A week of near misses and political opportunities

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December 15, 2012

A week of near misses and political opportunities

Bill Plante Newburyport Daily News The Daily News of Newburyport Sat Dec 15, 2012, 02:00 AM EST

Big Freddy was folding his morning newspaper when I joined him and I asked what was cooking.

“Turnovers,” he said.

“As in?” I asked.

“State and federal,” Freddy said. “For one, Tim Cahill’s grinning ear to ear because the jury went belly up and he walks. Coakley’s trying to make the best of why she brought the case — which she was between the rock and the hard place because of the political realities involved.”

“For two, UN Ambassador Susan Rice has to step away from what would have been a sure thing replacing Hillary Clinton as our next Secretary of State because of the heat from Republicans over how she reacted to the attack on our embassy in Benghazi which was like stumble, fumble, and grunt between her and the White House.

“For three, that opens the door for John Kerry to take over from Hillary which he’s been breathing hard to get.”

“That opens the door to his Senate seat for Scott Brown to make a play to return,” I said.

“Better than a trifecta,”Freddy said.

“But you have to give the attorney general credit for bringing the case against Cahill,” I said.

“She had no choice but it would be no slam-dunk,” Freddy said.

“Using a million and a half of Lottery money to support his run for governor should have been a slam-dunk,” I said.

“But, surprise, surprise, in Massachusetts, enough members of the jury apparently didn’t see it that way, so she comes up empty,” Freddy said.

“She had no choice,” I said.

“Neither did Susan Rice over the Benghazi killings,” Freddy said. “She falls on her sword to save Obama grief during the climax of his campaign.

“Somebody’s going to write a book about the stumble, fumble and grunt about it out of the White House some day, but Republicans were all over it, and she had to take the heat.”

“Well, John Kerry’s playing it cool and breathing easier,” I said. “She was Obama’s first choice, and now, he’s going to get it.”

“He’s earned it,” Freddy said.

“You lose a run for President that’s really tough to take. He did, but he hung in there. Not everyone would. It’s one thing to be a part of all that goes on with the Senate, but it’s small change compared to being President.

“Give him credit. He’s prepped himself for secretary of state. With what’s going on around the world, capping a career with that’s not small change.

“Neither is Scott Brown’s gearing up to take Kerry’s seat.,” I said. “He not only said he would cross the aisle when it made sense — he did. The Senate needs more — and not just Republicans — who will do that. He has some campaign money left, and he just might make it.”

“Maybe,” Freddy said.

“Why maybe?” I asked.

“He’s not a Democrat,” Freddy said. “Our governor is, and he’s in the down side of his time in office. He’s bored with the same old, same old, and he’s buddy — buddy with Obama.”

“That’s a reach,” I said.

“Reaching’s what politics are all about, and Patrick’s very good at that. So’s seizing a moment, and this one could be one for the history books.”

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Bill Plante is a Newbury resident.