If we give up Kerry's seat we WILL lose it to Scott Brown

[jsmirman]

Okay, I don't believe it's a fait accompli. It's a slightly sensationalist title.

But I have to tell you that the threat is very, very real.

Brown - inexplicably to me - he ran a disgusting and dishonest campaign (from not firing his war whooping idiot staffers to pretending the (R) next to his name just somehow got there) - remains very popular in Massachusetts.

This is just anecdotal, but I have to tell you that as one who pounded the pavement for Elizabeth Warren, I heard multiple times, "Yes, I'm voting for Elizabeth, but I really do feel so bad for Scott Brown."

I did not hear this once. I heard it all over my canvassing routes.

And the moment I heard Kerry's name being floated for a cabinet post, the above scared the crap out of me.

The people of Massachusetts, at least in my small corner of canvassing - which did seem like a somewhat bellwether set of areas in Worcester and Leominster (bellwether because they had a bunch of both Dems and Repubs, and people who might slide either way) - voted FOR Elizabeth Warren, not as a rejection of Scott Brown.

I think this would be a disastrous and all too typical self-inflicted wound.

I think Scott Brown is a disgusting fraud. His accent on both the night of his election win and election loss was noticeably free from his "Jimmy who drives a truck" brogue from the debates. His attacks on Elizabeth Warren were beneath contempt. His claims of bipartisanship were nothing more than monkeying with the numbers and ducking in with plenty of cover on the votes he used to build that claim. His "time in Afghanistan" was a despicable farce.

But even good thinking Dems in Massachusetts just seem to like this man. And Mass voters have this wacky notion about balance in their delegation, which is just, NO.

Scott Brown needs to be BURIED. The idea that our own party would, of its own accord, resuscitate him, is horrifying.

And btw, Brown was a hardcore Republican while he was an in-state politician. Please don't open the door for this chameleon-like fraud. We just got rid of another charlatan of that stripe from Massachusetts. Or sort of from Massachusetts.

[loyalsister]

1. I doubt they would run Scott Brown

I really don't think they would be so stupid as to put up a candidate that just lost. But, it is definitely possible that a republican could win that seat in a special election.

[jsmirman]

3. I think you are badly underestimating Scott Brown's popularity

somehow, he gets to behave as badly as he did, and still be thought of as "a likable guy who made a few bad decisions."

[yardwork]

40. Why is that, do you think?

I trust your judgement on this. You live in the state and you talked to people. Why do they like him?

[bluestate10]

49. The poster is right. I live in Massachusetts and don't like Brown. But he has a base of 1 million

votes that we will have to out fight if the President senselessly throw us into another special election. We only have Deval Patrick that can beat Brown now, and Patrick may not be enough in an off term election. I am a loyal democrat, but if the President goes ahead with the appointment of Kerry, he has lost me I can't stand the money and emotion that will be involved, I have had ENOUGH for now. I will leave the President to deal with a reinvigorated republican party, after we have worked our asses off to demoralize them, the President throws them a lifeline. How fucking clueless can that be.

[mother earth]

99. I live in MA too, this was a close race. It shouldn't have been, but it was. I agree with you.

[Warren Stupidity]

131. 53 - 46 is not a close race.

[mother earth]

139. No, the outcome was great, but despite all the BS from Brown & his never addressing real

issues during the debates, and this coming from a repub. in MA, on the ground it was a close race. There are lots of fools who voted rethug from MA. Even blue states have their share of idiots. There's a GOP following & don't forget it.

[Warren Stupidity]

141. I understand, but I think a strong candidate will do fine.

Brown screwed his "good guy in a truck" image with the bad advice (and money) from rove to go all negative on Warren. He now is a "serial abuser of women in a truck", and it is going to be hard for him to shake that. Of course if we run somebody as aloof as Coakley, all bets are off.

[mother earth]

142. Was Coakley aloof? That win gave the rethugs in the Senate enough of a majority to

filibuster. The sanctity of the vote is up for grabs thanks to stealth & maniipulative tactics. Call me a doubting Thomas.

[Warren Stupidity]

144. she refused all advice to get out and work for it.

couldn't be bothered.

[mother earth]

145. Sure was a "lucky" win for the GOP. nt

[bluestate10]

47. He sure is. Brown got over 1.2 million votes and almost a million when he beat Coakley.

The President will throw a tired and demoralized Massachusetts democratic party into another fucking expensive, stressful election. I know if the President appoints Kerry and vacate his seat, I am likely to sit out the fight for the seat. I want the President to succeed, but if he can't fucking think about democratic voters in Massachusetts, then what the fuck have we been fighting for?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

4. They don't have anyone else

Period.

[chelsea0011]

8. Not only will he run, he will win.

[TheCowsCameHome]

14. If not for senate, then at least for governor.

Brown will be back, count on it.

