Kerry needs to resign his Senate seat now

[dsc]

This would be good for both his Presidential run and for our ability to retain that seat.

Kerry voted in the Senate for the first time this year today. That looks bad. The defenses of it sound bad. When the best thing you can say is "his vote wouldn't have mattered, anyway" that isn't very reassuring to someone who is one of a million voters in his or her state.

Romney would get to appoint Kerry's replacement anyway no matter when that appointment is made. But if Kerry quits now the election would be this November. With Kerry on the ballot as President, retaining the seat should be much, much easier. Weld, who would be the strongest Republican candidate, may well win anyway but I don't think he would behind a Kerry landslide in Massachusetts.

Kerry can't serve two masters. He needs to quit the Senate. It would be good for him and for us.

[mzmolly]

1. I agree. It's time now...

;)

[Newcastle]

2. Any chance

of his quitting his presidential run instead and having a real Democrat replace him?

[Andy_Stephenson]

3. Ouch n/t

[RummyTheDummy]

4. Good one.

You must be a Dean supporter.

[Gore1FL]

26. A real Democrat with a more conservative voting record?

Jeez we get a Liberal with solid support accross the spectrum and a strong chance of defeating -- if not trouncing Bush, and you don't consider him a real Democrat?


What do you consider a real Democrat to be? Someone to the Left of the Late Great Paul Wellstone?

[Newcastle]

35. You again?

Here's your link: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0219-11.htm
Yeah, Kerry's such a real liberal. Like Bush is really compassionate.

It may surprise you to know that I voted for Kerry in the past - back when I was a resident of Massachusetts. I'm no stranger to Kerry. I also know he's not the liberal you think he is. It was Kerry or someone worse. That's about the best I've ever been able to say about Kerry. And he is my former Senator, so I'm entitled.

[Gore1FL]

37. Yeah me again

I have access to all the threads once I log in. Technology is amazing, isn't it.

Please provide a link supporting your position -- I mean other than the Nader/Laduke one you posted aabove and on the thread where you insisted everyone was calling you a Republican and a communist...

[MessiahRp]

5. I disagree

Even if he only shows up for a handful of important votes during this campaign, Massachussetts needs him to vote Democratic for them on those major issues. If Weld or some other Republican gets appointed then that's just extending the amount of time Republicans have picked up another vote in the already tough Senate. The nation doesn't need another Republican vote on either floor.

Massachussetts is supposed to be liberal damnit! :)

We need to get the Governor out of there and get a solid Senate choice in to replace our next President. :)

Rp

[dsc]

9. Assuming Kerry wins

our choices are a Republican senator for 8 months or for 2 years. I know which one I prefer. Romney is the duly elected governor and will be such until 2007 so that is not an option.

[MessiahRp]

17. When does Romney come back up for Re-election?

Is he up in 2005 or 2006?

Rp

[dsc]

19. 2006

assuming a four year term.

[JohnKleeb]

6. I get what youre saying but what I heard was

that Romney may seat himself. Not sure if he will do this or not.

[dsc]

8. That would be great if he did

Nearly always people who do that lose the election.

[ButterflyBlood]

7. have Kerry announce his successor

and then have the legislature pass a binding resolution requiring Romney to appoint him. That will ensure that we keep the seat.

[dsc]

10. Do we have a veto proof majority?

I honestly don't know but I doubt it. And some Democrats may refuse to vote for that (I am unsure how I feel about such a radical change in the rules). Then there would be massive resentment among independents of a Senator seated under those circumstances.

[ButterflyBlood]

11. it's over 80% Democratic in both chambers

They could just require that Romney appoint a Democrat, but then we'd end up with Massachussetts' Zell Miller.

[dsc]

14. and they actually have one

He ran for governor against Weld. Name of John Silber.

[Chicago Democrat]

12. Massachusetts is Democrat Safe ?

Time to go for it all, or bust....

Can Kerry insure his successor?

[Dookus]

13. Nope

no reason for him to do so.

It's not tradition, it's not standard, it's not expected.

[ButterflyBlood]

15. Dole did

n/t

[dsc]

16. The last Senator who was nominated by his party did it

Dole in 1996.

[Gore1FL]

28. But the gov of KS was a Republican

apples and Oranges

[dsc]

34. Not really

If Kerry wins the choice is a Republican for 8 months (now to Nov.) or 2 years. The only way this is bad for the party is if Kerry loses in which case all is pretty much lost anyway.

[bearfartinthewoods]

42. buffy sent angel away before the last battle at the hellmouth

because there has to be a second line of defense.
(i can't believe i just cited buffy for strategy):grin:

[OneTwentyoNine]

41. Yeah...it wasn't until June though...

Dole resigned around June 11th 1996. Nothing to lose though with a Repub Gov he just anointed another Repub for Doles seat--Shelia Frahm. She held the seat until our biggest embarrassment Sam Brownback took over (with the help of illegal campaign money from his father in-law) in 1998.

