Markey: ‘Honored,’ ‘Proud’ To Have Support Of Kerry, Vicki Kennedy

[cal04]

(snip)
The statement:

“Senator Kerry is one of the great senators in our nation's history. I have been proud to fight alongside him, and I am humbled and honored to have his strong support in this race.

“Together, Senator Kerry and I have fought hard for the families in our state and country, standing up against a Republican agenda that benefits billionaires and big oil companies that don’t pay their fair share. This is the kind of leadership we will continue to need in Massachusetts in the face of Tea Party obstructionism.

“The events of the last several weeks, from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, have made it clear Massachusetts needs a senator who will fight the battles Senator Kerry and I have fought – for energy independence and environmental protection policies, as well as for an immediate ban on assault weapons. We need a senator who will protect Massachusetts from the Republican assault on the R&D investments that are vital to our innovation economy.

“Massachusetts voters are facing a critical decision about whether we continue John Kerry's tireless fight for the middle class or if we abdicate more power to the special interests. We must not turn back now. That’s why I want to continue this fight for the values and priorities that will move our state and nation forward and carry on John Kerry’s legacy of leadership in the Senate.”

“Vicki Kennedy is a Massachusetts treasure and a public service powerhouse, and I am proud to have her support in this important race for our state and nation’s future. Vicki is a health care hero, and Massachusetts’s national leadership in providing universal coverage is due in large part to her tireless commitment. Vicki has long heralded the need for sane and aggressive gun control measures, and her voice will be key to finally passing a ban on assault weapons in the wake of the Newtown tragedy. It is because of Vicki’s energy, passion and commitment that Massachusetts and the entire nation are healthier, safer and a place for our children to thrive. I look forward to working with her to promote the health
and best interests of the people of Massachusetts.”

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/markey-honored-proud-to-have-support-of-kerry

[ananda]

1. Now mount a real campaign and win!

..

[ProSense]

2. Democratic turnout is key.

Kerry has always done well in his elections.

1994: Kennedy - 1,265,997

1996: Kerry - 1,334,135

2000: Kennedy - 1,889,494

2002: Kerry - 1,605,976

2006: Kennedy - 1,500,738

2008: Kerry - 1,959,843

2012: Warren - 1,696,346

His support, along with Vicki Kennedy's is key.

[politicasista]

3. Good.

They will need that, especially since turnout is usually low in communities of color and Obama is not on the ballot.

[CTyankee]

4. I like Markey and he is very well known in MA. I just hope that is enough to

overcome Scott Brown's popularity. I wonder what the focus groups are saying in a head to head matchup between the two. My guess is that Markey fared best of all the scenarios. How well, who knows...

I'm worried about this one...

[allrevvedup]

5. NPR said this morning

that Brown won an early matchup, and didn't mention these endorsements, which are a very good start. But that's NPR. Kerry leaving the senate is a bittersweet moment, as he had lot of seniority and did a lot for MA. And he should have been president. On the bright side, Biden gets an ally and we get an excellent SOS, and Markey gets an early start on 2014. My personal hope is that the Syrian "uprising" gets shelved while there's still something left of Syria.

[Cha]

8. Sounds like NPR missed out on a

scoop.. their loss.

[allrevvedup]

9. They have a habit of doing that

when something doesn't fit their VOA agenda.

[Cha]

12. Yeah, I figured.

Just from what I've read about it.. I don't have a radio or a tv. quite unusual but there it is.

[politicasista]

11. Because of that, hopefully more respect,

if not more appreciation.

There wasn't much re-tweeting statements from Obama, Rice, etc from the communities of color (aka Black Boston, etc) about Obama nominated Kerry to SOS. Maybe it was bitterness over the way it was handled, but one would think there would be a little more respect for what he did for those communities of color, but maybe it will change after it's official.

Hope they can turn out and send Porno Brown to the Cayman Islands with Mute.

[allrevvedup]

14. I think things will settle down.

I really do. Kerry's rep has taken bigger hits and always bounced back.

p.s. Have a great new year politicasista!

[politicasista]

16. Bingo

Have been wrong a lot of late and have been seen as throwing shade at Kerry, but it's just an observations. May not a be a big deal, but curious.

Thanks allrevvedup. Hope you have a great new year also

[Mass]

19. Plenty of appreciation. You confuse that with teen age fans applauding their rock idol with

appreciation. Kerry has been reelected with 60 + % again and again. People may not be interested in foreign policy. This is a different question.

[politicasista]

23. Maybe I am wrong

and have been at odds with people here over Senator Kerry, but 60% + isn't bad. You are right, foreign policy isn't a rock star issue like the fiscal cliff or serious like gun control, so ok, it is a different question, but an observation nonetheless. Some of them should try living in TN, talk about do-nothing pols.

Happy new year to you.

[Jim Lane]

24. The first question isn't 2014. Markey must win a special election in a few months.

You write, "Markey gets an early start on 2014."

Governor Patrick can make an interim appointment (of Markey or someone else), but his appointee serves only until the special election, which I think is in June. The winner of the special election serves until the beginning of January 2015. Meanwhile, there's a regular election in November 2014 for the full six-year term.

The immediate danger is that former Senator Scott Brown, who won the special election after Ted Kennedy died, will repeat that feat in 2013.

[Cha]

6. I just saw it.. that Kerry endorsed Ed Markey!

And, now Vickie, too.. He'll have Kerry's, Warren's, and PBO's Network helping him I would imagine. We'll see what the Primary brings?

[politicasista]

7. Wonder why

there isn't much mention of Kerry's network here. We know about PBO/Obama, but his shouldn't be ignored (he has two that are holding local offices in MA now). IDT B. Clinton may get involved also.

[Cha]

10. I dunno but I thought of it.. he must have a

grand network after all these years!

[politicasista]

13. True n/t

[SugarShack]

18. Kerry has an org still in FLa and they should utilize it.

the right way....

[graywarrior]

15. Markey has a good record and he's likeable

I'm happy with this.

[Cha]

20. I like him just from remembering him talking on the tv

during the bush-Gore debacle in 2000. I never forgot him and his lovely Boston accent over the years. When I saw his name I would check it out.. I know strange.

I just saw this on Benen's Blog er.. Maddow's.. from Kerry regarding Markey..

Ed's one of the most experienced and capable legislators in the entire Congress and it would be an almost unprecedented occasion for such an accomplished legislator to join the Senate able to hit the ground running on every issue of importance to Massachusetts.

"Ed's someone who authored and passed a visionary energy bill to deal with climate change; he's one of Congress' foremost experts on the Internet, telecommunications and new energy economies; he was a leader on nuclear weapons issues; and he's the House's leading, ardent, and thoughtful protector of the environment... He's passionate about the issues that Ted Kennedy and I worked on as a team for decades, whether it's health care or the environment and energy or education. He's gutsy and tough, smart and sharp, a workhorse in Congress who has never forgotten where he came from or who sent him to Washington

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/

[graywarrior]

21. He's not very controversial which makes him a good candidate

AND he's a hard core dem.

[LaPera]

17. Support Ed Markey on ACTBLUE (only 4 donations so far including mine)

Markey will surely face the slimy republican Scott Brown who will receive even more big bucks from the Banksters, Koch Brothers, ALEC and many other billionaires...

The only way to fight Brown is with donations as Elizabeth Warren was able to do with millions from ActBlue and other contributions from people all around the country.

Every dollar helps.

https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/12753

[Cha]

22. Thank you, LaPera!

We'll be doing it.