The first debate in the Massachusetts Democratic primary for the United States Senate nomination has now occurred. The Democrats will elect a white guy.

Jim Braude and Margery Eagen of WGBH did a nice job with the questions. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III and Senator Edward Markey were both prepared for the debate. Both avoided any nasty attacks on each other during this first debate.

I don't know exactly how to score the debate, and because I'm a Republican I have to filter all of the answers knowing that neither of the candidates was trying to win my vote. I'm ok with the candidates not appealing to GOP voters since we don't matter in this primary.

I came away impressed by how vibrant and enthusiastic Senator Markey appeared. He was tanned and smiling. He was pointing out all of his legislative accomplishments and embracing his decades in Washington, D.C. If the Kennedy team was hoping to face off against a tired old man, they learned a lesson Tuesday night.

The best question of the night was about Congressman Kennedy's millions of dollars of personal investments in fossil fuel companies. I rejoiced when I heard Kennedy dismiss the idea of selling off his assets in fossil fuel and that his investments had no impact on his votes.

I believe he is telling the truth. He and Markey both support the Green New Deal.

President Obama recently spent over $10 million on an oceanfront estate on Martha's Vineyard. If we believe the advocates of the Green New Deal, the Obama family estate will soon be underwater. Obviously, President Obama knows the truth and took advantage of a good deal on the real estate using his own money.

Likewise, Joe Kennedy isn't going to sell off his assets in fossil fuel companies. If the Green New Deal had any prospect of passing, Kennedy and his family would lose millions of dollars because the fossil fuel industry would be outlawed and destroyed.

The Kennedy family also owns lots of coastal real estate in eastern Massachusetts and they aren't moving to Worchester anytime soon to escape the rising tides of man-made global climate change.

The Kennedy family isn't selling off their private property or their investments in fossil fuels and that is comforting to me and it should be for you, too.

Kennedy wins the reality test in the first debate.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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