Is Coakley 'entitled' to the Kennedy seat? Is that what the voters are expecting?

[Hawkeye-X]

I'm hearing some discouraging news here in DU (I live in Colorado) and polling is already showing a dead heat.

Is Coakley expecting that she would automatically get it if she ran?

[mth44sc]

1. I don't know who is expecting what

but if any of us expect anything meaningful to get passed by the Obama administration - she has to win. Otherwise - we all lose.

[DJ13]

5. We havent gotten much of 'anything' yet

Im not sure what would change in the long run.

[graywarrior]

2. It seemed that way for a while

The Kennedy's stepping in to support her makes me nervous....it indicates that they're nervous.

[TheBigotBasher]

12. What about the "Kennedy" running against her?

Will that affect her vote?

[graywarrior]

15. He's a teabagger. I doubt it.

[TheBigotBasher]

18. I know he is a teabagger.

There is also an obvious reason he was picked, it is a spoiler name.

[Mass]

3. Why? I am not sure I know your point. It is a special election, and therefore very volatile.

There is one poll showing her tied and all other ones showing her ahead.

It is possible that some people from out of state were expecting her to win as easily as Kennedy or Kerry, and clearly the GOP is as well, as they want to transform a loss to a closer than expected race, but the results I have seen in all polls but one are exactly what elections with no incumbent are in MA. There is no surprise.

[shopgreen]

4. Panicked Healthcare Lobbyists Descend On Massachusetts To Save The 60th Democratic Vote For Reform

This post sure fits the OP.


Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Panicked Healthcare Lobbyists Descend On Massachusetts To Save The 60th Democratic Vote For Reform
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7431317#7431317
7431317, Panicked Healthcare Lobbyists Descend On Massachusetts To Save The 60th Democratic Vote For Reform
Posted by girl gone mad on Sun Jan-10-10 02:48 AM

From The Business Insider:

We've been following the special election in Massachusetts, where the GOP hopes to pull a surprise upset in the race to fill Ted Kennedy's seat.

If they do pull it off, healthcare reform is instantly in trouble, as the Democrats drop below 60.

But money is coming to the rescue of Democrat Martha Coakley -- healthcare industry lobbyist money, specifically.

Tim Carney identifies several of her top fundraisers. Take a look at who they represent:

* Thomas Boggs, Patton Boggs: Bristol-Myers Squibb
* Chuck Brain, Capitol Hill Strategies: Amgen, BIO, Merck, PhRMA
* Susan Brophy, Glover Park Group: Blue Cross, Pfizer
* Steven Champlin, Duberstein Group: AHIP, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis
* Licy Do Canto, Raben Group: Amgen
* Gerald Cassidy, Cassidy & Associates: U. Mass Memorial Health Care
* David Castagnetti, Mehlman, Vogel, Castagnetti: Abbot Labs, AHIP, Astra-Zenaca, General Electric, Humana, Merck, PhRMA.
* Steven Elmendorf, Elmendorf Strategies: Medicines Company, PhRMA, United Health
* Shannon Finley, Capitol Counsel: Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Blue Cross, GE, PhRMA, Sanofi-Aventis.
* Heather Podesta, Heather Podesta & Partners: Cigna, Eli Lilly, HealthSouth
* Tony Podesta, Podesta Group: Amgen, GE, Merck, Novartis.
* Robert Raben, Raben Group: Amgen, GE.



So much for the idea that the big insurance and big pharma oppose this reform.

[Mass]

6. Democrats fundraising for a Democrat. Really shocking, I know!\nt

[Laelth]

7. It is obvious that big Pharma and the insurance companies want this bill to pass.

That's a big part of why it needs to fail.

:dem:

-Laelth

[jmodden]

8. scum

I don't want to associate with this scum. If THEY see benefit to themselves in HCR, there is something wrong.

Who are the good guys????

They ain't Novartis, GE, BC, Merck, Sanofi, etc

[debbierlus]

13. This should be a seperate post. I don't like Coakley

It is my belief that she will be a corporate dem and nothing more.

I don't trust her.

[girl gone mad]

14. Another Melissa Bean..

that's my sense.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Unvanguard]

10. When enacting your political desires requires hoping Republicans win critical Senate elections

maybe you ought to reconsider those political desires.

[girl gone mad]

11. I think your logic is sound.

I doubt that I could ever vote for a Republican, though. I'd probably sit this one out if I was in Mass.

[cali]

16. Actually, polling is all over the map. PPP shows it a dead heat

A UNH poll done at the same time shows Coakley with a lead of 17 and a Ras poll of a few days ago shows her up 9. Hard to know where this race is.

[mdmc]

17. Uh, of course

MA. really doesn't have republicans. The GOP in MA tends to be liberal in all aspects.

She expects to win. Democrats expect her to win.

It would be a major coup for the GOP to win.