Mass. poll: Scott Brown for John Kerry's seat

[dlwickham]

Source: Politico

Outgoing Sen. Scott Brown might not be out of Washington for long.

The Massachusetts Republican would be in a strong position to win a special election to fill the seat of Sen. John Kerry if the latter is appointed secretary of state, according to a WBUR/MassInc. poll released Thursday.

Forty-seven percent of registered voters would vote for Brown compared with 39 percent who would vote for a generic Democrat. Against many of the most talked-about Democratic candidates, Brown holds big leads. He tops Rep. Michael Capuano, 47 percent to 28 percent; has a 48 percent to 30 percent lead over Rep. Ed Markey; and holds a whopping 51 percent to 24 percent lead over Rep. Stephen Lynch. And his lead over former Rep. Marty Meehan is 49 percent to 30 percent.

The four House members suffer from low name recognition. A majority of Bay State voters either don’t know of or don’t have an opinion of Meehan, Capuano, Markey and Lynch. Brown is viewed favorably by 58 percent of voters, and only 28 percent view him unfavorably, the poll found.




Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/mass-poll-scott-brown-for-john-kerry-seat-85352.html?hp=r3

[Mass]

1. Or not. The media love to push the poll showing Brown up.

But they do not like so much to talk about the one showing Deval Patrick up and Vicky Kennedy very close, when nobody is even running.

http://www.sys-con.com/node/2492085

[JDPriestly]

48. Kerry accepting the post of Secretary of State -- pure egotism.

We need him in the Senate.

Let Kerry help get someone ready to win the election against Scott Brown and take his seat.

Then when polls show that person would win, then Kerry can leave the Senate.

It would be utterly wrong, utterly unpatriotic for Kerry to leave the Senate to become Secretary of State. We need him in the Senate.

He is a good man. He would make a great Secretary of State, but that is not where we need him. We need him in the Senate.

Please, Please, Please, Senator Kerry, you have already sacrificed a lot for you country. Once more, please, please. Your presence in the Senate makes more of a difference than your presence would make on the diplomatic circuit or in the State Department.

[wisteria]

60. Oh stop pleading, Brown will not win again in Mass, n/t

[Bucky]

86. When we quit trusting the voters to get what they want or to deserve what they get...

...we quit being democrats (small "d&quot and thus quit honoring what it means to be Democrats (big "D&quot .

[Cha]

91. Imv, It has absolutely nothing to do with "egotism" and

everything to do with what an excellent SOS, John Kerry would be.

The next Senate race in Mass should generate interest across our Nation.. I sent money to Elizabeth who was behind Brown in the polls and I'll do it again for whomever. I do not want to see Scott Brown's racist ass in there again.

[MADem]

103. If he gets the formal offer, he's taking it.

I am bummed, I hope the national party folks get behind the Dem and push HARD. We'll need star power and money in a hurry--and I'd take a Senator Affleck (D) over any Republican...

[Smarmie Doofus]

107. +1. It's like handing them a senate seat. n/t

[yodermon]

2. proceeding to plan n/t

[LynneSin]

3. I call bullshit to this poll

A named person is ALWAYS going to poll better than a generic name.

A year ago Brown was polling strong against the democratic generic name. How did Brown do last election?

[Dawson Leery]

4. +1

[blm]

10. Plus, the Dem nominee would have Kerry's political team in Mass at their service.

Big difference.

[thesquanderer]

16. Not necessarily

re: "A named person is ALWAYS going to poll better than a generic name. "

A generic--who has no negatives--can poll very well against a known name. And also compared to actual people who have either some negatives or little name recognition.

[Little Star]

17. I call truth on this poll.

[quakerboy]

40. He also beat named people

by nearly 20 points.

And he did remarkably well last election, considering he was a republican running in a blue state after selling out most anything important that people might have cared about. He got far better numbers in his attempt to be reelected than any republican presidential candidate in mass in recent history.

In fact, he got around 46% of the vote. Which is not far off of what they are polling him at in these polls. So people who voted for him before say they will vote for him again given the opportunity.

