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The Interim Senator On January the 30th, the day after Kerry announced his resignation, Governor Deval Patrick announced that his former chief of staff, William 'Mo' Cowan will be the interim senator. The choice came as a surprise since there had been some very high profile names as potential interim senators. Cowan served in the Patrick adminstration from 2009-2012, and is close friends with Patrick, which explains his choice as interim senator. Not much is known of his views or ideology, what we do know is that he has a law degree from Northeastern, and has often worked to make the City of Boston institutions more diverse. So far in the Senate he has been named to the committees of agriculture, commerce and small business, and was a vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. With an interim senator named, there is still the election ahead. Even before the date was set, the Democrats, who dominate politics in the Commonwealth have already started to scramble for a nominee as not to repeat the mistakes of 2010, so I’ll list them first. Democratic Party  Ed Markey, Congressman representing the 5th Congressional District, to the North and West of Boston, since 1976. He was the first big name candidate to announce he was running, and picked up a lot of endorsements and momentum from the start. The more liberal Markey also defeated the more conservative fellow Congressman Stephen Lynch in the Democratic primary. Markey holds liberal positions across the board, and is a leading representative on environmental issues. He has already started to attack Gomez on gun control and abortion issues. He is considered a lock in winning the Senate seat with people lining up for the potential special election for his Congressional seat. However, Markey and the Mass Democratic Party will likely not take this for granted after the Coakley fiasco. Website:Ed Markey for US Senate Facebook:Ed Markey Twitter:Ed Markey Republican Party  Former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez was able to rise to the top in a bruising three way Republican primary. He is pro-life and has no political experience. One of his few political actions of note before running was attempting to be appointed to the Senate Seat by Deval Patrick. He trails Markey in the polls, generally by double digit margins. But the Mass GOP are hoping for a repeat of Brown's come from behind victory and will surely pump a lot of money into the race. His political positions are general Republican positions. Arguing for term limits in the house and senate, balanced budget amendments, congressional pay freezes, etc. Gomez is likely to lose this race but expect his profile to be raised significantly from this. Whether he chooses to spin that into running for another position down the road, or heading to Fox News, is something that will be based upon his performance in this election. Website:Gomez for MA Facebook:Gabriel Gomez Twitter:Gabriel Gomez Independent Candidates  Perennial candidate, Jack E. Robinson, hot off his loss to Scott Brown in the 2010 Special election Republican primaries, is throwing his hat in the ring as an independent. As a Republican he was fiscally conservative and socially moderate, but was never able to win elected office with those positions. Robinson was the Republican nominee for Senate in 2000, for Secretary of the Commonwealth in 2002, for Congress against Lynch in 2006, and ran to be the Senate nominee against Brown in 2010. I expect him to get maybe 1 or 2% of the vote, and not to act as a spoiler. Audio clip:Crashing into another car during an interview  Election Day: June 25th
Kem Rixen fucked around with this message at May 1, 2013 around 02:00 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:33 |
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| # ? May 24, 2013 03:48 |
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Great start to the thread, and this'll probably be a good idea to keep all the related discussion out of the Transition thread, which has been a natural place for it to all go since Kerry is involved. Brown's silence on this issue has been very interesting. I think he's waiting for the Gubernatorial race, to be honest. Him versus Capuano would be very interesting because a lot of Brown's supposed blue-collar cred would be completely pulled out from under him. Has that loony gently caress Bielat said anything about running?
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:39 |
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And may we not forget that this sets Massachusetts up for four Senatorial elections in  EDIT: I can't believe Brown was elected that long ago (2010) ComradeCosmobot fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 18:53 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:47 |
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What's the reasoning for Patrick's "I'll only appoint people who won't run for the special" agreement? Why is he so set on looking like he's playing fair, particularly when that completely backfired in 2010?
