John Kerry – Not protecting his Bay State Seat - Is he Obama’s Choice?

John Kerry (D-MA) should be taking his bid for re-election a bit more seriously – given that he is faced with worrisome polls (Suffolk University Poll), a stronger than anticipated primary challenger (Ed O’Reilly) and a stronger GOP Opposition Candidate (Jeff Beatty). Additionally, the Bay States Newspapers normally Kerry committed editorial slant is taking a turn - in the opposite direction. Even the Boston Globe has questioned why John Kerry does not have the time to debate his Primary Challenger. In an article entitled “Kerry is Debatable”,
the Globe asks why Kerry has time to debate for Barrack Obama, yet, does not take the time out at home – noting: “the people of Massachusetts deserve a debate before the Sept. 16 primary.”

Perhaps it is arrogance, or perhaps Kerry has managed to obtain a position elsewhere. With the V.P. rumor mill churning, Huffington Post contributors weigh in on why Kerry would be the best choice for Obama as a running mate. - they make a compelling case – include the fact that Kerry’s deep ties to Obama are undisputable.

Today, or tomorrow, Obama will reveal his choice as running mate – if it is not John Kerry, will he then turn his attention to his own seat, or will he continue to stump for his chosen candidate? It appears the junior senator basks in the national spotlight; chances are his constituents will be treated to a barrage of advertising and mailboxes stuffed with re-elect Kerry literature – with a stop or two in each district hobnobbing with local Democrat politicos. Time is running out (Primary set for September 16), however, and although there is a Kerry Campaign ad, they aren’t playing statewide – what is showing up are banners for both Ed O’Reilly and Jeff Beatty, both of whom are receiving state press on an almost daily basis.

Therefore the questions remain, is Kerry the V.P. choice that will be announced today, or tomorrow by Obama? Or is he so arrogantly confident that he will retain his seat he isn’t bothering to protect it. The Massachusetts primary will be telling, as polls can, admittedly be deceiving due to small samples and the general make-up of the state. That said - given the electorate makeup: 30+% Democrat, 12+% Republican and 51+% Unenrolled – should half the Unenrolleds vote in the primary for O’Reilly, (assuming half will take a Democrat ballot), and 23% (or the percentage of votes that O’Reilly received in the primary) of Democrats vote the same way, Kerry won’t have to worry about dodging debates in the Bay State.

Where is John Kerry?

In a recent AP article Google News, Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University History Professor, commented that it would be healthy for John Kerry to have to campaign at home this summer. This lead to the question: “When was the last time John Kerry set foot in Massachusetts among his constituents? With the exception of a quick trip to Western Mass earlier in the year, there has been no news of the incumbent seeking to hobnob with the locals. With 51% of the states voters (recent Suffolk University Poll) seeking a change, it may be wise for Kerry to at least set up a few appearances in the bay state. He faces a challenge for the first time in 24 years from within his own party, and in November, should he succeed in the state primary (a foregone conclusion) he will then run against Jeff Beatty, a grassroots Republican who is getting a lot of traction from an intensive statewide campaign. One note of interest on the part of this AP article, Jeff Beatty is mentioned as barely a footnote, and although the bulk of the article is centered on Kerry and his Democrat rival Ed O’Reilly, only Kerry and O’Reilly’s campaign websites are listed at the end of the article. This may be due to the fact that Kerry is perceived as unbeatable by the majority of the press outside and inside the state of MA and that any Republican would not stand a chance in November. A word to the wise,"Watch Jeff Beatty."

Massachuetts Senate Race 2008

Jeff Beatty and Jim Ogonowski challenge John Kerry

The Question Remains: Where do these candidates stand on Values Issues

There are two candidates running against incumbent John Kerry for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. Jeff Beatty, , who is a former Army Delta Force Officer and founder of TotalSecurity.US an anti-terrorism consulting firm. Jeff lists the following issues on his website: The War on Terror, Taxes and the Economy, Education, The Second Amendment and Immigration (no mention of border control).

Jim Ogonowski, is a farmer from Dracut who is a retired lieutenant colonel from the Air Force and Air National Guard. (John Adams anyone?) Jim’s stand on the issues are not listed on his website, however, a mailing lists energy independence, fiscal responsibility (ending earmarks and lowering taxes), and illegal immigration (border control, first).

Neither candidate addresses value issues; specifically marriage and life. Understanding that in Massachusetts, taking a strong stand on either or both of these issues may be political suicide, it does give this family values, no tax, border control, conservative Catholic pause. (Jim gets points on border control and taxation) Both campaigns have been contacted regarding these issues, in the communication it was noted that although Massachusetts might not be the best environment to take a strong policy stand on either issues, a note on a personal perspective (i.e. I am personally opposed to or I personally support.) would allow voters that choose their representatives based upon character, a realistic option this November when making a choice between one of them and John Kerry. This voter would prefer to write-in a cartoon character rather than vote for a candidate that will not address these issues. It is hoped that one or both of these candidates will respond to the questions posed, allowing conservatives in the state a strong values candidate to support.