The Hiller Instinct: Joe Kennedy

Once again, Massachusetts is waiting and wondering. And, once again, Joe Kennedy is waffling.

The last time we heard from him was last Friday, at Ted Kennedy's wake. A story he told almost made it sound as if he would run for his uncle's senate.

Almost:

“You stay in the race, and if people don't have health insurance, you stay in the race...if people don't have adequate health care, adequate housing, you stay in the race. If people aren't being treated properly, you stay in the race," Joe Kennedy said.

But, since then, Joe hasn't even gotten in, much less stayed in.

A week has passed and Ted Kennedy has been buried. Martha Coakley has

announced her candidacy. Stephen Lynch has taken the first official step toward running and Joe, who thought about running for governor in 1990, 1994 and 1998, but didn't, is reinforcing his reputation as the Hamlet of the hub: 'To be or not to be, that is the question", Hamlet said.

Joe, you may not know it, but you may already have decided, because the time you've spent thinking reflects your reservation, and lack of enthusiasm.

Sure, you'd be a Kennedy in the Kennedy Senate seat, but you wouldn't be Ted Kennedy, and no one can do what he did.

So you'd live in a shadow...and trade a very comfortable private life for a very uncomfortable public one.

You've been in Washington, as a congressman for ten years during the late 80's and 90's, and you didn't like it then. In terms of getting things done, it's even worse now.

Massachusetts does need a senator, but it doesn't have to be a senator named Kennedy.

So, your choice is simple--yes or no--and I think your answer will rhyme with Joe.

I’m Andy Hiller, and that’s my instinct.

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