Usually, when “Kennedy” and “Castro” appear in the same sentence, it usually has to do with the Bay of Pigs, the ill-fated attempt on the 35th U.S. president’s part in 1961 to oust the Cuban dictator.  Other times, it could be one of the virtually endless variety of conspiracy theories about who really killed Kennedy – with Castro typically hovering at or near the top of the list of suspects.

But now, following an Election Day rout at the hands of the resurgent Republicans, the Democrats are looking at two individuals to help save the party: Kennedy and Castro – just not the Kennedy and Castro you think.

The Kennedy in question is not Jack, but rather his grandnephew, Joe. Massachusetts Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III, to be exact – son of Joseph P. Kennedy II, who was also a Congressman from that state, and is the oldest son of President Kennedy’s brother Bobby (Robert).

Politico reports that Bobby’s grandson has emerged as one of two favorites to be appointed as chair of the influential Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has a powerful voice in determining campaign strategy and vision. The other odds-on favorite – Julian Castro, who is no relation to Fidel.  Castro is also on Capitol Hill – a Congressman from Texas.

Kennedy and Castro have something else in common: twin brothers, both of who have been in public service. Kennedy’s twin, Matt, worked in the Obama Administration’s Commerce and Treasury Departments, and has co-founded an international business development company.  Castro’s twin, Julian, was Mayor of San Antonio and in July was appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development – a job once held by JFK. No, not John F. Kennedy, but Jack F. Kemp – the Congressman and 1996 GOP Vice Presidential nominee who was a pro football quarterback years earlier. Kemp almost had to stop playing football when his Army reserve unit, after the Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, was called into active duty…by President Kennedy.