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:49 |
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Riptor posted:What's the reasoning for Patrick's "I'll only appoint people who won't run for the special" agreement? Why is he so set on looking like he's playing fair, particularly when that completely backfired in 2010? He might believe in a somewhat clean government? Also, because in the Commonwealth these seats only come open every so often, shows you aren't playing favorites. Also, there is another senate special going on. State Senate that is, as Jack Hart announced he is leaving yesterday.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:52 |
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Riptor posted:What's the reasoning for Patrick's "I'll only appoint people who won't run for the special" agreement? Why is he so set on looking like he's playing fair, particularly when that completely backfired in 2010? I really don't know, the whole special election process is so screwed up anyway, its probably to avoid any scandals in case he runs for President in 2016. Also Bialet has been silent, thank god, but since he was mentioned I think his bizarre campaign video from 2010 has to be posted now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QbNGnvBR7k
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:52 |
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Kem Rixen posted:I really don't know, the whole special election process is so screwed up anyway, its probably to avoid any scandals in case he runs for President in 2016. Also Bialet has been silent, thank god, but since he was mentioned I think his bizarre campaign video from 2010 has to be posted now. That video has convinced me since 2010 that Sean Bielat is literally insane. I mean one of the "arguments" (if you can even call it that) that that video puts forth is just a quote of Frank saying "AIG". Not praising AIG, not criticising it, just literally saying the letters. Mooseontheloose posted:He might believe in a somewhat clean government? Also, because in the Commonwealth these seats only come open every so often, shows you aren't playing favorites. It just strikes me as one of those things that Republicans wouldn't even consider for a split second, and that Democrats not only do, but do after it clearly blows up in their faces.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:55 |
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Riptor posted:That video has convinced me since 2010 that Sean Bielat is literally insane. I mean one of the "arguments" (if you can even call it that) that that video puts forth is just a quote of Frank saying "AIG". Not praising AIG, not criticising it, just literally saying the letters. Well remember the 2004 election, they state house changed the law because Romney was governor and they didn't want to have him appoint a Republican. And that blew in their face.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:56 |
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Yeah, I know. Senate vacancies are one of these things that I really wish just had an across-the-board solution to common to all states
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 18:58 |
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Here's some polling: http://www.massincpolling.com/?p=784.quote:Brown leads a generic Democrat in a theoretical general election match-up, 44 percent to 36 percent. When matched up against Markey specifically, Brown leads 53 percent to 31 percent. The poll was conducted prior to news stories about Lynch’s potential entrance into the race, and does not include a head to head match-up between Brown and Lynch. 
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 19:02 |
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ufarn posted:Here's some polling: http://www.massincpolling.com/?p=784. Ok, so here is the thing that people have to remember about polling. Early polling is a heat check and is essentially gives people's general feelings. Wait until Markey starts talking, ads go up, and there is more media coverage. Essentially, that poll is telling you that people don't know who Markey is. And remember, Martha had a 30 point lead against Scott Brown.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 19:04 |
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Were there rumors about Mitt Romney considering running? Wouldn't want him to feel left out 
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 19:49 |
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Any idea why Capuano declined? Markey is currently my rep, with the redistricting in MA he actually may represent a more blue-collar district now than Capuano does. I can easily see the Merrimack valley and central MA going deep red for Brown again though.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 19:52 |
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Sean Archer posted:Any idea why Capuano declined? I tend to think this is indeed the case: Kem Rixen posted:There are rumors that Capuano stepped aside in a deal with Markey and Deval Patrick to let Capuano run for Governor in 2014, but we’ll have to wait and see for that.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 20:05 |
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Sean Archer posted:Any idea why Capuano declined? To add a little more to what I put in the OP. A few weeks ago there was an article in the Boston Globe of a meeting between Markey, Patrick and Capuano, it was never stated what happened in the meeting but not too soon after Markey received a bunch of endorsements and Capuano said he wasn't going to run for the senate seat. I can't find the article right now, but there was definitely some sort of deal made. I know most Democrats here are really worried about Brown entered the race and not having a consensus candidate to rally behind.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 20:10 |
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I can't think of very many politicians that "get" technology as well as Ed Markey does. I'm not sure how much that will matter though.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 20:18 |
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Buffer posted:I can't think of very many politicians that "get" technology as well as Ed Markey does. I'm not sure how much that will matter though. Can you elaborate on this? I'm not overly familiar with him though I've liked what I see so far (especially over Lynch)
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 20:24 |
