Card leans toward run for Senate (MA)

The Boston Globe ^ | September 10, 2009 | Jim O’Sullivan

[Clintonfatigued]

Republican Andrew H. Card Jr., who was a chief of staff under former president George W. Bush, said last night that he would probably run for the seat left vacant by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, prompting another prospective candidate, state Senator Scott Brown, to rule out a bid if Card entered.

Card, who served four terms as a state representative for Holbrook before taking a succession of jobs in Washington, told the News Service the chances were “much better than 50 percent that I will find a way to say yes.’’ He said he would probably make a decision this weekend, after observing the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

At a GOP State Committee meeting in a Newton hotel, Card and Brown surprised many Republican insiders, as Card showed increasing enthusiasm for the seat and Brown, a Wrentham Republican who on Tuesday had said he was “about 90 percent’’ sure he would run, backed off.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Brown should probably run on the ticket with Cahill for Lt Gov.

[Impy]

"Not just that, he’s waaayyyy to closely ties to the Bushes. Of course, if this were any of another 30 or so states, that just might help him.

Uh in Texas maybe...

[yongin]

Rasmussen did a poll about Curt Shilling.

---

Just 34% of Massachusetts voters say they’re even somewhat likely to vote for Schilling. Most (54%) say they’re not likely to do so. Those figures include only 16% who say they’re Very Likely to vote for the retired pitcher and 30% who are Not at All Likely to do so.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/massachusetts/massachusetts_voters_not_ready_for_senator_schilling

[CowboyJay]

Nobody wants to hear it, but you’re right. RiNO’s are a liability, no matter whose seat they’re holding down. The media will make them the mouthpiece of the party, they will carry undue influence as ‘swing voters’, and the lobbyists will line their pockets.

[AuH2ORepublican]

A Rasmussen poll shows Bay staters not exactly bullish on Schilling making a Senate run. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/massachusetts/massachusetts_voters_not_ready_for_senator_schilling

I assume that Andy Card is socially liberal, but I get the feeling that he isn’t a Weld/Cellucci/Swift-type RINO (would he have survived that long as GW Bush’s Chief of Staff if he was?). The Bush connection won’t help him one bit in MA, but if he enters the race we’re pretty much stuck with him, since no other prominent Republican will be likely to run. And if Cellucci runs, we’d be crazy not to support Card over him in the primary.

[Norman Bates]

Card isn’t my choice. He’s way too much the Washington BUSH insider.

This is Massachusetts, right? I mean we are talking about the man whose responsibility it was to make sure George W. Bush's policies were implemented by the Executive Branch. Hullo!

In fact, the only way he could possibly be elected to this seat is if he were running against George W. Bush himself.

[Norman Bates]

He has no chance of winning this seat. None. This is a fantasy.

[Norman Bates]

He won’t get anywhere close to 40.

[Jim Noble]

Anyone who runs for this seat on a Republican or Independent line has to understand that the names "Republican" and "George W. Bush" are poison, and electoral death, in Massachusetts.

Of 160 House members, 19 (12%) are Republicans. Of 40 Senators, 5 (12%) are Republicans.

Andy Card, whatever else he is, is a party man. He has the deadly words "GOP" and "W" written all over him.

Denying this seat to a communist involves running a liberty-loving independent. A Republican (with the possible exception of Willard) has NO CHANCE.

[Jim Noble]

At a GOP State Committee meeting in a Newton hotel

Where'd they hold it?

In a phone booth?

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Of 160 House members, 19 (12%) are Republicans."

Old numbers. We're at 16 now after the '08 elections. 10%.

[GOPsterinMA]

With the stellar performance of the current Turd-In-Chief, I think people are looking fondly at GWB.

Didn't thought I'd type that less than 1 year after the 2008 election.

[GOPsterinMA]

Great idea! Love it!

[Gargantua]

"How about a blue-dog Dem instead?"

From one who lives in Taxachusetts, I'm pretty sure there are no Blue Dog Democrats within 300 miles of here.

;-/

[darkangel82]

Maybe Schilling can throw a few fastballs in the Senate.

[Clintonfatigued]

I’m hoping this article is incorrect.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/massachusetts/massachusetts_voters_not_ready_for_senator_schilling

[fieldmarshaldj]

Damn the polls, they can often be spun however those commissioning them want. He needs to run. Running more failed RINO liberals isn’t the answer.

[Impy]

Well, you’d rather be in the frying pan than the fire I suppose.

[GOPsterinMA]

:) You got that right!