Barney Frank Endorses Michael Capuano In Senate Race

[Bombtrack]

http://wbztv.com/local/michael.capuano.senate.2.1193214.html

Rep. Michael Capuano formally announced his candidacy Friday for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

In taking a shot at rival Martha Coakley, Capuano said voters face this question:

"Will we be better off sending a newcomer to the Senate who needs on-the-job training or a proven legislative leader who knows how to get the job done in Washington and help constituents in Massaschusetts?"

Capuano also picked up an endorsement from fellow congressman Barney Frank.

"He has a demonstrated record of challenging the established order."
Frank said.

Capuano has already released his first campaign commercial calling himself the only candidate who "stood with Ted Kennedy" against the Iraq war and "mirrors his progressive record."

The spot also credits him with turning around Somerville while he was mayor.

Capuano joins fellow Democrats Coakley and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca in the race..

State Sen. Scott Brown and Canton Selectman Bob Burr are seeking the Republican nomination.

The primary is Dec. 8, the special election on Jan. 19.

[robo50]

1. Oh Dear, now I am going to have to do some serious thinking

for which of the two I should vote for. I sure do like Barney, and think he's a wonderful Congresperson, and value his opinon.

I also like Martha Coakley, like her a lot, and wanted another woman of conviction and background in the US Senate as my Senator.

I'm sure either of them would do a good job for us.

Don't worry, I'm not considering a Republican, or the rich Democrat who once supported Romney over Kennedy.

[Bombtrack]

2. what makes her a "woman of conviction" ?

just curious.

[No Elephants]

3. Capuano voted no on the Iraq War and is a co-sponsor of HR 676, the universal health care bill. He

is also a member of the Progressive Caucus and "signed the pledge" about s strong public option.

I am heartbroken that we lost Kennedy, but is a fine successor to Kennedy, ideologically. Do not think the same is true of Coakley. She's been an assistant DA, DA or AG since 1886. Her record is undistinguised and not especially progressive, with the exception of an environmental case she started in July 2009. It seems fair to say that she filed it when at least considering a run for Kennedy's seat.

Kerry stepping up at this point with an endorsement of Capuano would be nice, IMO.

[Arkana]

4. Kerry's going to wait until we have a nominee. He's not stupid.

If he endorses Capuano and Coakley gets the nod, there will be very little goodwill between the two when she gets to the Senate.

Also, Coakley's unswervingly pro-choice and very much in favor of a strong public option...I think, in the end, we'll find there are very few policy differences between her and Cap.

[No Elephants]

5. I see no reason why Kerry should worry about Coakley. Other members of the

Massachusetts delegation, who have a lot more to worry about vis a vis Coakley, if she becomes Senator, have endorsed Capuano. I don't see that as stupid or smart. I see it as having the courage of your convictions, even if that may conceivably cause some temporary discomfort or disadvantage to you down the road.

If you see something that you believe is right, you do it, IMO. If Coakley can't be an adult about it vis a vis the senior Senator of Massachusetts, that would be much more of a problem for Coakley and her career than it would be for Kerry and his. I would lose respect for Kerry, not admire his smarts, IF Kerry thinks Capuano is the right person but Kerry has not endorsed Capuano because Coakley's first twenty minutes as Junior Senator might be a tiny bit uncomfortable for Kerry. Ditto if Kerry waits to see who is the frontrunner before he endorses anyone, then endorses the frontrunner.

However, that is all very hypothetical at this point. I have no idea what Kerry thinks or what Kerry will do or why; and I try not to leap to too many conclusions.


As far as Coakley's being pro-choice, that is nice, but not exactly a courageous stand for a female Democratic politician in Massachusetts in 2009. Certainly not as courageous as it was for uber Catholic Kennedy in the 1970's.

As far as being pro-public option, we really don't know what that means when ANYone says it, until we see details. And again, for someone seeking Kennedy's seat, that is not exactly a brave stand. His whole career was full of public health legislation. Nor do we know what she would actually do about it if she were in the Senate today. But, we do know that Capuano is a co-sponsor of HR 676 and said only the other day during an interview on Boston 5 that he is for single payer. That is more progressive than Coakley right there..

I think Capuano is more progressive than Coakley in general. Her entire career has been about prosecuting. Nothing about that shouts progressive to me. Nor does anything at all that she did, on the job or off, before Kennedy's seat looked like it might be vacant in the not too distant future.

I cannot see her voting against the Iraqi and WOT war resolutions shortly after 911, anymore than I can imagine Hillary's having voted against them--and Hillary's life has been more progressive than Coakley's seems to have been. IIRC, even Kerry, the anti-war activist of the Vietnam Era, did not vote against them---but Kennedy, the Korean War veteran, and Capuano did. Not many in either house of Congress then can make that claim.