Ted Kennedy: Time to be led to pasture?

What do you all think.
I get campaign literature about how he is working for education and health care and better wages and this and that and I think to myself ... this is all fine and nice but he has been working on these exact same things for 40 years and they have gotten nothing but continuosly worse. Maybe his heart is in the right place I dont know but can we agree he is just plain ineffective? And his oratory skills? and condensending attittude?
Is it just me or is his retirment about 20 years overdue?

:popcorn: :popcorn:

I can think of others that need to be "put out to pasture" so to speak ... :evilgrin: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

There are some politicians that have been around a lot less time then Kennedy that I find a LOT less effective, dull as dishwater or annoying as heck to listen to.

because he has been effective. He's softened Draconian bills even if he hasn't been able to get his own projects past a Congress full of Repugs, Dixie Democrats and just plain dead wood.

I voted for him when I lived in Mass and would do so again if I ever moved back.

He may be a rich man, but he remembers where his family started.

In his lifetime his family has always been filthy rich. He is one of those elite hypocrites that will fly in a private jet to tell the world how evil suv drivers are. His private jet uses 10-20 times the fuel of a suv.

His family has done a lot to help the poor. Compare their public service and charitable donations to the Bush family.

Can you provide a link to where Kennedy said SUV drivers are evil? I bet you can't, unless, of course, you heard that little nugget on Hannity & Colmes.

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Wow, a supposed Democrat who hates the Kennedys and provides nothing factual to back up his claims. That's extremely rare. When are you going to bring up Chappaquiddick? Do you have a bumpersticker on your car that says 'Ted Kennedy Killed More People with His Car Than I Have With My Gun?"

Let's see, the Bush family gives donations to the Katrina victims, but that money is funneled back into one of the Bush son's software company. http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/3742329.html

Joe Kennedy, son of Bobby, starts a company called Citizens Energy, that donates free heating oil to the elderly and poor in Massachusetts. http://www.citizensenergy.com/

Ted Kennedy writes a childrens book, and the proceeds from the book are donated to charities, including Read Boston, an organization that supports literacy in Boston public schools.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/01/09/kennedy-book.html

Bobby Kennedy Jr. is an environmentalist who has written books about mercury's effect on children. Many Kennedys sit on boards of charitable institutions and give big money to them here in Massachusetts.

So what have the Bush's done for anyone, aside from raping the country?

well...most of the taxcuts went to those making over $100k
but he did throw a bone to me also.

Meanwhile, the costs of gas, food and utilities have skyrocketed, and federal cuts to state services are forcing local property taxes to go up to make up for the shortfalls. Yeah, that bone sure helped you, I bet.

I walked next to him shoulder to shoulder once at National airport down the USAir commuter gate.

My bro flies to DC weekly for work.

flies private jet a lot. He does not own the private jet but he flys on corporate jets owned by others. I do not care what he flys but when he knocks suvs being fuel inefficient but never says anything about private jets that is being a hypocrite.

In 2005, Ted Kennedy took three flights aboard private jets.
Three flights for which Kennedy reimbursed the operator the price of a first-class commercial ticket.
He doesn't even own a private jet.
Considering the Bushies thought it would be funny to place the name "Edward Kennedy" on the terrorist watch list, it's even more to Kenndy's credit that he almost never uses private jets.

There's nothing like the smell of right-wing smear jobs in the morning.

Usually the wingnuts don't provide credible sources, either. You may note that when the real information does arrive, it almost never supports their claims.

What kind of people usually have the time to go to the opposition message boards and bother people, anyway? Sheesh!

expect facts to back up talking points. Unfortunately, I don't see any here. :shrug:

more inefficient than SUVs, why doesn't he mention private aircraft when he is bitching about cafe standards and SUVs. I do not care if he reimbursed the operator or not, that is not the point. He never talks about the inefficiency of private aircraft because he would offend his elite corporate buddies.