Will the people who voted against him bother to show up in a non-presidential election? It didn't work out so well for Mass the last time around.

[LynneSin]

45. But that was the same thing with his polling before the Dem nomination

THere were 2 zillion polls done before MA democratic voters had picked their nominees that showed Brown would be Warren. Warren was NOT the nominee just one of several options to choose from.

When it's a '1 to many' choice the 1 will always come out the winner because the many end up getting diluted. When we finally have the 2 main candidates named then I'll pay attention to the polls.

And provided that the democrats do NOT get another Martha Coakley on the ticket I think we can still beat the guy. Brown was an absolute douchebag with his racist attacks on Warren's heritage. The only reason it was as close as it was is because Warren association with the consumer advocate groups there to protect average folks against the banks. Alot of big money came into that race specifically to defeat her because of that issue.

My 2 cents is if a strong candidate is on the ticket that Brown will lose with an even bigger margin. Kerry will see to it that his seat is replaced by a democrat. He wouldn't take the SoS position otherwise.

[Mass]

51. Yes, last time nobody believed he could win. This time we know.

[wisteria]

61. +1 n/t

[banned from Kos]

5. Martha Coakley was a generic Democrat

pretty much so anyway.

[chelsea0011]

6. Lynch is a moderate/conservative Dem and would probably beat him.

No one outside his district knows him. This poll is BS.

[DonViejo]

31. Disagree...

Lynch is pro-life; that won't fly in Massachusetts.

[karynnj]

47. So is Scott Brown, co sponsor of the Blunt amendment nt

[DonViejo]

52. In the last election Brown claimed to be pro-choice and

outright rejected the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee.

[karynnj]

106. However, did people believe him?

[chelsea0011]

76. If that were true Ray Flynn would have never become Mayor of Boston

and Moakley would have never become Representative and Romney would have never become Governor and Ed King would have never become Governor, and on and on. MA has had many pro life Catholics elected. Granted many are like the VP Biden type but they can and will get elected.

[DonViejo]

77. Two problems with using Ray Flynn as an example...

Last edited Fri Dec 21, 2012, 01:12 PM - Edit history (1)

he ran against Mel King (an alleged "black-radical&quot and Flynn promised to do nothing to interfere with or change existing law on abortion, to include not blocking Boston City Hospital from performing abortions. While Flynn served several terms as Mayor, he was defeated in his bid for Congress.

Moakley represented a heavily conservative Roman Catholic district (pretty much the same district Lynch is from and represents).

Ed King defeated Mike Dukakis owing to Democratic/liberal anger with Dukakis, his perceived arrogance and aloofness, but also, King ran as pro-life at a time when abortion was a very hot button issue in MA (late 70's/early 1980's). Dukakis came back four years later and defeated King.

We're also talking about the Massachusetts of 30+ years ago, when conservative Dems were a big but waning influence in the MA Democratic Party. I believe John Silber's campaign was the last hurrah for conservative MA Democrats. Republican Bill Weld was elected, attributing his narrow victory to his pro-choice position AND the gay community (Silber ran promising to undo an out of court settlement between Dukakis and the gay community over the issue of gay foster parents).

You may also recall Cardinal Medeiros interfering in the elections of Barney Frank and Jim Shannon, urging people to vote against them because of their pro-choice positions. Shannon and Frank won huge victories and the Church never again involved itself in elections to the extent Medeiros involved it in those two elections.

BTW, I was the Administrative Aide to a MA State Senator while King was Governor, leaving the position to work in Mayor Flynn's office,

[chelsea0011]

78. Regardless of the reasons why, they were all elected. And I would not

refer to Mel King as a black radical.

[DonViejo]

79. I don't refer to Mel as a "black radical"...

Last edited Fri Dec 21, 2012, 03:34 PM - Edit history (1)

that's why it was (and is in this comment) in quotation marks. You seem to be aware of Boston politics, thus you know that is how Mel was portrayed by portions of the media (columnists from the Boston Herald and yackers on WRKO for example. Mel has been a good friend to me and was a strong supporter during a particularly painful time. It was my partner's and mine home then Governor Mike Dukakis ordered the removal of two foster children from. However, your point is a good one and I will edit my previous comment to read alleged black radical.

