MA-SEN Megathread: Senator Markey wins

[Brittain33]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/11/joe-kennedy-ed-markey-challenge-1491098

A growing list of Democrats are becoming opposed to the idea of Kennedy challenging Markey. Chuck Schumer, along with Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Joe Manchin, and Jenne Shaheen are the most notable senate backers for Markey.

Kennedy also now has a senate backer, Kyrsten Sinema.

But generally, both the farthest Left of the party(AOC, Warren) and the farthest right of the party(Manchin) are uniting to support Markey.

I wonder why most Democrats are rallying in Markey's corner. Perhaps his decades of experience weighs upon them? And maybe some of them might have the same objections to the continuance of a moribund political dynasty, that many others have.

I think there's self-interest in discouraging challenges driven by ambition and youth the same way all European countries discourage secession movements, i.e. Spain is hostile to Scotland despite shared support for the EU because they worry about Catalonia. Plus they know and like him.

[Zaybay]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/11/joe-kennedy-ed-markey-challenge-1491098

A growing list of Democrats are becoming opposed to the idea of Kennedy challenging Markey. Chuck Schumer, along with Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Joe Manchin, and Jenne Shaheen are the most notable senate backers for Markey.

Kennedy also now has a senate backer, Kyrsten Sinema.

But generally, both the farthest Left of the party(AOC, Warren) and the farthest right of the party(Manchin) are uniting to support Markey.

I wonder why most Democrats are rallying in Markey's corner. Perhaps his decades of experience weighs upon them? And maybe some of them might have the same objections to the continuance of a moribund political dynasty, that many others have.

Those are all possible reasons, but a likely big one is the fact that Markey has a lot of personal relationships with these senators. Sinema has only been serving for about a year, but Warren, Manchin, and all the rest have served with Markey for almost 6 years now.

Theres also the fact that its usually not a good idea to encourage primary challenges or piss off your fellow senators. There was a legitimate fear back in 2018 for many Democrats when it came to endorsing Marie Newman, and in the end, only Sanders and Gillibrand backed her.

[Calthrina950]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/11/joe-kennedy-ed-markey-challenge-1491098

A growing list of Democrats are becoming opposed to the idea of Kennedy challenging Markey. Chuck Schumer, along with Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Joe Manchin, and Jenne Shaheen are the most notable senate backers for Markey.

Kennedy also now has a senate backer, Kyrsten Sinema.

But generally, both the farthest Left of the party(AOC, Warren) and the farthest right of the party(Manchin) are uniting to support Markey.

I wonder why most Democrats are rallying in Markey's corner. Perhaps his decades of experience weighs upon them? And maybe some of them might have the same objections to the continuance of a moribund political dynasty, that many others have.

Those are all possible reasons, but a likely big one is the fact that Markey has a lot of personal relationships with these senators. Sinema has only been serving for about a year, but Warren, Manchin, and all the rest have served with Markey for almost 6 years now.

Theres also the fact that its usually not a good idea to encourage primary challenges or piss off your fellow senators. There was a legitimate fear back in 2018 for many Democrats when it came to endorsing Marie Newman, and in the end, only Sanders and Gillibrand backed her.

These reasons all make sense. It does speak well of Markey that he has the support of both the progressive and the centrist factions in the Democratic Senatorial caucus, with Sinema as the exception. And hopefully, that support will help him in fending off Kennedy's challenge.

[Coldstream]

Given that everyone apparently hates political dynasties, it is interesting that all the polling has shown Kennedy far ahead.

[Calthrina950]

Given that everyone apparently hates political dynasties, it is interesting that all the polling has shown Kennedy far ahead.

That's because the Kennedy name is gold in Massachusetts, just as it has been for the past seven decades.

[MillennialModerate]

Given that everyone apparently hates political dynasties, it is interesting that all the polling has shown Kennedy far ahead.

I would say America has a whole is pretty torn on the Kennedy’s - Usually along ideological lines. The Left loves them and the right doesn’t. (The exceptions to that rule are JFK & RFK who are looked at in a favorable light by an overwhelming majority of Americans)

Massachusetts is a different story. This state LOVES the Kennedy’s. People say this is a Democratic state. It’s a Kennedy state.

[Sir Mohamed]

Given that everyone apparently hates political dynasties, it is interesting that all the polling has shown Kennedy far ahead.

Yup, fair point. Same issue: Congress has a 15% approval rating, but 90% of incumbents get reelected.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

As long as Leader McConnell is in charge of Senate, nothing will get done; thus, voters will change that next yr.

[Rookie Yinzer]

Given that everyone apparently hates political dynasties, it is interesting that all the polling has shown Kennedy far ahead.

They love political dynasties until they actually run or win an office. Voters are fickle and have the attention span of goldfish.

[Oryxslayer]

Given that everyone apparently hates political dynasties, it is interesting that all the polling has shown Kennedy far ahead.

