Kassebaums-Bakers, Dodds, Kennedys, Clintons, Quayles, Bayhs, Gores, Romneys, Lodges, Wallaces, Bryans, Johnsons-Robbs, Rockefellers, Eisenhowers-Nixons-Coxes, Doles and other families duked it out in various elections.

It appears another political family could be fostering dynastic ambitions. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, is taking polls as he ponders offering a challenge to Gov. Nathan Deal in 2014. Jason Carter's father -- Jack Carter -- was the Democratic candidate who lost to U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., back in 2006. Hugh Carter, the president's cousin, was a longtime state senator in Georgia.

The potential candidate is not the only Carter shaping Democratic politics these days. James Carter, another grandson of the former president, was influential in the release of the video in which Mitt Romney took aim at the 47 percent. Earlier this year, President Barack Obama thanked James Carter for his help on the campaign.

Even if Jason Carter stays out, Democrats in Georgia will still be turning to a political family in 2014. Michelle Nunn, daughter of longtime U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, is expected to be the Democratic candidate for an open U.S. Senate seat.