Why Rep. Joe Kennedy is mounting a primary challenge to one of the most prog members of the US Senat

[Budi]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/why-rep-joe-kennedy-is-primarying-sen-ed-markey-massachusetts-2020-5%3famp

From May, 2020

Why Rep. Joe Kennedy is mounting a primary challenge to one of the most progressive members of the US Senate


SNIP

"In Massachusetts, it has been very unusual for Democrats to challenge incumbents in a primary, partly because of how dominant the Democratic Party structure has been in the state," Bernstein said. "So if you're a Democrat and you annoy the Democratic Party establishment, that's a tough group to be ostracized by in the state."

For years, it was almost unheard of for Democrats to launch primary challenges against sitting members of Congress. But Rep. Seth Moultonhelped turn the tide with his long-shot but ultimately successful 2014 primary challenge of embattled Rep. John Tierney in Massachusetts' 6th district.

In 2018, then-Boston City Councilmember Ayanna Pressley successfully defeated longtime Rep. Mike Capuano in the Boston-based 7th congressional district with a progressive, grassroots campaign backed by Justice Democrats, a group that focuses entirely on electing progressives in safe Democratic districts.


SNIP

HERE

Why is Kennedy challenging Markey now?
As Bernstein noted, Markey and fellow Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren are both in their 70s, and either one or both are likely to retire or be tapped for a cabinet position in a future Democratic administration within the next few years. So why for Kennedy, not wait until one of those seats opens up to run?

When an open US Senate seat comes up, the competition among Democrats will be fierce.
Kennedy would likely have to contend with highly popular Attorney General Maura Healy and other up-and-coming representatives with big ambitions like Moulton and Pressley, with no guarantee of winning the primary despite his famous name and political connections.

Missing out on the chance to run for and win a seat in the US Senate now could severely limit Kennedy's chances to seek higher office for decades to come, as was the case for many ambitious members of the House before him.
------------

He is looking out for his future in politics.
A progressive step up in position.

They all look at a path to higher offices and committies

[empedocles]

1. 'Justice Democrats'?

[BannonsLiver]

2. Great points, Budi

[Laelth]

3. That's good, but it doesn't explain why Nancy Pelosi endorsed Kennedy.

That’s what I want to know.



-Laelth

[Budi]

6. OMFG. Because she sees & encourages his political plans for his future as a young rising pol.

Maybe that's ALL there is to it.

Kudos to Pelosi for encouraging Kennedy in his future path in the Senate, & anyone else with the same goals of a life in the future of politics.

[Laelth]

9. That seems weak to me.

That’s why I assume that there must be more to it. Nancy is a consummate team-player. If she’s willing to primary a sitting Senator, I assume that there must be a good reason.

What is it?



-Laelth

[Budi]

12. Nothing Pelosi does is weak. Nothing.

She sees a future of Democrats that will folllow the positions of her Party on fairness, human & civil rights across the spectrum.
He's giving it a shot & she applauds his effort to strengthen the basic tenants of the Democratic Party.

Same thing Markey has been doing for 47 years.

She is looking at the future.

[Laelth]

14. Nancy is 80. She's feeling her own age.

She wants to build a younger Democratic Party. That’s your explanation for why she’s primarying a sitting Democratic senator?

It’s possible, I suppose. That just doesn’t sound like the Nancy Pelosi I know. I assume that there is more to this story.

-Laelth

[Budi]

20. Why must there be a nefarious motive?. Cuz it can't just be Pelosi looking out for the future

..of her Party?

This is really unfair to both Pelosi & Kennedy.

There is no argument to make.

Cripe.

[Laelth]

21. Nefarious? I never said that.

I have deep and abiding respect for Speaker Pelosi. Please, do not misunderstand me on this point. I assume that there is SOME motive. I do not assume that her motive is nefarious.

I think we have discussed this matter enough, don’t you? Peace.



-Laelth

[Arazi]

19. 74 years old va 39 years old. She sees the same scenario as Joe III

[NurseJackie]

4. I hope he wins big.

[Demsrule86]

8. I like him too.

[NurseJackie]

17. It's it he who is the teatotler? Or am I thinking of someone else?

Or maybe he's vegan. I can't recall.

[Budi]

23. No he's the next generation of RFK. Not his children who watched their dad get murdered...

as they sat in their hotel room, seeing it o TV.