He also is trying to stop a wind farm project near Boston Harbor because it will be seen from his elite compound at Hyannis Port. He cannot have that no matter how much he harps on renewable energy. It is for the peons to look at those things. He is privileged!!!!

I do wonder why he got a free pass for killing that one. Not a ripple on the news other then the statement of what was done. It actualy sounded like a pretty solid idea. Those of us who actualy care about things environmental might have noticed on any study of surface wind speeds that the location offshore of the cape is primo wind farm territory, rating something like 4 of a possible 5. With all the politicians touting tax breaks for utilizing new energy production technology, I know if I lived on a 4 I would be all over setting up a turbine or two out here. But I sit in a zone 1 which means I'd never get my investment back but all this is besides the point.
Why Did Kennedy kill this plan and noone raised a whisper of a fuss?

certainly was in the news and there was a fuss but I guess with your single-minded hatred of Kennedy, there just wasn't enough vitriol for you.

which many younger Dem reps simply do NOT have with the same passion or commitment.

The Lion still roars. Let him stay!

But nobody asks Republicans to ever leave. Even when they are old as Strom Thurmond and they have to tie his belt to the back of his chair to keep him from falling out. Where in the hell did this question come from??

He is only about 70 or so. Thurmond was what 100? 101?

back up any of his proposals, ideas, etc...and darn! he sure can stand on the senate floor and give them heat.

from the continuous deconstruction it is enduring now...

He has been at the forefront of all the good that people enjoy. It is too bad the the mid west votes against their own well being. He has to keep voting and fighting for the good stuff because the repukes are very content to make laws that are bad for you. They overturn the things that are important to a family and bring up stupid stuff like gay marriage, abortion and other sillyness. They don't mind killing older people and soldiers and poor people.

Ted Kennedy?

According to this poster's profile that is where they are from.

I hope they didn't experience any flooding but if they did the help they'll get will be from Kennedy's office I'm willing to bet;when we lose him this state will lose a strong advocate.

so much where you don't think we are, it's where we would have been without him. I don't mind someone who concentrates on certain subjects. They do divide up the issues and committees. He has been my voice, except on one issue (and I won't say what it is because I don't want to start an entire side dispute).

There is no getting around the reality that the reverends have put us under a lot of pressure. They want it all THEIR WAY - and some of the issues they assume we should have are some of the very issues he specializes in. We would be further ahead if not for the reverends.

He's a hero of mine. I admire a man who does not have to work - but does and who works estremely hard under a lot of pressure. I love his fire. There is NOTHING insincere about the man.

for him. On balance, he's doing a fine job.

I dont think that any of those who would replace him would be more effective in the Senate.

to fill the senate with people like him! Though, it's highly suspicious that your problem is TK as oppose to Bill Frist, or John McCain, or the many, many Vichy Democrats.

Teddy's great!

in a planned manner in a way that preserves the seat for the party. He is so unbeatable and eternal that there seems to be no interest in trying to groom successors. A bad move IMO. No one lasts forever. He needs to plan his exit. Should he drop dead, the party would have to scramble. Its not clear what his relationship with Dean is, and that may play some role in this lack or turnover.

Don't fret.

And 10 congressional districts. They will have no trouble filling Kennedy's seat when he retires.

I'm in, I will stand and applaud.

Seriously these threads are giving this place a FR feel!

I agree that I would have liked to see somebody younger, but I dont think this person would be more efficient. It is just that we need to get younger people in the Senate (preferably where a Democrat can win).

nice try, but I'm catching a whiff of something "off" -- if you catch my drift.
enjoy your stay, no matter how long--or brief.

anybody who reads your post who knows Primate1 will be rolling on the floor laughing!. I don't know too many freepers sporting "dreadies" !!!! :crazy: :rofl: :rofl: :crazy: :rofl:

primative1 is new to DU, and he's from Massachusetts. :-)

I was left wondering because of how he was kicking through unopposed again this year, like the man was born to lead or something ... which is so much like the chimp we all love so dearly in a way, no? Who would dare question such an ingrained priveledge of birth. He will certainly propose all kinds of grandious things but in the end he will vote us more pain like NAFTA because he got some clause thrown in that never actualy has any effect on the overall legislation. And while he never actualy got his livable wage to go anywhere he will get us plenty of guest workers and ...
Seems like every time that he gets to be the voice of the show, you just know he is being used as a tool. My 2 cents ... and I will vote for him anyway, because I have no other option. Guess where that will bring us in 2 or 4 years? Same leaky boat we are already in.

