Massachusetts Special Election to Fill Vacant Kennedy Seat Set for 1/19/09 – DNC – Banking on Liberal Massachusetts to Elect a Democrat

Former U.S. District Attorney, Michael Sullivan, mentioned as a possible candidate for Kennedy's Seat- image bostonherald

There is a great deal of speculation regarding Senator Ted Kennedy’s vacant senate seat; specifically who his replacement might be. One constant theme is that the seat will be filled by a Democrat – this is based on several assumptions, the most interesting being the fact that Massachusetts is a Democrat controlled state.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, although run almost exclusively by one party, has an interesting make-up when it comes to registered voters. Only 36 percent of the registered voters are designated as Democrat, with the largest percentage (50 plus %) designated as independent (unenrolled). Additionally, according to the latest Zogby Poll, President Obama’s approval rating is now at 42% - as 52% of the nation voted for Obama, one might theorize, that 1 in 8 voters (mostly unenrolled) are shopping elsewhere for their politicians.. Therefore it is not inconceivable that, given a special election, a Republican might take the seat.

Historically, however, the last Republican Senator elected in Massachusetts, was was Edward William Brooke in 1966(incidentally, Brooke's was also the first African-American elected to the Senate “since the reconstruction”.) As the decades passed, Massachusetts voters have chosen several Republican governors, (Weld, Swift and Romney the most recent), yet not one Federal representative has emerged since Brooke.

The Replacements: On the Democrat side, the following names have been bandied about in the press: especially Victoria Kennedy and Joseph Kennedy III – the thought process being that the seat “belongs to the Kennedys”, and that no matter which Kennedy runs, the people of Massachusetts will pull the lever (branding)for any "Kennedy". Other names on the DNC list: Rep. Michael Capuano and Martha Coakley (Attorney General) - of the two Capuano would be in lockstep with the administration, Coakley appears to be more independent minded – similar to a Hillary Clinton.

On the flip side, the Republican potential candidates (thrown in as an afterthought by most media), are former Lieutenant Governor, Kerry Healy, who ran an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign against Deval Patrick (negative advertising and the Republican Brand led to her demise), and more interesting Michael J. Sullivan, a former U.S. District Attorney who resigned his position on April 9, 2009. At the time, Sullivan took a position with John Ashcroft's Law Firm. Sullivan, has the credentials and name recognition (positive) to prove assumptions false.

Although anyone who is contemplating a run at the seat, has little time in which to prepare (the primary is set for December 9, with the general January 19th. That said, the wild card in Massachusetts will be the independent vote, it would behoove the GOP (which consistently abandons Massachusetts on the false belief that it is a “lost cause” due to the overwhelming majority of Democrats!”)to take note. Should a Republican run, in this climate, one with the credentials and branding of a Sullivan, come out early and run on merit, then all bets may be off. Republican Federal Representatives from the State of Massachusetts are not unlike Hurricane's. They do occur, infrequently, true, but historically certain.

Harry Reid – Looking at Unemployment in 2010 – Las Vegas Review Journal Slaps Reid Down.

Publisher Hero - Sherman Frederick - Las Vegas Review Journal - Stands for Integrity

Sherman Frederick, , the Publisher of the Las Vegas Review Journal had a few words for Harry Reid, his State Senator (D-NV) and Senate Majority Leader in a recent op-ed piece. One thing is certain, if there is a shoe around lately, Senator Reid manages to insert it into his mouth. It is enough that he has repeatedly mischaracterized those who oppose the current version of Health Care Reform, and most recently, stuck his nose into Massachusetts States Politics, where it does not belong, but he had the gaul to attack the largest newspaper in his home State. These actions may lead some to believe that Harry has lost his mind, and may not longer be fit to legislate.

Harry Reid Looking Befuddled - photo: americanhellenic

Harry may be a bit disconcerted over the recent polls, which show Reid trailing Republican Danny Tarkanian, by an astounding 11 points – astounding because Mr. Tarkanian just announced his candidacy within the past month. Perhaps this is why, when at a business luncheon on the campaign trail, Senator Reid told an advertising salesperson for the Las Vegas Review Journal that he hoped the paper would go out of business.

