Will Joe Kennedy Be Teddy's Successor?

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/somerville/articles/2009/08/31/in_or_out_joe_kennedy_will_have_impact_on_potential_senate_field/

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.’’

:patriot:

I recall, and I think he thought he could get more done outside of his one House seat than he could by staying in that seat.

about whether he would like to be back in DC in the Senate, but it's possible.

I would see Vicky as a likely appointee to the interim seat (after the law is changed to allow for this) for 4-5 months, but I doubt she wants to be a permanent Senator from Mass.

My thinking is that there are just TOO MANY qualified people in Mass to be Senator, and the people of Mass will have a hard time picking just one.

I wouldn't be suprised to hear that Martha Coakley's head exploded if Joe runs for the seat. She has been eyeing it ever since Teddy got sick. And then there's Capuano, Markey, Lynch (pleaze gawd, no), and possibly the return of Marty Meehan to contend with.

It becomes difficult to know what is serious and what is just empty speculations. I guess this will become clearer in a few days.

(I share your exclamation concerning Lynch!).

He teaches at UC Berkeley.

You are right about Coakley. If Joe Kennedy entered, she wouldn't run against him but she would be furious.

if Kennedy ran, but Coakley and Lynch would run. I dont think there is a question about that. They already said so.

I was very impressed with him giving the eulogy.

would allow him to run for election in Mass, according to the article.

Caroline Kennedy, who lives and occasionally votes in Manhattan but owns property on Martha's Vineyard, would also be eligible. The Constitution says a person must be an inhabitant of the state he or she represents, but doesn't define what an inhabitant is.

No, I don't think Caroline Kennedy would be a good replacement.

And runs a financial services firm in NYC.

I'm not in favor of family dynasties per se because most family dynasties are rich people who don't necessarily give a shit about the public (Bush family). But that does not describe the Kennedy family, who have spent their lives working in the best interests of Americans.

Joe Kennedy is currently running a nonprofit group (Citizens Energy Corp) that he funded in 1979 to provide heat/energy resources to low-income people.

Citizens Energy pursues commercial ventures aimed at generating revenues that in turn are used to generate funds that could assist those in need in the United States and abroad. Citizens Energy has grown to encompass seven separate companies, including one of the largest energy conservation firms in the U.S. Citizens became one of the nation's first energy firms to move large volumes of natural gas to more than 30 states. As a precursor to market changes under electricity deregulation in the late 1990s, Citizens was a pioneer in moving and marketing electrical power over the grid.

There was a boldness and courageousness about the guy I liked a lot.

Dukakis is the man for the job, guys. Plus, maybe we should give the whole dynasty thing a rest.

on every aspect of the debate and in regular contact with Dodd and committee staffers

plastered with Willie Horton posters with Obama's face super-imposed.

Count on it.

side for the job, he's almost 75. He looks youthful, but he's way older than I am, and I'm over 60.

I wouldn't mind leaving the dynasty thing for a while, it isn't like Mass doesn't have enough talent.

Dukakis for the INTERIM appointment would be fine, if that's what you meant.

... the kid is adorable! (and did you see him working that receiving line Friday afternoon? lol)





SURELY they can pass whatever qualifications there are and let an 11 year old serve for five months! It could be like student council, only slightly different. ;)

An MSNBC reporter interviewed him Friday and he was very gracious and said all the things you expected him to say in those circumstances. But when the cameras were turned off he reportedly asked, "may I have a copy of that tape? I'll need it for my campaign one day!"

Senators in DC.

I love this little boy -- his eyes are dreaming of bigger things.

He knows exactly what he wants to do in life.

Wasn't he the one who mentioned "Health Care" in his Remarks?

One think about the Kennedy family, they are groomed so beautifully to carry the touch - some may misstep but they have enough talent to keep up their family traditions.