(not that I think he will be more efficient, just to know).

I dont see anyone and that is my concern. How can we imagine looking beyond such greatness.

(that is if THEY are not too old for that) + a few other people. Surprising that you dont see anybody.

Just grow so tired of seeing the same speal. Gonna take new blood to pull us through, even if just to keep people interested. We've tried both flovors of the ice cream and they both taste awful, havent they?

the scenes that might be confusing you about Ted Kennedy. You have to look at the whole picture. You can't expect miracles in leadership. No man or woman is infallible. You just have to look for the best as you see it. If you can detect honesty, kindness, truthfulness, intelligence, vigor and a certain humbleness of a person you might have better chances. Harry Truman, Ike Eisenhower and Bill Clinton have had some of those qualities. Good to know who helps them in their job. Some Presidents, such as Roosevelt had good men in cabinet positions. They weren't always right but did quite good executing a hard job.

passed loads of legislation, often with those across the aisle, and shown a real head for compromise in getting something done.

His staff is rated VERY highly, also. His personal staff counsel is one of the most capable women in Washington. The whole bunch is a get-things-done staff, even for non-Massachusetts residents. I've known them to intervene in government agencies to move things along when all other avenues had been exhausted.

They're top-notch pros.

Top notch indeed.

If the RW is so damn good, let's see them run someone against him. Otherwise, let them quit bitching.

Welcome to DU! Disagree with your post about Kennedy.

:patriot:

He averages 5 posts a month. But he sure makes them count, don't he? :)

Dynasties-- and oppose them strongly--but I'm willing to Grandfather ol' Ted in.

HE CARES.

His son's another story--

because he is not ineffective. He is a party standard bearer during years when the pendulum has swung to the right, which is not his fault.

He is a unique individual with a political perspective that I don't think is equaled. He is completely human and yet so often he somehow rises above and inspires us, and isn't that what we all want to feel about ourselves? That we can make mistakes, but if our intentions are solid that we will prevail? He has given his life to public service when he could have sat on a deck chair and just frittered away the family money.

charge.

Ted Kennedy has been a war horse for Democratic principles from early on. He's been at the head of the ranks, not back in the easy chairs. He's taken first fire and carries a lot of scars, and when he speaks, he often delivers more passion per syllable than any U.S. politician in my lifetime.

He is one of the last of the true lions. I consider him indispensible.

I have no doubt that he will go down in history as one of our greatest senators.

I'm thinking Frist needs to be put out to pasture ... we need less lunacy and more kennedy.

We in Massachusetts think VERY highly of him. He votes just like we want him to, and is very effective.

I heard him speak (at a fund-raiser at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport), and his oratory skills are terrific.

If you feel he should be out of the Senate, go run against him, let your fellow citizens decide.

I live in Massachusetts. I just got back from a forum in Lowell. The comments I heard from people affected by the recent floods were very nice as they pertained to Senator Kennedy.

The Senator was on the cell phone with head of every city and town affected by the flood asking people what they needed and how could his office help. It speaks volumes about Uncle Ted that he has the cell phone numbers of these very local people and that he personally called them.

Not only is he still an effective policy maker in Washington, he is a reassuring and effective leader for the people of Massachusetts.

Nobody's putting Kennedy out to pasture while I still live here! The man is a remarkable Senator.

