John Kerry

I don't think anyone sane would suggest that Obama would select Kerry if it could turn over control of the Senate to the Republicans. I assume that Kerry himself would be the first to say that would make no sense. As good a candidate for SoS that he is, he is not so much better than everyone else to justify losing the Senate. In fact, Kerry's speeches for Warren spoke directly to the need to control the Senate.

I agree with you that Brown could lose and there likely are Democrats who can beat him. This may be especially true if he continues in the negative campaigning he has done. That behavior and losing would likely both damage him. Not to mention, if he loses he can't be the Arms Service Committee Ranking Member ( ) as he claims he is - and he likely would not even lead a subcommittee because he would be back to being the most Junior member of the entire Senate. Not to mention, he would AGAIN have to run for Senate in slightly less than 2 years if he won. Would one of the biggest egos with the least reason to believe in his own greatness be willing to run again, possibly lose again, return to the bottom if he did win, and face a 4th election in a span of 4 years? My guess - he will be a commentator on Fox - until his attractiveness faded enough not to compensate for his inarticulateness.

I wonder if Vennochi's real fear might be the diminished power that MA will have if Warren wins and the Senate numbers are reasonable to risk the seat. They would have a senior Senator with maybe a month or two of seniority and a temporary Senator, who will be replaced with the most junior Senator in the Senate. (It would be strange if it is Warren and Warren - but there are many Democratic possibilities.)