Joe Says No: No More Kennedy’s for MA
EmailIt's not a Kennedy seat anymore.
Joe Kennedy ended a political epoch today when he declined to run for the Senate seat held by his uncles Ted and Jack. (read his statement below)
One era ends, another begins. AG Martha Coakley is now the frontrunner. It's probably hers to lose, even though Ed Markey may be tempted to jump in now that Kennedy is out of the way. Passing cap and trade out of the House earlier this summer was a high point in his legislative career. But it's not going anywhere in the Senate this year. Might he calculate that he can help more in the Senate next year than by staying in the House?
Stay tuned…
My colleague David Chalian has more:
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy announced his decision today to stay at Citizens Energy and opt out of returning to elected office, saying: "My father called politics an honorable profession, and I have profound respect for those who choose to advance the causes of social and economic justice in elective office."
"After much consideration, I have decided that the best way for me to contribute to those causes is by continuing my work at Citizens Energy Corporation," said the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy.
This means we are not likely to see anyone with the name Kennedy seek to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy in the US Senate.
Let the Democratic flood gates open. Some MA Dems have already announced their candidacies, others are likely to do so in the near future now that the Kennedy intentions are clear.
A likely crowded and competitive Democratic primary is scheduled for December 8.
When the MA legislature convenes this week, the issue of changing the law to allow for an interim appointment will get consideration.
Statement from Citizens Energy President & Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy II
September 7, 2009
I want to thank the millions of Americans who have expressed their love and admiration for Senator Kennedy over the last few weeks. It was very moving to see so many people come out to pay their respects to a man who fought so hard to make this world a better place, especially for those struggling for life's basic needs – a decent home, a living wage, a safe neighborhood, their daily bread, a good education, and access to health care.
Given all that my uncle accomplished, it was only natural to consider getting back involved in public office, and I appreciate all the calls of support and friendship that have poured in.
My father called politics an honorable profession, and I have profound respect for those who choose to advance the causes of social and economic justice in elective office. After much consideration, I have decided that the best way for me to contribute to those causes is by continuing my work at Citizens Energy Corporation.
Our efforts cover a broad array of the challenges facing this country – to heat the homes of the poor, install energy-savings technologies to cut costs for homeowners and businesses, build wind farms throughout the United States and Canada to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and construct transmission lines to carry new sources of renewable energy.
Over 30 years after starting the company, there is much yet to be accomplished at Citizens Energy, and I continue to be committed to our mission of making life's basic needs more affordable.
Biden Reflects on Grief, Suicidal Thoughts 
Is Congress Sounding Dumber?
Sad Day. Just don’t seem right for a family that has sacrificed so much for this nation. Hopefully there will be a change of heart
Posted by: rightbehind | September 7, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
It’s even a sadder day to think that just because someone has the last name Kennedy, they have a right to be in office. People should earn that right. President Kennedy’s death seems to have created some kind of Kennedy cultism in this country. Or maybe just in Massachusetts. Having been born there, one of the only reasons I have not gone back is because of the absolutely insane politics there. But to be fair, there aren’t too many places I could not say that about these days. I met JFK in 1960. I think he was perhaps the only Kennedy really ready for political office. Bobby was not bad but he was not as diplomatic as his brother. Ted only ran out of family obligation.
In any case I think we’ve had quite enough of the Kennedys in my lifetime.
Posted by: luigi | September 7, 2009, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
I am not a fan of Kennedies. Nontheless I admire their spirit of public service. They all had the will and means to do it.
Those of us either of no interest or no means to do it, at least should encourage those who can and will!
Posted by: Al Lieu | September 7, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Who will the mob pick now?
Who is left that can buy the seat, and keep the Union contracts coming?
Job requirement: At least one successful defense in a felony charge, preferably negligent homicide. Must have deep pockets, and be able to keep a straight face in front of the cameras.
Posted by: Dave Beal | September 7, 2009, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
luigi “one of the only reasons I have not gone
back is because of the absolutely insane politics
there.”**************Don’t tell me, you moved to
New York ! LOL
Posted by: spacerook1 | September 7, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Dave Beal, Romney fits that to a tee
Posted by: spacerook1 | September 7, 2009, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
Sad?? Are you kidding? Glad as can be we won’t have a Kennedy in the House or Senate. As far as Joe Jr and Citizen’s Energy…he meant to say, going back to being Hugo Chavez’s partner. Joe should move to Venezuela.
Posted by: roger king | September 7, 2009, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
Roger, there actually IS a Kennedy in the House. His name is Patrick, he is Ted’s son, and a representative of Rhode Island.
Posted by: Jordan | September 7, 2009, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm
Being a relative of Ted Kennedy doesn’t necessarily equate to having his negotiating skills and savvy. I’m glad Joe resisted the public pressure and has decided to do what HE wants to do with his life.
Whomever ends up filling Ted Kennedy’s shoes is probably going to fall short, just because of the reputation Ted Kennedy built up, over decades, in Washington.
Sadly, Teddy is gone and it’s just fantasy to think that — just because someone may share part of his DNA — they could replace him.
Posted by: Jaylah | September 7, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
“It’s not a Kennedy seat anymore.” —– It NEVER WAS a “Kennedy” seat. America is greater and more important than the ego of this bootlegging egomaniac.
Posted by: TruthBeTold | September 7, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
It would be super if conservatives could just show this family a little respect and keep their bitter, nasty comments to themselves – you know, for at least a couple of weeks after Ted’s passing.
