So there's a more progressive Democrat running against John Kerry?

[undeterred]

Ed O'Reilly is mounting an insurgency campaign against four-term incumbent John Kerry to become Massachusetts' next junior Senator. O'Reilly is running a progressive grassroots campaign which enabled him to secure the endorsement of PDA MA chapters. In his response to the endorsement, O'Reilly credits PDA for grassroots leadership:

“Campaigning the length and breadth of Massachusetts, I know firsthand that the polls are right--the majority of Massachusetts voters are eager for significant change and for a new junior U.S. Senator. Some of the people working hardest for change are the members of Progressive Democrats of America, the grassroots leaders of our party. Some political campaigns want activists to serve as cheerleaders--but in PDA we've got real leaders, not cheerleaders.

“On impeachment, Iraq, and single-payer health care, PDA is leading the way. My campaign is putting these issues front and center, and I am proud to be part of the movement for progressive change that PDA represents.

“Why are the voters hungry for progressive change? It's because of the economic war that the Cheney-Bush regime is waging against ordinary working families--too often with the help of docile Democrats.

http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/campaigns/2008-01-31-09-15-31-campaigns.php

http://www.edoreilly.com/

[jgraz]

1. I wish him all the best

Every one of the establishment Dems should get primary opponents.

[Mojambo]

2. Best of luck to him. Progressive primary challengers are healthy. n/t

[Mass]

3. Very sad to see PDA do that.

[undeterred]

4. I have mixed feelings.

I thing the progressive is right on target with the issues, but I still have trememdous respect for John Kerry. I hope that having a primary opponent gives him a push in the right direction on the issues. We should all be so lucky to have Kerry and Kennedy as Senators!

[FogerRox]

5. Thats part of the game

In fact here in Essex County NJ, in safe DEM areas we saw more primaries in '07, than in '06. But in areas that are republican, dems are just glad to win one, and kick a repub out.

I respect Kerry, but just because hes a dem or because hes John Kerry doesn't give him immunity from primary oppo.

I have no sacred cows in that regard.

[undeterred]

9. We have the primary in SEPTEMBER in Wisconsin

which heavily favors the incumbent. When I lived in Illinois, it was in MARCH. I think its better to have a primary early rather than later. No congressperson should run for a two year office and stay for 30 years, and that's what we have in Wisconsin.

[Old and In the Way]

6. I'd stick with Kerry.

PDA must have lots of money to burn....why not invest it in races against Bush Democrats and Republicans instead of against one of our most progressive and influential Senators?

[undeterred]

8. PDA is a grassroots organization

It has local chapters that work on elections but it does not really give much to candidates.

Usually they endorse congressional candidates, so I am VERY surprised to see this. I am working with two grassroots congressional candidates - trying to get local chapters started so they can get the endorsement. They don't get money for getting the endorsement, just some national recognition.

My candidates are running against long term incumbent Republicans in districts where its hard to get anyone to run at all, much less a progressive.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. I Hope He Gets His Ass Pummeled In The Polls To All Sorts of Embarrassing Degrees.

Having that said, I wish him well.