TC

Greater Lawrence, you know, unemployment at 9.2% according to our reliable governement stats. Unlike Bankrupt Springfield or decaying Fall River. I loved the governors debate the other day because it helped me understand that I wasnt delusional. If youre not in Boston metro the place is going under ...

They don't call Kennedy the 'Lion of the Senate' and the 'Hardest Working Man on Capitol Hill' for nothing. Massachusetts keeps electing him for a good reason. He fights for what's right, and he gets results. And we'll keep right on electing as long as he keeps running.

Those issues you say have gotten worse and worse while Ted Kennedy has been in the Senate, only started getting worse under Republican Congresses and Presidents.

There was NO medicare for the elderly and disabled until Ted Kennedy and other liberals took on conservatives and the very conservative American Medical Association.

I think you might need to study the history of social programs a little more before you go very far down the path of thinking Ted Kennedy is to blame.

I did not imply he was to blame. If we were a kingdom (or whatever the type of government run by royalty is called) then this just might be camelot. But its not and I am implying he may not be the solution. Question authority? Remeber that? I am not young, 40 something so I have seen it all. Right back from my teen years when I actualy thought that what I thought mattered. I can remember writing to Teddy back in the 70s about being duped on one of those technical school rackets that never actualy amount to anything but loans to be paid and still treasure the response I got right down to the stamped signature that was stamped upsidedown.
What I realy wonder is .... How many success stories are there for graduates of the university of Phoenix :)
Id withdraw the topic but I dont know how so flame away :)

Hope you can retrieve the faith that we should have in our system of government. One of the things that is so wrong in our country is complacency on the part of voters. That is something what we have had to put up with for too long. We could have the best people leading us down the right paths if people would vote, and those that do, would take time to investigate what and who they are voting for.

if you are only 40-something, you were a toddler or child when the Medicare battle took place. I remember following it closely, particularly in the New Yorker, which did just as thorough a job back then on important issues as they do today.

Likewise the civil rights struggles.

We could all learn a lot by reviewing the history of the second half of the twentieth century.

but I SHALL refrain. I won't be one to flame you. You could do MUCH worse than Kennedy, MUCH WORSE!!!

Maybe you should google his record?

He is very hard working, and never forgets the little guy in Mass.

Yes, cities like Lawrence, Fall River and others have their issues, including a decaying infrastructure. This is more a result of federal cuts to local aid, in order to fund the tax cuts for big wigs. Also, 12 years of Republican governorship hasn't helped matters.

While you're at it, why don't you blame Lawrence's problems on all those illegal immigrants?

Noooo ... Think there are any? Geez, I hope not.

Do you know anything about Ted's record? Did you google for some facts? Just curious.

Since you're from Mass, who do you like in the Governors race?

Somewhere between Patrick and Gabrieli and I'm still undecided.
Wish I could have seen the 1st debate but we have satelite not cable so I had to listen on the radio. My wife says Gabrieli comes across as smug but Id have to see to decide that. Guess Im wishing for the next tech boom and biotech could be the wave. At least before it goes over to Ireland :)

It's going to be a tough choice.

I loved his line about needing to get away from gimicks, you know, all that cut taxes and pave the roads with gold crap we always here. Just do what needs to be done for christs sake :)

Been posting on the old DU long?

He is a legend in his time. I'll vote for him if he's 110. The RW can't even find a a candidate to run against him when he's up for re-election.

The younger Senate members could learn a lot from him. And he still has the fire and brimstone to make the RW weak in the knees.

but Ted Kennedy should "be led to pasture."

There aren't too many Lieberman fans on DU, but the Republicans love him.

In the end, after the primaries are over, if your lucky enough to have one, you know that both of us will hold our nose and vote straight D, just like always.

and has never deviated from that. Being demonized in the media and by the fascist right is reprehensible. Suggesting at DU that he should be ousted is uncalled for and, quite frankly, suspicious.

eom

even keep going?

Ted Kennedy is an elder statesman with decades of consistently progressive legislative action behind him.

