Boston Globe article on Ed O'Reilly making it on the ballot

[beachmom]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/06/it_is_official.html

It is official: Kerry to have competition
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June 7, 2008 03:26 PM

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

LOWELL – Gloucester attorney Ed O’Reilly got enough support from party officials today to ensure that he will give US Senator John F. Kerry his first Democratic primary challenge in 24 years.

At the state Democratic Party convention at the Paul E. Tsongas Arena, O’Reilly got 22.5 percent of the 2,574 ballots cast, more than the 15 percent he needed to secure a spot on the primary ballot. Kerry got the majority of votes, which means he'll get the party's endorsement.

"Party officials said this campaign is a nuisance. And it is. It’s a total nuisance," O’Reilly said to the convention floor. "Democracy is a nuisance. People said the American Revolution was a nuisance -- and it was!"

Kerry, in his fourth six-year term, last had a serious challenge in 1996, from Governor William F. Weld, a Republican. He hasn't had a primary opponent since 1984, when Kerry and three other Democrats ran for a seat vacated by Paul Tsongas.

Few predict the sitting senator will be vulnerable in a primary race. But it could mean more campaigning this summer – and marks an embarrassment that a former presidential candidate was unable to thwart the challenge from O’Reilly.

The former city councilor and commercial lobsterman had met all the other requirements to secure a spot on the primary ballot, including meeting with party officials, attending scores of local meetings to introduce himself, and gathering 10,000 signatures.

But his highest hurdle was garnering 15 percent of the vote from party leaders today -- a requirement Kerry worked to try to prevent.

Editing out all of my commentary - Beachmom

[beachmom]

1. Delete

[Mass]

2. This is because of articles like that that I found yesterday's articles

bothering.

This said, it was obvious that the two candidates would be on the ballot. Between true leftists, Clinton's supporters still unhappy, and those people who voted O'R or present because they do not feel Kerry is home, it was strictly impossible to avoid that.

[politicasista]

3. Does that mean that...

he won't be helping Obama as much on the national level/stage, etc.? He has helped Obama a lot during the primaries, and he, Biden and others would be good in helping Obama go after McCain and defending him from Swiftboat-like smears. I understand that he has to take care of home now.

Pathetic to hear the Clinton supporters saying they will support O'R because of Kerry endorsing Obama, especially today since HRC conceded and has called for unity and support for Obama. Bad enough there is the This Week appearance tomorrow where someone wished it was someone other than Kerry going up against L. Graham. (He'll do good though). The bashing gets so old and tired here. Go figure.

[Mass]

5. I am not worried by the leftists or the Clinton supporters.

The first type is bound to exist. There are leftist. They are entitled to their opinion. It is just sad they could not find a better candidate.

Clinton supporters will move on.

The real issue is the number of people who complain about constituent services. Their complaint is not very clear to me (and to a point, it may not be only a complaint to Kerry), but it does exist, and hopefully he will be able to improve things (whether it is by making clear that he is there or by improving what needs to be improved).

As for someone who does not like Kerry's way of speaking, this is not a real question for me. Each of us has the people they like and dislike, and, if you only saw one person complaining, this is a real progress.

Other question: why did about 700 delegates not vote? (There were apparently 3200 delegates (according to this article http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/sen_kerrys_camp_trying_to_dera.html?category=Politics)

and a little more than 2500 voted) I have no clue where these people would have voted, but it is more than 20 % of them who could not be bothered (in fact more than O'Reilly got). This seems really strange and you got to wonder how it is not problematic?). May be I should ask this question in the MA forum, but there is never anybody answering, so may be somebody here can answer?

[politicasista]

6. Thanks for posting that

You may be on to something here and I agree with it. My senators suck, well of course, they have to, they're Repukes.

The real issue is the number of people who complain about constituent services. Their complaint is not very clear to me (and to a point, it may not be only a complaint to Kerry), but it does exist, and hopefully he will be able to improve things (whether it is by making clear that he is there or by improving what needs to be improved).

[wisteria]

10. What idiot wanted someone other that Kerry to go on This Week?

Obviously, this person is ignorant.

[politicasista]

12. It was just a comment in GD

in blm's thread that preferred that it be Webb going against Graham (He's been getting some VP talk). To each his own, no biggie. Blm had a good comeback on that thought too. :)

[wisteria]

13. Oh Webb, another flavor of the month. He is not VP material. n/t

[JI7]

16. Mark Warner is probably better than Jim Webb anyways

if they want to go the Virginia way.