The Kennedy's tend to be the exception that proves this rule.

[Oryxslayer]

https://twitter.com/NilesGApol/status/1172241535456436224

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Kennedy definitely want in on the Senate, he is close to Van Hollen, too, despite what CCM said about DSCC helping Markey, whom is a party-line vote like boring Ben Cardin.

He definitely thinks the Dems will reclaim the majority; as a result, he is ready for the filibuster reform

[Meatball Ron]

Kennedy definitely want in on the Senate, he is close to Van Hollen, too, despite what CCM said about DSCC helping Markey, whom is a party-line vote like boring Ben Cardin.

He definitely thinks the Dems will reclaim the majority; as a result, he is ready for the filibuster reform

This was not especially coherent so I can't engage with the rest of the post, but Markey is nothing like Ben Cardin

[Skye]

https://twitter.com/JamesPindell/status/1172563465568960512
👀

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Kennedy definitely want in on the Senate, he is close to Van Hollen, too, despite what CCM said about DSCC helping Markey, whom is a party-line vote like boring Ben Cardin.

He definitely thinks the Dems will reclaim the majority; as a result, he is ready for the filibuster reform

This was not especially coherent so I can't engage with the rest of the post, but Markey is nothing like Ben Cardin

They both dont pariicularly stand out much in the Senate, thats why Mfune almost won in 2006, but Rashurn Baker and Jealous decided to run for Gov instead of challenging Cardin in 2018.  Thats why Cardin won.

Kennedy is friends with Van Hollen, whom both of them have ties to the Kathleen Kennedy-Townseed, which is Joe Kennedy's sister. Thats why I am supporting Joe Kennedy

[Calthrina950]

https://twitter.com/JamesPindell/status/1172563465568960512
👀

I never thought that I would actually agree with Ocasio-Cortez on something. But in all honesty, this doesn't surprise me, given that Markey is the Senate co-sponsor of her Green New Deal.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Thats what primary elections are for, to get the best person in office. People are free to vote for whomever they wish, but Kennedy has been leading in the polls

[MillennialModerate]

Kennedy definitely want in on the Senate, he is close to Van Hollen, too, despite what CCM said about DSCC helping Markey, whom is a party-line vote like boring Ben Cardin.

He definitely thinks the Dems will reclaim the majority; as a result, he is ready for the filibuster reform

This was not especially coherent so I can't engage with the rest of the post, but Markey is nothing like Ben Cardin

They both dont pariicularly stand out much in the Senate, thats why Mfune almost won in 2006, but Rashurn Baker and Jealous decided to run for Gov instead of challenging Cardin in 2018.  Thats why Cardin won.

Kennedy is friends with Van Hollen, whom both of them have ties to the Kathleen Kennedy-Townseed, which is Joe Kennedy's sister. Thats why I am supporting Joe Kennedy

Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend is Joe Kennedy’s AUNT, not sister.

[Continential]

Kennedy definitely want in on the Senate, he is close to Van Hollen, too, despite what CCM said about DSCC helping Markey, whom is a party-line vote like boring Ben Cardin.

He definitely thinks the Dems will reclaim the majority; as a result, he is ready for the filibuster reform

This was not especially coherent so I can't engage with the rest of the post, but Markey is nothing like Ben Cardin

They both dont pariicularly stand out much in the Senate, thats why Mfune almost won in 2006, but Rashurn Baker and Jealous decided to run for Gov instead of challenging Cardin in 2018.  Thats why Cardin won.

Kennedy is friends with Van Hollen, whom both of them have ties to the Kathleen Kennedy-Townseed, which is Joe Kennedy's sister. Thats why I am supporting Joe Kennedy

Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend is Joe Kennedy’s AUNT, not sister.

Also, Kennedy Townshed is like the Martha Coakley of Maryland.

[Strudelcutie4427]

https://twitter.com/JamesPindell/status/1172563465568960512
👀

Okay I’m all for Kennedy now.

[RogueBeaver]

Moulton and Pressley are staying neutral for now, AOC might hold GND town halls with Markey, and some MA Dems expect Kennedy to launch any day now.

[Oryxslayer]

Moulton and Pressley are staying neutral for now, AOC might hold GND town halls with Markey, and some MA Dems expect Kennedy to launch any day now.

Both are just waiting to see if markey retires, because then they would be automatic entries.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Joe doesnt need AOC to campaign on his behalf, he has enormous support

[President Johnson]

I'd probably support Kennedy in that matchcup, he seems more pragmatic. Is Warren expected to make an endorsment? I doubt she'll stab Markey in the back.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I'd probably support Kennedy in that matchcup, he seems more pragmatic. Is Warren expected to make an endorsment? I doubt she'll stab Markey in the back.

IIRC she’s not endorsed but hinted that she prefers Markey.