SB Nation User Blog: Senatorrosewater

Biggest Off-Season Story: Schilling to Run for Kennedy's Senate Seat

Senatorrosewater — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:23:31 -0000

The Boston Globe and other media outlets are now reporting that former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is weighing his options in relation to a run for Massachusetts' open senate seat, as discussed in his 38 Pitches Blog. Schilling began discussing the prospect of a run on his blog as early as Wednesday, but at this point is still very non-committal, as most would-be politicians are wont to be when discussing possible runs. I've already gone on record on this site with my anti-Schilling views, but will offer some objective political analysis after the jump.

Overall, Schilling's chances of earning mass Republican support for the seat are very high. That is, of course, contingent on his actually admitting that he is a Republican. He's missed the date to run as a Republican officially. In the blog, he affirms that he will "Always" be an independent, but only the most politically naive among us could think that an actual independent has any chance of winning a seat in the US senate. Normally. He could be another exception if the GOP sits this one out or runs a fringe candidate. Of the senate's two current independents, Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders, one is a Democrat who lost a primary and was forced to run outside the party, relying heavily on Republican voters opposing a more progressive Democrat in the General Election. Senator Lieberman also has the advantage of a well-established networking and fundraising apparatus and decades of experience. Senator Sanders is called an independent, but is actually a self-identified Socialist, and is well known as being one of the most progressive voices in the senate. In calling himself an independent, Schilling may be trying to simply 'brand' himself, in much the same way that John McCain has always been associated with the word 'Maverick'. Its not a large rhetorical stretch to go from being 'independent' to being 'independent-minded' or 'an independent-minded Republican', which fits well with Schilling's political outsider status.

Assuming that Schilling does run on the GOP ticket, he'll instantly become at least the second most popular and recognizable Republican in Massachusetts behind former governor and 2008 presidential contender Mitt Romney. Its widely believed that Romney is still interested in a possible 2012 Presidential run, and could be the GOP front-runner in that race which means he'll be staying far, far away from the senate race. In fact, there is little to stop him from actively campaigning for Schilling.

Fortunately for Schilling, that will not be the only help he gets. A special election for a senate seat is always a big deal, and its never been a bigger deal than now, with the Democrats having just lost their tenuous 60th vote with Senator Kennedy's passing. As things stand now, its difficult to handicap house races until something happens with a healthcare bill. The minority party typically picks up some house seats in mid-term elections, but are very unlikely to gain a majority, so the Republicans know that they're going to have to hang together to avoid hanging separately, and even getting close to winning this seat would be a coup. It would be great publicity for all involved, and would set Schilling up for almost any run he wanted to make in the future, possibly for the House. Here are a few other Republicans who could benefit from a symbiotic relationship with Schilling:

Sarah Palin: After resigning as Alaska Governor in July, Palin made it well known that she would be making herself available to campaign on behalf of other right-leaning candidates in the 'lower 48'. Of course, her phone hasn't exactly been ringing off the hook since then, but as someone without an existing donor and volunteer network in place Schilling could benefit greatly by tapping Palin's relatively small group of dedicated and fiercely loyal supporters.

Newt Gingrich: with books to sell and an axe to grind, the former house speaker has not been afraid to offer unsolicited advice to politicians as of late. As one of the last surviving pseudo-intellectual voices in the GOP, Schilling would benefit greatly from the intellectual weight and legislative insight Gingrich could lend his candidacy. Gingrich, in turn, gets good face time on the news to sell books or set himself up for a future office run.

Liz Cheney: In the 38 pitches blog Schilling says:

"I’ve always tried to vote for the right team more so than the right person. I believed in Dick Cheney, I believed in Colin Powell, I believed in Condoleezza Rice. I voted as much, if not more, for the team President Bush had assembled as I ever did for the man."

Which might have been a safe political statement at one time, but in September of 2009 its one of the most effective ways to identify yourself as a neo-con and alienate moderate voters. While the former VP may be persona non grata on campaign trails around the country, his daughter is basically a softer version of the old man, who never tires of making broad jumps in logic,and screaming at walls on cable news. Liz Cheney already has established ties to Mitt Romney, and could be considering her own run for office.

Jim Bunning: In an odd confluence of the political winds, Jim Bunning could become Schilling's most valuable asset in a senate run. The Hall of Fame pitcher and current 2 term senator from Kentucky is a victim of the current political climate, and has recently announced his retirement. Without his own campaign to focus on, Bunning would be free to stump for Schilling as a sitting senator, which in the political world carries more weight than any number of 'former' officials, and would go a long, long way toward addressing possible concerns over Schilling's lack of experience. Bunnings position is also very unique in that he is a sitting senator, but can still lay claim to a bit of 'outsider' status, due to his ongoing murky relationship with party officials and senate leadership. If schilling wants to point at Washington and say its broken, Bunning would be a great exhibit A.

Even with a little help from his friends though, Schilling is going to have a large hill to climb before he actually makes it to Washington. Joseph Kennedy II could be a sentimental favorite, and State attorney general Martha Coakley is a political heavyweight not to be taken lightly. There also may be competition from US representatives Stephen Lynch and Ed Markey.

