Passing the torch (Kennedy v Markey)

[Kraken]

Several people have expressed displeasure with all the septuagenarians running for president, and the persistence of oldsters in politics overall. My feeling is that politics is a long game of acquiring power and money and influence; those who've been at it the longest are also the strongest because that's how it works. However, I'm also sympathetic to the argument that people's mental faculties eventually ossify. I'm in my early 60s and I'm not as sharp as I used to be, nor do I have as much stamina -- although I like to think that accumulating experience (wisdom, if you will) offsets some of that. Jimmy Carter recently said that he doesn't believe an 80-year-old has what it takes to be president; even if he could turn the clock back 15 years, he wouldn't be able to do the job well. (Let's leave aside the question of whether he did it well when he was in his 50s.)

An interesting case study is what some are calling the most-watched Democratic Senate primary in the country: Joe Kennedy (38) vs Ed Markey (73). Both men are solid liberals. Both are vocally anti-Trump. Markey is the leader on climate issues, and he's at the top of his game. There is no objective reason that the party would be better off without him. Kennedy's ONLY justification for primarying Markey is generational change -- he believes that, as the scion of an ancient political dynasty, he offers desirable "fresh blood." Markey has been in Congress longer than Kennedy has been alive. Yet, because the Kennedy name is magical in MA, Kennedy is the immediate front-runner.

Kennedy’s entrance is supremely unhelpful to the national Democratic Party. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is dedicated to protecting incumbent senators, so if Kennedy does become the front-runner, it may have to spend money to protect Markey. That’s money the committee would much rather be stockpiling to spend in the general election in Colorado and Arizona to unseat Republicans.

Massachusetts doesn’t play into the battle for the Senate. But implicitly, and maybe even explicitly, it will play a big role in Democrats’ broader battle about generational change.

Should Kennedy have waited his turn? Should Markey step aside? What will voters decide? Which one would you back?

[Jaymann]

The only saving grace for Biden, et al, is that I am still younger than them!

[Smoove_B]

I think the core problem is that old people vote and they vote for their own. If people in the 18-25 demographic were actually motivated to vote (use healthcare, not go to college, utilize mass transit, etc...) I think entire segments of our society would need to change overnight.

[Kraken]

I was originally going to go with "When Democrats eat their own," but I decided to broaden the subject because the rest of the country probably isn't as fascinated by the Kennedy-Markey race as our media believe they are. It's being portrayed here as a wasteful contest that is purely about generational change.

Myself, I don't see any reason to fire Markey. The Senate especially rewards seniority, and neither one of our senators have much of that. Kind of pointless to remove a guy who's doing fine for an upstart who has no compelling argument against him. It's more about effectiveness than age, to me. But then, I'm old.

[Holman]

From outside of MA, it seems like a huge waste of monnedy and political capital.

Young Kennedies are only valuable to the degree to which they Kennedy, and Massachusetts is full up. If Kennedites want to expand, they should move to states in need of Kennedies.

[Kurth]

Young blood, please.

I’m at the age where my parents and those of most of my friends are in their mid- to late 70s. I’ve yet to meet one who I felt had the mental and physical constitution to be leader of the free world.

[Holman]

Young blood, please.

I’m at the age where my parents and those of most of my friends are in their mid- to late 70s. I’ve yet to meet one who I felt had the mental and physical constitution to be leader of the free world.

Warren is 70. Rubio is 48.

There's no question about who is better qualified.

[Isgrimnur]

Young blood, please.

I’m at the age where my parents and those of most of my friends are in their mid- to late 70s. I’ve yet to meet one who I felt had the mental and physical constitution to be leader of the free world.

To be fair, they likely didn’t have it two decades ago, either.

[LawBeefaroni]

My feeling is that politics is a long game of acquiring power and money and influence; those who've been at it the longest are also the strongest because that's how it works.

This is what it is. And it's not necessarily a bad thing.

[malchior]

My feeling is that politics is a long game of acquiring power and money and influence; those who've been at it the longest are also the strongest because that's how it works.

This is what it is. And it's not necessarily a bad thing.

This is *part* of what it is. The boomers happened to also have a major population advantage and when enough of them started voting they took over power...early. Eventually the millennials may do the same. If the boomers leave them a Republic.

[Fireball]

My feeling is that politics is a long game of acquiring power and money and influence; those who've been at it the longest are also the strongest because that's how it works.

This is what it is. And it's not necessarily a bad thing.

I'd say it's usually a good thing. Being an effective political leader requires finely honed skills that take time to develop.

[Daehawk]

I think it has more to do with money and power and connections of who you know.

[Kraken]

Because at least a few of you are following Markey v. Kennedy...this ad dropped today.

[Holman]

That's an amazing ad.

I didn't watch past the Markey part, but I assume the guys discussing it approve of Markey stealing JFK's line and running with it. That was top notch.

[Kraken]

Yeah, I couldn't quickly find the standalone ad on youtube, only on twitter...which I don't use or know how to link. I cut out the host's intro and didn't watch past the end of the ad. Thought it was good enough to share. I'm supporting Markey, if that wasn't obvious before.

[Holman]

[$iljanus]

Leaning towards Markey myself. Kennedy is no working class AOC and Markey has enough progressive bona fides for me to think he can help fight for change.

[Kraken]

I delivered our ballots yesterday, so that's two Markey votes. Lots of Kennedy signs in our neighborhood, though.

[Kraken]

(Changed thread title because even I keep forgetting what it was)

[Holman]

Other than youth and the inherited name, what is this Kennedy offering?

The typical "kid vs. incumbent" primary pits a more progressive up-and-comer against entrenched interests, but Markey is about as progressive as they come.

Is this just about the Kennedy family narrative?

[El Guapo]

I delivered our ballots yesterday, so that's two Markey votes. Lots of Kennedy signs in our neighborhood, though.

Just confirmed that our primary ballots (for Markey) were received and accepted.

[$iljanus]

I delivered our ballots yesterday, so that's two Markey votes. Lots of Kennedy signs in our neighborhood, though.

Just confirmed that our primary ballots (for Markey) were received and accepted.

Same here. I feel confident in a fair and free election...when I vote in the newly formed United Northeast Compact of America after our secession from the US in the aftermath of the fixed election of 2020.

[Jaymann]

I delivered our ballots yesterday, so that's two Markey votes. Lots of Kennedy signs in our neighborhood, though.

Just confirmed that our primary ballots (for Markey) were received and accepted.

Same here. I feel confident in a fair and free election...when I vote in the newly formed United Northeast Compact of America after our secession from the US in the aftermath of the fixed election of 2020.

You're just trying to preserve anti-slavery!

[Kraken]

Looks like it's going to be Markey by 8-10 points. Unless I was misinformed, this will be the first time a Kennedy has run for office in MA and lost.

[Kraken]

I stand corrected: It's the first time a Kennedy has lost a race for Congress in MA. This boston.com story has a good play-by-play.

The good news is that the torch wasn't passed and the whippersnapper didn't wrest it away.