Will Patrick Kennedy Challenge Scott Brown?

It looks like Patrick Kennedy’s decision to leave politics is a sabatical, not a retirement. In a recent interview with the Washington Post, Kennedy discussed the possibility of running for a Senate seat and mentioned plans to keep $500,000 in a campaign account. Here are the two big questions: When will he run, and which seat will he pursue?
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Scott Brown defeats Martha Coakley and the Democrats

The unthinkable has happened. Just two weeks ago, Massachusetts State senator Scott Brown trailed Martha Coakley by nearly 30 points in the polls. He was gradually able to narrow that margin, and now he is the newest member of the United States Senate. This is a groundbreaking moment for Massachusetts and the nation.

From the beginning, Scott Brown said he would vote against Obamacare, and would be the 61st Senator needed to stop the Democrats. The fact that this message resonated with one of the bluest states in the country illustrates the level of discontent with Congress and Barack Obama. This is just the latest loss for the Democrats. You might recall the huge losses for the Democrats in the November 2009 elections when both Virgina and New Jersey elected Republican governors. Some felt that those elections weren’t really much of a barometer for national sentiment. However, Scott Brown’s win leaves no doubt that the Republican party has the momentum. » read more

Poll: Scott Brown ahead of Martha Coakley by 9 points

The latest Politico poll has Scott Brown’s lead over Martha Coakley expanding to 9 points. You may remember that Martha Coakley led Brown by more than 30 points less than two weeks ago. I can’t remember a time when a candidate lost so much ground so quickly.

I’m very optimistic that Scott Brown will win the seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy. If he does, it will send an overwhelming message to Barack Obama and every Democrat in Congress. Americans are tired of big government, and they plan on letting them know just how much in November 2010 and 2012.

Scott Brown might win ‘Teddy Kennedy’s seat’

If you haven’t seen the clip where Massachusetts Senate candidate Scott Brown corrects David Gergen during a debate with Martha Coakley, you must check it out. During the debate, David Gergen asks Scott Brown about “Teddy Kennedy’s seat”, and Brown reminds him that the seat belongs to the people, not the Kennedys or the Democratic party.

Scott Brown’s campaign was seen as a long-shot at first, but he is quickly picking up momentum. As of late, he has been quite successful raising funds, and his name recognition has increased steadily. Democrats probably thought Martha Coakley would walk right over to “Teddy Kennedy’s seat” and just sit down, but Brown will have none of that. » read more

The health care balancing act: Be afraid, be very afraid

It looks like Senate Democrats might be close to dropping an idea to expand Medicare for those between 55 and 64. It would be dropped in order to bring Senators like Joe Lieberman on board, but one has to wonder how progressive Democrats will react to this decision.

You would think that progressives would vehemently oppose any changes to Medicare expansion. The scary part will happen if progressives are fine with the decision to drop the expansion. If they go along with the idea, then read carefully: The bill will be guaranteed to contain even bigger costs and give-aways. » read more

Barbara Boxer twists the truth on the abortion debate

Sometimes, I wonder if Barbara Boxer ever listens to herself speak. While debating an amendment to the health care bill which would block women receiving subsidies for a public health plan from having abortions covered, she had this to say:

“Why are women being singled out here? It’s so unfair,” Boxer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “We don’t tell men that if they want to … buy insurance coverage through their pharmaceutical plan for Viagra that they can’t do it.”

Will someone please tell Barbara Boxer that this isn’t an attack on women. If someone were trying to block payments for hysterectomies, then she would certainly have a point, and the Viagra comparison would be suitable. However, her comparison of of abortions to Viagra is laughable. If an abortion isn’t performed in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother, then the procedure is nothing but birth control for the wreckless. Viagra is used by men attempting to restore a function that has been lost. How can she compare the two? » read more

Ralph Nader consider challenging Chris Dodd in Connecticut

It looks like Ralph Nader is considering a run against Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd in 2010. Nader would likely run as an independent in a race that would include Dodd, and possibly Republican Representative Rob Simmons. How long will it be until Democrats start to complain about Nader’s candidacy?

You will undoubtedly hear Democrats complain would Nader taking votes away from Dodd, and giving the Republican candidate an advantage. There’s no doubt that many of Nader’s supporters lean toward the Democratic party, but this criticism is narrow-minded. Nader’s views are close to those of the Democrats. Here’s a suggestion: Why don’t Democrats actually give Nader a shot, since they share many of his views, rather than blindly voting for an incumbent who needs to go? » read more