Ted Kennedy Jr. has decided NOT to run for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts

[Tx4obama]

Kennedy passes on Senate run

Atlanta (CNN) - After giving it serious consideration, Ted Kennedy Jr. has decided not to run for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, he will say in a statement that will be released Monday.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/24/kennedy-passes-on-senate-run/

Edited to add...

Edward Kennedy Jr. not running for Senate seat

December 24, 2012

HARTFORD, Conn. — Edward Kennedy Jr., the Connecticut-based son of the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, says he has decided not to run for the Massachusetts Senate seat that will become vacant if U.S. Sen. John Kerry is confirmed as Secretary of State.

The 51-year-old health care lawyer issued a statement Monday saying he's "extremely grateful for all of the offers of support" he has received from people urging him to run, including his father's former colleagues. But he said he considers Connecticut his home.

Kennedy did not rule out running for public office entirely, saying he has a "strong desire" to serve and hopes to have that opportunity "at another point in my future."

-snip-

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/us_politics/2012/12/edward_kennedy_jr_not_running_senate_seat

[Little Star]

1. Good. I didn't want to see all the...

carpetbagger or dynasty accusations here in MA. I think it's a smart move on his part.

[Mass]

3. Same here.

I'd love for Markey to run. Capuano is fine too, and even Lynch is better than Brown, even if he is not my first choice.

I am unfamiliar with Carmen Ortiz, but I assume at the very least she is better than Brown.

[NPolitics1979]

2. The Democratic Primary Race in the 2013 Special Election is going to be between Boston Area US Reps.

Markey,Capuano,and Lynch, along with wildcards such as Affleck,State Senator Ben Downing,and US Attorney Carmen Ortiz.
Markey and/or Capuano would defer to each other. The frontrunners would be either Lynch-D vs Markey-D or Lynch-D vs Capuano-D.
Markey or Capuano would be getting the nomination.
Regarding the General Election. If the likely Democratic Nominee in 2013 Special Election defeats Scott Brown-R in the General Election. He or she is going to win re-election in 2014 unless that person is Lynch-D who is likely to face a primary challenge from the left. If the likely Democratic Nominee in 2013 Special Election-loses to Scott Brown-R in the General Election. Then the DSCC would be asking Deval Patrick-D who is more focused on seeking the Democratic Nomination for President, Ted Kennedy Jr-could reconsider moving to MA after it is known that MA voters have to put up with Scott Brown-R for the next 6 years-if Brown-R were to win in November 2014.
Joe Kennedy the 4th will be the Democratic Nominee for the US Senate in 2020-if Brown-R is the incumbent. or 2024-if Warren-D decides to retire.

[Texin]

4. Read this piece from the National Memo about prospects for the seat earlier today.

In it, the lead possibility was Vicki Kennedy, which was followed by Ted Kennedy Jr., before he said he wouldn't run. I don't know much about MA politics, but here's what the article said about her prospects:

"Vicki Kennedy, widow of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, is a prominent Massachusetts political figure in her own right. According to the Boston Globe, Kennedy has already discussed a temporary appointment to the open seat with Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, but if she chooses to run for a full term, she would likely start near the front of the pack in the Democratic primary."

What are the odds that another woman might be able to mount a successful campaign against Scott Brown?

[graham4anything]

5. Vicky Kennedy is one of the nations leading anti-gun advocates. The timing is perfect

IF she decides to run.

SHe is highly political and has the gravitas Teddy Jr. does not.

In the decade of the woman candidate.

[NPolitics1979]

6. Coakley losing to Brown in 2010 was actually a good thing. It gave MA voters Senator Warren(D-MA)

Had Coakley-D won the 2010 Special Election, she would have won re-election to a full 6 year term in 2012 with weak GOP opposition.
MA Democrats would be preparing for the 2013 Special Election to replace Kerry-D who is going to get a Cabinet Appointment during Obama's second term. The Democratic field in the 2013 Special Election would include Kennedy Clan(Vicky,Ted Jr,and Joe the 3rd),US Reps (Markey,Capuano,and Lynch) and Warren and Affleck.
Coakley-D losing the 2010 Special Election to Brown-R, and Warren-D not getting confirmed to head the Consumer Protection Agency give Warren-D the opportunity to challenge and unseat Brown-R in 2012. Coakley-D is the Democratic standard bearer in the 2014 MA Governors Race to replace Patrick-D.
Regarding the 2013 Special Election to suceed Kerry.
The Democratic front runners are either Vicky or Joe the 3rd. (Joe the 3rd enjoys being the CEO of Citizens Energy or running for Govenor in 2014-he wanted to run for Governor in 1998 before he was faced with personal family problems.)
Markey or Capuano will be the likely Democratic nominee in the Special Election. The Democratic Nominee in the 2013 Special Election will have to constantly remind MA voters that they are and will be Senator Elect Warren's true partner in the US Senate.

[bigdarryl]

7. These democrats already in office I think are

Not strong enough candidates to go up against Brown if he decided to run.