[sheshe2]

28. Oh Please NO!

Just what MA. needs another RMoney in charge of our state.
I shuddered when I read your post!

Who do you think we

[bluestate10]

51. A special appointment from the Governor's seat make more sense. Tim Murray, a very good

pol, hold the Lt.Gov seat and would be in it until the election of 2014. Republicans would have a hard time beating him, even with Brown running. The Senate seat is a different matter, we must have a special election within a few months of Kerry vacating by law. The best course for Massachusetts democrats is for Kerry to stay in place and if he wants to leave in 2014 then he can. We would have 2 years to prep a powerful candidate to take on a republican challenger, maybe the young Kennedy that just won a House seat and would have two years to prove himself in the House.

[Marrah_G]

30. Oh yes they would- he is not unliked here.

[hughee99]

42. Brown has proven an ability to win a statewide election, has an organization, and can raise money.

Who else would the repukes run in a special election where only about 13% of the people identify as repukes.

[NotThisTime]

92. He's planning to run if the seat is open

and he will likely win. I know people in the Boston area who went straight Dem simply because of the supreme court issue, but they like Scott Brown, don't ask me why...

[left on green only]

136. I don't think the Suprememe Court issue has gone away. n/t

[CakeGrrl]

2. I doubt Team Obama would create that risk without a contingency plan

to have a solid Dem candidate for the seat IF Kerry is selected.

[David__77]

6. Why? They handed the AZ governorship to the right-wing...

There should absolutely be no further appointments that jeopardize Democratic political power.

[davidpdx]

7. I tend to agree, they pulled a few governors

and other D's from sitting positions for the WH. Obama needs to be a little more careful about his strategy this time. We want the best people for the job, but at the same time if we shoot ourselves by losing senate seats we'll have less of a chance to pick up a super majority in 2014.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

79. And Arizona has been hell ever since... nt

[politicasista]

100. +1 n/t

[RBInMaine]

5. The naked guy just LOST, acted like an IDIOT, and MIKE CAPUANO could BEAT him.

[TheCowsCameHome]

15. Capuano seems content where he is.

Who else, other than Mike?

[chelsea0011]

19. He couldn't win a primary

[sabrina 1]

41. Didn't Capuano run against him before and didn't even rate in that election airc? I love Capuano

but he was barely noticed, most particularly by the Dem Party leadership airc, in that race.

[aaaaaa5a]

9. Couldn't the Dem legislature just change the rule back so the GOV could appoint someone? nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Kerry is a good man, but he is needed in the Senate. Agree: bury Scott Brown. nt

[rox63]

11. We need another show-stopper candidate to run for Senate

If Kerry wants to move up to the cabinet, he should be able to do that. He has served nearly 30 years in the Senate, and a cabinet post would be a great capstone to his career. But we need another superb candidate like Warren to run for his seat if this happens. Or else we will end up with Senator Centerfold again. Mike Capuano can out-blue-collar Scott Brown any day of the week. But the more rural areas of the state don't know him well, and that would have to change in a hurry. Special elections happen quickly, so a widely-known name would be best.

[sabrina 1]

45. Capuano ran in the 2010 Senate race already and no one even remembers apparently.

He unfortunately lost the primary race. I would love to see him in the Senate, if it was possible.

[rox63]

89. I voted for Capuano as well

I lived in Somerville when he was mayor, so I knew him pretty well. Marty Meehan would also be a great choice. He's done great things for my hometown while heading up UMass Lowell since he left the House.

[bluestate10]

53. I like the young Kennedy in two years if he shines in the US House. He would be unbeatable

if he runs a remotely smart race. We need Kerry to stay the fuck put until 2014. A lost of his seat would be devastating with a critical midterm looming. If Kerry wants to leave, he can in 2014 once the young Kennedy is ready to defend the seat.

[rox63]

90. I think Joe Kennedy III needs a bit more experience than 2 years before running for the Senate

I think he'll do well. But he's so young. Give him a few years under his belt, and he could end up being in the same league as Teddy.

[politicasista]

98. ...

[left on green only]

137. I wonder if the electoriate of Massachusettse likes Rachel Maddow as much as they do Scott Brown?

I know she claims to be devoid of any personal political ambition, but does anyone really think that The Rachel Maddow Show can go on being a challenge to someone of her intelligence and intellectual prowess for very much longer?

Can any among you imagine a candidate debate between Scott Brown and Rachel Maddow?

Does anyone think there would be a shortage of supporters among you who would be willing to go door-to-door in support of her campaign?

And besides, she drives a pick-up truck too.

