MA-SEN Megathread: Senator Markey wins

[brucejoel99]

Things getting messy again today

https://twitter.com/stephanie_murr/status/1297899273133133826?s=20

https://twitter.com/JohnEWalsh14/status/1297934603274137602?s=20

None of those Twitter accounts appear to be even tangentially related to the Markey campaign. People say gross things online. It's absolutely horrendous, yes, but it's disingenuously inaccurate to assign responsibility to Markey here, let alone act like he's the one who's coordinating all of it.

Let's be real: Kennedy doesn't actually care whether or not Markey disavows the terrible behavior. He just wants the voters to associate Markey with all of it.

[brucejoel99]

They're really committed to the bit

https://twitter.com/laurenkennedyMA/status/1297949176316264448?s=19

Ed Markey's campaign: "We condemn all vile & hateful speech surrounding this race."

The Kennedys: "BUT YOU'RE CONDONING IT !!!!11!!"

[brucejoel99]

The Kennedys know exactly what they're doing. "Mean tweets" is a dogwhistle for "he's too far left".

I support Markey as I've said but I'm unhappy that this bad behavior from certain extremely online people during the primary is carrying over to new campaigns. Ugh.

I happen to disagree. If we want to talk about more concrete hypocrisy and double standards, progressives are the only ones who have been held accountable for their supporters. We can debate about whether Pelosi's legitimately defending her friendships with the Kennedy family or not. What we can't debate is that the Joe Kennedys of the world won't hold their allies accountable for the same thing.

I actually thought that they'd pull the same line of attack with other supporters. There's always going to be a "dirtbag progressive" stereotype with any candidate that aligns with leftist ideas like MFA and the GND. There were rumblings of the Bro Playbook being used against Warren by the KHive, but I knew there would be a high-profile use of the same playbook at some point. I just didn't expect hard proof to come this soon.

If you look hard enough, you could find Kennedy supporters making toxic tweets as well. Or, in general, more establishment-leaning progressives. I've actually documented many of the latter here. To keep it short, Douglas Emhoff is friends with a KHive fan who doxed Kamala's enemies on Twitter in her name (and got kicked off DailyKos/DU for being explicitly anti-Semitic). Hillary Clinton sent a thank-you letter to an avowed anti-Semite, and Joy Reid followed someone who made explicit death threats to Bernie.

None of these political figures received any scrutiny for directly assocating with toxic figures in the establishment. If Some Dude with 100 followers makes an explicit death threat towards Kennedy, "real life isn't Twitter" gets thrown out the window and it becomes local news.

There's toxicity everywhere in every major political race - especially with the rise of social media. Instead of getting your news from one of a few options, you can tailor your feed however you like. A left-winger can set up their feed to get their "news" from Virgil Texas the same way that a KHiver can get theirs from Bravenak. Time and time again, only one side is expected to condemn their worst supporters - no matter how insignificant they are.

That's why I believe what I believe, and that's why I don't trust him to lead on progressive issues as much as Markey or even Warren.

You sound as tone deaf as the Bernie people who were vile in the presidential primary. Oh wait... you supported Bernie. So I guess this makes sense

Wow, so you're just never gonna stop producing material for the Oremine, are you?

(Sincerely, a fellow vehement Biden supporter.)

[brucejoel99]

The Kennedys know exactly what they're doing. "Mean tweets" is a dogwhistle for "he's too far left".

I support Markey as I've said but I'm unhappy that this bad behavior from certain extremely online people during the primary is carrying over to new campaigns. Ugh.

I happen to disagree. If we want to talk about more concrete hypocrisy and double standards, progressives are the only ones who have been held accountable for their supporters. We can debate about whether Pelosi's legitimately defending her friendships with the Kennedy family or not. What we can't debate is that the Joe Kennedys of the world won't hold their allies accountable for the same thing.

I actually thought that they'd pull the same line of attack with other supporters. There's always going to be a "dirtbag progressive" stereotype with any candidate that aligns with leftist ideas like MFA and the GND. There were rumblings of the Bro Playbook being used against Warren by the KHive, but I knew there would be a high-profile use of the same playbook at some point. I just didn't expect hard proof to come this soon.

If you look hard enough, you could find Kennedy supporters making toxic tweets as well. Or, in general, more establishment-leaning progressives. I've actually documented many of the latter here. To keep it short, Douglas Emhoff is friends with a KHive fan who doxed Kamala's enemies on Twitter in her name (and got kicked off DailyKos/DU for being explicitly anti-Semitic). Hillary Clinton sent a thank-you letter to an avowed anti-Semite, and Joy Reid followed someone who made explicit death threats to Bernie.