[wisteria]

22. I agree. n/t

[beachmom]

23. Problem is he's a guarantee Senate seat pick up. Who would stand in his place?

Same goes for Webb -- it wasn't easy picking up that seat. I actually like Webb -- I took a look at his latest book at the bookstore, and I am struck by what a great writer he is. Too few politicians actually write their own books, so I commend the ones who do, and do it well. I have disagreed with Webb on a lot of things, but I still respect and admire him for his fine mind. I will trust Obama to choose who he thinks is the right choice for VP, no matter who he picks.

[fedupinBushcountry]

24. Mark Warner is DLC

Living here in Virginia I went to Mark Warner's announcement of his Senate race in Norfolk, Va. I came away very disappointed, he does not believe in deadlines for Iraq, he admitted he was a Centrist and he wants to form another "Gang of 14" group in the Senate. We are democrats not republicans and I am tired of having to go with a republican with a D beside their name. These type of Senators have not done us any good in the senate, they help to hold back many bills and amendments and Webb is no better when it comes to which side he really is on. I am not a happy camper. You know I do believe in bi-partisanship but.... when will it side with the left instead of always siding with the right. Sigh!!!

[wisteria]

25. I had forgotten about him being so conservative.And, Webb is no better.

Webb doesn't seem to like a bill unless it is his.

Actually, I really don't want to see either on as VP.

[JI7]

26. yeah, there are better ones

but if Obama does pick based on wanting to win Virginia. i think Mark Warner is much better than Webb. Warner is much more popular.

personally i like Bill Richardson because he helps in not just a key state but that entire region plus with a key demographic(the latino vote). while Richardson was not impressive as a Presidential Candidate, i think he has done very well in supporting Obama as that is the role of the VP.

not too surprising as many think he ran mostly to get attention for vp anyways.

[beachmom]

27. Mark Warner just took himself out of consideration for VP. I am relieved.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6363422

Jun 14th, 2008 | HAMPTON, Va. -- Former Gov. Mark R. Warner on Saturday removed himself from consideration as a vice presidential running mate for Democrat Barack Obama.

Warner clarified his intentions for the first time as he accepted the Virginia Democratic Convention's nomination for a U.S. Senate race this fall.

"I have not sought and I will not accept any other opportunity," Warner told cheering convention delegates.

I am less critical of Mark, but I really want Dems to pick up that Senate seat, so I am glad he won't be picked for VP. Honestly, I think Obama should pick a governor. If it is Virginia, then why not Tim Kaine?

[MonteLukast]

4. They always have to sneak some insinuation in there, don't they?

:banghead:

Once again, I marvel at the thickness of JK's skin.

[beachmom]

7. This commenter thinks it is just about ballot access:

http://www.bluemassgroup.com/showComment.do?commentId=133252

many voted for O'Reilly to give him ballot access (0.00 / 0)
Many delegates I spoke to voted for O'Reilly, not because they preferred him, but because they believed he deserved ballot access. I think the Globe is wrong that this was an "embarrassment" for Kerry. When was the last time any candidate who managed to get enough signatures denied ballot access at the convention? The message from the convention today was twofold: 1) an overwhelming endorsement of Kerry; and 2) O'Reilly deserved a shot on the primary ballot.

Somerville for Instant Runoff Voting
by: Greg @ Sat Jun 07, 2008 at 19:30:25 PM CDT


I can live with this commenter's take on it.

[wisteria]

11. Me too, unfortunately it will not be spun that way. n/t

[Mass]

20. delete

[beachmom]

8. This diary could use some help:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/7/195535/7183/1000/531918

[MBS]

17. hi, guys-- I need a fact check

I just posted on the DailyKos diary (in response to a particularly annoying post that implied that JK was in the pockets of lobbyists and PACS) that JK has never taken money from PACS. That's right, isn't it? Please advise. (And, if I'm right, someone else might want to add a post to mine, rolling out more facts on this issue).

[Mass]

19. I had this discussion with the same guy a few months ago and never got

confirmation of that. opensecrets.org shows PAC money for Kerry in 2008, but I remember that he said he does not take PAC and lobbying money. If somebody knows the answer to this question, they should post it.

[wisteria]

9. This sucks. Kerry deserves better than to have to put up with this BS. n/t

[politicasista]

14. It really does because...

it's going to take his time away from supporting and helping Obama and helping increase Democratic numbers in the House and Senate. :(

[JI7]

15. yup, Fuck them

that's all i have to say. i know it's not that big an issue but still, the bitter ones and others not supporting him because of wounded egos.

[MBS]

18. as antidote, there's a pro-Kerry post in "outer" DU

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6319232

Refreshing!!

[Mass]

21. Not sure it could be avoided, but I also hope that the Senator listens and

makes clear what is not clear.