"Kennedys’ political future is murky; Young members eschewing office; No sure standout seen in family" by Frank Phillips, Globe Staff | February 14, 2010
Joseph P. Kennedy II easily won his first race in 1986 for the US House and was never seriously challenged in his 12-year tenure. His decision in September not to run for his uncle’s Senate seat marked the end of a long era - dating to John F. Kennedy’s election to Congress in 1946 in which the Kennedys dominated Massachusetts politics. Publicly and privately, he has expressed a hint of regret about the decision.
Yeah, and WELL HE SHOULD HAVE! I WOULD HAVE VOTED for him!! I know he was worried about the Venezuelan oil thing, but he shouldn't have been!
That would have been a BIG REASON he would have got my vote!
As it was, I am one of the FEW but PROUD ONE-PERCENTERS of Massachusetts (voting for a Kennedy!).
As for the rest of the lot, I'm not impressed at all:
One of his two sons, Joseph P. Kennedy III, a Harvard Law School graduate and former Peace Corps volunteer, is seen by many political insiders as the next generation’s best prospect for office. He could run for his father’s old seat, in the Eighth Congressional District, but it is unlikely that incumbent Michael Capuano will give up the post anytime soon.
His other choice could be the South Shore-Cape Cod district that William Delahunt has held since 1997. Delahunt, facing a potentially stiff contest from Republicans in his GOP-friendly district, says he is undecided about seeking reelection this year.
Democratic Party insiders say Joe Kennedy III, who has made numerous appearances at local party events, has expressed the most interest in seeking office. He is now an assistant district attorney in Barnstable County. His voting address is in Hyannis. He and his brother, Matthew, served as cochairmen of Edward Kennedy’s last reelection campaign in 2006. (Matthew Kennedy is working in the Obama administration, but is said to be more inclined to pursue a business career.)
Other possibilities include Edward Kennedy’s widow, Vicki, being enticed to run for office in Massachusetts, perhaps to try to recapture her husband’s seat.
The sympathy vote?
His son Edward M. Kennedy Jr. could also jump into electoral politics in Connecticut, where he lives.
One factor any Kennedy who runs in the near term would need to consider is the anti-incumbent mood among the electorate, which helped propel Republican Scott Brown to victory in the Senate race.
“The anger may have not peaked,’’ Payne said....
Not even close if they don't start doing what we want!
Start by ENDING the WARS (not starting more), and giving us GOOD, QUALITY, SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE!!!
Then you would be making Ted happy from wherever he is watching.
Indeed, recent Kennedy ventures into electoral politics have not gone so well.
Max Kennedy, one of Robert F. Kennedy’s sons, was nudged out of a special congressional race in Massachusetts in 2001 by family members, including his uncle, Edward Kennedy, when he demonstrated he did not have a flare for politics or enough of a command of public policy.
What skeletons were in that closet. huh?
Caroline Kennedy, despite her iconic stature as the last surviving child of John F. Kennedy, proved to be a clumsy campaigner when she put herself into contention to be selected by Governor David Paterson of New York in early 2009 to fill Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate seat. And Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, despite showing some political talent and winning the post of lieutenant governor in Maryland, lost a race for governor....
--more--"It's over, America. The dynasty is over.
