Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, who this summer sued the federal government over the unconstitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, just put herself first in line to take Sen. Ted Kennedy’s vacant U.S. Senate seat. Sounds like Kennedy’s gay-friendly legacy could continue?
This morning Coakley picked up nomination papers, which she must file with 10,000 voter signatures to qualify for the Dec. 8 Democratic primary. But it’s no surprise: She’s been “quietly” putting together a Senate run for at least the past year.
As should be expected, Coakley is already embroiled in a mini scandal, standing accused of using finances from her attorney general campaign to put out feelers for a federal campaign.
Undoubtedly, Coakley and her supporters will point to her DOMA lawsuit (Gill v. Office of Personnel Management) as just one of many commitments to the gay community and, more largely, her plan on continuing the well-liked Kennedy’s civil rights agenda.
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dgz
i’d go for a proven advocate over a family legacy any day.
ThatguyFromBoston
I loves me some Martha!
CTC
We’ve gotta be careful. Can a lawyer tell me: if she wins her DOMA lawsuit, does the federal government lose the ability to supersede minimum wage laws, environmental protection laws, and medical leave laws (etc) that states currently enact?
A friend of mine who has some legal background told me this was a stunt that could set back Democrats for decades if she wins, but I’d like a second opinion.
Quinn
@CTC: Your friend is a crackpot. The issue with DOMA is that it violates the USC’s Full Faith and Credit clause, not simply that “the federal government can’t tell states what to do!”
villager
oh hell yes!