David

[JI7]

18. Marty Meehan is expected to take the seat

if the democratic party gets to pick their candidate, i heard it is most likely going to be congressman martin meehan to either be appointed or run for that senate seat.

[dsc]

20. I had actually heard Barney Frank's name

I would prefer him for the great symbolism but Meehan is OK too.

[ButterflyBlood]

22. Frank would be my top pick

not only for the symbolism but because he is the most liberal member of Massachussets' House delegation.

[dsc]

24. Is he?

I know he is very liberal but so is Massachusetts. He would make a great Senator and is the best chance of a gay one in the forseeable future.

[ButterflyBlood]

25. well he passes pretty much every litmus test

even voted against the Patriot Act.

[JI7]

29. oh, i would LOVE Barney Frank to be Senator

i understand what you mean by symbolism and even though i'm not gay, i think it would be good for that also. barney frank is also a very good congress person on many other issues and one of the most intelligent we have. he would kick ass on the senate floor with his well thought out arguments in favor or against things. barney frank has been one of my favorite congress members ever since the clinton impeachment crap when he spoke out against the right wing. i would be happy to have him as senator, and i'm not even from massachusettes. i like meehan also and would be happy with him, but barney frank would be amazing. i do hope you are right about this.

[Merlin]

32. Barney's the smartest guy in the entire US Congress, imo.

I'd love it if he became a Senator.

[dsc]

33. I wouldn't go quite that far

but he is amazing.

[ButterflyBlood]

21. I heard Meehan was running for governor in 2006

and Barney Frank was the likely successor.

[JI7]

30. i hope you are right

barney frank is one of the best we have in debating. and he would be great on the senate floor. i prefer barney frank in the senate over meehan, although i like meehan also.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

23. Democrats eye plan to protect Kerry Senate seat; Frank considers a run

Democrats eye plan to protect Kerry Senate seat
By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff, 2/19/2004

Massachusetts Democrats are devising a plan to keep John F. Kerry's US Senate seat in their party's hands by blocking Governor Mitt Romney from naming an interim replacement if Kerry wins the White House.

Beacon Hill lawmakers want to pass legislation that would leave Kerry's seat vacant for two months or more, until a special election is held to fill it. That would prevent the Republican governor from naming an interim senator, as is currently required by state law. The initiator of the proposal -- Representative William M. Straus, Democrat of Mattapoisett -- insisted he is not being partisan. (LOL!) But Republicans say the Democrats are being premature.
"John Kerry and his supporters are doing everything but measuring for drapes at the White House," said Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's communications director. "We have a long campaign in front of us."

<snip>

Straus's plan is still in development. He has directed the Election Laws Committee staff to research and develop the legislation. It would have to pass the Democrat-controlled Legislature and would probably face a veto by Romney. But Democratic legislators were intrigued by the idea yesterday. "It's certainly has piqued interest," said Senator Brian Joyce, Democrat of Milton and Senate chairman of the Elections Laws Committee. "This is worth looking at."

Straus said his conversations with colleagues indicate his proposal will get support from Democratic lawmakers. "I assume it would be well received among the membership, as I did receive positive feedback from members I have already mentioned it to," he said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/02/19/democrats_eye_plan_to_protect_kerry_senate_seat



Frank considers making a run for Kerry's senate seat
By Andrew Lightman/ Staff Writer Thursday, February 26, 2004

As Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry appears headed for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Newton Congressman Barney Frank said he'd consider running for Kerry's seat. "I've been thinking about it, and to be honest, it depends on a number of things," Frank told the Press last week.

But Frank's plans might hinge on the push to ban gay marriage in Massachusetts. The 12-term Democrat said that if state legislators put a ban on gay marriage on the ballot for the 2006 election, Frank said he'd likely play a major role in working to defeat it. That effort, he said, might trump his own ambition to become a U.S. Senator. "You can't run for Senate and play a major role in a referendum at the same time," said Frank.

Steve Grossman, former candidate for governor and past head of the Democratic National Committee, said Frank has been widely recognized as a candidate for that post, as have his fellow congressmen, Marty Meehan and John Tierney. "I think those three have been mentioned quite often whenever the subject comes up," said Grossman.

http://www.townonline.com/dover/news/local_regional/ds_newdsfrankms02262004.htm

[molly]

40. I REALLY like Barney Frank

[Mick Knox]

27. I think he prolly should, but I dont live in MA..

I suppose those would be the people more in touch with the ramifications ..

[Merlin]

31. Good observation. I think you're right.

Wonder what the argument is to the contrary?

[waldenx]

36. that would require dignity

which Kerry has absolutely zero.
Kerry is scum and will prove it hundreds of times in the next 7 months.

[seaglass]

38. No.

The legislature is attempting to have a special election if Kerry wins the Presidency instead of letting Romney appoint someone.

I would prefer to vote for my next Senator, thank you very much.

[jsw_81]

39. No way