GOP eyes possible Mass. Senate race (Planning for * Loss?)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5723744/

Massachusetts Republicans, while supportive of President Bush’s re-election, are mindful of the opportunity created should John Kerry beat him in November’s election: the state’s first Senate vacancy in two decades and a chance to break the Democratic monopoly on its 12-member delegation in Congress.

“We don’t think there’s going to be a race because we all feel that President Bush has the right agenda and the right message and he’s going to win in November,” said Timothy O’Brien, executive director of the state Republican Party.

Still, “in the case there is a race, we’re going to recruit the best candidate,” he said.

In the small universe of Massachusetts Republicans, the options are limited but strong, GOP insiders say.

[KC21304]

1. I'm sure Keyes will be available .

[xray s]

4. Oh no you don't!

We are not going to let you have Alan Keyes in Massachusetts! We want him to stay here in Illinois for a while!

[Endangered Specie]

13. Can you run for two Senate seats at the same time?

[Thrill]

2. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr

Just send Robert F. Kennedy, Jr there to run for the seat. They don't have anyone that can beat him.

[DaveinMD]

3. I think Robert

lives in New York. There won't be a shortage of qualified Dems to run for that seat.

[Armstead]

9. I wish the Dems could get Joe Kennedy to run

He'd be awesome. But he seems to have had his fill of Congress.

[Democat]

5. This race could decide the Senate

We won't know until after November, but this race could be crucial once Kerry wins the presidency.

[DaveinMD]

6. actually

we may not know until December. The Louisiana race won't be decided until then.

[WilliamPitt]

7. My understanding is that the local State House Dem majority

passed a bill that said the Gov couldn't appoint a replacement. So they have to run someone. The chances of the GOP picking up this seat are so close to zero that modern scientific measuring devices are thwarted trying to determine the exact number.

[DaveinMD]

8. if Romney

runs, he'll be competitive. However, the Dems have no shortage of extremely qualified candidates.

[WilliamPitt]

10. We elect Republican governors, not Republican senators

No worries.

[GalleryGod]

11. Ex-ACT-ly, Sir William, exactly !

:yourock:

[bushwakker]

15. Unless Barney Frank gets the nod

then it's a close race. Word is Barney wants to run. I hope he gets the chance - but I won't be supporting him. I like Ed Markey.

[ISUGRADIA]

17. I thought the bill they passed called for a special election

to be held. Under the US Constitution, a governor may appoint an interim Senator until a replacement is elected (by special election or at the next regular election).

A state legislature cannot vote the appointment power away ffrom a governor. Washington state has a similar provision (1983 special election to replace Scoop Jackson who died).

[KharmaTrain]

12. It's Marty Meehan's Turn...Or Barney???

The Mass. Congressional delegation has plenty of fine folks ready to step in when President Kerry takes over, and the question won't be who the GOOPS run, but which of the many Democrats in that state will get the nod.

But one problem at a time. Great to see this article, but didn't Connecticutt battle what to do if Uncle Joe won in 2000? Let's get to November and win first.

BTW...Keyes could be available...hope you folks have lots of Preparation H handy after the red ass us Illinois folks give him.

[JPJones]

14. They totally think B* is going to lose n/t

[Arkana]

16. Damn GOPers are a huge minority here

And it can stay that way. Pukey Mitt might try to run, but as for other "strong" Repugs in MA, I'm at a loss.