Candidate strives for respect -- and votes

Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Stephanie Grace

On paper, U.S. Senate hopeful John Kennedy doesn't seem a likely candidate for the Rodney Dangerfield slot in the November contest.

In another time and another race, the Democratic state treasurer would surely get plenty of respect. Kennedy is serious and articulate, and he's proven his political mettle, having filled high-level posts for two governors, knocked off an incumbent in his first race for treasurer and cruised to a second term unopposed. He holds a job that can be a stepping stone to something bigger -- the same job that Mary Landrieu had when she ran for governor, just missed a runoff, then came back a year later to win the state's other Senate seat.

On top of all that, there's that name.

Yet for reasons largely outside his control, the campaign to date hasn't gone entirely Kennedy's way.

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