"Taking on Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts is not the easiest thing to do in the world," Romney political consultant Charlie Manning said last night.

"This is Massachusetts, there is an emotional attachment to Sen. Kennedy and the Kennedy family and that is very hard to beat," said William B. Vernon, executive director of the Massachusetts Republican Party.

Although Romney did not say he was going to run again for the Senate in 1996 against incumbent John F. Kerry, a second Romney campaign would have factors in its favor: statewide recognition and no famous last name to run against.

"Mitt is a formidable candidate and one who will be a better candidate in the future," Vernon said.

But if Romney decides to challenge Kerry, he will not be a political new-comer anymore, a prospect which could hurt him in two years.

"Romney will be more exposed to the public view and if he were to run, voters are going to ask 'what did you do for the last two years?,'" said former Cambridge mayor Alice K. Wolf. "He won't be fresh anymore.... people will expect you to produce."

But if Romney recovers financially from this race (he spent $2 million of his own money), if he refines his message, and if he can effectively defend his business record, then he has a good shot of unseating the Bay State's junior senator.

Mitt may happen in '96.