Just Sayin'

[ReRe]

12. IMHO...

... Scott Brown contracted a case of Romnesia. There's about a thousand Kennedy's up there, isn't there? Teddy Jr., his step-mother Vickie? (sorry I can't remember her first name.); where's Patrick these days...has he moved back to MA? Why not Joe? Well, here's hoping that Kerry and Warren can think of someone who could win in 2014 to put in Kerry's spot if he moves to POs Cabinet. Never say never....there's so much hope in the air right now.

[bluestate10]

69. You don't live here. I do. We have only one person that could beat Brown, maybe, right now. nt

[ReRe]

74. Yeah, I don't live there.

[Justice]

13. Brown will definitely run; however, don't forget Bill Weld moved back to MA

Brown lost by a wider margin than I thought he would. I agree he would run again (although there might be a primary)

Former Governor Bill Weld recently moved back to Boston from NY.

On the Democratic side, Mike Capuano would be great - he should have been the candidate against Brown originally. I've also heard Lynch - and last evening someone mentioned maybe even Patrick.

I think Patrick would like to be AG or maybe even Supreme Court.

[bluestate10]

54. Weld would lose to a number of democrats. Scott Brown may be can be beaten only by Patrick. nt

[OmahaBlueDog]

16. Unless Deval Patrick will run for Senate, I have no desire to appoint Kerry to the cabinet

SoS - Lugar would be an excellent choice. So what if he's a Republican; he and Barack are on the same page on foreign policy.

SecDef - Wes Clark, Colin Powell, Jim Webb (if he'd take the gig), Adm. Joe Sestak

CIA - Adm. Joe Sestak, Janet Napolitano...I'd even consider Stanley McChrystal. For all of his shortcomings in terms of the Rolling Stone comments, his Special Forces and Middle East experience make him well suited for the job.

Here's how to handle Scott Brown -- give him a cushy ambassadorial gig, and get him out of the way.

[jsmirman]

22. I agree with Lugar

Huntsman as SoS? NO. That is how he could really finally find traction on a national stage and win the Presidency in 2016 and appoint conservative justices to the Court. DON'T BE STUPID.

But a Lugar.... that guy is done in terms of taking any next step. A "bipartisan" appointment with no threat.

You simply have to be calculating about these appointments.

[bluestate10]

56. Brown has a base of 1 million votes. Even Patrick would struggle to beat Brown right now.

Kerry needs to stuff his fucking ego and stay the fuck put. A loss of his seat in a special election will erase everything we have fucking worked for since Coakley and a spate of other democrats lost during the 2010 timeframe.

[Scuba]

17. Maybe, but putting politics above country isn't where we want to be. If Kerry's the best man ...

... then he should get the job.

[MrSlayer]

57. Yes, in a perfect world.

Unfortunately political advantage is the only game the Republicans play. We must be in that game or we lose very important things.

There is no place for honor and decency anymore in politics, if there, in fact, ever was one.

[Scuba]

71. I'm not in this to beat the Republicans. I'm in it to make America great.

Sometimes those paths converge. Not always.

[MrSlayer]

75. Yeah, but they're in it to beat us, America be damned.

That's why even when we win, we lose. They drag the center to the right by being obstinate and we help them by being conciliatory. We need to move the center back the other way but it never happens. Nor will it ever happen. We move to the right no matter what.

[julian09]

77. The SOS will speak for the president, not himself.

[woo me with science]

85. If we care about the country,

we need progressive majorities.

Making sure we can pass legislation that will actually HELP the country, rather than dragging it further rightward, is putting country first.

[Mass]

18. I dont know if Kerry will leave, but we can beat Brown.

There are plenty of people that can, assuming of course that we as a party put our act together and do not consider Brown is not beatable.

Brown showed his true face in this campaign. Also consider that, should this happen, this would mean that Brown should campaign 4 times in 4 years (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Of the Democratic Party does not ignore MA as he normally does, we can win this one should it happen. We beat Tisei who is a more compelling candidate than Brown, IMHO.

[bluestate10]

58. who can beat Brown other than Patrick? WHO other than Patrick? I live in Massachusetts too.

Brown has a base of 1 million votes, that is how many he got in the special election. It is tough to beat that with many democrats and democratic leaning Independents tuning the race out. If the President appoints Kerry, the President has lost me in the fight to retain the seat, the President would not have been listening to some loyal democrats.

[democrattotheend]

80. What do you mean he has lost you?

You would cut off your nose to spite your face? Why would you not do everything you could to help retain the seat if you live in MA?

[MessiahRp]

82. He "lost you" if he appoints the best man for the job?

Sounds pretty gutless anyway. Doesn't sound like you had his back to begin with.

Seriously all this fearmongering about Brown... it's bullshit.

Wisconsin just had a 4 term POPULAR Governor lose to a Lesbian (in a state that voted to amend their constitution to ban gay marriage). A whole lot of naysayers didn't want her to run either because they gave her no chance.

