If he did, Romney would then have a platform to actually introduce legislation modeled on the proposals he put forward as a presidential candidate in 2008 and planned to put forward in 2012. No guesswork. No empty rhetoric. Real ideas, on the Senate floor, that could be evaluated, debated, and perhaps even voted on.
It would be an intriguing thing if, after waiting a day or two out of respect for the late senator, Romney were to downshift and announce he will be a candidate in the upcoming election to fill Kennedy’s vacant Senate seat.
Such an announcement would likely be embraced immediately by the Republicans, who would like almost nothing more than to deny Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada his new, hard-won, 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority. As a self-funding candidate who has already been elected once statewide, Romney has nearly 100 percent name ID. And, in an environment where President Obama seems to be dragging the Democrats down, he would be a serious threat to the Democratic hegemony in Massachusetts’s congressional delegation. Meaning Romney likely would win.
The Hot Air blog responds:
Would he? Obama’s still near 60 percent approval in Massachusetts. Given the creepy dynasticism of the Kennedy cult, you can expect them to lend their weight to a campaign for the seat to stay Democratic (“Do it for Teddy!”). Romney’s not the same pol who won the governor’s race in 2002, either: Remember, his conversion to the pro-life cause came while he was in office so he’ll be demagogued inside the state as a cynical sell-out to the hard right today. And there’s more to lose in doing this than there is to gain. If he wins, he ends up stuck in the minority with the rest of the GOP with no way to pass legislation unless he compromises with the Democrats — not something a guy who’s already suspected of RINOism is wont to do. If he loses, it proves he’s a paper tiger who can’t even carry the moderate states to which he’s supposed to appeal as a potential Republican nominee.
Running and winning would lend him some extra gravitas and name recognition, which he’ll desperately need in a primary against Palin and media darling Huckabee. But even so … seems like a longshot with the potential for catastrophe. Let’s vote on it.
I think Mitt should try for Kennedy’s seat, basically so he can get first hand experience in the Senate. Some people think he needs that, I dont, but I think it would cement some who worry he has no expeience in government. As for him not being able to do anything in a Democratic majority, look at Ted Kennedy, he wasnt always working with a Democratic congress and he still did his very best to keep people motivate to do whats right for the country, and I think Mitt can exceed that reputation quite well. It will also give Congress a chance to get to know Mitt, and the nation to see him action still. I think he would be an asset to the GOP there as well. But I already like what he is doing.. gathering the tribes. Goals in place and activating the country to unite. This is our leader. I pray it doesnt get too screwed up for him to make a difference before we can get him in!
I was hoping he would be APPOINTED to the seat now that Senator Kennedy has passed away. I think that would be BETTER (long-term) than if he RUNS for the position then, one year in, runs for President again.
I want him to be President more than Senator…and the need for him in the Senate is immediate (before the 2010 Election). If he is appointed, he can assist a fellow conservative in THEIR campaign for the Senate seat, then focus his attention on the Presidential race.