Thread: Kennedys seat at risk with late Republican surge

Edward Kennedy's former Senate seat at risk from late Republican surge Massachusetts upset would cloud Democrat vote on Obama healthcare bill
The Democratic party is suffering a panic attack over a late surge by the Republicans in the race for the Senate seat in Massachusetts that was held by Edward Kennedy, and before him JFK, and was considered one of the safest in the country.

A poll in the Boston Globe shows the early 30% lead by the Democratic candidate, Martha Coakley, has been cut in half. Others suggest it is down to single digits.

Ted Kennedy, who had held the seat since 1962 until his death last year, was re-elected in 2006 with 69% of the vote.

While Coakley remains favourite to hold the seat next Tuesday, the Republicans would hail a good showing by their candidate, Scott Brown, as a morale booster and a sign of the vulnerability of more winnable seats in the November midterm elections.

The Democrats, having run a low-key campaign that opened them up to accusations of complacency, have begun pouring funds into the fight, including $500,000 for advertising space, and sent in experienced strategists and high-profile figures such as Bill Clinton in an effort to consolidate party support.

In a small but telling sign of the campaign disarray, the Democrats had to pull a TV advertisement on Monday after misspelling Massachusetts. The ad, which accused Brown of denying emergency compensation to rape victims, said: "We can't afford Brown." Beneath, identifying the source of the funding as required by US law, it said: "Paid for by Massachusettes [sic] Democratic Party". Asked about it, Coakley said she had been unaware of the mistake. Her spokesman said: "It has been corrected." The ad, after the spelling had been sorted, was being aired again.

Coakley earlier in the campaign had avoided negative campaign and the use of the ad is another indication of the concern at the extent to which Brown appears to have eaten into her lead.

Part of the reason for Brown's surge is an anti-Democratic party backlash and that he has the backing of the Tea Party, a loose organisation of grassroots groups disenchanted with mainstream Republicanism. The Tea Party helped Brown, an anti-establishment Republican, raise $1.3m for his campaign in just 24 hours, forcing the Democrats to appeal to party members across the country for financial aid.

If Brown were to pull off an upset in Massachusetts, it would damage Democratic party plans for a final vote on Barack Obama's healthcare bill by removing the party's 60-40 Senate majority and complicate the remainder of his legislative programme for the year
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/ja ... eat-threat

Praying for Brown to win it. Hope that puts the rest of them on notice that us tea-baggers are pi$$ed off and not gonna take it anymore!

"It is the people's seat" as Scott Brown and others have stated.

Psalm 91

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeach

"It is the people's seat" as Scott Brown and others have stated.

Psalm 91

Right on. That phrase has so resonated in my head since I've heard it. It's empowering.

We will all be on pins and needles on Tuesday....

It Is most definitely THE AMERICAN PEOPLES SEAT !!!! I totally agree !!!!

that line is a classic already.

Wouldn't it be something if Brown won this election and set those arrogant Democrats back on their ears. It would be good-bye health care bill.

The worry is, if it turns into another Minnesota ala Franken election.

Originally Posted by tinybobidaho

Wouldn't it be something if Brown won this election and set those arrogant Democrats back on their ears. It would be good-bye health care bill.

Right because it will make the other Dems in DC wonder if he wins, or even loses by a point or two, it might make Dems up for election in the Fall wonder if they should really vote for the bill