WTF is with treating this OP as if it's valid? MKJ

:kick:

In case you may have forgotten, those areas (education, health care, etc) were vastly improved during the Clinton administration.

They've gone to hell because of the Bush administration, who has deliberately used the war in Iraq and other phony crises to siphon funds away from those programs and into the pockets of their campaign contributors.

ted kennedy just made time's list of top ten senators you should know.

he's HARDLY ineffective.

you're on the wrong board.

the government, besides having strong oratorical skills, great campaigning skills, and years of seniority in the Senate.

We are lucky to have him there and I hope he stays for another twenty or thirty years.

Not Kennedy, but most of the rest of them are ineffective.

:crazy:

Ted is great and if he were my senator I would be damn proud to have him represent me.

...what The Rolling Stones are to Rock & Roll. Simply the best and getting better with age. Kennedy has forgotton more about the correct way to run a country than Bush will ever know. It is a crying shame that neocons throw Chappaquiddick in his face every time he runs for President. Can you imagine how great this country would be if he had been a two-term President? Just think of all the good he would have done!

He has had a consistently good liberal record. He and his staff work hard for the Dem. Party and MA.

And spell check is your friend.

If you can understand the thought process of the person, why post that? I hate when we eat our own over stupid stuff.

I don't.

"Spell Check is your friend?"

primative had a valid, debatable question. I happen to love Sen. Kennedy buy understand the misgivings of those who think it might be time for fresh blood...seriously.

Democratic Party=Big Tent

Edited because I got the OP's unsername wrong and don't want to be shot for it.

Not likely. ;)

He is not overly thrilled by the Senator, unfortunately. It is a bone of contention with us...but he is also willing to work on campaigns and knock on doors.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The Devil is in the details. :P

Those that don't in Mass tend to be, um, right-wing whackjobs. You know, the kind that bring up Chappaquiddick everytime his name is mentioned. Many moderate Republicans in the state vote for him over and over too, because he does a lot for Massachusetts. He is so popular that he usually goes unchallenged, which I don't necessarily think is a good thing, but it shows that he appeals to not just Dems.

Thanks for the defense. I was starting to draw analogies between this board and the GOPs now inactive, one voice approach, where any dissent from verbatem translation is umm ... so strongly discouraged. Remember there are a lot of true progressives out there that have strayed away from the party to pursue more direct appeals. Naderites come to mind. Noone will accuse them of being neo-cons, will they? As a thinking man I can not accept that I should simply register approval for any leader without doing the D&D. Look where that kind of thinking has gotten us.

:-)

Are you really from Mass, or did you slip over the border from NH?

although I am creeping closer to the line over time. More open space and the like.

And I answered the OP's question. In my opinion,
it's not time to "put Senator Kennedy out to pasture."

In fact, here's a link to a wealth of knowledge about Kennedy's
devotion to his state and to our nation through public service.

Maybe I was a bit harsh in my reply, but I find these constant attacks on our elder
statesmen disconcerting. Also, DU provides this nifty "Check Spelling" tool for people like
me who type in a hurry.

Sorry if I offended.

But, I am not always perfect here, and unless I am...I'm not going to point out grammatical faults unless they cause difficulty in comphension.

You know, Ted Kennedy bashers. I feel such a cameraderie with 'em.

No, we can't agree that he is "just pain ineffective." Yes, it's just you.

If we want our programs to go through, we need MORE Democratic Senators--not fewer. Some of them need to be veterans.

He's out stumping to get the min.wage raised !

Can't we concentrate on defeating republicans :shrug:

I hope 2006 brings more like him. Those still willing to stand up to this administration. In fact, I live in fear of when the Old Guard starts to die out. Teddy Kennedy has done more for this country to the positive than the entirety of the men and women across the aisle from him.

that because Kennedy continually introduces bills and amendments to increase the minimum wage and the Senate does not approve it - he should stop fighting for it?