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Riptor posted:What's the reasoning for Patrick's "I'll only appoint people who won't run for the special" agreement? Why is he so set on looking like he's playing fair, particularly when that completely backfired in 2010? I worked as an aide in the Massachusetts House for four years. Here's the full story. In 2004, Massachusetts changed the law to ensure that the Governor could not fill US Senate vacancies by appointment. You have to remember, despite being seen by the rest of the nation as a bunch of commie sodomites, Massachusetts had a long streak of electing Republican Governors. There were fears that if John Kerry won the Presidency in 2004, Mitt Romney would fill the seat with a Republican. When Ted Kennedy died in August 2009 and the fate of the PPACA was on the line, the legislature changed the rules again, this time allowing for the Governor to appoint an interim Senator before a special election. A group of Republicans and good government Democrats offered amendments to the bill that would have prohibited the interim Senator from running in the special. Those amendments were killed quietly. Promises were made both by the administration and leadership in the House and Senate that whoever the Governor appointed would not run for the seat. True to his word, Patrick appointed Paul Kirk, long time aide and friend to Ted Kennedy. I imagine the next Democratic Governor will not feel beholden to those promises and, if the opportunity comes up again, will appoint whoever the gently caress they want.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 20:27 |
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Riptor posted:Can you elaborate on this? I'm not overly familiar with him though I've liked what I see so far (especially over Lynch) Anything specific you're interested in? He's been really good on telecommunications in particular, for net neutrality, has basically always pushed for competition in local delivery, helped kill the bells in the 80s, voted against giving the baby-bells a bye on the '96 telecom act requirements(which was like 14 years ago, but I can go into ridiculous detail on), member of the congressional internet caucus, mobile device privacy act, etc. About his only gently caress-up I can think of was bad wording on allowing the FCC to regulate internet content in order to require close-captioning for the disabled. He's also the guy that got us a camera feed from deepwater horizon and revealed the extent to which police were requesting phone records. E: He's not perfect or anything, he defers way too much to the idea of IP for my tastes, but here's some things he introduced around the same time as the DMCA(so late 90s): H.R. 4176 - Digital Jamming Act of 1998(referred to committee and killed) H.R. 3442 - E-Rate Policy and Child Protection Act of 1998(referred to committee and killed) H.R. 3321 - Electronic Privacy Bill of Rights Act of 1999(referred to committee and killed) Buffer fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 21:12 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 20:41 |
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Riptor posted:What's the reasoning for Patrick's "I'll only appoint people who won't run for the special" agreement? Why is he so set on looking like he's playing fair, particularly when that completely backfired in 2010? It's always struck me as a way to avoid having to take sides in the biggest inter-party contest he'll have to deal with.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 20:48 |
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John Kerry has just been confirmed by the Senate, 94-3.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:38 |
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Kem Rixen posted:John Kerry has just been confirmed by the Senate, 94-3. who's the three jerks
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:40 |
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Riptor posted:who's the three jerks I'm not sure, I was watching CSPAN and they didn't announce who was voting which way. One person also voted present. Edit: Looks like John Kerry is the one who voted present. Kem Rixen fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 21:43 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:40 |
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Riptor posted:who's the three jerks Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Jim "Climate Change is Liberal Propaganda" Inhofe (R-OK).
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:41 |
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Alter Ego posted:Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Jim "Climate Change is Liberal Propaganda" Inhofe (R-OK). Yeah, if you had to pick three who were gonna be wankers, it'd be them. So when do we think Patrick will name his replacement? I have to assume he has someone lined up. I also know that someone is, despite how much I want it to be, not Dukakis. He's an old professor of mine and we email back and forth now and again; he's focusing on his spring semester at UCLA. Shame. 
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:45 |
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Teddybear posted:Yeah, if you had to pick three who were gonna be wankers, it'd be them. Honestly, I'm surprised we didn't see that greasy gently caress Lindsey Graham vote nay. I guess the fact that McCain likes Kerry and McCain is Graham's BFF must have pressured him into it.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:48 |
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Teddybear posted:Yeah, if you had to pick three who were gonna be wankers, it'd be them. I had heard he'll announce the interim person tomorrow. Also sup fellow husky (i think we've gone through this before haha)
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:49 |
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Teddybear posted:Yeah, if you had to pick three who were gonna be wankers, it'd be them. My guess would be Barney Frank, since he definitely would be able to step right in. I was hoping for Dukakis too, but I guess thats just how it goes sometimes.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 21:53 |
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Kem Rixen posted:To add a little more to what I put in the OP. A few weeks ago there was an article in the Boston Globe of a meeting between Markey, Patrick and Capuano, it was never stated what happened in the meeting but not too soon after Markey received a bunch of endorsements and Capuano said he wasn't going to run for the senate seat. I can't find the article right now, but there was definitely some sort of deal made. I know most Democrats here are really worried about Brown entered the race and not having a consensus candidate to rally behind. That makes a lot more sense with Murray declining to run for governor.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 22:00 |
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Riptor posted:I had heard he'll announce the interim person tomorrow. Like six times. We really oughta grab a drink sometime and complain about Massachusetts politics. Unless we've had a drink before. Which I think we have. My memory's not so good.
