Primary Begins in Race for Kennedy Seat

BOSTON - The primaries in the race for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy 's seat has ongoing story Tuesday morning light with a share reported in many polling stations throughout Massachusetts.
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The polls have been consistently, Martha M. Coakley, the state attorney general, far ahead of his three Democratic rivals in the battle for the seat that Mr. Kennedy held for 47 years. But Ms. Coakley could still lose if your organization does not get supporters to the polls. And with the primary during the next period of high activity between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the mobilization of voters, may be more difficult than usual.

Ms. Coakley has a last-minute push by former President Bill Clinton, who recorded a telephone message on his behalf that was sent to thousands of potential voters in the primaries.

Ms. Coakley and his opponents - Representative Michael E. Capuano, Stephen G. Pagliuca, co-owner of the Boston Celtics, and Alan Khazei, Co-founder of a national service program - feverish campaign until the last minute in hopes of swaying undecided voters, whose numbers are considerable even in the final days of the race .

The winner will face one of two Republicans - State Senator Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson, a businessman who ran against Mr. Kennedy in 2000 - 19 January. Massachusetts has not sent a Republican to the Senate in 37 years, so whatever Democrat wins Tuesday's primary has the best chance of claiming to seat Mr. Kennedy.

About 37 percent of the state of 4.1 million registered voters are Democrats, and about 11 percent are Republicans. More than half of unwinding, but may vote in the primaries with a Democratic or Republican ballot. William Galvin, Secretary of State of Massachusetts, predicted that turnout could be as low as 10 percent.

Polls suggest that Mr. Capuano, six times, is the most likely rival of Ms. Coakley to manage a turnaround. The two were supported almost as trade unions and the campaign has focused Capuano tenaciously to Get Out The Vote.

Mr. Capuano has billed himself as a connoisseur of Washington wrestler who knows how to do things. Mr. Pagliuca, a wealthy investor, says his business acumen to help solve the economic problems of the state, while Mr. Khazei, whose organization City Year recruits young adults for a year of community service, says it could challenge the status quo as an independent politician.

Ms. Coakley stood out as the only woman in the race, the candidate with the highest name recognition and the first to declare his candidacy after Mr. Kennedy died of cancer on Aug. 25.

While tributes have flowed to Mr. Kennedy throughout the short campaign, none of the Democrats has won a coveted support of a senior member of the Kennedy clan. In the most visible clue that support, Caroline Kennedy attended a fundraiser for Mr. Khazei last month.