Title: Analysis: Joe Kennedy's Decision Opens Up A Senate Free-For-All

" This is the WBUR. News podcast for Tuesday September -- the service of WBUR. Boston's NPR news station I'm Bob it -- coming up how some immigrants in Massachusetts are threatening to boycott next year's federal census. As a way to push for immigration reform. And first today. With Labor Day behind us the field of candidates to succeed Senator Ted Kennedy is expected to become clearer in the next few days. Kennedy has held that senate seat in all but two years dating back to 1953. But that won't continue to be the case. Former congressman Joseph Kennedy has decided not to enter the race clearing the way for other Democrats and maybe some Republicans. Joining us this morning to size up where the race is going. Is Tufts University political science professor Jeff Barry professor Barry good morning and thanks for is being -- again. How does Joe Kennedy's decision influence what happens is now from today forward in this race."

" What can have a dramatic to -- to what's gonna happen all the other possible candidates -- waiting to see if you was gonna run and if he had run it would likely to be. Coakley Kennedy race but now we're gonna -- five other candidates champions so it's a free for all."

" How strong a candidate would Joe Kennedy have them."

" I think he would have been a strong candidate that speech that he gave -- before his uncle's funeral was any indication he had a powerful message and have been great emotional tug. But surely would've won but he has some tough competition Martha Coakley at least. And but he would have been a formidable candidate."

" Okay talked about Coakley a couple of times here the current Massachusetts attorney general she's already in the race she's announced. A congressman Stephen Lynch has taken out nomination papers but has not formally announced yet let's hear about the other people you expect in this race."

" Right there's at least four other former. More current members of the congressional delegation -- Marty Meehan whose -- chancellor -- university master's so little at marquis who's a high seniority and very powerful. Congressman chairman of the energy and environment subcommittee in the house. Michael Capuano who's. The ball very popular flavor representatives from Somerville and John -- who's also very liberal representative from the north sure. One of the things attention about this is because of the special election. None of the congressmen are running have to give up their seats sort -- a free shot and senate seats in Massachusetts don't come open very often so this doesn't want select an opportunity. Why would likely defeat of number of them -- and even though their chances may not be all the great."

" All the Democrats will talk about Republicans in a moment but who leads in that democratic field or. Is because of the field could be so large it it is it really anyone's race."

" I think Martha Coakley starts in the pole position she has very high name recognition across the stage -- favorable which doesn't have right now a lot of money because of the states. -- the solution to the federal account potential Hillary is quite a bit of money. Associate starts off as the leader. What he Meehan has four point nine million dollars in this federal Carroll left over what he was a congressman so he can buy a lot of name recognition. If you if you junction Ed Markey has I think quick money to reconsider powerful congressman not queries. It's still an advantage to step down from my subcommittee chairmanship and colonel Stabile -- senior senator. Michael Capuano and juncture name's Stephen Lynch all have name recognition problems and they're gonna need to raise a lot of money quickly and get on the here quickly if they choose to run."

" On the GOP side the only Republican officeholder to jump in so far as Bob her. A selectmen from -- and state senators Scott Brown has said that he's considering a dead. We've heard from former lieutenant governor Kerry Healey who said that she's out why hasn't their men more action yet on the Republican side."

" Well lately and directed -- numbers. It's important to remind ourselves just how democratic states assist only twelve to 13% of all the registered voters in Massachusetts are Republicans so for any Republican it's a daunting challenge."

" Do you expect at any big names in the GOP field."

" I think Scott Brown. Who I would let's -- big name but of the promising member of of the GOP looks like she's gonna -- he's. State senator from the western suburbs. He has -- name recognition problem and more. More importantly I'm not trees can be able to raise the money I think a lot of Republicans are looking more toward big gubernatorial race and thinking that Charlie Baker as the good chance to -- interval Patrick. And Tim -- also. Out of the children of."

" I know the candidates are I'm not out of the box yet are hardly out of the box but what do you expect it teeth issue in this US senate race to be."