Or are you trying to somehow say that the only reason it doesn't get passed is because Kennedy is introducing it and if someone new came in and introduced it, the Senate would pass it?

Your reasoning is very odd. I think you need to look a little beyond campaign literature and educate yourself.

That the outcome of votes in the senate is no surprise beforehand, particularly to the senators involved. To repeatedly introduce legislation that it is widely known will go nowhere is doing what? In real terms some might call it pandering.
And when you fail to make any headway with a livable wage bill, and you then hop aboard the Bush Guest Worker Train you are doing what? Are you not kicking in the groin the same hapless souls whos livable wage you failed to produce?
Sloganism isnt a solution.

in case you haven't noticed. It makes it difficult for anyone-even someone with Kennedy's bipartisan clout-to get things done. Didn't you take civics or history in high school?

Umm, yes. Thats why I have folowed politics closly for decades and also why I must remind you that the GOP only took over the senate recently (2001) I believe. That leaves plenty of Camelot building time unanswered for.

and began to push their agenda aggressively. So what do you think of our other Senator? Do you think Kerry is ineffective like Kennedy?

That was the year of the contract on america. Thats when the blight took over the house. mDems held the senate for quite a while thereafter, i believe they were swept out when shrub was selected in 01.
I actualy like Kerry. Banged on enough doors up in Rockingha, NH on his behalf in 04. He impresses me as considerably more calculated, also more compromising. When he said he could pull the UN back into Iraq I was left feeling cwertain he could. thats what we need more of. Right and the left are so far apart that Id be happy back in the middle.

'95 to '01

he still hates Teddy, and facts won't get in the way of that. :-)

every time he introduces a bill that will help Americans with regard to health care, education, etc. he's forcing the GOP to show its true colors to voters when they vote it down.

but at this point of time do you think that there is anyone breathing that hasnt figured out who is who?
And to you other fellow bay staters. Why does his eminences staff insist on sending out campaign contribution solicitations in the form of polls?
Do I think we should
A) Support healthcare for all or
B) Leave healthcare alone because change would degrade services ...

Hmm ..
Am I supposed to believe they stay up late at night waiting to tabulate the results of these polls?

amendments that are going to pass. How sensible you are!

Then, when they run for office and people wonder why they never said anything about healthcare or minimum wage or numerous other issues they can just say, oh well I didn't bother because it wasn't going to pass anyways.

because he seems to be ill-informed about how government and politics work. I also asked him if he thought our other Senator, John Kerry, was an ineffective as Ted.

for those of us who never "tune in", live in a cave or on another planet and are somehow unaware of the massive GOP attack machine on Ted Kennedy.

Kennedy was one among a good number: Howard Metzembaum, Alan Cranston, (most of the time) Daniel Patrick Monyihan among others.

Now there are few voices of that stature. Kennedy is needed in the Senate as much as ever.

you would see more. Having said that much, I'm still upset that FAR TOO MANY Dems haven't been much more outspoken these past 6 years. I have NO real answers as to why there has been so little "fire in the belly" but part could have been how effectively Ronnie RAYGUN demonized the word LIBERAL! It was made into a 4-letter word and used very well against Democrats. Hey I'm still getting mail about what Clinton did in office on a regular basis and not because I'm even talking politics with the people sending me the stuff. Repukes who get backed against the wall, or see negative in the news, start with the Clinton stuff to deflect having to deal with what their "little idiot" is doing!

Now, it seems that being a Fundamentalist is becoming much more negative, so part of it is cyclical!

But I would take an Edward Kennedy over a Bill Nelson ANY DAY!! At least he talks about "doing" things... Nelson kind of sticks his finger in the wind on most issues.

I'd be willing to bet that if you lived where I lived, you might not feel the same way. November will be here very soon... and while I don't really hope for much, I would like a nice surprise. I still worry we aren't going to win all that much and gerrymandering is a big issue with me.

Ted Kennedy is NOT ONE OF THEM. He is a leading voice for justice and the progressive ideal. He will be with us for many years to come.

