Race for Kennedy Seat Becomes Race for Healthcare Reform

The Senate race to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat in a special election, once considered a snooze, has suddenly gained national attention. Ever since Attorney General Martha Coakley won the Democratic nomination on December 8, most people have anticipated her ultimate victory on January 19. After all, the traditionally Democratic commonwealth has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1972. Up until last week, when a poll from Rasmussen Reports showed Coakley held only a nine point lead over her opponent State Senator Scott Brown, it seemed preposterous to think Massachusetts would let a Republican take “The Kennedy Seat.” There is a third candidate in the race, Independent Joe Kennedy (no relation to Ted Kennedy), but he is not considered a contender.

Some political observers think the poll more accurately reflects attitudes about healthcare reform than it does attitudes about the candidates. They are probably right. Because once the poll was published, the race went from “Martha Coakley vs. Scott Brown,” to “60^th vote vs. 41^st vote.” And suddenly, the race is on.

Coakley, who the local media had criticized for coasting to the finish line, was endorsed by Ted Kennedy’s widow Vicki Kennedy, his son Joe Kennedy II, and his friend, and Massachusett’s interim Senator, Paul Kirk. She launched a television ad campaign, raised $100,000 online in 24 hours, held a fundraiser in Washington, and scheduled a local campaign event with former President Bill Clinton. And, in what her opponents called a sign of panic, MoveOn.org sent its members a fundraising message asking them to donate to Coakley’s campaign and help protect healthcare reform.

Conservative groups also moved swiftly to drum up support for Brown. Prior to last week, some Brown supporters felt the Republican party had not done enough to help their candidate. Then the American Future Fund, a conservative group whose members are believed to be behind the damaging Kerry Swift Boat ad and the Dukakis Willie Horton ad, launched a $400,000 television campaign alleging Coakley supports “massive new spending and the tax increases to pay for it.“ And One Nation Pac was planning to set up a Bay State Election Center and send staff to Massachusetts to support Brown. The #masen (Mass Senate) hashtag on social media site Twitter has been flooded with tweets including conservative tags such as #41stVote, #teaparty and even #palin. Now, the only thing certain, is that the outcome of the race is no longer certain.

Newer polls show conflicting information. A Boston Globe poll released yesterday has Coakley leading by 15 points. However, another, from Public Policy Polling, has Brown in the lead 48 to 47 percent. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan group that analyzes elections, has changed its race prediction from “Solid Democratic” to “Lean Democratic.” Brown supporters credit Independents disenchanted with Obama, with the recent surge in his popularity. The majority of registered voters in the Commonwealth are unenrolled with a political party.

But whether Scott Brown is the moderate Republican who might appeal to Massachusetts voters or a tow-the-line conservative like some of his out-of-state supporters, is open to debate. Locally, he focuses much of his campaign rhetoric on creating jobs and lowering taxes. Out of state supporters like his staunch opposition to gay marriage and his endorsement from Massachusetts Citizens for Life. Coakley is endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice and Emily’s List, which fundraises for pro-choice candidates. As a member of the state senate, Brown supported mandatory health coverage. As a candidate for U.S. Senate, he pledges to be the 41^st vote against the healthcare bill. Kirk, however, has reportedly said he would vote in favor of the bill if the vote came before a new Senator could be sworn in.

Many political analysts still think a Republican upset is a long shot. But conservatives opposed to healthcare reform and other Obama policies, say unless Coakley wins by a significant margin, the results will illustrate a lack of support for the Obama administration. Both sides see this race as a predictor of what will happen in the November elections. And with two Democratic senators retiring, Senator Byron Dorgan, of North Dakota and Senator Chris Dodd, of Connecticut, there is plenty at stake.

Care2 blogger Liz O’Donnell is also a volunteer with the Martha Coakley for Senate campaign.

Creative Commons

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Paul P.

3:40AM PST on Jan 19, 2010

Which party drafts all legislation in California? Which party has drafted all legislation in DC since 2006?

If Brown wins, there will be bipartisanship.

send a green star

Susan Suni I.

11:11PM PST on Jan 18, 2010

Sheila Larkin - - - you are NOT a Democrat if you vote for Scott!!! That makes you just as much a republibum as the rest of them!!!
Be careful, or you might end up so diseased that you think and sound like Russian Limburgher!!!!!

11:02PM PST on Jan 18, 2010

Oh - - this has gotten so scary!!! This is really incredibly important everyone. We DO need healthcare reform. This is another thing that people need to come to California to see - - - all the thousands of people who are dying here, because so much medical help has been cut off from us here!!! The republican governor here has gone after what very little the poor had to try to keep alive on (and especially the disabled), instead of taking it away from people who won't die from it, like the big corporations he is helping to protect so they don't have to pay taxes, and the millionaires and billionaires in this state THAT IS DYING!!!! So much has been destroyed by the rich politicians that this state looks like it is not going to survive.
12,3% unemployment - - - are you kidding??? And he let it happen, like his ex boss, who was the one who has done the most damage to this country than any other president we've ever had. And his cronies and minions are still carrying on his terrible work!!! It terrifies me, this race that will be decided tomorrow! GOD help us all if Scott wins - - - the republibums really ARE trying to kill this coountry off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10:31AM PST on Jan 15, 2010

Brown is now ahead in most polls. Could be interesting!

