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Patrick Kennedy’s choice could start Dems’ exodus

GOP targets William Delahunt, Niki Tsongas

By Hillary Chabot,  Saturday, February 13, 2010

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s abrupt announcement that he’s not seeking re-election to Congress has gleeful Republicans eyeing incumbent New England Democrats and asking, “Who’s next?”

[snip]

In Massachusetts, the National Republican Congressional Committee - tasting victory after the come-from-behind Senate win of Scott Brown last month - has targeted U.S. Rep. William Delahunt and U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas - both from districts where Brown won the majority of communities. (Emphasis added)

Those two Democrats have also shown sluggish fund-raising, and Delahunt has refused to even commit to seeking re-election.

“Delahunt and other New England Democrats who have voted in lockstep with (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi will pay a price on Election Day,” said National Republican Campaign Committee spokesman Tory Mazzola.

Tsongas (D-Lowell) vowed to fight for re-election and said Brown’s surprise win gave Democrats an early wake-up call.

“As a candidate you have to earn every vote,” said Tsongas, who faces two GOP challengers. “I do think in this election we heard voters’ anger and frustration. I hear it when I’m in my district, but I’m working for them on bread-and-butter issues on a daily basis.”

Former state Treasurer Joseph Malone, who is considering running against Delahunt (D-Quincy), said Kennedy’s resignation has fed rumors that Delahunt will also bow out.

“My feeling is whether he runs or not, this is a very winnable seat, and the reason why it’s winnable is because Bill Delahunt has gone far in the liberal direction,” Malone said.

Democrats are also facing stiff competition in the Granite State, where U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) was bested by GOP challenger Frank Guinta in a recent independent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire and WMUR-TV (Ch. 9). (Emphasis added)

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-- Edited by Sanders on Sunday 14th of February 2010 02:05:18 PM