I've heard him speak recently, and I thought he sounded quite sane.

No, I think I prefer to have him continue as a sane voice in the wilderness. And besides, unless you're in Massachusetts, it ain't up to you.

YOU!!!!

"Is it just me or is his retirment about 20 years overdue?"
----------------------------------
Dear :),

I wanted to be in touch and share with you some of the exciting developments from the campaign trail.
Thanks to you and your hard work, Senator Kennedy has exceeded the 10,000 signatures needed
to ensure his name would appear on the ballot for re-election.
We ended up collecting over 50,000 signatures!
Dedicated volunteers from around the state made this accomplishment possible,
and on behalf of Senator Kennedy, I’d like to offer a big thank you and congratulations!

With that important task behind us, it’s time to look forward to victory this fall.
Kennedy for Senate will be working with the Massachusetts Democratic Coordinated Campaign Victory 06,
and volunteers like you across the state to win on November 7th.
To make sure we re-elect Senator Kennedy, elect the first Democratic Governor in 20 years,
and help all Democrats down the ticket win in November, we are going to need your help organizing at the local level.
We are looking for people to volunteer to become precinct captains all over Massachusetts.
Will you join us for a victory in November?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't decided if I can but I'm thinking about it!

Guy must be realy comming across hard times, what with soliciting for money 2 or 3 times a week. I expect that next I might find him standing at some intersection with a "will work for food " sign.

you have the right to demand someone new if Ted is not working out for you. I like him myself. But what I like even more is a party where the members have the power of choice. So I probably wouldn't back you, but I'd respect your wishes.

I have met a lot of Mass Dems over the years that are always lamenting how some lame-o Republican with zippo interest in the commonwealth always manages to win the governors office.
May I suggest this. Hard core Mass dems are not a majority. The majority is the vast untapped pool of stay at homes and not at all interesteds.
The governors race is the one time in their lives they actualy get a chance to check a box for someone that the party leadership hasnt cemented in place for them. Am I just biased in thinking that there is something absurd in the reality that as a 40 year old, every politician that was in place when I was in high school is still there? EVERY ONE? Sure people could always check of some guy they never heard of that the United Stooges Fan Club party has put on the ballot (so it wouldnt appear overly vacant). But think of this next time you wonder why people stay home instead of running down to check the same name they have been looking at since the beginning of time.

interesteds - it's not just MA. In addition, the majority of voters in MA are registered unenrolled.

Why would a voter never hear of a candidate on the ballot - people don't just put their names on the ballot, they campaign, they send out mailings, they get articles written about them in local newspapers, they sometimes get on local news/tv - if a voter hasn't heard of a candidate - it's their fault.

Frankly, I don't feel sorry for voters who sit elections out and whine about this or that. At the VERY LEAST they can inform themselves about the candidates. Voting is a CIVIC DUTY - that entails some responsibility on the voters part. If they don't want to get their asses off the couch - well, we all pay for that don't we?

And by the way - whatever makes you think the Republican party didn't torpedo Swift and put Romney into the race?

Hmm ... that a new angle. Swift, we never realy got to know ya .. all i remember is her appropriating state police helicopters to beat the rush hour traffic. Did the GOP plant the story? I dont know. Could be. Romney was certainly brought to us by someone, but the sponser refuses to step up and claim the product. Ah well. Buh-bye.
And as to the find out about candidates line ... are you serious?
Most opposition in this state is so token they have combined campaign chests in 4 figures. Hardly buys a one line ad in the globe, let alone TV time. What ever happened to equal time. Those were the days...

race was the only one that the candidate wasn't "cemented" in by the party and that is not true in regards to Swift and Romney.

Races in the state are local - they don't need Globe ads, they need local exposure and they get it.

Come, we drive stake through the risen undead's heart....

Be well, Sir!

Come, we go eat, laugh at Bush, Condi the Girl Friend, Cheney the snark shooter, etc

"For the snark was a boojum, you see...."

know where to stand/walk/place foot.

