Topic: Deval Patrick

No Ben Affleck? That's OK, Massachusetts Senate race still poised to be big.

If John Kerry's seat needs to be filled next year, it will be the fourth time Massachusetts voters have chosen Senate candidates in a six-year period. Actor-director Ben Affleck said Monday he won't run.

Decoder Wire
Sen. Ben Affleck? Fearing loss of Mass. Senate seat, Democrats scramble.

A poll shows outgoing GOP Sen. Scott Brown leading potential Democratic opponents for Sen. John Kerry's seat, if the latter becomes secretary of State. Ben Affleck hasn't flatly denied a possible run.

Reports: Sen. John Kerry to be named Secretary of State (+video)

Now that Susan Rice has withdrawn her name, President Obama reportedly will name Senator John Kerry to take over as Secretary of State when Hillary Clinton resigns.

Why Susan Rice withdrew her name as secretary of State (+video)

Republican senators had vowed a fight if Obama nominated Susan Rice to be his next secretary of State. Their opposition centered on her erroneous public statements about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Energy Voices
Hurricane Sandy cuts power for millions. Why aren't utility lines underground?

Hurricane Sandy caused a record storm-related power outage in New York City and has more than 7.4 million homes and businesses without power. So why aren't cities burying more power lines underground to avoid the blackouts?

East Coast utilities prep for Hurricane Sandy aka 'Frankenstorm'

Burned by long power outages last fall, utility companies are prepping for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected merge with a winter storm and create what forecasters are branding "Frankenstorm." As many as 50 million people could be effected by Sandy.

Earthquake shakes New England

Eyewitnesses across New England experienced an earthquake of moderate size on Tuesday evening. In Boston, there have not been any reports of damage yet. 

Sen. Scott Brown apologizes for tomahawk chops by staff

In a second video posted Wednesday, Scott Brown supporters' war whoops are heard as Brown criticizes Elizabeth Warren's claims of Native American heritage. Brown apologized for staff members shouting war whoops and performing tomahawk chops during a rally days earlier in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood.

Democrats basking in post-DNC glow. How long will that last?

If conventions preach to the choir, candidates always hope the choir will be mobilized. On the fringes of an Obama-Biden appearance in New Hampshire Friday, the DNC fires were still burning.

Health-care reform: Massachusetts tries to crack the code on rising costs

Massachusetts was first in the US to pass health-care reform that included an individual mandate to buy insurance. Now it aims to be the first to control costs. Will its plan, approved Tuesday, work?

Romney's Mass. immigration record mixed

Romney's varied record on immigration after being elected governor in 2002 could help shed light on how he'd tackle the issue if he becomes president.

Health-care reform: How has the individual mandate worked in Massachusetts?

Six years into Massachusetts' version of health-care reform, most residents are complying with the individual mandate. But for some, the cost of a premium is almost prohibitive.

Romney, Obama send out troops to spin the bad news on jobs

The latest news on US employment is grim – fewer jobs created than expected and an unemployment rate that ticked up to 8.2 percent. On Sunday, the Obama and Romney campaigns sent surrogates to spin the news on TV talk shows.

Team Obama takes attacks to Romney's home turf

Obama strategist David Axelrod shouted over protesters at the Massachusetts State House as he attacked Romney's record as governor. Romney countered at California's shuttered Solyndra plant.

Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

In the world of presidential politics, 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially given how much time and effort it takes to mount a serious campaign. Months before the 2012 votes were counted, speculation had started over who might run in four years – fueled by no less a figure than former President Bill Clinton. He has suggested many times that his wife, soon-to-be-ex-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the other possible contenders.

(Updated Dec. 11, 2012)

Opinion: Democrats, GOP collude to lure people into gambling

It seems like America’s political parties have never been more polarized. But when it comes to state-regulated gambling, they’re often playing the same hand. Unfortunately, it's a losing one.

Chapter & Verse
Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick will write two more books

Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, who signed a deal with Hyperion for two new books, will release the first this May in e-book form only.

The Vote
Jan Brewer vs. Obama: Can you respect the presidency but insult the president?

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer wagged her finger at President Obama. NHL player Tim Thomas boycotted a White House ceremony. Is the country 'losing basic courtesy and grace'?

Romney staff spent nearly $100,000 to hide records

The effort to purge the records was made a few months before Romney launched an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. He is again competing for the party's nomination, this time to challenge Barack Obama for the presidency in 2012.

Barney Frank exit may signal the end of glory days for Mass. Democrats

Barney Frank will not seek re-election in 2012, but will there be enough Democratic fire power left in Massachusetts after he's gone?

After the snowstorm: Power outages mean no heat, no trick-or-treating

In many areas with power outages, the temperature in homes is barely 50 degrees, and trick-or-treating has been canceled because of concerns about downed wires.

Casinos multiply as states, such as Massachusetts, hunt for jobs, revenue

Ohio, Kansas, and Maryland now have casinos. Florida may consider them. Massachusetts is poised to invite them in. Hard times tip the balance to economic over social issues, analysts say.

Elizabeth Warren moves toward barnburner race against Sen. Scott Brown

Consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren filed paperwork Thursday to form an exploratory committee for a US Senate run in Massachusetts. Republican Scott Brown currently holds that seat.

America's red-blue divide widens on illegal immigrants

The recent actions of Alabama and New York highlight how red states and blue states are heading in exactly opposite directions on laws about illegal immigrants. In this atmosphere, is federal immigration reform possible?

Massachusetts tornado: What are deadly tornadoes doing way up in New England?

At least two tornadoes tore through communities in western and central Massachusetts Wednesday, killing four and injuring 200. They make 2011 the deadliest year for US tornadoes since 1950.