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 22:03 |
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Teddybear posted:Like six times. We really oughta grab a drink sometime and complain about Massachusetts politics. We have not, but word I'm down
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 22:21 |
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Riptor posted:We have not, but word I'm down Go Husky! Go Dukakis!
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| # ? Jan 29, 2013 22:24 |
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According to CNN Lynch will have a press conference on Thursday to announce his decision to run or not. Edit: According to the Boston Globe, Lynch will be announcing he is running. I'll edit the OP when he makes the official announcement. quote:US Representative Stephen F. Lynch has reserved the ironworkers union hall in South Boston for a Thursday afternoon announcement that he is running for the Democratic nomination in the special election to fill John F. Kerry’s seat, a person with direct knowledge of the congressman’s decision said Tuesday. Kem Rixen fucked around with this message at Jan 29, 2013 around 23:24 |
| # ? Jan 29, 2013 22:35 |
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Does anyone have any good things to say about Lynch? I don't want to not give the guy a fair shake but the only thing he's ever seemed good on is labor and he's always struck me as kind of scummy.
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| # ? Jan 30, 2013 01:49 |
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Lynch joining in is unfortunate because Markey might have to spend money in the primary (whereas - if he runs - Scott Brown will not have to). Thankfully it looks like the Democratic party won't be assuming the seat will automatically be a Democratic like they did with Coakley.
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| # ? Jan 30, 2013 01:54 |
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Buffer posted:Does anyone have any good things to say about Lynch? I don't want to not give the guy a fair shake but the only thing he's ever seemed good on is labor and he's always struck me as kind of scummy. If Lynch was representing another state, he would be a fine Democrat, for Massachusetts hes just too conservative, especially when there are so many liberal Democrats to choose from. He also would probably do well against Brown since he would sap away a lot of the working class moderates that support Brown. That said, Markey would still do well too since Massachusetts is a very liberal state. Edit: As if on cue, with the likely primary battle on the Democratic side, Scott Brown looks like he's going to jump in. The Globe is posting that Scott Brown is "leaning strongly" toward running and might announce next week. This is really the disaster that the Democrats had been trying to avoid. quote:GOP officials close to Scott Brown report that the former Republican senator is ‘‘leaning strongly toward running’’ in the special election to replace Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry. Kem Rixen fucked around with this message at Jan 30, 2013 around 04:02 |
| # ? Jan 30, 2013 03:45 |
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I'm aware he's pro-life and socially conservative. A Union Catholic. I was wondering if there was anything good about him I might be unaware of as I've always been in either Markey's or Capuano's district and so know them fairly well(and it'd be a tough decision between them) but not really followed Lynch all that much. Everything I know about him is from coworkers who have tended to be liberal even for Camberville and don't like him much, but that may be a warped view of the guy.
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| # ? Jan 30, 2013 14:09 |
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WBZ is reporting Mo Cowan from the Governor's office will be the interim senator. I hope this leads to people in the senate, Nickelodeon GUTS style, shouting "lets go to mo - MO!"
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| # ? Jan 30, 2013 14:34 |
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That's going to be quite a blow for the Barney Frank fan club.
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| # ? Jan 30, 2013 14:36 |
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| # ? May 24, 2013 03:48 |
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Kem Rixen posted:Edit: As if on cue, with the likely primary battle on the Democratic side, Scott Brown looks like he's going to jump in. The Globe is posting that Scott Brown is "leaning strongly" toward running and might announce next week. This is really the disaster that the Democrats had been trying to avoid. Markey better get to work, then, because he's got a shitload of ground to cover. Here's hoping he can absolutely clown Brown in the debates, because turnout models are already going to be against him. My only hope is that Brown's lack of Tea Party support and foot soldiers this time will be the difference. Alter Ego fucked around with this message at Jan 30, 2013 around 14:57 |
| # ? Jan 30, 2013 14:39 |
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