# Who would be the ideal person to succeed Ted Kennedy in the Senate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 26, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766 "2009-08-26T14:45:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/21 "2009-08-26T23:31:44Z")
Mitt Romney. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/22 "2009-08-27T12:40:23Z")
> [@Curtis LeMay](#): > > Mitt Romney. Romney will be running for a different job in 2012, so it wouldn’t make sense for him to try for the Senate again. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/23 "2009-08-27T13:58:12Z")
Vicki Kennedy, at least to fill out Kennedy’s term, as I understand that option may become available. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/24 "2009-08-27T13:59:53Z")
Romney’s in a tight spot here. He could run for Senate now, to show he’s devoted to serving the public instead of just fundraising and speechmaking. Remember that his credentials for the Presidency are pretty skimpy. Or he could pass it up, claiming it would just be a suicide mission in that liberal hellhole that somehow elected him once anyway. Then he’d have to explain what happened since. Either way, he’ll have to hope for an Obama implosion to even have a prayer in November 2012, even if he gets the nomination somehow (hey, somebody has to). If that doesn’t happen, he gets an L branded on his forehead and he’s done. Sez here he’s staying out of this. It will damage him less to be thought a coward by some, than to be proven to all at the polls that he’s an epic loser. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/25 "2009-08-27T16:06:11Z")
I keep reading that Ted’s widow Victoria isn’t interested in running for the seat, but I haven’t seen any authoritative cite for that. Here’s a [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) article on the scrum to fill the vacancy: [Death gives Massachusetts 1st open Senate seat in decades - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/26/kennedy.senate.seat/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/26 "2009-08-27T17:55:52Z")
I imagine a certain ex-governor of Alaska will be tossing her hat in the ring. Maybe this is the real reason why she quit? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/27 "2009-08-27T19:22:16Z")
Vicky is a likely candidate to serve the remainder of the term. When It comes to elections I think Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley will be his most likely successor. She would however have to overcome the traditional hurdle of going from Attorney General to Senator, a hurdle many have tried and failed to make in the past throughout the country. She’s expressed interest in higher politics in the past and has the ability to fund a successful campaign. I’d love Barney Frank but it is doubtful he’s even considering it. His place is in congress, he has established himself very well there and can probably do the most good with that position rather then trying to reestablish himself in the senate. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/28 "2009-08-27T19:35:54Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > I’d love Barney Frank but it is doubtful he’s even considering it. His place is in congress, he has established himself very well there and can probably do the most good with that position rather then trying to reestablish himself in the senate. Do note that the Senate is a part of Congress. However, Frank has indeed built a secure niche for himself in the House, both in his committee seats and in his connections to leadership and rank/file members. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/29 "2009-08-27T19:36:47Z")
Marty Meehan (former Congressman, recently quit in mid-term to become chancellor of UMass-Lowell) has the funding, but also the problem of explaining why he suddenly wants to go back to Washington. Which, given the way he left it, he probably doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Dick\_Dastardly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@Dick\_Dastardly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dick_Dastardly)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/30 "2009-08-27T20:17:45Z")
[http://www.celebspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/evel\_knievel.jpg](http://www.celebspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/evel_knievel.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/31 "2009-08-27T20:57:36Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Marty Meehan (former Congressman, recently quit in mid-term to become chancellor of UMass-Lowell) has the funding, but also the problem of explaining why he suddenly wants to go back to Washington. Which, given the way he left it, he probably doesn’t. I’m guessing part of his chancellor deal was to at least promise to stay for a length of time. Massachusetts is becoming increasingly embarrassed that our federal representation is and has been almost exclusively white men. I think it is highly likely a female candidate will be able to rally votes even if its just to add some diversity. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/32 "2009-08-27T21:01:53Z")
> [@Dick\_Dastardly](#): > > [http://www.celebspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/evel\_knievel.jpg](http://www.celebspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/evel_knievel.jpg) If we are going to let dead guys fill the seat we’ll elect Kennedy again. Hell if we leave his name anywhere on a ballet he will probably win. ---
**Author:** ![freedumb2003](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@freedumb2003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freedumb2003)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/33 "2009-08-27T21:21:14Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > 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? Yes, a disdainful, selfish and stupid elitist who thinks he is better than his citizens is what Mass needs right now. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/34 "2009-08-27T21:25:49Z")
> [@freedumb2003](#): > > Yes, a disdainful, selfish and stupid elitist who thinks he is better than his citizens is what Mass needs right now. Sometimes disdain is what is called for. Like that lady who called Barack Obama a Nazi TO A GAY JEW. It showed that she completely missed the memo regarding what made Hitler evil. Government run healthcare isn’t the reason people hated Hitler. Jean Chretien was PM of Canada, Canada has government healthcare, therefore Jean Chretien is just like Hitler! It simply doesn’t work. Sometimes people are too disdainful. Others disdain is just what the Doctor ordered. But Frank is comfortable where he is. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/35 "2009-08-27T21:39:32Z")
> [@freedumb2003](#): > > Yes, a disdainful, selfish and stupid elitist who thinks he is better than his citizens is what Mass needs right now. Disdainful to idiots, I’ll give you. In what way is he selfish, stupid, or an elitist? Being a Democrat, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/36 "2009-08-27T22:31:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Sez here he’s staying out of this. It will damage him less to be thought a coward by some, than to be proven to all at the polls that he’s an epic loser. I agree he’s staying out. I don’t see why any would think him a coward, though. It’s no secret that he’s running for President in 2012 (at this early date, he’s probably got the inside track for the nomination), and it would make no sense at all for him to run for the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/37 "2009-08-27T22:49:29Z")
[Blitzer says “a lot of people think” John McCain “might emerge as the new Ted Kennedy in the U.S. Senate”](http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200908270039) ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/38 "2009-08-27T22:58:19Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > It will damage him less to be thought a coward by some … Sez here he will stay out and no one will have any success pinning a coward label on him. There are far too many other fully plausible explanations. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/39 "2009-08-27T23:28:37Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > [Blitzer says “a lot of people think” John McCain “might emerge as the new Ted Kennedy in the U.S. Senate”](http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200908270039) Well I guess he found ‘a lot of idiots.’ McCain has his own place in the senate and it has many differences that prevent him from being anything similar to Kennedy. I like qualities in both of them but they a different. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766/40 "2009-08-28T00:03:48Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > [Blitzer says “a lot of people think” John McCain “might emerge as the new Ted Kennedy in the U.S. Senate”](http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200908270039) McCain has some very significant bipartisan achievements on his record, but I don’t see how a man who is the same age as Ted Kennedy, and whose career is nearly over, can be a new Ted Kennedy. I can’t watch the video right now, so I don’t know who “a lot of people” are, but “a lot of people” is usually bad reporting - it’s pretending there is consensus to justify speculation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-the-ideal-person-to-succeed-ted-kennedy-in-the-senate/507766.md?page=3)