If we had 61 Ted Kennedy's in the Senate and 291 in the House, it'd be a MUCH better world...

The Kennedy name will keep him afloat and a press-magnet for his speeches and actions. Occasionally, that does good.

Honestly, THIS is the guy I want to have a drink with! Or several...I think I could go shot-for-shot with him after a good steak dinner! Anyway, It'd be fun trying... ;-)

Maybe that's just the air conditioner in his orafice.

Primitive1 started with a question about Kennedy: "... can we agree he is just plain ineffective?" I believe TayTay dispelled that provocation by observing how, only a week or so ago, Ted was still working hard for the people of his state: "The Senator was on the cell phone with the head of every city and town affected by the recent flood asking people what they needed and how could his office help. It speaks volumes about Uncle Ted that he has the cell phone numbers of these very local people and that he personally called them."

Ozark Dem probably got to the root cause of this Ted bashing: "Ted is holding the GOP accountable every time he introduces a bill that will help Americans with regard to health care, education, etc. he's forcing the GOP to show its true colors to voters when they vote it down." Yes, sir, Ted's a dangerous man.

We had every politician standing here for the photo ops. Whats your point, having phone number of local dems is groundshaking. Christ the same phone numbers have been in the phone bank for 20 years. Romney was here too. Show me a disaster and I'll show you a gaggle of caring politicians, especialy in an election year.

my point was clear: Ted Kennedy, in contrast to your assertion, is still effective. You'll have to invent another reason to turn us against him.

Sure did kill that wind farm off the cape quick.
My guess is he will just as effective at cramming it down the throats of the people of Fairhaven. They should get free power for the deal and Hyanis should pay triple just for wasting everyones time.

And I don't think that the results will be in your favor.

and the wind farm thing grates, but he's been good on other issues (well, at least he voted the right way--we lost on them), e.g., CAFTA and the Bankruptcy Bill. I become less enchanted with him all the time, but he wouldn't be at the top of my list to go.

You're getting a bit o' shit here, eh? Well, Kennedy is one of the sacred party cows and you chose the "party forum" to post this in. Good luck. lol

Yeah that kind of about sizes it up.
Yeah, I am getting a roasting but a few people have stepped up and made similar comments to yours, not the first they would like to see go but ....
No reason to be whispering in the dark corners any more. Here is your forum. Step up and be heard.
I really only think about Teddy on election years because that is when he fills my mailbox with solicitations ... like RSVP to "the clambake at the compound" stuff. Oh yeah, I am cordially invited .... just bring lots of cash and make sure you don't take a wrong turn after dark around "the compound" because if you get caught out cruising that neighborhood after dark security would just as soon shoot you as offer directions.
If Teddy needs contributions so bad here is an idea. If I send him ten bucks, then maybe he shouldn't immediately take that as a signal to spend 25 bucks mailing me more solicitations. Put the money to actual use for cripes sake.

I wish we had 99 more of him.

He's one of the few democrats in Congress who stands up for what's right and fights for it.

The Kennedy's to their credit have done a lot for the poor. They do remember their roots and that's why they to do what they can to make things better for a lot of people.

And I love his oratory skills! But I'm still mad at him.

Ted Kennedy brokered a deal with Ted Stevens while exiting the funeral for a former senator to have Ted insert a provision in federal legislation to give a governor more control over approvals for wind power projects.

This was because there is a proposed wind power project off the cape - cape cod, where his family compound is located. Alternative energy is important to our country's future. This project would have been the largest one on the east coast. Ted seems to be favoring rich white landowners who don't want their lovely view obstructed over our environment.

I can't help but think his behavior in this situation undermines all he has done and says about the little guy, the environment and generally.

I am not sure I want him to retire, but I am looking at him with some disdain these days. He is not even courageous enough to stand up and say, I oppose this. He is acting behind the scenes in a way that is sneaky and beneath him.