Keller @ Large: Endorsements Likely Clear Path For Rep. Markey
BOSTON (CBS) - As the snowstorm approaches, you might want to consider hiring the folks at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) to shovel your walkway - given how fast they're moving to clear the way for Rep. Ed Markey's (D-Seventh District) run for US Senate.
Within the space of an hour Friday afternoon, Markey received two high-profile endorsements, from Vicki Kennedy, widow of the late senator, and from Sen. John Kerry himself.
An effusive endorsement was blasted out by the DSCC press office, confirming the obvious: DC Democratic leaders don't want any part of a contested Democratic primary in the special election for Senate, preferring instead to turn Markey loose on likely GOP nominee Scott Brown as soon as possible. No wasted time, money or energy. And no primary-fight fodder for Brown to pick through, which proved problematic for Martha Coakley in the 2010 special.
The possible downside of all this: Congressmen Steve Lynch or Mike Capuano decide they'd just as soon not be elbowed aside so abruptly and hang in there, forcing Markey to defend this little coup attempt.
And even if they do bow out, the move helps Brown run as an outsider again, railing against an insider Democrat with so little regard for Democrats that he wouldn't even let them have a choice in their own primary.
