I’d like to see Barney Frank make a run for the seat, as he’s one of the few Democrats who’s had the balls to call the town hellers out on their bullshit, and he seems like the type of guy who can get things done. But I doubt he’s interested. He’s spent years acquiring power in the house to become chair of the financial services committee and I can’t see him giving that up to be junior senator.
So what are your thoughts on who should succeed Kennedy?
Harry Reid. Looks like Nevada doesn’t want him anymore.
More seriously, I wonder how long it will be before someone puts Caroline Kennedy’s name up. If Hillary Clinton could run in New York, Caroline Kennedy can probably claim a home in Massachusetts.
I have a very strong suspicion that it will be Barney – he’s got a lot of visibility in the past few years on issues other than the ones his name immediately brings to mind.
Caroline is (1) a New York resident, and (2) when brought up as a potential candidate after the Spitzer affair (no pun intended), she faced strong opposition as unqualified (IMO unfairly, but still that was the sentiment). If she “went back home” the same sort of thing would happen.
Are there any “third generation Kennedies” active in Massachusetts politics these days?
Just for general info, here’s the House delegation from Massachusetts:
* Capuano, Michael E., Massachusetts, 8th
* Delahunt, William, Massachusetts, 10th
* Frank, Barney, Massachusetts, 4th
* Lynch, Stephen F., Massachusetts, 9th
* McGovern, James, Massachusetts, 3rd
* Markey, Ed, Massachusetts, 7th
* Neal, Richard E., Massachusetts, 2nd
* Olver, John, Massachusetts, 1st
* Tierney, John, Massachusetts, 6th
* Tsongas, Niki, Massachusetts, 5th
Barney Frank and Ed Markey are the only ones that strike me as standouts. And I’d prefer Barney.
While there may be other figures in MA state politics that may be in a position to vie for the Dem nomination for Kennedy’s seat, I wouldn’t know about them.
I wonder if he’d go for it? He has built up a lot of seniority in the House, and recent developments have placed him in a position where he can have real impact. No doubt, the opportunity to be “promoted” to the Senate must be tempting, but is it enough?
But for my two bits: Go, Barney! You’re ugly as sin and queer as a blue horse, and I love yer sorry ass! Sic 'em!
Frank has already declined. Markey won’t get into it yet You can expect the most senior House members not to give their seniority up, either. Plus, the replacement is likely to be in the Senate for a long time. No senior statesmen need apply.
That means someone comparatively young and energetic, reliably progressive, and already enough-accomplished politically to demonstrate the needed skills. Capuano, Lynch, and McGovern are possibilities. Joe Kennedy, a former Congressman with the right name, might be as well.
If the law is changed (again) to permit a placeholder appointee in these troubled times, it might well be Dukakis. He doesn’t want to get back into the game permanently, though. Vicky Kennedy has already stated her lack of interest in the job.
As an aside, am I the only person who feels like Ted Kennedy was just holding out for Obama and possibly health care reform before he would let go? I know it’s not on topic, but it just seems like it.
Barney Frank has already said that he’s not leaving the House. Things could change, certainly, but he’s already a pretty powerful player and I doubt he’d give that up.
I don’t have any stake in this, but if we’re listing potential candidates, it should probably be remembered that Ted’s son Patrick J. Kennedy is an eight-term Congressman from Rhode Island. He’d have to move, obviously, but that’s been done before. Patrick Kennedy has struggled repeatedly with drug addiction and other problems and perhaps that would be a problem in a higher profile Senate contest, but then again, he’s a Kennedy and it’s Massachusetts.
Would the idea of hereditary title actually matter in a Massachussetts election?
I forgot a name, embarrasingly - Martha Coakley, the state AG. I’d have to bet on her if Joe K. turns it down, and I’d bet he does.
On the GOP side, to the extent that it matters, if Romney doesn’t go after it, he’ll have some explaining to do in 2012.
Michael Sullivan.
Zombie Ted Kennedy
Oh, OK, I’ll bite…who the hell is Michael Sullivan?
Not a bad question - I hadn’t realized how many Michael Sullivans there were in Massachusetts politics.
I was referring to the former U.S. attorney.
I didn’t realize how old Barney is until I Wiki’d him just now. I thought he was in his late 50s, with plenty of time to gain Senate seniority. But he’ll turn 70 next year, so I see your point.
Still, the House and Senate are such different environments, and it certainly looks as if, for the next several years, the Senate will determine which Dem programs become law, and which ones die on the vine. We need our ‘A’ team there during the next few Congresses. So I’d still like to see Barney make the jump.
That reaction helps illustrate the MA GOP’s difficulties. He’s the best they could come up with. Hell, they even had to try to recruit Fred Smerlas, the ol’ Bills nose tackle, to run for Congress.
Romney left his party even weaker than when he came in.
I lived in Pat’s district for a while. He has a safe seat in RI, and would be giving up the senority he has gained in the house. He passed on the opportunity to run against Lincoln Chafee for RI Senate seat two years ago.
Pat has been very ineffective in my opinion, and I say that as someone who has voted for him several times.
I could see Jim McGovern, the Rep from Worcester going for it.
I wouldn’t call Lynch reliably progressive. Among other things, I’m pretty sure he’s pro-life, which is probably a deal-breaker for a statewide office. Capuano seems an interesting possibility. He’s never really stood out much, but he has been reliably progressive, as far as I can tell. I figure he might jump for it if offered, but would be less willing to give up his seat to fight out a contested primary. I think it’s safe to say that incumbency is a major advantage in Massachusetts politics.
If we’re allowed to import candidates, maybe the Governator would like to become a Senanator.