The whole point of a campaign is to get to know a candidate. Brown's already got black marks from his asshole behavior versus Warren. He's damaged goods. He can be defined by the Democrat immediately. It will take a considerable amount of work to do that to the Democratic challenger, especially if the DNC helps bankroll them.

[politicasista]

116. +1

Boogeyman Brown has put a mojo on DUers.

[ProSense]

20. Wow, the fear of Scott Brown is strong.

First Warren couldn't beat him, and she kicked his ass by 7 points.

Face it, Brown is toast.

Kerry is up for re-election in 2014. If he decides not to run, Democrats are going to take that seat. So be prepared for that too.

The notion that Scott Brown is going to dupe the MA Democrats again is absurd.

[jsmirman]

21. Warren was ultimately perceived by the Massachusetts electorate as a GREAT candidate

to her credit, she finally found her voice, and emerged as someone voters were excited about sending to the Senate.

Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think you were there in Massachusetts campaigning for her election. I was. I'm bringing you a report from the field.

You can call it absurd all you want, but Elizabeth swept in on excitement over her candidacy and this being a presidential election year. We ignore at our own peril.

[ProSense]

23. What are you going to do if Kerry doesn't run in 2014?

I think using the Senate seat as justification of why Kerry shouldn't be appointed to the cabinet is not credible.

I can understand a preference for him remaining in the Senate, but not using it to justify why he shouldn't be offered a position.

If the President decides to tap Kerry and he accepts, then the process will work itself out. I've seen others from MA indicating that a Democrat would win. At the very least, a Democrat would be appointed to the seat until an election is held.

[jsmirman]

34. I'd certainly prefer the seat be up in a normal reelection rather than a special one

I believe the two equations are very different.

Now, we will see if we are serious, as a party, about gearing up for 2014, and if Obama can uplift us with strong leadership rather than demoralize us with excessive compromise over these next two years.

It's on us, but it's also on him.

As a party if we can't figure out how to gear up and properly maintain our momentum into the midterms, we are in a lot of trouble, period. And so I'd rather roll the Scott Brown question into that instead of the crapshoot of a special election.

Special elections seem especially susceptible to Citizens United dollars. And no one takes more Wall Street cash than Scott Brown.

Believe me, Wall Street titans are just itching for the chance to get their boy back in the game.

[democrattotheend]

24. Good point - Kerry might retire

It is good to have perspective from someone who lives in MA, though. I could not understand why Democrats are so scared of Scott Brown.

I think if Patrick ran we would be in great shape though.

Kerry has worked hard for this and hard for Obama...I would hate to see him denied the opportunity because Democrats are too scared of losing a Senate seat in Massachusetts.

[bluestate10]

59. Warren is a special candidate, she won by less than 200,000 votes. Look, I am sorry for this after

what you have gone through with Sandy, but I live in Massachusetts, you don't. I don't want another special election with huge stakes. The President would be better advised to let the young Kennedy mature in the House and then if Kerry wants to leave then, bon fucking voyage to Kerry. We can win with a Kennedy in 2014, but not now.

[ProSense]

61. Wait,

"The President would be better advised to let the young Kennedy mature in the House and then if Kerry wants to leave then, bon fucking voyage to Kerry. We can win with a Kennedy in 2014, but not now."

...you're okay with getting rid of Kerry in 2014, but not now? You're open to chancing the seat to Brown in 2014.

When a Democrat is appointed, that person will also be seasoned, and if you think Kennedy can win, then MA will have two good choices.

This seems like faux outrage that has more to do with people angling to deny Kerry an opportunity than preserving the Senate seat. There are several ways in which that can happen.

[bluestate10]

67. Two reasons. First, Massachusetts Democrats are tired. Second, we will have a deeper bench in 2014

with several candidates that can beat the best put forward by republicans. We have only one person that may be able to beat Brown now. I am concerned that a loss of Kerry's seat will re-energize republicans with key Governor races and mid-terms coming up. If we have a special election, we would have fought four tough, expensive races in 3 years, no other blue state has gone through that.

[politicasista]

96. Truth never gets in the way of Kerry bashing n/t

[protect our future]

124. + 1000

[politicasista]

130. ...

Good posts below.

[politicasista]

97. You don't care. You have a dislike of Kerry n/t

[Little Star]

117. Warren could always beat Brown. She was a great candidate...

I wish Brown was toast but living in MA I know how well liked he was.

You are wrong on this one, Brown is very very very well liked still and yes he could dupe this state again.

I don't wear rose colored glasses.

[politicasista]

118. ProSense is right

This isn't about wanting Kerry as Senator. It's pretending to be worried about Brown and outraged that Kerry wants to move to another job. He was helpful to Warren getting elected, and it is unfortunate that MA can't even appreciate their Senior Senator without throwing brickbats.

