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For Democrats, John Kerry's nomination to be the next Secretary of State has pluses and minuses. On the one hand, President Obama will get a spectacularly qualified cabinet official who'll be confirmed with overwhelming, bipartisan support. The nation will benefit from Kerry's service.
On the other, Democrats need every vote on Capitol Hill they can get, and it doesn't help if the White House takes leading lawmakers away from their caucuses. After all, the last time there was a special election to fill a Senate vacancy in Massachusetts, it didn't work out too well for the party.
But this time, the White House has at least recognized the issue up front, vowing not to take the race in the traditionally blue Bay State for granted.
Senate Democrats have been promised White House-level help in the battle to replace Sen. John Kerry in Massachusetts.
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and former President Bill Clinton will all campaign for the Democratic candidate, according to a Democratic official.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who Kerry is expected to replace, might also get involved.
"The [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] and Senate Democratic leaders have received assurances that the White House will be all in," said a Democratic official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
In early 2011, the Democratic establishment didn't take the Massachusetts seriously, falsely assuming the result was a foregone conclusion. By the time Obama and his team saw the upset coming, it was too late.
In 2013, it appears the president is eager not to see this happen again.
For Senate Democrats annoyed that the White House is shrinking their caucus and inviting the possibility of a Republican pick-up, the promise of going "all in" should at least help settle nerves. Indeed, for potential Dems candidates eyeing the race, it should make the primary that much more enticing -- whoever gets the party nod will have the enthusiastic backing of both Obamas and both Clintons.
As for who may end up benefiting from the support, the field of possible Democratic candidates shrunk a little over the holiday weekend -- as Tricia noted earlier, both former Rep. Ted Kennedy Jr. and actor/director Ben Affleck officially announced they would not run.
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I hope they can find someone to replace Kerry for the long term. If we get Scott Brown back in there I'm gonna scream.
Here is the convincing case for why Rachel Anne Maddow should be MA's next Senator. Includes 73 comments. Deval Patrick should appoint RM as the interim Senator.
If Rachel Maddow does not Run, Scott Brown will win, because as awesome as the Dem campaigners are, the GOP and wall street will put everything on this race.
This would be the best possible outcome.
So what. From the WBUR poll, 1 in 3 do not even recognize the name of one of the strongest candidates, Ed Markey- their senior House member who has served since 1976. Even if she is points below that, a media saturation campaign will quickly reduce those not recognizing her to single digits.
All candidates will have to define themselves, and Dr. Maddow has a massive edge due to her 1.5+million per day national following. She will easily be able to match Scott Brown's fundraising and will be able to recruit skilled organizers and an army of grass roots campaigners both inside and outside the state from Obama's organization. Can Markey, Patrick or V. Kennedy mobilize such motivated followers? Not a chance.
These factors will allow her to construct the same kind of efficient and polished campaign that will not just beat Brown, but humiliate him and his Wall Street backers.
It would be glorious, and a LOT of fun.
Right. The most excellent ones. IMHO she could be Amerca's first openly gay President.
There is no question that such smug hatred of marginalized groups is powerful in the Red States.
The trouble is that you can't govern with hatred. Witness the House.
Here in AZ we lost a good Dem governor and got a total rightwing nutbag as replacement when Obama named Napolitano to that worthless DHS. Now we lose a Senator. There are a Lot of smart people who are Not in government service that he could pick instead of thinning our ranks. How about getting rid of Goldman-boy and naming Krugman as secy of Treasury, for instance?
Obama's not economically astute enough to nominate Krugman. Krugman would tell Obama stuff he didn't want to hear and would necessitate too much spine on Obama's part to act on.
Jim -- AZ is a nutty state compared to MA. But I do fear S Brown will coast in on name rec.
And disgusted -- you are entirely right, 100%.
Barney Frank is both qualified, and available.
Plus, he will annoy Mitch McConnell to no end!
I figured Barney wanted to enjoy his retirement. Personally, I wouldn't blame him if he did.
Barney would be fantastic as the interim. He's 73 and probably doesn't want the job for years. But he would annoy the hell out of the Republicans by telling them what fools they are. Fabulous.
If MA doesn't elect another Democratic Senator I'm never going to shut up about the stupidity of the Obama White House.
I also don't like the fact that they didn't stand up for Susan Rice. Imagine the precedent that sets. She has had an extraordinary career, she's served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, she done nothing but serve her country and serve it well. And 4 old white guys block her nomination based upon another one of these ridiculous GOP conspiracy theories.
Obama allowed Republican obnoxiousness to win yet again, assuring that it will keep on happening. McCain, Graham, etc. screamed noxious, specious lies about Rice while the rest of the GOP wanted Kerry to be nominated and give Brown to get another chance at the Senate, and Obama delivered right on schedule as always. Spineless. Predictable. Pathetic.
What's maddening is that this problem is so unnecessary. There is no real need for Kerry as Secretary of State. There is a real need for that senate seat.
Scott Brown back-stabbed the teabaggers. You think they will forget that?
They voted for Romney when he went "moderate" didn't they? They will vote for it if it is not a Democrat.
Romney could not win that state he should go live in one of his other houses. he never win the senate
Need a correction - Ted Kennedy Jr has never been a member of Congress. Maybe confusing with brother Patrick.
I had the same thought when I read that. So now I'm not sure which one said he isn't running. Or maybe it's both.
It's time for Rachel to see her country needs her more than she needs to be on MSNBC.
Forget it. Kerry is supremely qualified. Instead of blaming the President CONSTANTLY my question is WHY DIDN'T THE DEMOCRATS in Congress stand by Susan Rice and tell McCain etal to STFU? Then we would have had a 'qualified person' at State and Kerry in the Congress.
Rachel is incredibly effective at MSNBC. Both the country and journalism need her at that position. Barney Frank definitely has the chops and name recognition, and every effort should be made to entice him into the Senate. We can have both him and Warren on the Banking Committee, and the campaign is sure to drain a few more Republican't bank accounts!
WE(MINNESOTA) have two Dems as our Senators they seem to complement each other! A Dem Governor and now both houses at the state house are Dem controlled! So Mass. come on catch up with the big blue land of sky blue water and politics( ahem of course we have old Ms Bachmann prowling the dark corners)!Sorry her district almost got clear but money was spread thick!!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elect-Rachel-Maddow-to-replace-John-Kerry/455307911184522
RACHEL MADDOW!
Join the page - post your encouragement - tell your friends - share on your FB newsfeed!!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elect-Rachel-Maddow-to-replace-John-Kerry/455307911184522
Rachel would be great, I wish she would consider it !
I did everything I could to help make sure Scott Brown didn't get re-elected. I will do the same again! He ran on a lie, which didn't work this past election, but I'm sure he will try it again. He is a fraud!
Haven't the people of MA learned yet? no more democrats
wyatt, check carefully. even our republicans are just slightly conservative democrats.
Have they given any thought to this candidate? https://www.facebook.com/JoshHillForMassachusetts