Why would anyone support Joe Kennedy running against Ed Markey?

[brooklynite]

Link to tweet

[Bradshaw3]

1. I would like to know

I always thought Markey was a good senator and rep before that. I wonder what people in the know in Mass think about this.

[OnDoutside]

2. It's ill advised at best.

[underthematrix]

3. I like and respect Sen Markey and I love the idea the next generation is

stepping forward. We'll have both Jon Ossoff and Joe Kennedy in the Senate. I love it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. This reminds me of ...

This reminds me of AOC's challenge against Joe Crowley or Ayanna Pressley's challenge against Michael Capuano and likely will resolve itself the same way.


It's clear this Kennedy has the presidential bug and sees the Senate as a springboard.

[wysimdnwyg]

6. "It's clear this Kennedy has the presidential bug and sees the Senate as a springboard."

I think this right here is very likely the reason behind it all. He wants the White House, and he sees the Senate as his best path towards that goal.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. The Kennedy brand has it pluses and minuses.

His wholesome image protects him from some of its minuses. It might be unfair to Markey but Joe Kennedy has the potential to become a major player in national politics. At 76 Markey doesn't.

[wysimdnwyg]

11. Perhaps

But what gets me is he doesn’t have to file until JUNE. There is no reason he couldn’t at least wait to see if it looks like Warren has a real shot at the nomination. If she does, and he’s waited, he’s probably a lock for her spot. If she doesn’t, he can declare in April or May and still be in good shape. He’s already favored, so it’s not like waiting would hurt him.

I guess at this point we’ll probably be better off if Markey decides not to run, and HE can be Warren’s replacement.

[wysimdnwyg]

5. From what I've read...

This is purely Kennedy feeling like now is his time, regardless of the overall situation (the need to marshal all resources toward beating Trump, Markey's progressive bona-fides, and the potential opening should Warren win the Presidency). It is, IMO, extremely short-sighted and selfish. I like Kennedy, but this is not the right time, and it's not the right incumbent to primary. I understand he does not want to "wait his turn", but Warren has a real shot (which would open up her seat), and Markey is getting up there, and this could very well be his last go. Virtually the entire party is practically begging Kennedy to not run, but he's apparently going to do it anyway.

[JenniferJuniper]

8. Move to Maine, kid.

[House of Roberts]

9. So, is Schumer going to back his incumbent,

and blacklist any consultants that work for Kennedy?

[brooklynite]

12. That was a DCCC policy, not DSCC...

...and Schumer doesn't run DSCC.

[House of Roberts]

13. OK.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/9/10/1884648/-Talk-About-Drinking-the-F-ing-Koolaide

[Otto Lidenbrock]

10. I never forgave the last Kennedy to primary an incumbent democrat

[Justice]

14. Not a Markey fan, for reasons cannot explain in detail but

suffice it to say he used the media to attack someone I know, and Markey was dead factually wrong. His staff acknowledged he was wrong but damage was done. No respect for that type of behavior.

Markey is only 73 BTW not 76 as posted above.

Markey already facing two lesser-known challengers so there is going to be a primary. Shannon Liss-Riordan, a workers’ rights lawyer, and Steve Pemberton, a former senior executive at Walgreens.

Markey would already have debates. Maybe Kennedy sees he is vulnerable and doesn't want someone else to get the nomination. Maybe he is running now to ensure he has statewide visibility for next Senate race.

Kennedy's been in House since 2012. Markey moved up to Senate in 2013.

Full disclosure - love Kennedy.