[Little Star]

121. I think you are misunderstanding. Kerry is a great senator and we love having him...

but right now Scott Brown is way to well liked for us here in MA to take a chance on losing Kerry's seat.

Who is dissing Senator Kerry? I have seen people saying that they would wish him well if he chose to leave at a different time just not when we have the danger of losing his seat. And it is a real danger with Brown waiting in the wings for another shot and trust me the repugs will push him to run and he will be very well funded if kerry's seat opens up.

Do you live in MA?

[politicasista]

123. No.

Live in a red state TN, where the GOP controls the state House/Senate (the Dems act like DINOs), a GOP gov who resembles Romney in terms of money, and only sent two Dems to DC (the rest were anti-Obama "Socialist is evil!" teabaggers),

Dis was a strong word, but there is poster in this thread from MA above or below and a journalist from MA (Kornacki from The Cycle). I understand the feeling, wish that so many in his state could come down here and see what it's really like. People aren't picky about Alexander and Corker here, but each state has its own way of doing things.

[leftstreet]

25. Democrats wet their pants when they have majorities

They don't WANT majorities

The GOP is their 'obstructionist' muse

[hrmjustin]

26. The legislature can change the law and make it an appointment by the governor again.

[Old and In the Way]

27. Vicki Kennedy for Kerry's seat?

I'd like to see Wes Clark as SecDef and Kerry as SOS.

[Marrah_G]

29. As a fellow person from MA- I have to agree

I will be very upset if they make us do this all fucking over again for Kerry's seat.

[jsmirman]

35. And I'm just a New Yorker/DC person who pitched in bec. I love Elizabeth

but it was clear how much local energy had gone into getting her campaign where it needed to go.

[Marrah_G]

37. And there is a truth out there that non-locals might not understand

I say this as someone who thinks Elizabeth is awesome.

There is a very good chance she would not have won if the RW teabagger extremists had not gone so batshit crazy in the last couple months of the election. In a special election not during normal election cycles I think Brown would have a really good shot. People here don't hate him, in fact many like him, the extremists in his party did a very good job of scaring the shit out of anyone, especially women, with half a brain.

[bluestate10]

60. I am from Massachusetts too. I agree.

We have faced down republicans in three tough races and won two of them. If the President makes us do a fourth this soon, I am out.

[RBInMaine]

86. "If the President MAKES us..." What the hell is THAT? He just wants a GOOD Sec. of Def. Kerry

wouldn't have to accept. And if he did, you are saying the D's couldn't field another candidate to defeat the Naked Man after the SHITTY campaign he just put you people through? He made himself look like a total ASSHOLE with his endless Indian attacks, refusal to even mention that he was a Republican after in his first campaign went on and on and on that you people SHOULD elect one REPUBLICAN, would not even call himself a Republican and kept calling himself an "Independent" and wouldn't even mention Romney and said his first choice for a Supreme Court Justice would be someone like SCALIA, and with him going cap in hand to the Koch Brothers...If this is the kind of ASSHOLE the good people of MA want in the Senate then they deserve the SHIT they get. However, if MIKE CAPUANO ran a GOOD campaign and got his name recognition WAY UP in a BIG WAY, he is a STRONG candidate and could beat Brown there I do believe. That guy is GOOD and if he had won the nomination instead of Coakly the first time, he WOULD have beaten the Naked Man. That guy is a FIREBRAND !

[sarcasmo]

66. +1

[edbermac]

31. Depends on who he runs against.

He got over 46% of the vote vs Warren. And he won 2 years ago because Martha Coakley thought she had a lock on it and ran a shit campaign. I think he's a smarmy little jerk but it's a mistake to underestimate him.

[Agnosticsherbet]

32. Brown lost because he took stands that were very unpopular...

Those stands don't go away. They remain part of the public record that he will need to spend time trying to talk down. I don't think a brown win is inevitable. Also, I think that Obama is more concerned about the quality of the man serving in Defense or state than concern over who will take his place.

[stevenleser]

52. No offense, but I take the word of the DUers on the ground in Massachusetts. They are worried

and that makes ME worried.

[Agnosticsherbet]

72. I think that the decision should be left to Obama and Kerry...

Brown won his first run because his opponent practically didn't show up. Unless they run someone who thinks they have the right to the seat and don't have to campaign, Brown will face a difficult election.

Yes, he might win. Citizens of the state might decide that a man who doesn't have their interests at heart, who ran a campaign disdainful of women, deserves their vote. This is the same state that once elected Mitt Romney.

[Arkana]

33. It's not inevitable, but if we keep giving this man shots at Senate seats he's going

to hit one eventually.