On edit:

I couldn't recall the year Mel ran for Mayor of Boston so I went over to Wikipedia to see if there was a listing. Guess what? This is how they describe him;

In 1983, when incumbent Kevin White's withdrawal from contention after 16 years in office made the race wide open, Mel King went from obscure radical to serious contender for Mayor of Boston. Despite Boston's historical scars of racism, Mel King's grassroots activism culminated in political momentum that nearly defeated the favorite, Raymond Flynn. Aside from securing the African American vote, King would have needed 30% of the white vote, which was almost accomplished[citation needed]. Flynn, an Irish-Catholic with roots in the gritty "Southie&quot South Boston) area, would take the election despite a landmark showing by King.[citation needed] Even with the defeat, the election and national attention was a historical turning point in the participation of African Americans in politics and urban policy.[citation needed]

The entire entry for Mel is under dispute, apparently someone believes the piece reads too much like a PR piece.

So, you think it's unimportant why a person is elected? Does your standard apply to President Obama as well?

[chelsea0011]

100. Thanks for the clarification. Mel was from my neighborhood,

and good guy. I got a kick out of the Wikipedia comment about King. I would hardly consider Mel obscure. I hardly think it is unimportant about how people get elected and apologize if my comments make it seem that way. I do believe that a pro life candidate can win in state wide election in MA. Brown won even though he claims pro choice which he most certainly is not. I don't think a pro life Catholic candidate like Lynch will hurt him statewide. I think he will gather votes between the cities and take a lot of Brown's support in those areas away from him.

[meegbear]

7. Those are well known Dems in the state, BUT ...

there are three names not there that could have a big impact:

1. Vicky Kennedy - People are pushing Teddy's widow (again) to run for Senate.

2. Edward Kennedy Jr.

3. Ben Affleck

This could become interesting.

[Fearless]

11. Any of which with a properly run campaign

Would mop the floor with Brown.

[Little Star]

15. Ben Affleck would have a good shot. MA loves Ben....

As a matter of fact I think he is the only person who's name has been thrown around who stands a real good chance.

Now if only he'd be willing to run.

[JDPriestly]

49. Ben Affleck is the only one with the positive image and name to get elected.

The Kennedy name means a lot, but Ben Affleck is the only one who could get elected.

[Little Star]

58. That's the way I see it too. But...

Tonight on the local evening news (can't remember the station) they said that Ted Kennedy's son, Ted Jr. was a possibility.
Now, because of name recognition, I might buy that one. Though he has no political background.

For the past few years I've been living in Norfolk County but spent most of my life in Worcester County, still have big family there.

From this neck of Mass, both Norfolk Co & Worcester Co, even Dems find Brown likable and consider him either independent or at least moderate. At least that's what I hear every time his name comes up.

Do you live in MA?

[JDPriestly]

71. No. I don't live in Ma.

I just think Kerry should stay in the Senate. Ted Kennedy, Jr. needs to serve in the House first.

[Cha]

90. I love Ben.. :)

[hughee99]

97. I'm not sure... he wasn't very good a playing a "wicked smaht guy" in Paycheck

and essentially killed off the Jack Ryan character in "The Sum of all Fears". Most of his best acting work has been playing some kind of lovable fuck-up (though I haven't seen Argo yet). I'm not sure how convincing he'd be when giving speeches as "Your Next Senator".

And of course as a Freshman senator, he'd have to watch out for guys like this...

[Is That All There Is]

24. My Head hurts

Vikki Kennedy- I did not know that political aptitude could be sexually transmitted. What the Fuck has she ever done, besides throw your next in line off her property.
EKjr- Silver Spoon Drunk (AKA 1%er), see above. No thanks.
Ben Affleck- See Ronald Regan. Confusing his acting smart as really being smart. Not what the country needs.

