Opinion and Commentary on state, regional and national news articles from a conservative feminist point of view expressed and written by conservative moderate: Tina Hemond
John Kerry pictured with Michael Dukakis - from the blog beldar.blogs.com
The replacement for Hillary Clinton, who will be leaving her post as Secretary of State has boiled down to the man who brought Barack Obama to the forefront the Senator from Massachusetts, John Forbes Kerry(Boston Herald) Kerry, who has served as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will be an easy nomination for the President. Kerry and Republican Senator, John McCain, both having run for the office Of the President, have worked together over the years; in the “club” that is the Senate. For all the bluff and bluster that comes with general elections, (the media recounts of what was said, so viciously, the name calling that takes place, when partisanship trumps the congenial worth done in that august body over an election), it appears that Kerry would sail through a nomination with ease.
Massachusetts will need to replace Kerry, that task falls to the Governor, Duval Patrick – who is required to name a replacement until a special election can be held. The Hill is reporting that the most likely possibility for Kerry’s replacement is the 79 year old, Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts and also a Presidential candidate” Dukakis would be a reliable Democrat vote in the Senate, and had recently helped in the campaign for Senator Elect, Elizabeth Warren. Also said to be lobbying for the seat are several of the Congressional Democrats from the state, Capuano, Lynch and Markey. Republican’s who might run for the open seat are Weld, Baker and Brown. (The Hill) The later three are considered “Moderate Republicans” by most standards – with experience with Brown showing a more Independent streak from the party in his voting pattern in the Senate. That said a moderate Republican from Massachusetts is more likely to focus on the vote on hand than be more like a rubber stamp as the case with Dukakis.
Duval Patrick has also noted he will not run for reelection – several of the above referenced on both sides have indicated an interest in running for Govenor. Republican’s, although in short supply, have historically had success at running and winning the Governor’s office in the Bay State. Brown made history in 2009 when he won the special election to the U.S. Senate replacing Ted Kennedy. There are few Republicans that have managed to obtain a Congressional or Senate seat in the “Bluest State”, which begs the question: If a Republican can be handily elected to the Governor’s office, why the difficulty in procuring a Senate or Congressional Seat? – One would think, that with 51% of the States electorate opting for non-party status as “unenrolled”, the option for choosing an alternative to the “status quo’ would be welcome - that said, ground troops, something that is necessary in winning the City Council seat, is lacking on the Republican side in Massachusetts. How then, did the Republican’s ascend to the Governor’s office, or Brown the Senate – general disgust by the people of policies in place that directly affected them at that given time. With Patrick, pro-tax, that may be an easier route for the aforementioned Republican’s to take. That said, in Massachusetts, nothing is impossible, if the ground game, and grassroots are in place for whoever the GOP candidate may be.
Senator John Kerry & Governor Deval Patrick - Potential spots open in Obama Administration Photo: democratic underground.
Immediately following the election several key officials in the Obama administration have decided to call it quits. This is not unusual in the grander scheme of things, as administrations go into a second term, there are usually those who give one term and go back to the private sector or, head to Iowa. In this case there are several openings that suggest certain Massachusetts Politico’s may be ripe for the positions.
The number one slot leaving is Hillary Clinton, the Sectary of State - this was first announced through the Weekly Standard, and the suggestion is that MA. Senator John F. Kerry would be a candidate for the slot. It is no secret in Massachusetts that Kerry has wanted the slot since 2008 –and, as a surrogate for the President throughout the reelection process, he may have an in (if they can forgive the performance in Denver, with Kerry as coach). On Clinton herself, the New York Times is now setting the stage for a 2016 run in what can only be called a fluff piece. Clinton would make a fine choice, all the way around, however, one speculates that she may be too tired at that point. In addition she would have to run against a yet again, energized Conservative base, and depending upon the candidate (say a Marco Rubio – who has already set foot in Iowa), it may be a tough road.