Unless the Democrats have a VERY strong candidate in mind, I don't think it's wise to pull Kerry out of the Senate

[Cha]

50. Not necessarily. How many shots has mitt had at the White House? Sometimes

it's just not meant to be. We'll see..I want Kerry to be able to go where he wants to because he's earned it.

He knows how important it would be to replace him with another Dem if he so chooses to be in the Obama Admin.

[Little Star]

119. Mitt is no Scott Brown. Brown is well liked in MA...

I doubt Mitt could be dog catcher anywhere in MA. We got to know him.

Brown is a different story.

[Cha]

120. Right.. it still doesn't mean that just because brown keeps trying

that he's bound to win. He can be rejected again especially if a very energized, qualified Dem is running.

[Little Star]

122. Cha, do you live in MA? And who do you suggest as a...

very energized, qualified Dem to run because other than Gov.Patrick there is no one who has enough gravitas. We would need a very good candidate and I haven't heard of one other than our governor who has what it takes to go up against a extremely popular Scott Brown.

[Cha]

133. No, I don't live in Mass..just been following the campaign through my cyber

buddy there who volunteered and canvavassed for months for Elizabeth and Pres Obama in NH.

I'm definitely going to ask her what she thinks about this when she's rested up.

So, are those who don't want Kerry to accept any offer going to petition him to stay as your Senator?

[bluestate10]

62. I think the young Kennedy just elected to the House can beat anyone if he proves his worth

in the House. But, if the President don't think about Massachusetts locals and ask Kerry to stay put, I don't think the seat will be held against a determined and energized republican organization. Money will pour in from everywhere, we will be thrown into an emotional fourth election in three years, with republicans feeling they have nothing to lose and democratic defenders having a world of pressure on their shoulders. If the President and his political people are this blind, good luck to them in dealing with a re-invigorated republican party over the next four years.

[DinahMoeHum]

36. James Webb would be a better choice than John Kerry.

Webb will be stepping down as Democratic US Senator from Virginia (Tim Kaine will be his successor), so he would be available as a free agent. And the Democrats would NOT be risking losing the Massachusetts Senate seat again to Scott Brown.

Webb also has experience in Washington as a former Marine/Naval Academy graduate, and a former Sec'y of the Navy under Reagan.

http://www.jameswebb.com

[bluestate10]

63. Or Wesley Clark. The President seems to have a problem with not being able to trust someone that is

not in his inner circle. This is one time when he has to get over that, for the benefit of a very loyal constituency.

[RagAss]

38. Bring Back Barney Frank !

[hughee99]

39. Barney retired because he wasn't going to win his own redesigned district,

I don't think running statewide would improve his chances.

[RagAss]

43. Aren't there any Kennedys around?

[bluestate10]

64. Yes. One just got elected to the US House. But he is at least two years away from a Senate run. nt

[bluestate10]

44. I just can't believe the President could be that insensitive to faithful Massachusetts democrats.

To throw us into a fourth expensive, stressful election in just 3 years is beyond questionable. If John Kerry is itching to do something else, let him come out and say that he will not run for re-election in 2014 when his current term expires. At least then Massachusetts democrats will have time to prepare a candidate for the Senate and also rest from recent political battles. For Kerry and the President to vacate Kerry's seat now is arrogant of them, I never imagined myself saying that about the President. Vacating the seat now is also stupid. You can bet that republicans will target that open seat with all the money and fury they can muster. Winning that seat will reinvigorate their party and again demoralize democrats with a mid-term a mere 20 months away. I can't fucking believe that the President's political people can be that fucking clueless, or that the President would go along with their suggestion. Wesley Clark has been a faithful defender of the President, his NATO and worldwide experience makes him a rather idea candidate for SOD, along with his connection to the Clintons, who, it can be said are very much responsible for the President getting a second term.

[ProSense]

46. What bullshit!

"For Kerry and the President to vacate Kerry's seat now is arrogant of them, I never imagined myself saying that about the President. Vacating the seat now is also stupid. You can bet that republicans will target that open seat with all the money and fury they can muster. Winning that seat will reinvigorate their party and again demoralize democrats with a mid-term a mere 20 months away. I can't fucking believe that the President's political people can be that fucking clueless, or that the President would go along with their suggestion."

[bluestate10]

65. I live in Massachusetts, you don't. nt

[ProSense]

73. You're right about that, and

if I did live in MA, I'd be even more disgusted by the hyping of Scott Brown.

[MessiahRp]

83. Exactly. Playing Chicken Little about Kerry's seat means you're disloyal to the party.

It has nothing to do with state of residence. Democrats have already defined Brown as an asshole. He'll never fully recover from that characterization. The Democrat will come in with a fresh slate and get to define themselves to the electorate. This person can claim they live in MA all day long but that doesn't mean shit. In the end, what I get from their comments is that they are a jackhole who dislikes Kerry and want to prevent him from moving up to a better job.

