Nice to see someone from the Globe recognize Elizabeth Warren for what she really is: "the hand picked candidate of the elites."

We certainly don't need another "anointed one" in the person of Ed Markey!

Changing the way the political game is played are very slim. The gist here is Markey has no support from the street. That may be a premature assessment. The Democrats here are all good people and they know how to play hardball, unlike Warren who at times seemed a little cowed by Brown's bullying. Those tactics backfired on Brown who disgusted more voters than he won over.

It is unnerving that Ms. Vennochi is so unaware of the party nomination process and thinks that the so called "party leaders" call all the shots. To be politically viable as a candidate one has to have a fund raising effort, make yourself known to the voting public, and make yourself known to the various Democratic town or precinct committees across the state. It also goes without saying that a message that resonates with the public is also necessary. Not having any of these resources or effectively attempting to garner them is what truly sunk Ms. DeFranco. She will learn and can come back another day if that is her choice. However anyone who wants their Party's nomination must be successful at all these tasks. If they choose to be unaffiliated and independent there is another path available to those seeking an office. There was no anointment just someone who organized, fought hard town by town, and worked to secure support at the state convention. It was not a done deal and in fact this present cadre of potential office seekers chose themselves not to engage as candidates in the last contest for Senate. In one sense Ms. Vennochi is correct that the selection of a Party's nominee is not entirely democratic. In the end it is the politically engaged segment of those who are party members or who support Democratic candidates that pick the candidate, not the general public. Does Ms. Vennochi think that Democrats should have chosen Scott Brown as their Massachusetts Democratic Party choice? Maybe a talk with John Walsh, the Mass Democratic Chairman, might enlighten her about the kind of extraordinary effort Elizabeth Warren made to proudly become the first woman Senator from this state. It will be the same for Rep Markey. He will have to earn the nomination of the Democratic Party. He will not be an automatic.

Frankly I don't like primaries and I don't like special elections.  Why?  Take a look at the Congress.  In both primaries and special elections it is basically the zealots that show up.  We end up with extremes on both sides and knuckleheads elected.  Lately a good portion of those elected have no idea how govt. works nor how to work in govt.  I know lots of folks on the street don't, but give me a professional pol any day over the folks the zealots nominate.

Elizabeth Warren was NOT the hand picked candidate of the elites. She had grassroots support from Day One...and before. There was a groundswell of support for her to run while she was still giving Mitch McConnell stress palpitations at the thought of her advocating for consumers in DC. Early on she went out to Framingham for a meet and greet and a thousand grass roots Democrats showed up. The "elites" didn't turn those folks out...that was grassroots support. It looks like Brown is taking a leaf from the book that turned out of office prominent moderate Republican Senator Richard Lugar ("He doesn't really live here..."). Fine. That will be a losing tactic. My question for Brown is...how many kids had to die before you changed your position on gun control?

AMEN, Joan! 

I'm sure of one thing. I know I'm sick of hearing about Scott Brown. I think I've got a name for it: Scott Brown Fatigue Syndrome. (SBFS) I'm suffering badly and it's starting up all over again. OMG and if he wins in June we will have to sit through it all again in the general. That's FOUR times in roughly as many years we will be inundated with this guy's antics. Please make it go away. 

1976

Ed Markey, as begolfing so elegantly pointed out, has been sucking on the public teat for 37 years.  He's the poster boy for term limits.  But you know he'll get elected, regardless of what he does, or does not do.  Brown's win over Coakley was an aberration. Republicans don't win Congressional elections in Massachusetts.

Here is another fine example of when The Boston Globe gets a story wrong, they never let it go.

I was at the convention that nominated Elizabeth Warren.  I saw nothing from the party leaders that showed any favoritism to Elizabeth Warren, yet Maris DeFranco was not able to come anywhere near the 15% of the vote that she would have needed to get on the ballot.

I was an early supporter of Marisa DeFranco, but her inability to break through to the Democratic majority had me convinced that she was not the the best candidate.  DeFranco's performance at the convention compared to that of Elizabeth Warren just sealed the deal for Elizabeth Warren.

What is this fantasy that the Globe has about the party annointing people?

I was a suporter of Michael Capuano against Martha Coakley.  She was a weak proponent of progressive ideals and Capuano seemed to be strong in that department.  This time around, I find Markey to be the strong proponent of progressive ideas that I want to represent me.  Sorry Mike, but Ed Markey gets my support this time around.  No one has annointed Ed Markey for me.  I made the decision myself after a modicum of research.

