Barney Frank said on CSPAN that he will run for Kerry's senate seat.

[Sparkle]

Cool! I like Barney Frank.

[napi21]

1. Ooooo, that's great! I like Barney too!

How does it work in the Senate? When Kerry wins the Presidency, is that seat just left empty until an election? Does Frank hae to run now?

[Davis_X_Machina]

2. Unless the law is changed...

the Mittster will appoint Kerry's immediate replacement.

[wicket]

4. The law was changed, I believe

Recently, within the past few months.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. Mass. Legislature Overrides Veto Of Special Election Bill

After weeks of wrangling between the Republican governor and the Democratic Legislature in Massachusetts, the fight over the future of John Kerry's Senate seat is over.

Lawmakers took final action Friday on a bill that would call for a special election to fill Kerry's spot if he wins the presidency. The House and Senate voted to override Romney's veto.

The move comes the day before the formal session ends for the year and the day after Kerry officially accepted the Democratic nomination.

Previously, the governor had the power to appoint a replacement until the next general election.

Lawmakers refused to accept a compromise that would have allowed Romney to appoint someone until the special election.

Republicans say the bill will leave Massachusetts underrepresented in the Senate.


http://www.turnto10.com/politics/3598436/detail.html

[beyurslf]

3. Is Mass liberal enough state wide to elect him? That would be great

[Monte Carlo]

6. In a word, yes, but...

... I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

In MA, being homosexual is not a taboo, but I'm not sure if it's a handicap or not. The gay marriage thing here is still an issue.

Frank is certainly well-spoken and intelligent, and about as liberal as they come. He'd make a great Senator.

Boy, the Religious Right hated us before, but if Frank was elected Senator... whew boy.

[Sparkle]

7. Frank well-spoken?

LOL! He sounds like Elmer Fudd.

[eleny]

10. Have you ever gotten past that and heard the content?

Guess not. How shallow.

[Sparkle]

18. Oh, I know he has a speech impediment and what he says is important,

but I couldn't help but put that little joke in there.

[Monte Carlo]

11. He's got a speech impediment, but if you get past that...

... he knows what he's talking about. It would not go over well here for a Republican to use that against him.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Yes. And the GOP will use this to attack Kerry as a homo-lover

This will be spun as a grand plan by Kerry to overrun the nation with gay rights.
It will be used to whip up their base. I can almost see the church fliers being printed now.

[Monte Carlo]

14. I'm sure they would, but honestly...

... it seems to me that they've been so whipped up before with the threats of homosexual takeover, they don't have much spare energy left. I mean, since when do they need an actual instance to get whipped up into a frenzy? Look at Bill Clinton.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. In fact they do. A lot of conservatives aren't hot on Bush right now

this is just more fuel for the fire. I posted something related to this yesterday:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=656449

[Capn Sunshine]

19. oh, we wouldn't want THAT ( wringing hands)

we don't to EVER be attacked by the GOP.
Let's stay safe and nominate candidates that the GOP finds acceptable. OK?

[OneBlueSky]

9. there are areas of Massachusetts that are very conservative . . .

and there are some really nasty right wing commentators associated with various Boston media . . . Barney can probably win, but you can bet that it will be a really nasty campaign . . . they'll throw enough mud at him to fill Fenway for a tractor pull . . .

[onenote]

12. ed markey

also has said he's gonna run for Kerry's Senate seat.

onenote

[merbex]

13. Want the whole list?

Markey,Frank,Delahunt,Harshbarger,Meehan

PLUS

Nikki Tsongas(widow of Paul)Shannon O'brien,and Martha Coakley

I'm sure I've left someone out and that's just OUR side

[Monte Carlo]

15. Pray that O'Brien doesn't get the nomination...

... I cannot bear to hear her shrillness again, and if her race against Romney is any indication, neither can the rest of the state.

I hope Delahunt runs - if he wins, I could run for his House seat. :)

[merbex]

17. Delahunt is my Congressman too

You want to be my new Congressman?

Hopefully after Nov. 2nd we Dems in Mass will be sooo busy with a NEW election to focus on - a new Senator

[Padraig18]

20. link? n/t