Posted by: RobG9000 | September 7, 2009, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
I don’t think I would pick the Senate either. Who wants to associate with people like Grassley who deliberately lied when he said Ted Kennedy would not have been treated in Britain? Frankly, elected officials no longer run this country anyway. This country is run by corporate interests who have sold the American soul (and all it’s industrial strength) to China, and have sold it’s technological strength to India. Might as well stay in the private sector-they run everything anyway. Senators are just mouth pieces for corporate America. Why do you think the lies are winning when it comes to national health care?
Posted by: Laurel1181 | September 7, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
Let’s break out the champagne! I’m not sure how, by just having the last name ‘Kennedy’ qualifies you for the Senate. Heck- I never understood how Ted kept getting elected.
Posted by: ellsbells930 | September 7, 2009, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected the year after my Father died. I was 12, mowing the back lawn, and either listening to Keith Jackson announce college games or my record “The Kennedy Wit”. It would be fair to say that as much as a young boy could love a political figure, I did. I did not vote for Bobby in California, but I wept the night he was killed. When Teddy passed there was no emotion of sadness. I never grew to admire the man. As for the Kennedys, if they are no longer the presumptive favorite to ascend to higher office in Massachusetts, I believe our democracy is the better for it.
Posted by: jggrimm | September 7, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Thank God. We have had enough Kennedys.
Posted by: Gale | September 7, 2009, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
luigi Is correct in stating that there has been and is a cult of the Kennedys just like there is a cult of Lincoln and more recently for the GOPers the cult of Reagan. Before Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire the emperors and the like were made into gods and godesses and there were shrines built to honor them where the masses could worship and pray to them. In our time the cult of personality names airports, bridges, streets, and ships after the elites of our country instead of shrines. By the way, maybe the mental derangement that has plagued Massachusetts for so many years now can begin to be cured.
Posted by: thethinice | September 7, 2009, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm
Joe’s a smart man, knows there’s more fame in dispensing free Chavez oil than there is in politics.
Posted by: blindsquirrell | September 7, 2009, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Former Governor Michael Dukakis should be named interim Senator to hold the seat held by Edward M. Kennedy until the election.
Posted by: Rich | September 7, 2009, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
Well, that is quite a dissapointement that Joe wont run. What the wingnuts do not understand is that there is not an enchantment with a name, but with a brand of hardwork, bravery in fighting for those most vulnerable, altruism in trying to help those disadvantaged when they themselves are rich, and simply brains. These are smart people who work hard. Joe has an impressive resume. Some think his ability to work with Chavez is a problem. Really? We will need oil as we bridge to get off it, and China is ready to do anything to secure their growing needs of oil, that Joe can work with difficult people and get them to sell us oil is no different, no different at all, than Bush walking hand in hand with the Saudi Royals and turning a blind eye to their totalitarism, their horrendous treatment of women and their crazy antisemitism. FOlks think Chavez is so bad??? hello????? If given the choice between Saudis or Chavez, folks, we should take Chavez in a heart beat! Necessisty breeds interesting bedfellows and JOe is no worse and is actually alot better, than most brand of politicians. I think to not have him fighting for our side is a huge loss for us. I hope someday he changes his mind. We could use someone like him on our side. I’m glad he’s trying to get us off oil, but unless he’s in politics, I think his efforts will remain minimalistic. He could do far more toward that goal if he were a senator and it’s a cause worth fighting for.
Posted by: just sayn | September 7, 2009, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
I’d like to see Caroline Kennedy get into office. She is a very intelligent capable women. She has mostly done altruistic philanthropic ventures with great success. I know for the wealthy it’s a hard choice to enter a job when you don’t really need to, but her children and older and obviously with her intelligence, her education and her obvious talent we could use her. She is eloquent, and she is clear focused. It would be nice to have such a person pushing to get us off oil, keep the health industry honest, keep our kids educated and thus, keep the hardest high paying jobs here. I am taking a college engineering course right now. The profressor is chinese, half the students are chineses. English is obviously their second language and most are OK with it, but you just sense, this teacher at any moment would just love to chuck the english, teach the course in chinese and have the english speakers in teh dusk, and it is really a testament to the future. Why did these chinese men travel all teh way over here to teach a course to other chinese men? At what point do you avoid the middle man and just stay in china and teach the next generation engineers, who are nearly all chinese, who will go out and create all teh jobs and the all products in china instead of here. We have a HUGE eduation problem. Why are less than half of engineering students American? Why are Americans so dumb? Or so unable to attend college? because whomever is being educated as the next generation engineers defines where the next products and industries will be. And the way it leans now, the majority in this college are NOT American!!! Very scary. Such wasnot the case 15 years ago when I last took some classes.
Posted by: think about it | September 7, 2009, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
Thank God Almighty, Now if they can just get gid of the rest of their mistakes – Thanks Mass
Posted by: md | September 7, 2009, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
Aww, say it ain’t so Joe.
Posted by: Al | September 7, 2009, 11:50 pm 11:50 pm
That might be best for the state, and the country.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | September 8, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am
Sad to see that we won’t have a Kennedy with the great ideas for the little people. I only hope who runs has talked to Teddy, so maybe they could use some of his great ideas
Posted by: Barbara Hiemstra | September 11, 2009, 6:46 am 6:46 am