Catch Ya in a Sec

Kennedy doesn't answer question on Ted Kennedy Institute funding.

Monday, April 2, 2012 | 1:12 p.m.

Boston Herald's Robichaud writes, on March 29, ex-Middlesex Co. Ass't DA Joseph P. Kennedy III (D) "attended an AFL-CIO meeting" at the MA Archive building. "Despite the meeting being advertised, it was not open to the press. However, before joining the closed-door union session, I did get 30 seconds with him. Here's how it went:"

Robichaud: "We're here at U Mass and they're building the Ted Kennedy Institute right next door. Do you think federal funds should have been used for that?" Kennedy: "Look, I am very supportive obviously of the institution. I think it's going to be a great resource for the country and for Massachusetts in particular. So thanks, Holly." Robichaud: "But you think federal funds should have been used?" Kennedy: "I'll catch you in a second."

"He didn't. ... Don't voters have a right to know where he stands on earmarking of federal funds?"(4/2).

Paul/Saunders Hybrid?

Rabbi/real estate consultant Jack Porter (D) "is one of the several 'total unknowns,' as he says," running as Dems in the race. Porter, on Kennedy: "I mean, the rest of us are just chopped liver."

More Porter: "The main reason I'm running -- well, there's two or three. One: Look, I'm a Holocuast survivor. I was born in Ukraine during the war. I came to this country in 1946. How many chances do I have to run for COngress -- an open seat, and, expecially, against a Kennedy?"

He "styles himself a blend" of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT): "an environmentalist deficit hawk."

Porter: "I'm almost running against Romney, too. ... what I would say to him is 'You're going to lose, Mitt. I just want to tell you that. And I already know his response. He'd be like anybody else in the Mormon sect: 'Have a nice day.' You see, I'm an expert in cults and sects" (McGrath, The New Yorker, 4/9).