Prominent Democrats want Kennedy's widow to run for his Senate seat

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Nearly one year after Edward M. Kennedy's death, prominent Democrats in Washington and Massachusetts are promoting his widow as the party's best shot at winning back the Senate seat he held for nearly five decades.

Victoria Reggie Kennedy has announced no plans to run, but the mere prospect of a candidacy has become a source of tension in the family, according to Kennedy intimates. Some relatives fear that a 2012 campaign against Sen. Scott Brown (R) -- a popular figure even in liberal Massachusetts -- would distract Kennedy from promoting her late husband's legacy, they said.

Vicki Kennedy, a lawyer from a powerful political family in Louisiana who married into the Kennedy dynasty in 1992, declined to be interviewed for this article. She passed up the chance to run for the seat last year, and some confidantes said she has told them that she has no plans to run this time.

But in some respects, Kennedy is already acting the part of a candidate, raising her public profile by campaigning for politicians across the country.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/14/AR2010081402970_pf.html

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. ......wish she had run instead of Coakley. Now, we got that dink Brown.

[Ken Burch]

4. I think she stayed out to avoid a family feud with the ones who wanted Young Joe to run

And he likely stayed out to keep peace with the pro-Vickie faction.

Is there still a rivalry between the two of them?

[AnArmyVeteran]

6. She would have easily won and carried on the Kennedy name.

She was with Ted for 18 years and she knew him better than anyone. And she would have never betrayed Edward's vision for the future. I hope she runs. She would beat Brown.

[femmocrat]

2. I think it's wishful thinking. Don't think she will run.

What about Rep. Markey? Why don't they recruit him? He has achieved a high profile lately, speaking about the oil leak. I don't know all his positions, but he has made a good impression IMO.

[davidinalameda]

3. wouldn't being elected to carry on his work be a good way to promote his legacy

just asking

[MattBaggins]

5. NO

[divideandconquer]

7. I wish Rachel Maddow really would run

Air America has already produced one good senator.

[Control-Z]

14. Has she ever commented

on the possibility? She would be such a strong and wonderful voice.

[flyingfysh]

8. Michael Capuano would be very good

Unlike Coakley, Capuano knows how to campaign. He is the congressman for my district now, and used to be mayor of my city (Somerville), with his office just up the hill from my house. And he is a solid liberal.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. How Coakley beat him is something I still can't understand.

Oh well, let's focus on the future.

[SoxFan]

10. He came across as unhinged and angry

My cousin grew up with the guy and has known him for almost 50 years, and even she was put off by the anger.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Yes, he lacks polish, and is indeed a fighter.

But now we've got to get rid of Brown any way possible.

[SoxFan]

12. I don't think Capuano is the guy to do it

I'd prefer someone with a broader appeal. I was impressed by both Steve Pagliuca and Alan Khazei during the special election, and I wouldn't mind seeing Niki Tsongas move up to the senate.

[SoxFan]

13. Vicky Kennedy, Steve Pagliuca, Alan Khazei, Niki Tsongas

All would be good choices