Another leaving the administration is Eric Holder, and although Janet Napolitano’s “name” is being floated, it may be the Governor of the State of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, who get’s that job. Patrick who is a long-time associate of the President and was mentored by chief strategist, David Axelrod, would be a find fit for the position.
Others that are leaving, so far, according to the Washington Post, Defense, Secretary Leon Panetta and White House Senor Advisor David Plouffe
The first two mentioned are of great interest for several reassign. John Kerry has wanted the job, and is just as qualified as anyone else in the Obama administration. This would leave a seat open in the Senate for a multitude of individuals in the Bay State that may aptly fill the bill (more on that).
The second is the office of Attorney General, again, the nations “top cop” would be a great fit for the Governor of Massachusetts. He’s weighed in on many a case and has a mind-set similar to the President. This would set up a second special election in MA to fill the Governors seat.
There are several names being floated as replacements in Massachusetts should this occur, the first that comes to mind is former Senator Scott Brown who was narrowly defeated by Elizabeth Warren – Brown, the most bipartisan senator of the past two years (given his short term) would counteract that very partisan Warren, and at least bring some sense of sanity to the process. As to the Governor’s office: Bill Weld has reportedly moved back to the state, and Charles Baker who had run a tight campaign against the Patrick, who won by one point, with the help of Democrat turned conveniently independent, Tim Cahill , would also fit that bill.
Of course, if the above mentioned are seriously considering running for either of these “projected” vacant seats”, then one might also anticipate, especially in Weld and Brown’s case, sudden invitations by the White house to be Ambassadors of Name a Country out of the way. Of course, that job has a short life expectancy these days.
It’s always fun to speculate, but the thoughts that Massachusetts would find some of its key politico’s either in an administration or back in the saddle campaigning for a top slot representing the Bay State, does bring out what all political judies relish: another election!
William Weld, father of Welfare Reform (pre-Clinton/Gingrich Bill), with Mitt Romney - circa 1990 - image sunshine state news dot com
From Red State”Breaking David Axelrod Endorses Mitt Romney for President” - although satirical, one has to be confused as to whom the President’s Campaign Manger is referring. In the video clip below, Axelrod, on a Sunday morning news show, noted that the middle class needs are not being met, and that “we” as a people, can either change that – or “keep going on the same path”. If anyone watching this gave it a moment’s though, to travel on the same road we’re on, would be to re-elect the man for whom Axelrod shills, and to help the middle class, (and since when do we have a “class system in our country” – that defies the principles of our founding fathers), one would think that would be someone who was in a position or had knowledge of how to produce actual private sector jobs, rather than stimulus programs, extended unemployment benefits – jobs programs to date, have “saved” public sector jobs, such as teachers, which, without a taxpayer behind the scenes, these jobs would not exists in the public sector.
Video, comments shown twice
What might be most amazing is that to run on the administration’s record, one would have to change “history” to reflect a great record – since Academics are capable of changing history, by virtue of a rewrite, perhaps that’s what Axelrod is attempting in his latest “salvo” against Mitt Romney.
One keeps hearing about how close this race is going to be, however, if this trend continues, state by state, an incumbent pulling 50% and some change in approval in only 10 states, does not bode well for the general election – consider the population in these 10 state: California and New York are large population centers, however, the balance are not.
So the battle has begun between Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, with the conservative wing of the Party still looking at Romney as if he had grown three horns, and many vowing to hold their noses and vote – against Obama – on the other hand, Romney appeals to the moderate – of which in this country that appears to be a growing and large segment of the population.
What does the Obama Campaign have on Mitt Romney – not much when the truth be told – it is a phenomena called “sort-term-memory loss” – when it comes to politicians, especially incumbents – Obama continues to blame Bush, blame the Republican’s, blame the Congress, but, as Harry Truman noted: “The Buck Stops Here” and those who are voting, only know that Obama has been President for four years, and in four years, nothing has improved. Therefore, you will find complains surfacing in papers such as the Boston Globe, about Mitt Romney.
