Michael Capuano decides against any special election campaign to succeed John Kerry

[karynnj]

Source: Boston globe

Representative Michael E. Capuano, the only congressman to run for US Senate in the 2010 special election to replace the late Democrat Edward M. Kennedy, announced today that he will not run in any special election to replace Senator John F. Kerry.

“After careful consideration, I have decided not to enter the race for US Senate,” Capuano, the former mayor of Somerville, said in a one-paragraph statement. “Instead, I look forward to focusing on the important issues facing the new Congress. My current work in the House and whatever opportunities the future may hold, afford me the greatest honor of my life, fighting for the citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Representative Edward J. Markey of Malden has already secured key endorsements and fund-raising help, giving him momentum toward the Democratic nomination. State politicos say they also expect Representative Stephen F. Lynch of South Boston to announce his candidacy once Kerry resigns.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2013/01/15/michael-capuano-decides-against-any-special-election-campaign-succeed-john-kerry/HTzLGF1nVkdyTpEAr4hJQL/story.html

[MADem]

1. The path had been smoothed for EJM. Capuano should get a nice committee assignment out of it.

And perhaps some bill-backing for a whatsis/whatever project near and dear to his heart.

I guess they've not yet made it worth Lynch's while?

[karynnj]

2. Is it now likely that even if Lynch decides to go in, it will be pretty lopsided?

As an outsider, it seemed that the only way he could do well is if the vote for a prochoice more liberal Democrat than he is were divided among a few liberals. Could he still create a contentious primary if he runs?

[MADem]

3. It depends on how serious the machine is to present a united front, AND what the latest

polling for "The Anointed" former Naked Senator, Scott Brown, turns up.

Scottie definitely wants back in, but he's a tone-deaf tool. His snippiness and bad behavior (calling EW "Perfesser" and having his staff do the Pow Wow the Indian Boy/Tomahawk Chop bullshit) opened a lot of eyes--I think people did not realize what a petty little shitstain he really was.

There's many a slip twixt the cup and the lip, too. I know a lot of people (I am one of them) like "the OTHER Warren"--the mayor--and things can change. If Kerry's wife got sick, if he had some other personal issues, he could back out and decide to stay put. Markey could be presented with a personal problem between now and when things get going.

I'm not saying that's likely, but it's always a good idea to not count those chicks!

[karynnj]

4. Thanks

I was impressed by Setti Warren too. I hope that at some point, he will be Senator or Governor.

[Mass]

5. First, there are still a few outsiders that could come in.

Rabbi Pesner seems to want to try a run. I doubt he is well-known outside of the Newton-Brookline area, but who knows? http://blog.thephoenix.com/BLOGS/talkingpolitics/archive/2013/01/15/cap-in-hand.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PHXTalkingPolitics+%28Talking+Politics%29

Also, the media want a Democratic primary. The Herald and the Globe have been hoping publicly for one, because it is fun and it is money for them. The Boston Phoenix seems to want one as well,if David Berstein's latest article is a sign. Those are the three Boston papers.

Also, never underestimate MA Democrats's ability to poo-poo a solid Democrat because he is not as sexy as others.

So, I do not know if there will be a primary, but I do not discount it from happening. I do not think Setti Warren will be in, but we are not missing potential spoiler candidates, as the 2012 election season showed (and I say that as somebody who supported some of these spoilers before they dropped out).