Kerry in the Senate After a Loss

[tritsofme]

This thread isn't about being a defeatist, its about curiosity.

If the election doesn't go our way in November, will Kerry stay in the Senate?

It seems to me that after being elevated to presidential level, going back to being 1 out of 100 would be beneath you.

The DNC would probably prefer that Kerry went away if he lost, instead of still making news all the time in the Senate by virtue of his presidential candidate status.

But that being said, if bush manages to take this election, we need every vote possible in the Senate, and IIRC there is only a special election called in Massachussetts if he wins the election and resigns, not in any other situation.

Hopefully this situation never comes to fruition, but I think its good to play out possible scenarios.

[TaleWgnDg]

1. yes, Kerry will retain his Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat . . .

no problem.

edited to add: and when Kerry wins the Oval Office, Kerry's Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat is assured to remain in the Democratic Party. again, no problem. Barney Frank (who is now in the U.S. House) is the favored candidate for Kerry's empty Senate seat. Frank is a very well known liberal Democrat from Massachusetts.

[Hekate]

4. Kerry should retain his seat; but Gov. Mitt Romney is a Republican

...isn't he?

So much to weigh, right? But as far as I'm concerned, there's NO advantage to be gained at all by Kerry giving up his Senate seat prematurely. The Senate needs every Democrat it has. However if Governor Romney gets to appoint a replacement, wouldn't he be likely to select a fellow Republican?

Just wondering.

Hekate

[TaleWgnDg]

5. yes, Governor Mitt Romney is a Republican . . . and what do you

mean by that?

Again, whether Kerry wins or loses, the Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat will remain Democratic. Mitt Romney has squat to do w/ it and very little chance to win that seat in an election. And, btw, the State legislature has enacted a new law over Mitt's disapproval to have an election for Kerry's seat if Kerry wins.

It's a done deal, period.

As a added note, Romney's "popularity" has waned considerably in Massachusetts. Why? The damn fool is making it obvious that he seeks the presidency and is using Massachusetts as a stepping-stone. Massachusetts voters aren't too shy in the voting booth demonstrating our distain for such antics.

. . . . .

[rsmith6621]

2. We Have no Other Choice But TO

Get Kerry in the White House otherwise there may not be a House or Senate if the Repuklikins get another 4 years...


Kerry Losing is not a OPTION.......PERIOD

[WI_DEM]

3. Of course, why not?

George McGovern returned to the Senate after his landslide loss and served another 8 years. Hubert Humphrey ran for and was elected to the Senate in 1970--two years after narrowly losing the presidency in '68 and having been VP for four years under Johnson. Walter Mondale was willing to return to the Senate in 2002 after Wellstone's death. Barry Goldwater returned to the Senate after losing the presidency in 1964.

[elperromagico]

6. Other Senators have done it.

Goldwater in '64, for example. McGovern in '72 as well. After their defeats, they both returned to the Senate and remained there until the 80s.

But, let's all work to make sure we never have to test this scenario out on Kerry. :D

[MaineDem]

7. We don't have time to worry about this now

In November I'll consider this. Not now.