The Las Vegas Review Journal is one of the few newspapers left in this nation that has any integrity what-so-ever, and continues to report, not editorialize the news. This means that when Reid does something noteworthy, he gets praise, or if he pulls a stupid stunt, then he is called on it. Other newspapers can be counted on to treat Reid, (and by extension, others in the Democrat circle of Obama) as some sort of second coming, with never a word that would condemn or criticize any of the aforementioned in anyway (see New York Times.)

Speaking of Las Vegas, if one is putting any money on Harry Reid’s re-election - it is a long-shot, and although the payoff would be high, some might consider it a wasted opportunity. (and cash). Mr. Reid, like Mr. Daschle before him, will become but a footnote of history. Only Senator Reid can choose how the residents of Nevada (not the New York Times, the DNC, etc.) will choose to remember him. Perhaps wishing a large employer, and a member of an embattled industry ill, is not the way to go about ensuring one’s legacy will be kindly treated in one’s home state.

To be applauded for pluck, and calling it as he sees it, the publisher of the Review Journal and President of Stephen’s Media, Sherman Frederick.

John Kerry (D-MA) to Hold “Health Care Reform” Town Hall Meeting Sept. 2nd, Somerville, MA - Public Service Announcement

John Kerry (hits the slopes) to Speak on Health Care and Global Warming in New England - photo people.com

From Kerry@Senate.gov

Join Senator John Kerry and discuss the issues at an open Town Hall in Somerville, MA. The seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to make sure you get in!
With so much interest in the health care debate, we're sure there will be many questions on that, but you are welcome to ask about any issue you would like. Our economy still needs to work better for all Americans, the Senate will take on the issue of energy reform and global climate change in the fall, and our foreign policy still faces many, many challenges. You can bring up those or any other issue at this open Town Hall.
The details:
Somerville Town Hall
September, 2 2009
7:30pm-9:00pm
Somerville High School Auditorium
81 Highland Ave
Somerville MA
Open to all!


Hope to see you there!

Massachusetts residents that live in the Somerville Area (Boston Suburbs), or anyone in the Bay state that is interested in learning how Senator John Kerry stands on the issue of Health Care Reform (specifically the public option), should attend this particular event. Senator Kerry is also suggesting that constituents may be interested in asking about other issues, such as the Cap and Trade legislation (energy), global climate change in the fall (Frost predicted in early October this year), how he stands on foreign policy and possibly other challenges that we face (the economy and specifically the deficit ($2 Trillion More than originally estimated)).

Those who may be interested in protesting should be aware of a Massachusetts General Lawc. 272, § 40, referring to willful disruption of the peace at a school and/or legal assembly. (Just in case - video cameras are suggested) As support for the current proposed legislations (several versions) has fallen significantly with the public, and more recently with U.S. Senators; it may be interesting to hear Senator Kerry’s take on reform, and what steps would be considered a viable option in order to insured those who are without (basically those in the middle that have lost their health insurance due to high costs or unemployment), such as offering them the option of joining the program that the government offers its employees, including the Senator (multiple options, run by private insurers), or the extensions of COBRA benefits in cases of long-term unemployment (see new deficit numbers due out today). Those in the lower income brackets who cannot afford insurance, or those who did not legally enter the nation are currently eligible to receive either Medicaid or Social Security Benefits in some instances (or are able to go to a hospital for treatment without the threat of being turned away – (a burden on our health care providers). There are several interesting options available, among them legislation offered by House Republicans: which includes tort reform, tax credits, and specifically allowing those who are currently uninsured (or insured) to purchase health care across state lines(which would increase competition and reduce premiums).

With all seriousneedss, one has to give Senator Kerry credit for holding a town hall style meeting at all. Not all Democrat Senators or Congressmen held Town Hall Meetings this recess, and with enormous opposition to Health Care Reform (aside from the staged pro-reform rallies by “Organizing for America”), from constituents - kudos to John Kerry for having the gumption to get out there and not only talk about that one issue, but offer constituents the opportunity to sound off on other disasters (Stimulus, War in Afghanistan, Cap and Trade) created by the current administration.