To the best of my knowledge, there are currently no polling data available for the race, although one would assume that Coakley, Lynch, and Markey would all rate in the 65% range against a generic Republican opponent. With Schilling's name recognition and hero status throughout the Red Sox Nation, I'd estimate his percentage of general election support to be about 44.5%. Its not enough to win, but it might just be the best news Republicans hear this winter.

Update: NBC nightly news is now reporting that Joseph Kennedy II will not run for the seat.

Baseball's Original Era of 'Juicing'.

Senatorrosewater — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:25:27 -0000

An interesting article from an unlikely source about the good old days of the American Association, also known as the Beer and Whiskey league. Among other things, it discusses how the Red Stockings were once kicked out of the National League for selling beer, and with a few other teams went on to form the American Association. it also covers a few ballplayers who might have even been able to drink Sir Sid under the table. I'll definitely remember this the next time I'm bitching about paying $7 for a Heineken at Oriole Park. Enjoy.

How Do You Fill Out Your All Star Ballot?

Senatorrosewater — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:05:15 -0000

So there's been a lot of talk lately about Manny and whether he should or shouldn't play the All Star Game and whether or not he'll even make it anyway, but its got me thinking... what goes through the fans' minds when they're punching out the little chads in the middle innings? So I'd like to hear your opinions on how you do it; Is it purely a numbers game, batting lines and OPS? Do you consider only the current season, or overall carreer numbers? Give the edge to young blood, or like to see future hall of famers? Are you highly prejudicial toward PHN and MFY, and partial to the O's, or just want to see the best team on the field? Do you fill out each ballot the same way, or punch in different outfielders or what?

As for me, I don't mind the numbers much at all, and tend to go by carreer name and reputation. At the same time though, its hard to ignore players who are having really good seasons (Ryan Zimmerman) or really bad seasons (Ken Griffey Jr.). I'm definitely partial to the O's, but kind of dubious about whether Huff and Roberts stand up to the competition. And I don't watch hardly any NL games at all.

So CC, what say you? How do you pick 'em?

Poll

What's the most important factor when filling out an all star ballot?

This year's numbers

26 votes

Overall carreer/reputation

1 votes

Team allegiance

14 votes

Other

5 votes

46 votes | Poll has closed

In a Pinch?

Senatorrosewater — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:20:00 -0000

I've noticed so far this season on more than one occasion that Trembley is reluctant to pinch hit for Greg Zaun.

Even in the late innings. Even with runners on. Even when it could change the game. Even though we have a perfectly creditable backup catcher in Chad Moeller. I mean, do the double switch with your likliest bench player, and if the game turns out to go extra innings, you send Moeller to the plate next time.

I'd even go so far as to say that Moeller will get better the more time he gets.

Can anyone on Camden chat explain this to me? Is there something I'm missing?

Also, Zaun to fill the shoes of Elrod Hendricks in the future? Any thoughts?

The Front Office Sticks It Squarely Up My [Hindquarters]... Again!

Senatorrosewater — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:31:18 -0000

I was pleased with how easy it was to exchange tickets after the oakland game was rained out, but after Friday's twins game was ppd, I made a special trip to the goddamn stadium just to pick up my tickets from will call, to use them the next day.

But when I got there the next day, right at game time, Was stopped at the gate and told I would have to exchange my tickets FOR A GAME PPD LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO. Apparently, everyone else was told the same thing, and we were made to stand in line for NEARLY AN HOUR with people walking through the line perpendicularly, brushing up against me every 30 seconds and saying "oh, scuse me."

By the time we got in the score was already 4-1 twins (thanks, Cabs!) and the game was all but over. We left in the 7th, rather than see them give up 12 in each end of the double header.

So if you get rained out... show up early I guess.

Peter Angelos as Mr. Scrooge.

Senatorrosewater — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:34:05 -0000

This is not another blog bemoaning Angelos' failure to sign real talent. What it is though, is a quick relation of Uncle Pete's attempt to steal a shilling from an orphan's hand on a day of national mourning.

Okay... so I'm not really an orphan. But I am a US Merchant Marine and a loyal, lifelong O's fan, and I just got back from Kuwait. While I'm ashore, I've really tried to take advantage of the MASN $1 tickets, and have bought tickets to 7 games so far. Its enough just to show up when you have to look at the likes of Chris Waters and Rad Liz. Anyway, I've been buying these tickets online and each one has come with a 50 cent surcharge; a convenience fee. So after coming home from another embarassing loss there's a number for me to call on the kitchen counter and a note saying

"We forgot to charge you $1 on one of your internet transactions. Please call and pay us a dollar"

Or something like that. So I waited a day and called, intending to ask them to waive the fee, since it was the O's' fault that they didn't apply it in the first pplace, and since, you know Its a freaking dollar!

But who do you think picked up the phone? A friendly, orange-clad intern at the warehouse? Negative. It was ticketmaster's automated answering system telling me to have my confirmation number ready and be prepared to wait on hold.

So I hung up. Fuck a bunch of Ticketmaster.