[jsmirman]

93. This is out of your mind stuff

I would bet that 100% of us in this thread who are worried have a positive view of Kerry.

YOU believe that we defined him as an asshole.

I am telling you that, at least in the part of the Massachusetts electorate that I worked, this was simply not the case.

People weren't voting against him - they were voting FOR Elizabeth Warren.

I don't know how Scott Brown gets away with being such an asshole and still being well-liked, but I'm trying to tell you all that this is what I saw.

Attributing some nefarious motive to that or to anyone else in the thread - crazy, useless, wacko talk.

[MessiahRp]

94. Well thank god you, and maybe the one other person posting in this thread,

are the purveyors of ALL of Massachusetts political think. Thank god for cowardly opinions like yours. I mean we'd NEVER get a single candidate outside of the beltway elite without your thinking.

But hey, Kerry wants another job... THE SKY IS FALLING!! SCOTT BROWN OWNS MA VOTERS AND NOBODY CAN STOP HIM!!! Or as the other poster basically tried to say, 'Fuck Kerry for wanting to do something else'.

[politicasista]

125. lol

Good rant.

[politicasista]

111. Sounds like there is more to this

based on the person's comments. It's about pretending to be worried about Kerry losing his seat and worried about Brown, while wanting Kerry to go away so their favorite Dem/liberal/progressive can run.

Thanks to ProSense, MessiahRp, and others for sticking up for Senator Kerry in this thread.

[proud2BlibKansan]

48. He took our Democratic (and popular) governor from Kansas

We've been screwed since.

[OmahaBlueDog]

68. And had she stayed, she might have had a real shot at a Senate seat

I agree - that was not the best appointment choice.

[proud2BlibKansan]

70. Her successor was bad and then Brownback swooped in

We're now screwed in Kansas.

[RBInMaine]

87. "He took"???? No, SHE ACCEPTED. She didn't have to. Sheesh. Are you not honored at all?

[proud2BlibKansan]

91. Not really

We have a weak state party and very few Democrats who can even win a state wide race. When you don't have much of a bench, you don't like losing your star player. It set us way back when she left.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

55. "republicans will target that open seat with all the money and fury they can muster."

Gotta agree with you on that one. And voters not happy that Brown lost will be out with a vengeance.

[Little Star]

107. I agree that Wes Clark would make a great candidate for SOD....

We need Kerry in the senate and we need him here in MA.

[LynneSin]

76. Only if we run another Martha Coakley like candidate to fill Kerry's seat

Coakley ran her campaign like she was entitled to it because she was a democrat in Massachusetts and it was Teddy's seat. If she ran the campaign the way Warren did Coakley would have won it easily

[protect our future]

78. The tidal wave of DUers who are terrified

Last edited Wed Nov 14, 2012, 12:27 AM - Edit history (1)

of Scott Brown seems to have become a tsunami. I'm surprised at how certain many DUers are that they can predict the future. I include all the DUers from Massachusetts who insist they know the Great Fearsome Mr. Brown is invincible.

Perhaps President Obama has a different take on what is best for the country. And perhaps he is in possession of information or facts that he will take into consideration when he makes his decision. I think it is best left up to him.

May the best and most loyal and most capable man or woman be given the job of SOS, which is of the utmost importance in determining the future of the world and our position in it. That applies to the job of SOD as well.

[politicasista]

81. +1 n/t

[RBInMaine]

88. Gee, what WEAK-KNEED surrenduring before the fact this is. SHAMEFUL ! SHEESH !

[craigmatic]

95. I don't believe we'll lose the seat just because Brown is there. We have a deep bench of candidates

in MA. There's Governor Patrick, the Lt. Governor, various state senators, and congressmen not to mention a Kennedy or two. Brown will probably be the republican choice but it's not clear that he could beat whoever we put up as long as it's not Coakly again.

[MjolnirTime]

101. why post tripe, then back off of it in your first sentence?

[Ian David]

102. The other nightmares we might have to face are Sean Bielat or Richard Tisei. n/t

[dchill]

103. Scott Brown?

Proven loser?

[Little Star]

104. You are sooooo right on every point you make....

I live here in MA and agree 100% with what you wrote.

[politicasista]

105. Ok

[graham4anything]

106. After today's press conference, it is obvious Susan Rice will be the choice

Obama won't be bullied by the repubs

and Kerry should remain in the senate (and Warren too) for 3 more terms

Since when is Senator a bad job?

Ted Kennedy devoted his after-thoughts of presidency life to the Senate

I am tired of people that are fans of Senators being greedy.Please let them stay in the senate where they were elected to in a state where it is not assured of remaining democratic.

2014 is right around the corner, and the timing is all wrong.

Maybe in 2016 Hillary can name him to a job, but not now (and by then Joe Kennedy will have some more experience.)

