Posted on 01/17/2012 6:46:35 AM PST by raccoonradio
Scott Brown got into the U.S. Senate two years ago declaring, “This is not the Kennedys’ seat,” but 2012 could be the Year of the Kennedys’ Revenge.
Joseph P. Kennedy III’s likely congressional run in the redrawn 4th District, which includes Brown’s Wrentham hometown, has Democrats buzzing about a new generation of Kennedys helping Elizabeth Warren take back the late family patriarch’s Senate seat.
With Warren already running even with the Republican incumbent in the polls, even a small wave of Kennedy nostalgia, especially on Brown’s strongest turf, could sweep the Democratic challenger to victory in November. The prospect also has Brown supporters fired up about beating a Kennedy for the first time in Massachusetts.
“It will energize both bases and make it easier for both sides to raise money,” said state Rep. Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk).
Joe K3 already has hired Warren’s chief strategist, Doug Rubin, a move fueling even more speculation, especially among Republicans, that the Kennedy family is seeking to avenge the loss of Ted’s revered seat. And because of congressional redistricting, Kennedy will be personally campaigning in the backyard of the man who replaced his great-uncle.
Warren’s campaign is hesitant to embrace the scenario, fearful of rekindling the type of Kennedy backlash that helped propel Brown to his stunning special election win in 2010.
“This year, turnout in Massachusetts is most likely to be driven by the Presidential election,” Rubin told the Herald in an email. “President Obama at the top of the ticket will help all Democrats running in the Commonwealth. Even with that, every candidate will have to make their own personal appeal and work hard to earn the support of the voters.”
Winslow said the Obama race will be a factor but claims that Massachusetts voters, especially independents, have shown a history of “ticket-splitting” and that will help Brown.
A spokesman for Brown, who officially kicks off his re-election campaign in Worcester on Thursday, declined comment on the potential of a Kennedy affecting the race.
But Republican Sean Bielat, who is announcing today he will run for the 4th District seat, is already using the likelihood of a Kennedy running to generate campaign donations, saying Democrats are trying to “rebrand” the race as another “Kennedy seat.”
Kennedy’s father, former congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II, is likely to be heavily involved in his son’s race, even if it’s behind the scenes, according to sources. A University of Massachusetts at Lowell/Boston Herald poll in September showed he still remains popular in Massachusetts, and would even be beating Brown if he had gotten into the U.S. Senate race. Right after Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley two years ago, Kennedy II joked about regretting not taking on Brown.
Joe K3 has not yet officially announced he’s running for the seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, but that seems just a formality. He leaves his post in the Middlesex DA’s office this Friday, freeing him to join the political fray, and already is looking to move into the district.
“There’s a house for sale right down my street (in Norfolk),” Winslow said. “He can be my neighbor.”
Hopefully even if you're not fond of whomever the GOP nominates for prez or of Scott Brown, and you happen to live in Barney Frank's district, you'll at least vote for Bielat. Wouldn't it be major to at least flip that seat?
Pacs have been running ads against Brown in the Boston market for months now.
For what, exactly, do the Kennedys need to be avenged?
Scenarios:
Warren beats Brown this year. She serves one term then decides to step down (she already has a bunch of money as it is). In 2018, after serving a few terms in the House,
JoeK runs for Warren’s seat.
SENATOR JOE KENNEDY III
Or Obama wins again and Kerry takes a post in the administration; resigns seat and either through
appointment or special election...
SENATOR JOE KENNEDY III.
(Or in 2014, when he is up next for re-election, Kerry
decided to call it a career and Joe III runs for his seat.)
Maybe it should read Revenge. MA evidently needs them back in office. Joe Sr and his bootlegging. Ted and mom’s Oldsmobile.
Michael Skakel, the golf-club-wielding murderer (who married a golf pro, how’s that for irony). Michael Kennedy and the
14 yr old babysitter. Joe Kennedy II crippling Pam Kelley, etc. William Kennedy Smith.
Admit it...you MISS them. (/ sarcasm)
>>It's all about the has been Kennedy's. Nothing about the voters or citizens of the district. Just like his befuddled and arrogant daddy 20 years ago. However, today's voters are no longer impressed or supportive of phoney dynasties that care nothing about working people. I still think that Lord Fauntelroy Kennedy won't run once he see's the polls. Just like his dad did in the governor's races and Senate race in these past 14 years. Bielat, a USMC officer and working class person is running. He got many votes in 2010. You have a working class USMC vet running against a rich never accomplished anything brat who had to have his daddy get him a job in the state. The people of Frank's district deserve better than the arrogant and uncaring representation that his daddy gave folks in the early to mid-1990's. The Kennedys turned their backs on working class ethnic folks who used to adore them. Now the sons and daughters of these folks would never even consider voting for a Kennedy.
Another:
>>If Warren and JoeK3 get elected the whole state needs to be drug tested. Sean is a decent man and good candidate plus a former Marine. So far Scott has done a good job and deserves a full term. When JoeK3 steps down from teh DA's office will there be another nationwide search to fill his position or will another kennedy be ordained right away?
(Note: In MA the best we can do is a "RINO" (remember this is Massachusetts we're talking about) --though admittedly his voting record is generally more conservative than Warren's would be. As in, 70 per cent beats 0 per cent. At the very least I hope the 4th can elect Bielat.)
Elizabeth Warren is apparently going to have Sirhan Sirhan taken out once and for all.
The kennedys: can’t drive, can’t fly, can’t ski, can’t pilot a PT boat, but they know what’s best for us.
I think they’ll just pull Ted out of the ground and run him again. Even so, he’ll still be the most clear headed Kennedy in the race.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.