I guess that would cause some ptsd related issues to emerge later in life. For anyone in that experience.
------

This is RFK's grandson.

I'll post this because it appears some do not know of his worth.

Joe Kennedy lll

Congressman Joe Kennedy III has dedicated his career to social and economic justice. He is fighting for the basic dignity of every American family and a politics that is inclusive, representative and fair.


A former Peace Corps member, legal aid volunteer, and assistant district attorney, Joe has worked tirelessly for the people most at risk, most marginalized, and most in need. He ran for office to tackle the systemic inequities – from health care to housing to climate and education – that have left countless American families locked out and left behind.

Over his four terms in the House of Representatives, Joe has emerged as a national figure in the Democratic Party’s most pivotal debates.
MORE....

https://kennedyforma.com/about-joe/

[smirkymonkey]

31. Yes, he's the one who doesn't drink at all.

I don't believe he ever has.

[Budi]

10. Me too. I like everything about him, all he stands for.

I have no vote so I'll just watch. 💙🥂

[sheshe2]

13. My vote is for Markey as it was the last time.

I for one am upset that Kennedy who is my congressional Rep...one I voted for has left my district vulnerable. We are very blue...yet one of the top 4 Dems out of eight running is worrisome. He was a Dem. In 2013 he switched to R so he could work on Bakers-R election team and then vote for him. Also donated to a Sheriffs re-election campaign who was anti immigration and anti gay. My district is screwed if we get him. I personally hate party hoppers. I am appalled he is doing so well.

[still_one]

16. +++

[sheshe2]

29. Thank you.

I just want to scream.

[still_one]

30. I am not from Massachusetts, but I like Markey

[sheshe2]

32. Again, thank you still_one.

I do to.

[JI7]

5. When did liberal Ed Markey become "one of the most progressive" members ?

both Markey and Kennedy are liberals .

[Budi]

7. Yes. And their political positions are so similar there's really not much to argue here.

[MyOwnPeace]

11. So the question is....

why chop the knees off of a loyal and faithful party member?
Kennedy will have his time - in due time.

Sorry - not the way to treat the faithful.

[Budi]

15. The answer is in the bolded paragraph of the OP.

Answer me why Eliot Engel?

Because it's about future position.

It is how politics goes.

[MyOwnPeace]

24. The bolded paragraph doesn't really answer it.........

again I ask, is that any way to treat the party faithful - those that know who's on the phone, who has a brother that knows somebody, who asked for a vote and now they owe you, someone who is in a better position to have a better seat when the majority changes.

No, that does not answer the question.

You support those that have fought for you AND you grow those that will follow, but you don't throw them out when you feel like it. Nothing to gain - lots to lose.

[Budi]

26. I refer you to the recent re-election bid of Eliot Engel.

"You support those that have fought for you AND you grow those that will follow, but you don't throw them out when you feel like it. Nothing to gain - lots to lose."


Joe Kennedy is exactly using the playbook of the group that unseated Engel & tried to unseat Maloney.

Not a bit of difference. So what's the problem?

Ok for some but not for others?

I really don't get the ire.

[MyOwnPeace]

27. Not really familiar with those cases..........

just dealing with the facts/situations in front of me as I see them.
Again, gotta' question kicking to the curb a loyal and faithful for an obviously qualified candidate that can still be a qualified candidate at another time.
To me it doesn't seem right (but perhaps it is because I'm more on the "age-side" of the one being kicked to the curb!).

[Budi]

28. No one's kicking anyone to the curb.

Its an election.

Anyone can run in any race.
That's how it works in politics.

It's the voters who have the ability to kick anyone to the curb or not.

Its really that simple.

[bottomofthehill]

22. And why Mike Capuano

Mike was one of the most liberal members of the House. The answer is ambition. Joe Kennedy ran because he is an ambitious bright young man, Ed Markey ran because he is an ambitious Bright less young man. When Ed was an ambitious young man, he too rocked the establishment.

Mrs Pelosi endorsed Joe because he is a member of her caucus that was hard working and loyal to her.

That’s politics.

[Budi]

25. I'd have thought the Progs would be happy to see now Kennedy's open seat in the House

Haven't they some JDem or progressive of their choice to now run for Kennedy's House seat?

They too, like Joe Kennedy, are looking at the future by bringing younger pols in the DC legislature.

Aren't they doing exactly what Joe Kennedy is?