Why Joe Kennedy must run for Markey Senate seat
The people of Massachusetts keep buying this crap. WTF
Niall O'Dowd @niallodowd Aug 30, 2019
Young Joe Kennedy III is a talented politician who has been active and made an impact in his community, especially that of Irish America. The same can not be said for Ed Markey
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts woke up to his worst nightmare last week when it was reported that Congressman Joe Kennedy who is 38, was likely to run against him.
It was probably inevitable given that Markey, despite being in national politics since 1976 first as a congressman, has only a 44 percent favorability after all those years. Amazingly, 14 percent of Massachusetts voters have never heard of him.
Little wonder that Kennedy is interested. He as much as committed in a Facebook post.
“I’m happy to put this on the table for you now,” Kennedy wrote in a Facebook post on Monday, which noted that he had yet to make a final decision. “I’m thinking about what I have to offer Massachusetts voters, what is most important in this political moment, and what kind of party Democrats need to be building for the future.”
“I hear the folks who say I should wait my turn, but with due respect — I’m not sure this is a moment for waiting,” he wrote. “Our system has been letting down a lot of people for a long time, and we can’t fix it if we don’t challenge it.”
Joseph Kennedy III.4Gallery
Joseph Kennedy III.
Read more: Boston Irish Center denounces abrupt deportation of children receiving medical care
The anti-Kennedy crowd was quick out of the blocks “Prince Joe Kennedy Wants What Is Rightfully His” sneered Boston Globe Columnist Scot Lehigh.
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It is a typical knee jerk reaction and it is wrong.
Kennedy is the most talented politician in the Kennedy family since his grandfather Robert. The generations after JFK, RFK and Edward Kennedy understandably withered in the shadow of their accomplishments. Joe Kennedy III could well pick-up the torch.
Markey was pretty much missing in action on Irish issues during his time in office. I can’t recall him speaking out during those critical years of the peace process and immigration reform - if he did it was perfunctory.
He was also largely silent on the undocumented when Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer among others were speaking out at Irish immigration rallies.
Kennedy, on the other hand, has a deep sense of what Irish Americans can contribute based on their own history.
Look I don’t expect politicians just because they have Irish names to get involved in every Irish issue but it would have been nice to have some Markey presence.
Kennedy, on the other hand, with several visits to Ireland and a keen sense of Irish American history could be the leader on the Irish issue in the US Senate for a generation like his grand-uncle Teddy before him.
“The Irish are everywhere because they had to leave. We do build communities very, very well. I think that strength, that perseverance, that resilience, that suffering, gives a profound sense of empathy and community because you got through those hard times because of community, because of family and faith.”
Kennedy is right to challenge the old legions of the rearguard and spark a different type of politics in this new era. The Democratic Party needs new fresh faces and Kennedy can certainly supply talent and commitment as well. Go Joe go.
"with due respect"? There's no respect within the Kennedys, there's only a sense of entitlement.
ReplyDeleteKennedys are respectful and honorable. I'm glad Joe is running.
ReplyDeleteHe seems to be a good man. Sounds like it's time for change.
DeleteReally, how far up your ass is your head stuck? Here's a refresher course for you, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned in Teddy Kennedy's Oldsmobile, Patricia Barkley, quadriplegic after being a passenger in vehicle driven by Joe Kennedy II, Pamela Bowman sexual assault victim of William Kennedy Smith, Carla Gaviglio, waitress assaulted in 1985 by Teddy Kennedy, who jumped on top of her and rubbed his genitals against her before being interrupted by another who walked into the room at LaBrasserie, a DC hotspot. So take all this respectful and honorable bullshit and peddle it to someone willing to believe it. The Kennedys are and always have been predators and opportunists. Respectful, honorable? How about Jack and Bobby tag teaming Marilyn Monroe. Your blind ignorance of this despicable group of opportunists are a malignancy on this country. Wise up for Christ sakes!
DeleteThe Kennedys are still respectable and honorable. They have accomplished many things. Joe for US Senator!!
DeleteTed Kennedy ruined this country with his immigration law shame on their whole family!
DeleteTed always supported immigration.
DeleteBooger man for Senate!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous8/31/2019
ReplyDeleteThe Kennedys are still respectable and honorable. They have accomplished many things. Joe for US Senator!!
Fucking pathetic
Yes you are, unlike the wonderful Kennedys.
ReplyDeleteChris Kennedy is much better than JB Pritzker!
ReplyDelete