How about a true open race of ideas and merit. Excluding nobody because of lack of name recognition. Demand better of the party. There were some very good Dems in the primary that got roled by the Political establisment in Warrens coronation. They never got a say in our supposed open democracy.

[demwing]

27. Take some Ibuprofen

Afflek may or may not be Senate ready, but he's no Reagan. Are actors now Persona Non Grata in Washington, just because of St. Ronnie? What a shame...

Afflek is a progressive, popular in his state, quite thoughtful, speaks well, and is prettier than Brown

[Is That All There Is]

34. Oxy works better

I will pick some up at the free clinic on my way home. How about we listen to all the canidates and not fall in love with someone based on name, looks and percieved info. No they let in Sonnie Bono and Cooter as well. St Ronnie? boy you have got me pegged wrong. His movies are popular, but the blue collar folks (you know the ones he likes to act like in his movies) do not much like people from Cambridge.

[Lordquinton]

57. Actors shouldn't run for office

Unless they are republican

[demwing]

73. "We the people..."

Except you actors. No room for your type in our perfect union.

[Cha]

92. No, they are not.. in my book. That's broad brushing. Al Franken

was a comedian.

I really can't see Ben being interested in being a Senator with his young family but ya never know.

[davidpdx]

108. Except two of those three are now out

Vicki Kennedy would be an excellent place holder for the six or so months it would take to have the special election, but not as a permanent replacement.

It looks to me like the A list is now gone.

[demwing]

50. Yes, its a damned shame they passed that awful legislation!

wait...that never happened...? Oh...

(never mind)

[Arugula Latte]

9. FFS

[sasha031]

12. Brown is damaged goods

if he's viewed favorably by 58%, how is it he lost to Warren 53-47.
It's also come out that he has received $$$1000's from the NRA both in 2010 & 2012.
Not exactly something that MA voters care for.

What I don't understand, is why people aren't talking about Ed Markey, he's got more than an outstanding record.

[MBS]

74. " " " " n/t

[Bucky]

87. But you gotta admit, *sexy* damaged goods.

Yowza!

[Cha]

93. Brown got the highest rating from NRA and benefitted from

the most campaign funds and bonus points.. he was Endorsed by the Hypocrisy of Michael Bloomberg.

"BLOOMBERG BACKS SCOTT BROWN, THE NRA'S CANDIDATE, AGAINST ELIZABETH WARREN"

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/07/6292816/bloomberg-backs-scott-brown-nras-candidate-against-elizabeth-warren

[blm]

13. RW Politico - they also pushed the idea that Brown was unbeatable for 2012, too.

Last edited Thu Dec 20, 2012, 03:21 PM - Edit history (1)

.

[MessiahRp]

21. Exactly before everyone starts their predictable hand wringing

and then their predictable John Kerry attacks, let's remember the source of this shit: Politico.

Give Brown a challenger with a face and people won't be so apt to pick him over generic unknown.

[BlueCaliDem]

25. Yep. And then a never-ran-for-office-before Democrat beat him

54% to 46% - eight friggin points!

Politico luvs them sum Republicans, tho, so that's why I take a pound of salt every time they report something.

On the other hand, I would be more open to polls conducted by the PPP since they were the third most accurate pollsters in last election (Nate Silver was No. 1, I believe. Don't know who No. 2 is, though).

[GoCubsGo]

104. She was down by 17 points when she was nominated, too.

And, she had low name recognition, too. Just like all the Dems in the OP's poll. All this hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing is getting kind of tiresome.

[BlueCaliDem]

110. I agree with you 100%.

Some people just can't wait to light that match and set it to their hair.

[GoCubsGo]

111. LOL!!!

You ain't kidding!

[Little Star]

14. My feet are on the ground here in MA & I don't doubt this poll for a second....

People here like Brown as a person and they believe he is more of a Independent than a Republican.

That's simply just the way it is here.

It would take someone like Ben Affleck running to ease my mind on this horrible turn of events.