Does the phrase "Waxman-Markey" ring any bells?  I hope the Boston Globe editorial staff quickly does more homework on the likely candidates, and reflects on the challenges our nation faces in the next decade or so.   The elephant in the room that in spite of its size has been effectively, and I sometimes wonder if not purposely, buried in endless DC jibber jabber on non issues like a 3% tax hike on the top 1%, is climate change.   Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island gets this, maybe a couple others get this, Obama gets it, and yet look at the progress being made, its discouragingly meager.  So call me a single issue voter, but Ed Markey is far and away the best hope we have of adding a seriously informed voice to the Senate on energy issues and climate change.   Facts about political records and how someone will vote and what issues they'll lead on can be slippery in many cases, but not this one -- there is NO ONE else in the short list of potential candidates who comes anywhere close to Markey's years of engagement and advocacy on the issues of energy and climate.   For starters read this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/us/politics/27climate.html?_r=1&hp

and then please Boston Globe staff, get yourselves together around a table somewhere and THINK about your own many years of longing for more action on climate and energy issues.   This is not a matter of elites "annointing" anyone, its a matter of what we need to do as a nation and who is best able to do it.  

how about some new blood and ideas -from both parties!

Well said Joan. I've discovered in my fifty years of living that one of the most important things in life is balance. Problems typically occur when things get out of balance. Democrats dominate this state and it's not for the better. I'd say the same if it were Republicans.

I don't know a lot about Ed Markey's accomplishments but, with thirty-six years in office, much of those unopposed, the Massachusetts Democratic machine shouldn't be able jam a candidate down their party's throats. As an Independent I'm offended by their attempt to circumvent the democratic process.

Poor Joannie still mad at Obama and the "elite" for not choosing Hillary in 2008. Not sure when being from Malden made somebody elite vs. somebody from Somerville but one has to wonder where Joannie lives if this is her idea of elite. 

Random thought...but why do people keep mentioning Vicki Kennedy? Other than perhaps cleaning up some vomit after Ted went on a bender.... what credentials does she have?

Oh bullpucky. Sure a primary is an exercise in democracy. But inferring some fear of democracy in the Democratic Party's early support for Markey is silly. The Party has as its first goal to get a Democrat elected. If rallying around a single - highly respected and qualified - candidate early on improves the odds, then that's the smart plan. If a primary fight between Markey and Capuano (Malden vs. Somerville - such a broad, democratic swath of the Bay State!) would damage either winner, how does that help beat the Republican?

And where is the field of challengers to Brown's presumed candidacy? Have the Republicans beat the bushes to populate a good, democratic primary?

By the way, as for Capuano, he's a fine member of the House. Frankly, it's hard to imagine a better match of the person to the job. I'll never forget his first words to his supporters on his first election to the house: "Pretty un-goddam-believeable!" Stay in the People's House Mike!

In all fairness, Ms. Vennochi, I have two questions.

(1) Was there a Republican primary to nominate Scott Brown when he ran against Martha Coakley. (Note: There *was* a Democratic primary.)

(2) Do you think there's going to be Republican primary this time, or has the party lined up with Scott Brown?

I've never figured out exactly what you bellieve, but regardless which side you're taking on which issue, you're never fair. You leave out anything that might conflict with your shtick of the day.

Thanks, Joanie babe. . . how refreshing to see a Globie defy the Demomob (and Glob) party line. . .  Loudmouth Eddy Markey thinks he deserves a Senate seat due solely to his longevity in the House. . . If that sort of thinking is what sets American federal standards, Robert Byrd should have had at least one, if not two, terms as President for his longevity in the Senate. . . Loudmouth Eddy isn't known for much ... a little about communications like cable tv. .. and as Joanie says, a little more about treehugging stuff that is more theory than real-life in Massachsettts. . . His constituent services are barely ever mentioned though his staff does attend issues meetings once in a while . . . The Walsh-run Demomob (state committee) wants a non-election to send Loudmouth Eddy to the Senate to keep him in line with Demomob dogma. . . and to helk with the voters is the Walsh/Kerry/VKennedy method of madness. . . And those clowns think they differ from the apparachniks that set up the gulag to keep Solzehitsyn and other questioners in line . .. Wonder when Walsh and his phoney croneys will start seeking out some part of New Hampshire to use as their own very special gulag to scare off the local Trotskys. . .

Rick: "How can you close me up? On what grounds?" Captain Renault: "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!" [a croupier hands Renault a pile of money]Croupier: "Your winnings, sir." Captain Renault: [sotto voce] "Oh, thank you very much." [aloud]Captain Renault: "Everybody out at once!" 

An article about Democrats against democracy in this state?  Unbelievable!!! As long as we have a one party State, there will be no democracy. Too bad the voters in this state are too stupid to realize this. Here anything with a D after their name can win. Off course the back room boys will stack the deck in favor of their picked candidate so voters really don't have much of a choice.

Why are Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren being faulted for being in it to win and win resoundingly?  Should the Patriots have let the Dophins squeeze in a touchdown just to be nice.  If other Democrats want to run, they need to throw their hat into the ring and then work to get the votes!