For Democrats, John Kerry’s nomination to be the next Secretary of State has pluses and minuses. On the one hand, President Obama will get a spectacularly qualified cabinet official who’ll be confirmed with overwhelming, bipartisan support. The nation will benefit from Kerry’s service.
On the other, Democrats need every vote on Capitol Hill they can get, and it doesn’t help if the White House takes leading lawmakers away from their caucuses. After all, the last time there was a special election to fill a Senate vacancy in Massachusetts, it didn’t work out too well for the party.
But this time, the White House has at least recognized the issue up front, vowing not to take the race in the traditionally blue Bay State for granted.
Senate Democrats have been promised White House-level help in the battle to replace Sen. John Kerry in Massachusetts.
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and former President Bill Clinton will all campaign for the Democratic candidate, according to a Democratic official.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who Kerry is expected to replace, might also get involved.