[politicasista]

108. Kerry ain't said nothing and Democrats here are berating him anyway

Like people are really going to follow what he does in the Senate because they are so afraid of the Big Bad Wolf Brown.

Some folks don't care. This doesn't sound like it's about Kerry having a cabinet position, it's about putting him out of politics, so favorites can run. People still will gripe anyway.

Obama ain't said nothing either, yet so many are letting MSM off the hook. Again, just like they are with the Rice Benghazi mess.

[graham4anything]

110. I am not berating him, I just want him to lead us in the senate. What is wrong with Senator?

He is the biggest liberal since Teddy died and I want his voice forever in the Senate.

I also don't think he is the one putting out the trial balloons, and I wonder who is?
Could it be McCain himself, as McCain is leading the charge against Rice?

[politicasista]

113. No you're not, just a few

Do agree that we need his voice in the Senate.

Just thinking that we should all sit tight and let him and the other candidates make their cases and let Obama make the final decision.

If it is Rice, that's fine. He went to bat for her today while the McCain/GrahamGOP (and some) are so-called worried about Benghazi. She is a good choice in my book.

[karynnj]

112. Actually, it isn't obvious

What he did was defend a woman working for him who did nothing wrong. It is clear he was defending her reputation. At the same time, he said that the decision was not yet made - which may or may not be completely true.

Assume for a moment that he was picking someone else, what would he then say? It would seem to me that he would say precisely what he did. In addition, he would in that case be happy that he had this opportunity.

As to the comment on Senator was good enough - I don't think you felt that was the case for Hillary Clinton after she failed to get the nomination. It was seen as she was "owed" something. In the case of Kerry, no one is saying that he should get this because of all he did for Obama, but rather because he is extraordinarily qualified for the job and has won praise for his diplomatic skills and the his incredible patience working with difficult leaders. Republicans, like Lugar and Corker, have regularly praised the way he has chaired the SFRC. In addition, even the Senators, like McCain and Graham, who voted against the START treaty were full of praise for Kerry's work in the committee and on the Senate floor.

I like Rice and think she is a good choice, but I think Kerry is an exceptional person, who could be a genuinely exceptional SOS. As to whether he deserves it, I think he has been more loyal to Democratic Presidents and nominees than any other person I can think of -- even when it was not to his self interest. (This was especially true when he, a genuine war hero, defended Clinton's patriotism in the wake of the problems Clinton had on his actions to avoid Vietnam. )

[graham4anything]

115. different situation-Dem Gov. picked Hillary's replacement, though the wrong person

Mass. changed the law in 2004 to stop Mitt from picking a replacement thinking Kerry would win

unless they re-change the law, it's a special election

Democratic governor Patterson picked a democrat replacment(which it should be(the same party as the one elected senator)

though Patterson should have taken Caroline, in which case she would be a favorite for Vice President or President itself in 2016 instead of not being in office and Kirsten G. was named (and recently won her own 6 year term).

Kerry is a great one. And I greedily want him to remain a senator for another 16 years
and continue to serve the public. After all, it has only been less than 4 years since he was senior senator, don't you want him in public office for 16 or more years?

[protect our future]

129. Hi graham, my friend.

I'd love to have John Kerry serving our country in some capacity for 100 more years, not just 16!

[graham4anything]

132. Yup!

[Mr_King]

135. Who said Hillary is going to win in 2016?

Or that who ever the Democratic nominee is in 2016 will win in 2016? There might not be a cabinet position for Kerry after 2016 if the Republicans win the White House.

[FogerRox]

109. Does Lightening strike twice?

Well yes it does, Linda McMahon, spent 100 million to lose 2 races, one for Governor one for Senate.

SO maybe it doesnt.......

Brown wants to be Gov of MA... why would he run for the senate again?

[Son of Gob]

114. McMahon lost 2 Senate races.

[FogerRox]

134. Ahhhh, so lightening does strike twice.

[Anthony McCarthy]

126. He'd probably do less damage as governor of MA

the governor of MA is an footnote to the legislature.

[protect our future]

127. Dems in Mass are tired

and don't want to have another stressful race so soon after the last one. I get that. But some of us in other states are tired, too. Such is the nature of politics and political activism, and each state has its own set of problems and needs.

I just don't think it is right to hold a person back if that person turns out to be the most capable one available for an even more important position in which to serve our country.

And one of these days Scott Brown will undoubtedly be back and Dems will have to beat him all over again, whether it's sooner or later.

[madrchsod]

128. kerry is`t going anywhere....

[NashvilleLefty]

138. Nope. He's done.

He would probably not even run again. But even if he did, he's done.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

140. This is why they are smearing Susan Rice

[Ganja Ninja]

143. Can I make a suggestion?

Rachel Maddow - just saying