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September 1, 2009 1:26 PM

First Candidate Moves to Take Kennedy's Seat

Posted by Kevin Hechtkopf
(AP )
Massachusetts State Attorney General Martha Coakley this morning became the first candidate to throw her hat into the ring to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, who died last week after 47 years in office.

The Associated Press reports that a woman representing Coakley picked up the papers from the Secretary of State's office today. She will need 10,000 signatures by October 20 to qualify for the Democratic primary on December 8. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced yesterday that the general election for the seat will be on January 19, 2010.

Coakley is the first of several candidates who may seek the seat in what could be a crowded primary. Several Democratic congressmen are said to be considering bids and the Boston Globe reports that attorney Ed O'Reilly, who got 31 percent of the vote in a Democratic primary against Sen. John F. Kerry last year, is "seriously considering" a run as well.

Some are also pushing a member of the Kennedy family to run as well. Kennedy's widow, Vicki, has said she is not interested; but Joseph P. Kennedy II, a former congressman and son of Robert Kennedy, is reportedly thinking about it.

The Globe reports that Coakley has told associates she will run even if a Kennedy family member enters the race.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Ted Kennedy
Tags:
Martha Coakley ,
Ted Kennedy ,
Massachusetts Senate
Topics:
Ted Kennedy
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Add a Comment See all 17 Comments
by taxchurches September 2, 2009 5:13 AM EDT
woeisme1:

The problem is, America doesn't want to be saved. Change scares bejabbers out of Americans; they want women pregnant, our soldiers killing brown people, Uncle Miltie on the tube, the darkies kept in the ghetto and prayer in school. They long for the days of the oversized car, the Cold War and the bomb shelter. They don't want none o' that stem cell research, global warming or socialism medicine.
Reply to this comment
by hamiltoningrate September 2, 2009 12:41 AM EDT
The baton will be passed along. But somehow, I feel that as a nation, we can not move on...

I FEEL CHEATED -

I wish that CBS had confronted the Sen. for ONE LAST COME CLEAN INTERVIEW - with tears, confessionals- and letting us all move on, letting us know, "was it worth it " all these years ? Did he feel that the stain had been removed just because he was a "progressive". He never apologized for being/doing wrong, for anything. I wish CBS had given him the chance to say, "I am sorry."

Like a relative who died, keeping very dark secrets.....We feel cheated that he NEVER CAME CLEAN.

By all the over the top adulation. we are all ... like some back woods people, with a baby buried in the front yard, that no body talks about, but the unmentioned is simmering below all that takes place. we look out the window, and wonder what kind of person could do what he did, but pretend that it never happened, and set his life to a music that we did not all hear.
Sadly for all , I wish CBS had asked those tough questions, long ago... just as the Senator had grilled so many he felt had "done wrong" without hesitation, or apparently any sense of what everyone in the room was thinking about "his nerve" to do so.

Perhaps it was out of respect for his truly missed older brothers, that the media decided to forget it's mandate in a democracy. And I truly think the Senator would have understood and welcomed it.

Sadly, no one asked , WHY NOT.
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan September 1, 2009 10:53 PM EDT
HEY I wonder how many decades the new senator will be in office!
Term limits!
Who needs them?
Reply to this comment
by notsouthern September 1, 2009 5:24 PM EDT
Republicons in Congress now have an overall approval rating of 17%. Most of those that approve of same are from the deep southern states.
Reply to this comment
by dangyankee69 September 1, 2009 4:57 PM EDT
If you ever wondered what a one party political system would look like you can either study the history of the Soviet Union, or get a subscription to the Boston Globe. It's amazing that they are waiting as long as they are between the primary and the general election. The winner of the Democratic Primary will be the next senator from Massachusetts, and the Kennedys will be the ones who decide who that winner will be. "Ripe for tyranny" ??? Massachusetts is a tyranny, has been since John Adams argued against adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.
Reply to this comment
by summarex September 1, 2009 4:56 PM EDT
This one reminds me of Hillary.
No thanks.
Give it to Pat Joe or Bob
Reply to this comment
by bajajohn1 September 1, 2009 4:23 PM EDT
Negotiations are over. Health Care Reform will pass without any Republican support unless it is from the two bright Republicans from Maine. Run over the Repubs with a pavement roller.
Reply to this comment
by TheMasses2002 September 1, 2009 4:57 PM EDT
Sorry, you lose.
You can keep collecting your foodstamps and welfare though.
by September 1, 2009 3:56 PM EDT
Had to believe another democrat after Obama and crew are devastating America. We sure don't need another Kennedy. Wake up America, haven't we had enough of the Kennedys.
Reply to this comment
by woeisme1 September 1, 2009 3:31 PM EDT
She's a well qualified candidate that's certain but her comment about running even if Joe II runs is a mera attempt to get signatures. If she runs against Joe II, she will lose. You will not beat a Kennedy in Massachusetts. Not now.
Reply to this comment
by cvinyard September 1, 2009 3:59 PM EDT
Absolutely agree with you woeisme1! I cant speak for everyone in Massachusetts, but I know that my friends, family, and I support the Kennedys
by trapbreaking September 1, 2009 3:01 PM EDT
Generic Congressional Ballot
Republicans Widen Lead Over Democrats on Generic Ballot

Tuesday, September 01, 2009


The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% would vote for their district?s Republican congressional candidate while 36% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

That represents the lowest level of support for Democrats in recent years, while Republicans have tied their highest level of support for the third straight week. The previous low for Democrats over the past year was 37%.

This summer, support for Republican candidates ranged from 41% to 43%, support for Democrats ranged from 37% to 39%. .
Reply to this comment
by woeisme1 September 1, 2009 3:32 PM EDT
the_majesty

Shut up troll. Obama and the dems are SAVING America!
by retiredgustav September 1, 2009 5:25 PM EDT
If you believe this I want what you are smoking.
by geewheeez September 1, 2009 6:08 PM EDT
another stupid comment
by geewheeez September 1, 2009 6:09 PM EDT
another stupid comment
by jxknowles September 1, 2009 6:46 PM EDT
"Republicans Widen Lead Over Democrats on Generic Ballot" on planet Trapbreaking. This is rich.

Get over it. The GOP nearly destroyed America and lost. They do what losers do best. They lose! Thank God for Republicans. We need a good loser in every race.
See all 17 Comments

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