None of these political figures received any scrutiny for directly assocating with toxic figures in the establishment. If Some Dude with 100 followers makes an explicit death threat towards Kennedy, "real life isn't Twitter" gets thrown out the window and it becomes local news.

There's toxicity everywhere in every major political race - especially with the rise of social media. Instead of getting your news from one of a few options, you can tailor your feed however you like. A left-winger can set up their feed to get their "news" from Virgil Texas the same way that a KHiver can get theirs from Bravenak. Time and time again, only one side is expected to condemn their worst supporters - no matter how insignificant they are.

That's why I believe what I believe, and that's why I don't trust him to lead on progressive issues as much as Markey or even Warren.

You sound as tone deaf as the Bernie people who were vile in the presidential primary. Oh wait... you supported Bernie. So I guess this makes sense

Wow, so you're just never gonna stop producing material for the Oremine, are you?

(Sincerely, a fellow vehement Biden supporter.)

I'm almost impressed by MM's utter lack of self-awareness.

It's almost at Joe Kennedy III level

Wait wait wait so what I'm hearing is... MM is JKIII!?!

That'd explain so much tbh

[brucejoel99]

If you think we need real leaders & real fighters for the climate in Congress, then this endorsement should secure the perception that Markey is the real deal:

https://twitter.com/EdMarkey/status/1298249305514483712

[brucejoel99]

Bloomberg is backing Markey with some $$$:

https://twitter.com/NikDeCostaKlipa/status/1298448657667313664?s=20

I can only imagine he reaction if if was the other way around. (I'm saying this as a Markey supporter)

lol what even is this race anymore?

[brucejoel99]

Is there some sort-of deep-seeded Bloomberg/Kennedy feud we've never heard about? Bloomberg lobbied for Caroline getting Hillary's Senate seat a while back, so I don't think so? But who knows anymore lmao

[brucejoel99]

Between Data for Progress and the new UMass/Lowell poll, it's clear that Markey is the favorite. Kennedy would need the race to seriously change for him to have a clear shot.

Wouldn't want to bet on primaries, but yeah, Kennedy seems to be a clear underdog ATM. Question is, where does he go from here if he loses? I know people in this thread have said his political career would be over, but I honestly find it hard for a Kennedy to not have a political career in the state if they didn't want to.

Yeah, losing one primary as a challenger is hardly a death sentence, especially for a Kennedy in Massachusetts. Not only is the guy young & evidently driven by pure ambition, but again, he's still a Kennedy in Massachusetts, so even if he f**ks up this time, he'll end up being given a 2nd chance a few years from now, be it for Warren's Senate seat (even though it'll be an even harder primary against Pressley) when it's open, or Governor when Baker leaves.

[brucejoel99]

The comments in this thread about him having a political career after this are laughable. You have probably the most baked in political advantage in the country: being a Kennedy in Massachusetts and you lose to quite literally the most useless politican in the state. The Bernie Bro’s latest fetish: Ed Markey. I’m sorry but you’re toast. Absolutely toast.

Hear me out here, but maybe - just maybe - people don't (irrationally!) hate Ed Markey as much as you.

Just a thought, Joe

[brucejoel99]

If Kennedy does end up winning, this thread is going to age terribly.

If

[brucejoel99]

If Kennedy does end up winning, this thread is going to age terribly.

If Markey ends up winning, we have a thread full off hilarious takes to comb through.

Now watch it be an exact tie so we have neither a terribly-aged thread nor hilarious takes to comb through.

[brucejoel99]

The comments in this thread about him having a political career after this are laughable. You have probably the most baked in political advantage in the country: being a Kennedy in Massachusetts and you lose to quite literally the most useless politican in the state. The Bernie Bro’s latest fetish: Ed Markey. I’m sorry but you’re toast. Absolutely toast.

Hear me out here, but maybe - just maybe - people don't (irrationally!) hate Ed Markey as much as you.

Just a thought, Joe

People are obsessing over the “dOnT cHaLleNgE aN iCuMbeNt”

They’re going to realize next year he’s a totally useless politician.

We’re embarrassing ourselves in front of the nation. But oh well.....

The career of a bright star in the party is going to fall apart for 6 years of what .....?

https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=363801.msg7235235;topicseen#msg7235235

https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=355376.msg7145547;topicseen#msg7145547

https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=336494.msg6977361;topicseen#msg6977361

https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=330877.msg6977364;topicseen#msg6977364

[brucejoel99]

I received my ballot in the mail today. Voted Kennedy for Senate and Mermell for House. We'll have to see what happens on September 1, but I think Markey is favored based on recent polling. I do think Kennedy can still win this, though.

