The fleeting Senate race debate between John Kerry and Edward O’Reilly did produce one bit of news.
Kerry said he would be serving out his full term if re-elected…therefore, no Obama Adm. job…
He didn’t want to answer the question posed by O’Reilly (John said questions from opponents weren’t allowed),
but Keller said the question was allowed and asked him to answer.
O’Reilly had said that special elections cost taxpayers millions of dollars…
he wanted John to say if he was planning to serve his full term if re-elected or would he take job in the Obama Admin.
And he asked if he would pay for the special election it would cost should he leave in January?
John Kerry said with conviction in his voice that he “intends” to serve out his term.
So I guess it comes down to what “intends” means…
I intended to lose 10 pounds this month, but, alas, ice cream seemed a better offer and consequently destroyed my best intensions.
And even the public shame of a full video showing their LIE does nothing. Remember Marty Meehan promising not to seek reelection concerning term limits. I am also sure there are many examples of Republican politicians who have stated they would “serve their term…” and then left for higher positions.
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p>It’s almost not worth asking the question since as voters we never hold their feet to the fire when they “change their mind” “The situation has changed” “I have a moral responsibility to accept…. They are just lying and covering the ASSets.
if such an offer was to occur, provided that Obama wins in Nov., Kerry would resign sometime in December- just one month after the general election.
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p>I wouldn’t expect any different statement from Kerry (or any other politician in this situation), but it just something that voters might want to consider.
First of all, Kerry is very well positioned to be a powerhouse in the Senate – in spite of O’Reilly’s comments on his committee assignments. He may see that he could do more good from his Senate seat than in the Obama cabinet.
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p>In addition, Obama might not win. If he does, his VP may be the top foreign policy person, with the Secretary of State running the state department. Kerry because of his credibility and his position on the SFRC, which it is possible that he would chair, would provide valued input to both Biden and Obama.
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p>In the case, he was offered a position designed in such a way that Kerry saw he could contribute more than as a Senator, he would have to explain his decision to MA. He would not resign in December, but likely when he is confirmed – sometime in early 2009. Given Kennedy’s health, it would take a really impossible to turn down offer to get him to accept it.
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p>MA would then have a special election and many of the excellent congressmen will run. Any of them is far more accomplished than O’Reilly, who could actually lose to Beatty, and might be a disaster as a Senator, who MA will be stuck with for 6 years. Either O’Reilly or Beatty, have bigger downside risks than Kerry possibly being replaced by a special election.
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p>It is rather ironic that O’Reilly wants to imply both that Kerry is good enough that he would be given a plum assignment in an Obama administration …. and that he is not influential in the Senate, doesn’t work hard, and doesn’t build coalitions. Why would Obama want some like O’Reilly’s description in his cabinet.
After protesting the question (as it came from O’Reilly, not Keller), Kerry answered the question in this way:
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p>”I’ve said consistently I am only running for one job. I’m not asking for any other job. I’m not looking for any other job. I intend to serve my term. If I’m elected, that’s what I’m doing.”
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p>I “intend” to serve out my contract as a teacher, but if I win the lottery, the chances of being there in June are pret-ty shaky…
and that will be okay…we will finally have a female US Senator representing Masssachusetts…no loss at all and a pretty good outcome.
Barney Frank would also be a great pick, someone who has very high favorability numbers, and has shown interest in the position in the past. He’s very intelligent, quick witted, down to earth, a hard worker, and constituency oriented. He would also be the first openly gay US Senator in all of America.
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p>Ed Markey would also be a another great pick for Senator. Markey and Frank have definitely put in their dues by working in the House for so many years. They may not want to give up their chairmanships however to become a newbie in the Senate.
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p>I think Coakley would be fantastic as well. She’s extremely intelligent and she would also be the first female US Senator from Mass. There’s definitely a large talent pool to choose from.