[Is That All There Is]

20. No we don't

Like Affleck here in Ma. Maybe his movies(some). You are again confusing an actor as smart person. Most of them are parrotts that can read lines really good. Someone like him to ease your mind, how about a True Blue Collar man who understands the REAL Ma. Former Iron Worker, REAL Southie boy worked his way up from nothing Steven Lynch. Stop with all the Social Dem frauds and elect real persons of the people.

[BlueCaliDem]

26. Stating that Affleck is just another actor but not a smart person

means you've totally forgotten the hugely successful, Good Will Hunting.

Good Will Hunting was both a critical and financial success. It grossed over US $225 million during its theatrical run, more than twenty-two times its $10 million budget. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning two: Best Supporting Actor for Williams and Best Original Screenplay for Affleck and Damon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Will_Hunting

[Is That All There Is]

29. ?

So that is your litmus test for smarts, money and awards by like minded droids. Then MeL Gibson is a genius according to that standard. Clint Eastwood is equal to old Albert E-MC2.

[BlueCaliDem]

98. You're forgetting that when Good Will Hunting was written

Affleck was a very young man. He was only 25-years-old. Neither Gibson nor Eastwood were anywhere near that successful or creative at that very young age.

Writing an incredible award-winning script like Good Will Hunting, producing the movie, and securing an A-list entertainer like Robin Williams at the tender age of 25 shows just how smart the guy is. Ask yourself, could YOU have done it at that age or even twice it? Don't think so.

[grantcart]

102. Affleck has a wide set of interests outside of acting that include substantial public policy

activities, not the least of which is his work on the conflict in Congo.

He is a much more substantial person than Brown. Politics and public interest is not a hobby for him.

Affleck's mother was a civil rights freedom rider. He is as authentic a MA home grown boy who was raised by a single mother and made something good for himself.

You don't seem to be very well informed about Affleck's history or politics in any way.

[blm]

32. The Dem would have Kerry's experienced political team in Mass. This fearfulness is absurd, imo.

.

[MannyGoldstein]

18. I'm also from MA, and I think that Brown would be toast

Americans, particularly Bay Staters, are growing ever more tired of abject liars who shill for the 1%.

[Rider3]

19. NO F'ING WAY

I do not want that guy representing me or my state at all.

[and-justice-for-all]

22. Fuck that.

[treestar]

23. He was ahead of Elizabeth Warren in the polls too early on

And this would constitute a very early poll. The generic Democrat - reminds me of the generic Republican who was supposed to be able to beat Obama.

[hedda_foil]

28. On Andrea Greenspan show, they were floating Ted Kennedy Jr.

He recently said he'd probably run for office at some point.

[BigDemVoter]

30. Just what I was fucking afraid of. . .

[railsback]

33. I have a hard time believing Massachusetts is that 'effed up in the head.

Seriously?

[Tarheel_Dem]

37. Not to disparage MA, but they did it before. A hot guy, in pink hotpants, obviously has some appeal

I hope to the heavens this guy isn't allowed near the Senate EVER again. Many of us voiced this concern prior to this selection. We remember how we got Scott Brown and Jan Brewer in the first place.

[Arkana]

82. You guys from other states don't understand how he sold himself.

He didn't play the "Hello, I'm Teabagger McFuckinangry" game, because he and his staff knew that those Republicans don't win elections in Massachusetts.

What he did was play the game purely on character. "Hi, I'm a nice guy. I wear a barn coat and I drive a truck. I'm just a regular Joe, like you."

Normally this shit doesn't work either, but it wasn't helped by Martha Coakley's flat refusal to run anything resembling a campaign, her sneering jokes about him standing in front of Fenway Park shaking hands, and her calling Curt Schilling a Yankees fan (Bostonians take their baseball seriously.)

Add to this about 8 kabillion Tea Party shock troopers, scads of Tea Party money, and a Republican team that DESPERATELY wanted to stick it to the Democrats by stealing Ted Kennedy's seat, and you have a recipe for complete and total disaster.

