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Joseph Kennedy Not Running For Senate, Stands By Citizens Energy Corporation Work
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Former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-MA) announced today that he will not run for the Senate seat held by his late uncle, Ted Kennedy.
"Given all that my uncle accomplished, it was only natural to consider getting back involved in public office, and I appreciate all the calls of support and friendship that have poured in," said Kennedy, in his official statement.
But, he later added this detailed praise of his current job at the Citizens Energy Corporation: "Our efforts cover a broad array of the challenges facing this country - to heat the homes of the poor, install energy-savings technologies to cut costs for homeowners and businesses, build wind farms throughout the United States and Canada to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and construct transmission lines to carry new sources of renewable energy."
This is quite interesting, after the Boston Globe just ran an article that predicted potential difficulties for Kennedy over this very same project -- due to its extensive connections to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
September 7, 2009 3:53 PM
Do I sense the opening of a slot for Ted Jr.?
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Elizabeth2
September 7, 2009 4:02 PM
I don't believe that Ted Jr. has ever sought or expressed interest in a political career ...... but, boy, given what he did at his father's funeral and his background (masters in forestry and environment; law degree; work in disability and health care), he could be a force to be reckoned with. --- But does he even live in Massachusetts??
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
September 7, 2009 5:18 PM in reply to Elizabeth2
Connecticut, I think. It would undoubtedly bar him from being appointed to the caretaker position if the Mass legislature changes the law, but if he were to run in the special election, I expect residency would be about as big an issue as it was for Hillary or his Uncle Bobby in that state to the south.
It's not like finding a place to live would be a problem.
Not my state, not my call, or really even my place. And I'm the last to speak out in favor of dynastic politics--can't say as I've been overly-impressed with anyone else in his generation of Kennedys. But dang, the more I see and hear about him, the more I like him.
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VexSmith
September 7, 2009 5:45 PM
Last I heard, all of Ted's kids were living outside of Ma. Rep's Steven Lynch and Michael Capuano have some talent but I think Martha Coakley has some advantages, particularly if she's the only female on a five candidate ballot in the primary.
Worries over the Chavez connection seems bogus to me. I think Joe did some polling and found that voters don't like idea of an extended Kennedy reign. At least where he was concerned.
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Elizabeth2
September 8, 2009 8:22 AM
I think "at least where he was concerned" was quite operative with Joe. He's got some rocky stuff to get past other than Chavez. ---- I'm against dynastic politics "as of right" (e.g. GWB) BUT at the same time have no objections to someone from a politically successful family getting into public office. There are some advantages: they grew up in the atmosphere, have learned (at least in a responsible family) about issues and complexities of leadership. And, perhaps most important, they are as prepared as one can be to live their lives under the glare of the spotlight and constant, ugly barrage of invective. That alone keeps many, many worthy people out of public office - many of them! - and this is a group that's, well, already innoculated. When they also -- like Caroline and Edward Jr. -- have had the experience of a successful, meaningful private life of their own, all the better. (In addition to quiet but hard work w/ education and K. Library, in my book raising JFK's grandchildren out of the public eye counts as a *monumental* achievement.) For example, NY is my state and I knew of K. Gilibrand (AND her own local political dynastic family!) for many years, and I sure as heck would rather have Caroline K, not KG, in the Senate right now.
Connecticut, huh? If someone wanted Edward Jr. to replace Lieberman ...... Not my state, but you can't tell me Joe L. doesn't, unfortunately, affect my life.
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