" On the democratic primary it's. Who's gonna move. Backed health care strongly who's gonna carry on the mantle of Ted Kennedy I don't think he'll be great. Differences except force people mention paying more moderate Democrats and I think which is plausible scenario not highly possible but probable scenario. Is -- running in a group of 45 liberals the one moderate conflicts through."

" Jeff very political science professor at Tufts University thanks a lot -- speaking -- us thank you. Massachusetts is making a special effort this year to make sure that all the states immigrants are counted in next year's federal census. The census is important to Massachusetts. Because the state is in danger of losing a seat in congress do international population shifts. And immigration has largely accounted for what little population growth Massachusetts has experienced in recent years. But not all immigrants want to be counted in fact some activists -- a census boycott unless there's national immigration reform first. WBUR. Is beyond a mosque is told -- reports on the consequences a boycott could have."

" Jose even Nancy -- stands at Somerville parking lot waiting for someone to offer him more. He's surrounded by about twenty other Brazilian and all in heat splattered work clothes. They're not TO is here illegally. And has been for the last seventeen years. That hasn't stopped him from feeling the census forms when they arrive in the mail or your system we could Boston's -- when he does it."

" But keep the census is very important for the communities because -- how politicians know how many people there are and where to direct money for health and education than they native west zone and that he says is what makes it's an important political tool."

" And perhaps the only tool for someone who can't vote. So this year he will boycott the sentence."

" If those lucky as you would watch day."

" That way politicians will be forced to support laws favoring immigrants I agree with the boycott the -- public -- the boycott was dreamed up by a national group of Latino evangelical pastors. On a local level it's been adopted by some influential voices in resilient community."

" This as well what's a -- so I got this at a thoughtful does that grab the ball a little -- to buts about it proto local with the."

" Fausto to -- posts it daily Portuguese language radio is -- AM station at a Chelsea. The show is eclectic. To host -- talks about politics in Brazil politics in the United States and in between he plays Christian music from Brazil. But for the past three weeks his show has focused on the senseless more than anything else. During this show dozens of people called in supporting the boycott but he militants to -- a desirable but they've always sick or about. To host -- shows. Remember. Before they count us they have to legalize yes. To host his recruiting other radio show hosts and pastors talk to other immigrant groups about the boycott he has no doubt about as targets. Democrats have promised to work on immigration reform. "

" They gave hope to a us. But now while early we try to tell them. You guys have to watch. To make the immigration laws by march economic integration respond reasonably -- to the sense of in the league and I think if Foley from the."

" This isn't an empty threat the state is at risk of losing one at ten congressional seats. Massachusetts isn't growing as much as others states and the only growth is due to immigrants."

" Our foreign born population has been so critical to the growth of our population."

" Richard -- is the director for the Massachusetts office on refugees and immigrants."

" If it weren't for foreign born population there's a good chance that we -- seen a decline overall population in Massachusetts and that's. Extremely important when it comes to issues like the size of our congressional delegation or. Some federal funding so the idea that any groups of people not wanting to come out and be counted. It's a good reason to be concerned."

" The boycott campaign has picked to host on the outs with some immigrant groups including his own. To host is the executive director of the Brazilian immigrant center a nonprofit in Boston. The board doesn't support the boycott so to host has taken a sixty day leave to work on the campaign. Meantime the largest coalition of immigrant groups in the state is starting its own campaign next month to encourage all immigrants to participate in the census."

" I mean if we wanna be out of the show doesn't wanna be out of the shadows for insults is with Mira the Massachusetts immigrant and refugee advocacy coalition it seems really contradictory to trying to. Withhold your account when you're trying to get your voice heard. And it seems like the are hurting the people that actually apparently supporting him the entire. Massachusetts delegation is working for immigration reform trying to get them to work harder for an."

" Salt is hoping Obama will take up immigration when and if he resolves the health care debate. Whether you're for or against reform. -- says the state needs a better picture of who's here and why. The WBUR. I'm -- about custodians."

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