Scott's on his own this time. He may have the money, but he's a known quantity--and the Tea Party's diminished power coupled with their complete hatred of him will hold many if not all of them back. And Democrats have been preparing for this eventuality ever since it was announced that Kerry might possibly be the new SoS after Hillary. The MA Democratic Party is ready, and so is the 54% that cast their ballots for Elizabeth Warren. We are NOT going to let it happen again.

[Tarheel_Dem]

85. "We are NOT going to let it happen again". That's somewhat comforting coming from someone on....

the ground. I just hope that EW's supporters will still be as engaged several months from now. You know, we Dems are notoriously slack when it comes to special elections and midterms, and that's what scares me.

I hear that Markey has quite the warchest compared to Brown at this point. You guys know best who'd be the best fit for the state of MA. I'll try and keep my misgivings close to my chest throughout this procedure, but it's beyond frightening to think this guy was just soundly rejected, and could turn around and win this newly open seat. I am so hoping that the president's & EW's crushing victories in the state will hold til the special election.

[McCamy Taylor]

35. GOP has advantage in special elections due to low Dem turnout.

Nominating Kerry was a very bad idea.

[blm]

41. The Dem will have Kerry's political team in Mass and Obama's GOTV team working for them.

Ithink Mass Dems are too smart to NOT learn the lessons of 2010.

Besides, Brown won when TeaParty was on an upswing. Too much has happened since then. He also proved he's a terrible debater.

[Cha]

94. Yes.. in the debates, he exposed himself as a racist who wanted to

smear Elizabeth because he was afraid to run on his record. We also found when he slipped up that "Scalia" was his favorite SC Justice

[Arkana]

83. Martha Coakley still got 47%

while running the worst campaign in the history of campaigns.

Someone actually showing up should get 52-53 easy.

Meanwhile, Brown is without his Tea Party friends and without Obamacare as a rallying point. If he does decide to run, he'll find that this special election won't be as easy.

[Turbineguy]

36. I love it

when we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

[graywarrior]

38. He showed his true colors during the debates with Elizabeth

He'll never get re-elected again....he can run all he wants. He's a LOSER.

[Cha]

95. That's what I'm talkin' about!

[cyclezealot]

39. Supreme court nominations are coming up.`

Should Obama appoint Kerry , he's an idiot. Scottie during the campaign said a supreme court nominee similar to
Scalia is his perfect candidate for future openings.

[blm]

42. And he's on tape saying so - which is why he will NOT get elected again.

.

[cyclezealot]

56. I wish some of the most recent polls agreed with you.

But they show Brown leading over any generic Democrat.

[blm]

65. They usually do, don't they? Brown was way ahead of Elizabeth Warren, too, until he wasn't.

.

[Arkana]

84. Generic Democrat polls are useless.

Just as useless as "Generic Republican" was.

Martha Coakley went into the general against him with a 30 point lead. How'd that work out for her?

[heaven05]

43. Pres. Obama

find someone else for SOS. We don't need another rethug extremist/bigot in the Senate.

[valerief]

44. Generic vs. Brown??? Stupid poll. And an NPR poll at that. Too RW. nt

[MiniMe]

46. This is why Brown came out today in favor of gun control

[Doctor_J]

53. Another smooth move by the WH

If the president doesn't have majorities in congress, then he can enact a Repuke agenda and deflect all of the blame.

Are you catching on yet?

[Joey Liberal]

54. Kerry should stay in the Senate

We don't need that moron Brown back.

[The Stranger]

80. We went right along with the Republicans' plan: Scuttle Rice and get Kerry to open up a Senate seat.

Why why why why why?

[Flatpicker]

55. This

Will probably be why we won't have Kerry as SOS.

I'm willing to believe that after the holiday next week, we will start hearing another name being mentioned.
Once they have enough data to show that the Dems will lose the MA seat, you will see that they will bring in someone else.

[wisteria]

62. Highly doubt it. Oh, and this will all happen because of a Poltico poll.

It is ridiculous the emphasis some Dems place on Brown.

