July 16, 2004

60-40 FILES:

Cellucci's return raises issue of Senate run (Raphael Lewis, July 16, 2004, Boston Globe)

Former governor Paul Cellucci of Massachusetts said yesterday that he will resign from his position as US ambassador to Canada in January and return to his native state, sparking speculation among Republicans eager to find someone to run for the US Senate if John F. Kerry wins the White House.

The seat will be open far sooner than that.

Posted by Orrin Judd at July 16, 2004 9:41 AM
Comments

I'm in the camp that says a) Kerry won't resign and b) Kerry won't win so the seat won't be empty. That said Celluci, after Romney, is probably the best candidate the GOP has. Celluci could challenge Teddy Kennedy (in '06?) if the Kerry seat doesn't open up.

Posted by: AWW at July 16, 2004 10:27 AM

I'm with AWW. Near as I can tell, Dole is the first Senator to resign to run for President, at least since the Civil War.

Not that sitting Senators have had much luck. They're 2 for 11.

Posted by: Tom L at July 16, 2004 11:03 AM

Kerri isn't quitting - he thinks the Senate is the House of Lords. Besides, where else can you earn $157,000 for not working?

Posted by: jim hamlen at July 16, 2004 12:13 PM

I'll weigh in with AWW as well. Kerry will lose the Presidential race and continue on as Senator, easily winning re-election.

Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at July 16, 2004 12:15 PM

jim:

He gets $50,000 everytime he pumices the dead skin off Mrs. Heinz's feet.

Posted by: oj at July 16, 2004 12:19 PM

oj's comment reminds me of the Simpson's episode where Sideshow Bob marries one of Marge's sisters [I forget why, perhaps to get close to Bart to kill him]. The sister calls from the bed, asking Bob to come in and trim her toenails. Bob gives a horrified shudder, and then puts on a fake grin and goes in...Sideshow John!!

Posted by: John Cunningham at July 16, 2004 12:37 PM

Just $50K? - he's not charging enough.

Seriously, he won't quit because he doesn't have anywhere else to go.

Posted by: jim hamlen at July 16, 2004 2:53 PM

Wouldn't Kerry have to show up first before he quit?

Posted by: Robert Schwartz at July 16, 2004 10:10 PM
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