Senate field hinges on Kennedy decision

Source: Boston Globe

With Massachusetts having paid its final respects to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the politics of succession begins in earnest this week - candidates will emerge, a race will take shape, and the Kennedy clan will have to reveal whether it wants to keep the seat in the family.

All eyes now are on Joseph P. Kennedy II, the former US representative, with family members and political allies expecting him to make a decision very shortly on whether to enter the Democratic primary.

No other Kennedy of his generation with the political stature to step into the role has signaled interest in it, according to Democratic insiders and people close to the family. And Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the senator’s widow, who many expected would be a likely candidate, so far has indicated she is not interested in succeeding her husband, those close her have said.

“Joe Kennedy, as emotionally drained as he must be, cannot help but be moved by the outpouring of affection and respect that has come from people all over the country in the last several days,’’ said Dan Payne, a longtime Democratic media consultant. “I’m not saying he is going to run, but he wouldn’t be human and he wouldn’t be a Kennedy if he didn’t give serious thought to running for the so-called Kennedy seat.’’


Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/08/31/in_or_out_joe_kennedy_will_have_impact_on_potential_senate_field/

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US Representative Edward J. Markey, who is telling associates he is seriously considering running, and US Representative Michael Capuano, a Somerville Democrat who is also thinking of joining the primary race. Both are Kennedy loyalists and would not run against a member of the family, according to people familiar with their thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal political calculations.

Two other major Democratic figures considering entering the race - Attorney General Martha Coakley and US Representative Stephen F. Lynch, the South Boston Democrat - have told associates they plan to compete for the primary nomination no matter who enters.



Joe Kennedy, who served in the House from 1987 to 1999, has remained silent about his intentions.

is willing to fight for the public option.

I'm eager to hear many Massachusetts DUers' take on this to see how things might play out.

Remember, this is but one Democrat's opinion.

In 2004, when John Kerry was running for President, the question of succession came up. My personal preference, then and now, is Ed Markey. Of course, my opinion is skewed by the fact that Markey is my Congressman. But I have other reasons, as well. Markey has served Massachusetts in the House longer than any other current Representative. He is a good, progressive Democrat. His signature issues, energy and the environment, are to my mind the most important issues facing us today. And he is on the correct side of those issues. In my opinion, he has earned the right to run for the seat, and he has earned my vote. Should he run, I will work for him, holding signs, making telephone calls, whatever it takes to elect him.

Martha Coakley would be a good Senator, and I beleive, a good candidate. She has already won a statewide election, and is the only one of the potential candidates who can say that. She has a large campaign fund, and a strong organization. She could be a formidable campaigner.

Should Coakley and Markey face each other in a primary race, it could be the first time my wife and I do not vote the same. She may go for Coakley, and I will vote for Markey.

Should Joe Kennedy enter the race, all bets are off. Markey probably would not run, and Kennedy charisma could make the difference.

Kerry Healey is the only one of the Repukes who worries me. She has statewide stature by virtue of her term as Lt. Gov., and has a massive war chest. Of course, that didn't help her in 2006 against Deval Patrick. I think any one of the Dems could beat her, and beat her soundly.

"news" from DUers posting on their regional politics. It's one of many good features on this site -- more of a benefit, really.

I'd heard a couple of those names bandied about. I had forgotten about Healey. I hope the blue team prevails.

I hope in the weeks to come I'll be on this site if and when you and other Massachusetts DUers post on this special election. I'm homesick for Ted. But at the very least I'm hoping for a big blue win in the special election.

Thank you.

(for all the reasons you listed).

I like Kennedy as well, but am not persuaded he wants to run and hope he will not run if he does not want the seat. I do not like Lynch, and do not know enough about Martha Coakley to have an informed opinion, but she clearly wants the seat. All I hope is that the primary will not become a free for all. We do not need to repeat the 2002 governor's election.

It is difficult for me to take Kerry Healey seriously, and I hope Scott Brown (who was rumored to want to run) is way too far to the right to have a shadow of a chance.

the co-sponsors (about 100 of them) has really done much to push it forward.

Coakley is too conservative for my tastes, which means she has a good chance of winning.

Healey did lose to Patrick, for whom Obama campaigned. (Axelrod worked for the Patrick campaign, too.) On the other hand, both Obama and Patrick have lost a lot of points since their respective elections.

for the seat in January, when the special election must be held. Vicki may not be interested in the interim appointment for that reason. She may want to run for the seat in January. I hope so. However, people may be weary of dynastic politics. I really think she is the best of the bunch, though.

The wikis of the various people mentioned indicate she may be the smartest of the lot. And, while she has never held public office, she has worked (without pay) for Ted for 17 years, plus, Democratic politics is practically in her DNA.

What's going on with getting someone in there promptly so we have another vote for healthcare? Does the Massachusetts legislature have to pass a law?

I reluctantly suspect they will slow walk the process. The Speaker of the House, DeLeo, has been talking about holding hearings. (WTF?) The Senate President, Murray, mentioned there may not be enough time bc the Legislature is not in session until after Labor Day, then, before you know it, it will be the Thanksgiving break, then the Christmas/New Year break and then it will be January (when the special election is to be held, whether they listen to Kennedy or go by current law). (WTF?)

So, seems to me that both the Speaker and the President are in high passive aggressive mode.

I hope DUers, regardless of your state, will contact Murray and DeLeo and ask for a SPEEDY process.

I have no doubt that they will choose wisely. They certainly have a nearly-sterling record of doing so (Mitt Romney being the most remarkable exception).

:dem:

-Laelth