You’re out of your mind.

I’ll never post again if Kennedy wins (since I’m assuming that’s what most here would want lol)

But there is simply very little chance. Doug Jones in Alabama chance.

Calm the f**k down there, Joe, your internals can't be that bad

[brucejoel99]

I received my ballot in the mail today. Voted Kennedy for Senate and Mermell for House. We'll have to see what happens on September 1, but I think Markey is favored based on recent polling. I do think Kennedy can still win this, though.

You’re out of your mind.

I’ll never post again if Kennedy wins (since I’m assuming that’s what most here would want lol)

But there is simply very little chance. Doug Jones in Alabama chance.

Calm the f**k down there, Joe, your internals can't be that bad

I know some people who work for the campaign and internals show him down 1-2, but showed him down 7-8 a month ago, 3-4 a week ago. And Ed’s numbers static. So the theory is a strong finish gets Joe over the top. I simply don’t buy it. This thing is over and so is his career.

We’re going to lose a talented, caring, empathetic, intelligent young star in the party who yes also happens to have dynastic greatness in his blood as well. All for someone who is beyond useless.

k

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Egc1GKyXgAAG2FZ?format=jpg&name=small

"But i'm not running on my name guys, swearsies!"

Markey can’t even run on his name,

Markeys campaign slogan is noun, a verb and AOC.

lol k

[brucejoel99]

Can someone explain to me what the hell is the Oremine

https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=126827.1000

[brucejoel99]

Hot new poll finds Kennedy leading Markey by 7% 52/45...from Gravis. Into the trash it goes. Though it would be funny if Gravis for once were the accurate ones and Kennedy ends up winning, upending the polling average.

Yeah, I'm 100% in on Markey but I'm ngl, I'll laugh my ass off if not only Kennedy somehow manages to pull off the upset after all of this, but if Gravis was the only pollster to call it.

[brucejoel99]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Egc1GKyXgAAG2FZ?format=jpg&name=small

Does this mean that all 55 4th Generation Kennedys should become senators?

I'm afraid of what MM's answer to this question will be.

[brucejoel99]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Egc1GKyXgAAG2FZ?format=jpg&name=small

Does this mean that all 55 4th Generation Kennedys should become senators?

I'm afraid of what MM's answer to this question will be.

Lol No. But the Kennedy’s got to be the Kennedy’s for a reason. Good looks and tragedy didn’t hurt but they are brilliant at connecting with the average voter. Despite there privileged life you never get the sense they don’t get what the average man is going through.

It’s literally been numbing to me to see how people have turned on this guy ... and what’s made it worse is - for Ed Markey?!?!?!?!?!. Would I take Joe over pretty much anyone in the state? Probably. But I’d GET it if Pressley or Healey we’re catching on. Or if this was about Warren. But Ed Markey?! ED MARKEY?!?!?

Sorry to break it to you, but people evidently like Ed Markey. Just because you don't doesn't mean a majority of others are bound to agree with you.

[brucejoel99]

Who wants to tell Kennedy that there's no such place as Worchester, MA?

https://twitter.com/JohnEWalsh14/status/1300089011499929600

[brucejoel99]

https://twitter.com/BetoORourke/status/1300153903300964359

Boring, wake me up when we hear from somebody with actual clout like Beto's old bandmate.

[brucejoel99]

Looking forward to this all ending tomorrow.

Ah you jinxed it, now watch the race be so close that we're gonna need weeks-long recounts.

[brucejoel99]

538 preview on the race:

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/todays-elections-in-massachusetts-are-another-big-test-for-the-progressive-movement/

The headline doesn't match the coverage of the Senate race in the article, which acknowledges the ideological divide between Kennedy and Markey isn't that clear.

I prefer Markey, but would gladly trade a Kennedy victory for the defeats of Lynch and Neal.

To be fair, the headline pertains to today's "elections" (plural) in Massachusetts, & the article does go on to note the prominent moderate/progressive schisms within today's other primaries in MA-01, MA-04, & MA-08.

[brucejoel99]

Any anecdotal turnout reports that I can overreact to?

Not quite but:

https://twitter.com/hjessy_/status/1300782840771207169

[brucejoel99]

ANECDOTAL TURNOUT REPORT TIME !!!

https://twitter.com/AdamBassWCCS/status/1300814556974002179
https://twitter.com/AdamBassWCCS/status/1300814914664173575
https://twitter.com/LoganZT1/status/1300828494029557763

[brucejoel99]

More anecdotal turnout reporting, this time of high turnout in Kennedy country:

https://twitter.com/TedNesi/status/1300863941602574340