[Flatpicker]

63. Not just from this poll

Just the trend.
Anything outside a lead pipe cinch to keep the seat blue should be seriously considered.

It's not that Brown is any good, it's just he hadn't been in long enough to be hated. So people may give him a chance just because he has name recognition.

[wisteria]

59. It Politico and it is all about stiring things up.

Brown will never win again in Mass. He isn't that popular and right now it is only about name recognition. Once a Dem is chosen, that Dem will lead and win.

[RoverSuswade]

66. Is Barney Frank a possibility?

Would he run if asked?

[hrmjustin]

67. I doubt it. Welcome to DU my friend.

[RoverSuswade]

68. Oh thank you.

I wish he would if asked. He would really shake up the Senate. (Maybe Harry wouldn't want him) ? ?

[hrmjustin]

69. It would be fun to see him debate on the floor, but he would join as a junior member.

After being the chairman/ ranking member for years of a committee he would not want to be junior to anyone in the senate.

[cstanleytech]

70. Any chance Joe Kennedy could be appointed to take over and then running for the seat?

Surely that might work to keep Brown from getting back in office?

[SunSeeker]

72. Crap. Brown polls 18 points ahead of Markey.

This is exactly what I was afraid of and why I thought Kerry was a bad pick for SoS. Crap.

[GoCubsGo]

105. He was ahead of Elizabeth Warren by that much, at one point.

She stomped him in the end. Just sayin'.

[foo_bar]

75. I wish Robert Reich would run again

In 2002, he ran for Governor of Massachusetts. He also published an associated campaign book, I'll Be Short. Reich was the first Democratic candidate for a major political office to support same-sex marriage. He also pledged support for abortion rights and strongly condemned capital punishment. His campaign staff was largely made up of his Brandeis students. Although his campaign had little funding, he surprised many and came in a close second out of six candidates in the Democratic primary with 25% of the vote.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Reich

Of course that was the year was Romney was selected, and it might sound like a long shot (esp. if RR doesn't live here anymore), but I think Mass voters are more inclined to elect a fire-breather in a statewide race than a business-as-usual pol like Capuano (my recollection is that he used to win mayoral elections in Somerville by ... slightly unethical means involving the police department harassing his erstwhile opponents, but I can't find any good Google citations.)

[Arkana]

81. Coakley had a 30 point lead going into the general too.

Lack of name recognition and a decent approval rating is what's buoying him.

[cosmicone]

88. We need a Kennedy n/t

[Cha]

89. Brown was ahead of Elizabeth too.. until he started shooting his

big ol ugly mouth off about her Native American heritage. Just to show what a classy asshole he was.

[Cha]

96. My burning question..

If Brown's runs again ..is Michael Bloomberg going to endorse the NRA candidate again like he did over Elizabeth Warren?

"BLOOMBERG BACKS SCOTT BROWN, THE NRA'S CANDIDATE, AGAINST ELIZABETH WARREN"

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/07/6292816/bloomberg-backs-scott-brown-nras-candidate-against-elizabeth-warren

[davidpdx]

109. I would think giving Bloomberg's support of Obama and gun control

He might stay neutral this time around. I'm sure the Republicans will try to push him to endorse whichever their clown they put up.

[NHDEMFORLIFE]

99. Several thoughts as to why this is utterly meaningless

Brown is popular - in the abstract. He has an approval rating of 58 percent, but polls just 47 percent (about what he got in Nov.) against a "generic" Democrat.
This is taken without any context that comes with a campaign - issues, ads, debates (remember his love of Mr. Justice Scalia?).
Members of Congress are generally popular within their district; members of Congress from other districts are generally unpopular - again, in the vacuum of no active campaign.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly - MASSACHUSETTS IS THE BLUEST STATE IN AMERICA!
This seems to be conveniently overlooked by everyone who simply adores Scottie.
And anyone who doesn't think the President will get heavily involved in this, from fundraising to stumping, is a fool.