The most recent example is an article from Boston.com’s Political Intelligence section - Mitt Romney Says All Moms Are Working Mom’s, but Mothers on Welfare Need to Work - the headline leads one to believe, Romney put those two concepts tougher in the same sentence – not so. In one instance, Romney was defending remarks made by a CNN Political Pundit, and Democrat Operative, regarding his wife, Ann’s inability to understand the economy because she was nothing more than “a stay at home mom” – This took place last week. However, in the Romney says mothers on welfare need to work; he was in New Hampshire on the campaign trail in January.
Romney was, of course, speaking about Welfare Reform, a product of former Massachusetts peer and Governor, William Weld, which was nationalized under the Republican Congress and President Bill Clinton. The premise: a timeline was set for welfare recipients to get off the “dole”, they would go to college or get a job, (college was a two year program), and much was provided, including daycare – it was a resounding success, cutting the welfare roles and putting people to work refer to discussions on the success of the MA model up to and through 2001(Urban.org) Therefore, Romney is speaking about “Welfare Reform, getting individuals off the government dole and in the workforce, by incentives, and thereby reducing the welfare roles and increasing the taxpayer base. FDR has workfare, as the most often referred to Social Revolutionary (one thinks he might roll in his grave) President by Progressives, the institution of his workfare program and other benefit programs were clearly, intended to be short term – a point those who laud the programs apparently miss.
What of the incumbents views of Welfare Reform? They don’t exist: In fact, replacing Welfare Reform was primary in the Obama administration to the point where states were incentivized to increase the welfare roles – see: Presdient Obama Ends Welfare Reform.
Of course, all is well and good, if welfare is used as a transition, and enables the individual to find skills, gainful employment, and become a part of the society – In the interim; they receive benefits that are not always designed to be the most generous. Therefore, when inflation hits, for example with food and fuel, that not only hurts those in the “middle class”, but those in the “welfare class” as well. That is evidenced by a trip to the grocery store, and finding those with EBT cards making hard choices about food – just like those in the middle class.
Clearly the administration cannot run on its record, even if there were some sleight of hand or outright miracle and the price of a gallon of gas drops to $2.25 and the unemployment rate drops to Bush Era levels (4 to 5%) between now and November, it is the sales pitch that will fall hallow. The cumulative facts must have been on Axelrod’s mind as he rambled out that statement.
Bloggers Note: As a stay at home mom for the first four years of my daughter’s life, it was not only hard work, demeaning in terms of how stay at home mothers are viewed by former peers, and the family who decides to go that route, ends up losing income and making do. However, nurturing the child is worth every sacrifice. With women, especially, it should not be an us vs. them (stay-at-home moms versus those mom’s in the workforce , especially those who are financially capable of making the choice to either stay home or work – should be supportive of one another. To do otherwise, is to take one of the most important and powerful roles a woman owns, that of bearing and rearing her children. It is politics that divides - the us versus them of the Democrats who feel they own women, and the Republican’s /Moderate Democrats such as a Bill Clinton, who feel that women have a right to be – equal – no matter which choices they make when it comes to their children. Which would you choose? Servitude or Freedom from being a political football?
Speculation over John Kerry’s (D-MA) possible inclusion in an Obama cabinet, has Massachusetts politician’s gearing up for a run at the Senate should there be a special election. From Attorney General Martha Coakley to former Governor William Weld, are expressing interest. Not so fast: Governor Deval Patrick has decided than allowing a special election that might not be in the best interests of the Democrat Party, he will simply change the law of the Commonwealth and appoint the next US Senator from MA. Who might Governor Deval Patrick have in mind – Ted Kennedy’s wife, Vikki and his nephew Joseph Kennedy II. Patrick is putting his political party’s interest ahead of the interests of the Commonwealth – nothing new. Deval Patrick, the original “Yes We Can”, man - came up through the same Chicago political scene as Barack Obama (both men have been guided by David Axelrod) and will be up for re-election in 2010.
