Top Massachusetts Democrats, and even President Obama himself, may be looking to nudge Ted Kennedy’s widow Vicki Kennedy into considering a run for the Senate seat that will be open if Senator John Kerry takes up the position of Secretary of State.
The Boston Herald reports on the looming new race for Massachusetts senator, which will be the state’s third in just two years. While Vicki Kennedy has reportedly said she has no interest in taking the seat, some believe it may just take a bit of coaxing.
Democratic consultant Scott Ferson said, “I’m sure the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is going to poll, and if they feel like they need to bigfoot somebody, they will.”
A top Massachusetts Democrat said that both President Obama and Senate President Harry Reid could turn to pressuring local Democrats to ensure that Scott Brown, a Republican, is beaten in the race. The pressure could be focused on nudging Kennedy to run.
“I think Brown is going to be tough to beat, and the president is the only one who could kind of fix this,” the Democrat said. “It seems to me a pretty weak field. If you’re a national Democrat, you don’t want a primary where whoever wins is going to be broke and then face Brown.”
On Christmas Eve, two potential candidates with big names - Edward Kennedy, Jr and Ben Affleck - made it clear that they will not be making a run for the Senate seat.
Other possible Democratic candidates include U.S. Reps Michael E. Capuano, Stephen Lynch and Edward J. Markey, as well as state Sen. Ben Downing.
Democratic operative Jim Roosevelt said, “I’m sure she [Vicki] would think long and hard about a request from the president of the United States,” Roosevelt said.
However, Roosevelt also added that the matter “is very personal for her. ... She’s been pretty clear that this is not what she sees herself doing.”
Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia pointed out a how a big name could be a helpful tactic in the race:“Obviously they don’t have to worry about spending money for name recognition, and she’s got a lot of connections in Washington to help her fund-raise. A lot of these congressmen just aren’t known beyond their district,” Sabato said.
Sabato also added, though, “Generally speaking, reluctant candidates make bad candidates. You have to be all in.”
Congressman Ed Markey, a 66-year-old veteran pol announced Thursday he was in the race.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Smyrnian | Dec 29, 2012, 10:35 AM EST
Please, no more Kennedy's; then again, she has a vast amount of experience vs. Obama when he was elected. !
aloistmartin | Dec 28, 2012, 06:59 PM EST
How about Bill and Hilary for Dancing with the Stars / Dont Cry For Me Sarah Palin ?
dickmac | Dec 28, 2012, 05:52 PM EST
She is not qualified period ! Nuf said !
PhlutiePhan | Dec 28, 2012, 04:52 PM EST
@pilib04: Don't like fratboys much now do we? Witches are acceptable?
Selketre | Dec 28, 2012, 03:32 PM EST
Leave her alone! It's not what she wants, that was her husbands business. I can't believe the Democratic Party needs to prey on widows to further theit agenda! Leave her alone!!
porkheaven | Dec 28, 2012, 02:49 PM EST
I hope not.
maryosullivan | Dec 28, 2012, 02:04 PM EST
What talents does Mrs. Kennedy have that she should be considered a candidate for the Senate?
FastEddy | Dec 28, 2012, 11:08 AM EST
Camelot is Dead! Katieherk: "When will we rid ourselves of ALL the Kennedys ...?" When the "Game of Thrones" is in its last season? When the Irish voting block in Boston finally finds an alternate to worship? ... Bootleggers of the world arise ... and please, oh please, turn over another rock, we've had about all we can stand of this greedhead elitist dyslexic wannabe mob.
katieherk | Dec 28, 2012, 10:35 AM EST
When will we rid ourselves of ALL the Kennedys. This scandal ridden family is just too much for this country that is going downhill fast, thanks to the likes of (especially) them and their liberal friends.
handsome68 | Dec 28, 2012, 10:33 AM EST
Fail to understand why sleeping with a Kennedy -- if in fact they ever did sleep together -- should qualify one for high political office.
71regiment | Dec 28, 2012, 10:22 AM EST
Oh no, not another Kennedy, even thou not born a Kennedy, enough is enough.
Opoets99 | Dec 28, 2012, 09:47 AM EST
If they are so desperate to elect a Kennedy why not dig up teddy. Half of his votes came from dead people, it makes sense.
MichaelJTully | Dec 28, 2012, 09:11 AM EST
Has she any qualifications to be selected as a candidate, or just that she was married to a Senator.
pilib04 | Dec 28, 2012, 09:10 AM EST
Sorry Kerry, but no means no. If it were Niall writing this article, I might give him insider credit. As for the Globe, not so much. Also, the President had dinner with Deval Patrick the night before announcing Kerry's appointment and we don't hear any chirping about Patrick. Vicki said no and I don't think she was being coy. Of course, everyone wants a Shermanesque statement, but don't see that coming. It might be a mistake to downplay Markey as someone who can't beat Brown. Elizabeth Warren beat the snot out of Brown and the twirp is bruised after he took a smackdown from Liz. Couldn't have happened to a "nicer" fratboy!