SL L.

9:40AM PST on Jan 15, 2010

In response to Ms. O'Donnell's blog, I am a registered Democrat, I also am a psychiatric nurse with a 2 Bachlor's degrees. Her political assessment is so far off track. When a life-long democrat like myself and many others I know share my view are so disgusted with the Demoratic Party and their candidates .... something is very wrong... to quote Shakespeare "there is something wrotten in Denmark". We need CHANGE, stop the endless spending and adding these backroom, clandestine meetings on health care. What are you hiding? If the healthcare reform was any good ... it would be open and public to voters; not done in secrecy and bribes. Martha Coakley was weak in the debate, she supports giving terrorists Constitutional rights in a court of law. Scott Brown, a JAG lawyer wants terrorists tried in a military tribunal. Who makes more sense on this issue? Giving a terrorist a trial in Federal Court will not deter terrorism. This is a religious war against Western principles. I believe many democrats in MA who supported Obama now have buyer's remorse. I am actually quoting Mike Barnacle who recently stated that fact. MA stand up and vote independently, don't vote because the seat was Ted Kennedy's and we owe it to the party. We owe NOTHING to the Democratic Party. They are selling us down the river. Where are the jobs? Your children will be paying for current mistakes made in Wash.D.C. for a very long time. Carefully scrutinize and analyze why you are voting for the

9:22AM PST on Jan 15, 2010

PLEASE ALL VOTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS: On Tuesday VOTE ... Martha Coakley represents the status quo in Wash.D.C., she is for higher taxes and bigger, more powerful government and she endorses more spending on entitlements, new stimulus pkgs. She does not represent the Working Class Individual who has to pay taxes and make ends meet. If you want the same and perhaps worse because the democrats are becoming worse by the day, vote for her. If you want CHANGE, a government for the People, By the People vote for SCOTT BROWN. If you want to change the current environment, vote for BROWN.
The eyes of the Nation are watching MA, let us be the patriots that are great state is known for. Let us send a clear cut message to the Washington D.C. Establishment that we have had enough. We Want CHANGE NOW. We don't need addtl. taxes when there is a high nos. of unemployed and the jobs in this country are becoming non-existant.

Terry S.

10:08PM PST on Jan 14, 2010

But they promised that the welfare state was real and that Government would take care of me. Now you are saying the government only takes care of them selves and those to bribe them. LOL. hahahahahawwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

Jim S.

7:38PM PST on Jan 14, 2010

OK. Let's understand what a sham this is. There are two funding's for this plan.

One: tax the Insurance Companies. That won't work for us. Why? Because the Insurance Companies will just raise the price of the Insurance premiums to us by the of the amount of new taxes on them. Then they will add a nice markup on those taxes.

Two: Tax "Cadillac plans": That won't work either. Why? Those that have those plans will just renegotiate their contracts to be under the threshold number and take the rest as another benefit or in Cash.

Result one: HIGHER costs for the people who are purchasing Insurance and higher profits for the Health Insurance Corporations.

Result two: HIGHER taxes. As revenue comes up short, due to the employees renegotiation to stay under the the threshold level for a Cadillac Plan, taxes will have to go UP to cover the shortfall.

The solutions were out there, but once the Lobbies got to write the bill: Surprise! We got screwed again..... This will ALWAYS happen when we ask Government for ANYTHING. It's not our Government. It's theirs. Until Government is fixed, ANY increase in Government spending will go into the pockets of those who Government really represents. And that's not US folks. So, would those who want something from Government PLEASE put the energy into FIXING it first?

6:17PM PST on Jan 14, 2010

Jim Steve - I have to agree on your assessment of the situation. Just another back door deal by the administration. But to be honest, the people that should be paying the tax for the most part should be those making over 200K per year. The fat cats in upper management as well as the Corporate E-Boards, have been getting a free ride long enough. Large corporations must be required to cover their workers. $750.00 is just pittance on a projected 2019 cost of 5+K. That is an abomination.

3:58PM PST on Jan 14, 2010

Breaking news: 1/14/10 Updated: 1/14/10 4:56 PM EST

....."The White House has reached a deal with labor leaders to tax expensive health insurance plans to pay for health reform, but would exempt union plans from the tax through 2017, labor leaders announced Thursday.".....
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31506.html#ixzz0cdLTh9Ti

This is really an outrage. If you are connected, you get to force the other people to pay for programs you promoted. This will put more burden on those who are struggling in the crummy economy.