Kennedy missteps coming at crucial time in U.S. Senate primary battle, strategists say

U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III’s belly flop into the Quabbin Reservoir is just the latest in a string of campaign missteps strategists say are coming at precisely the wrong time in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Edward Markey.

Kennedy’s jab at Markey over not visiting towns the reservoir washed off the map decades ago comes as his recent attack on the incumbent’s immigration record continues to get lost in a voting record squabble.

And it follows an ad knocking the notion of “wait your turn” that left the scion of one of America’s most notable political dynasties facing criticism over his family’s privileged past.

Political watchers say the misfires, a head-scratcher for what should be a well-oiled Kennedy machine, are being made worse by their timing with vote-by-mail for the Sept. 1 primary already underway.

“Having gaffes four weeks or five weeks before an election is generally OK,” Suffolk University Political Research Center Director David Paleologos said. “But this year is different because people are going to start filling out their ballots and mailing them in starting next week.”

Kennedy’s attempt to ratchet up his attacks against Markey comes as the congressman finds himself in what insiders and strategists say is a much tighter race than expected heading into the home stretch.

But by going negative “he’s conveying a sense that he’s desperate” and is “making a classic political mistake his grandfather and uncles would not make,” Boston University political historian Thomas Whalen said. “Right now Markey has a good chance of winning re-election and if that’s the case, then the Kennedys are finished as a viable political dynasty.”

The Kennedy camp argues it’s far from in trouble. Campaign manager Nick Clemons said its “message of change is really resonating with working people, with the Black community across Massachusetts, with immigrant communities.”

Kennedy should have had a win this week with the release of travel records — obtained by the Herald — that back up his argument he spends significantly more time in Massachusetts than Markey. The congressman spent 246 days here in 2019 compared to Markey’s 152.

But strategists say the news was largely overshadowed by Kennedy’s campaign misfires and major endorsements that have broken for his rival.

“Kennedy has the structural advantage in name, in favorability, in fundraising,” UMass Lowell political science professor John Cluverius said. “But the more people see it as a clear-choice election wherein they should pick Markey, the tougher road it is for Kennedy to stay ahead.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/39zyoeF