Here is another video for your viewing pleasure...Scott Brown's appearance yesterday in Dracut via the Lowell Sun:
Sunday, January 31, 2010
"You are a disgrace"
SNL is on a roll. Watch the first few minutes of this sketch...they DESTROY Martha Coakley:
SNL on Scott Brown
"Saturday Night Live" had a pretty funny Scott Brown skit last night. It's a tad racy but funny. See it below:
Rocking
Scott Brown came to my humble hometown yesterday to thank supporters. He has been going throughout the state this weekend thanking people in Worcester, Saugus, Falmouth, etc. Yesterday it was Dracut's turn and according to the Lowell Sun, 1,000 people turned out! I didn't go as I saw Brown during the campaign and I knew this would be a mob scene.
There were a number of Democratic legislators there according to the article and they seemed caught up in the whole thing. This Brown guy is the real deal!
See the article here, it's fantastic.
There were a number of Democratic legislators there according to the article and they seemed caught up in the whole thing. This Brown guy is the real deal!
See the article here, it's fantastic.
Just don't get it
The legislature just doesn't get it. They didn't learn a thing from the election of Scott Brown. They don't seem to realize that the people of this state are sick to death of being pushed around, taken advantage of, and seeing people who lie, cheat, and steal get advantages that people who do the right thing do not get.
For example, they've reintroduced a bill that would allow illegal immigrants the right to pay in-state tuition at public colleges in the state. That's right, some kid comes here illegally and gets a discount but some kid from New Hampshire who plays by the rules, whose parents actually pay taxes, and who contribute to society, have to pay the full amount.
Howie Carr points out that the people who introduced this legislation have some hell of a nerve. They are former State Sen. Anthony Galluccio (who is currently serving time in the slammer for drinking while on probation) and State Rep. Marie St. Fleur. You may recall St. Fleur ran for lieutenant governor for about a day in 2006 until it came out that she didn't pay her taxes or her student loans. No wonder she is pushing for this bill!
See Howie's column here. Great stuff.
For example, they've reintroduced a bill that would allow illegal immigrants the right to pay in-state tuition at public colleges in the state. That's right, some kid comes here illegally and gets a discount but some kid from New Hampshire who plays by the rules, whose parents actually pay taxes, and who contribute to society, have to pay the full amount.
Howie Carr points out that the people who introduced this legislation have some hell of a nerve. They are former State Sen. Anthony Galluccio (who is currently serving time in the slammer for drinking while on probation) and State Rep. Marie St. Fleur. You may recall St. Fleur ran for lieutenant governor for about a day in 2006 until it came out that she didn't pay her taxes or her student loans. No wonder she is pushing for this bill!
See Howie's column here. Great stuff.
Move on
You can tell that the Globe can't get over the fact that the Kennedy family's reign of terror is over. For the first time in a million years, there is no member of the Kennedy family serving in political office in this state (isn't it glorious?). And now they're all sad because "the cause of Ted Kennedy's life" - health care- may also so be over because of the election of Scott Brown.
Boo hoo.
Joan Vennochi has a saccharin column on the family's regrets and mourning. Get this load of crap:
Kennedy family members aren’t mad about losing Ted Kennedy’s seat. They’re sad about losing the cause of his life.
Please.
The Globe also has a hagiography, I mean, an article about a display about Ted Kennedy's life at the new Edward M. Kennedy Institute at UMass Boston. Gag me.
He's gone folks, we have moved on thank you very much.
Boo hoo.
Joan Vennochi has a saccharin column on the family's regrets and mourning. Get this load of crap:
Kennedy family members aren’t mad about losing Ted Kennedy’s seat. They’re sad about losing the cause of his life.
Please.
The Globe also has a hagiography, I mean, an article about a display about Ted Kennedy's life at the new Edward M. Kennedy Institute at UMass Boston. Gag me.
He's gone folks, we have moved on thank you very much.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Hobby day
The Flaherty clan had some fun with their hobbies today - separately. Lynn loves to scrapbook and today she went down to Middleboro to essentially scrapbook all day at a function hall with a scrapbooking club or something. One of her sisters lives in Middleboro so she'll spend the day with her. They did the same thing last fall and it goes all day and into the evening (9pm or so).
As for me and Kevin, we headed out to West Springfield for a MEGA toy train show at the Big E. The Big E is huge - I've never been there before and was blown away by all the buildings and land they have. The train show was held in four buildings (we only got to two) and there must have been thousands upon thousands of people there (making it hard to get around with a 2 year old).
Kevin, as many know, loves trains and he was in heaven today, so much so that he got overwhelmed and within 2 hours he was asking to go home. There were hundreds of stores selling things, toy train exhibits, train tour companies, etc. I was wondering how long it took to get everything set up as there was so much stuff packed in there. Kevin of course wanted to play with the trains and thankfully they had an area with Thomas the Tank trains for kids to play with. It was as chaotic as you can imagine and I worried about Kevin getting out of there to move on. Thankfully he left without any meltdowns. I was a little perplexed when he walked up to a little girl and roared in her face like a dinosauer. He was doing it to the cat this morning and he continued to haunt this little girl until I told him to stop!
We happened to run into our friends Jay and Pam who help out at Berkshire Scenic Railroad Museum in Lenox (I went to college with Jay). Kevin was itching to go play so I didn't get to talk to them much but it was nice to see them.
I didn't buy much as it cost $5 to park and $10 to get in which left me with $1. Kevin wanted to take a ride on a Thomas the Tank train and it broke my heart to tell him I didn't have enough money. But, something distracted him and he was over it quick. One display that was selling Thomas stuff did take credit cards so I bought him a Thomas toy named Kevin. I don't think I've ever seen that one so I had to buy it. "Kevin" isn't a train but is rather a crane.
The only downside was the people. I don't know if you've ever been to a train show but they're full of middle age men who are paranoid beyond belief about kids touching their stuff. Kevin was looking at one display and the guys looked back at him real quick when they heard something drop (it was a toy from the toy area). Also, the people there were really pushy and kept on cutting lines and pushing through the lines.
But, it was a great time and Kevin slept like a baby both ways. He's now happily playing with his new toy and I think we're going to grab some pizza from this place I just heard about in Lowell. A good Saturday with the boy!
As for me and Kevin, we headed out to West Springfield for a MEGA toy train show at the Big E. The Big E is huge - I've never been there before and was blown away by all the buildings and land they have. The train show was held in four buildings (we only got to two) and there must have been thousands upon thousands of people there (making it hard to get around with a 2 year old).
Kevin, as many know, loves trains and he was in heaven today, so much so that he got overwhelmed and within 2 hours he was asking to go home. There were hundreds of stores selling things, toy train exhibits, train tour companies, etc. I was wondering how long it took to get everything set up as there was so much stuff packed in there. Kevin of course wanted to play with the trains and thankfully they had an area with Thomas the Tank trains for kids to play with. It was as chaotic as you can imagine and I worried about Kevin getting out of there to move on. Thankfully he left without any meltdowns. I was a little perplexed when he walked up to a little girl and roared in her face like a dinosauer. He was doing it to the cat this morning and he continued to haunt this little girl until I told him to stop!
We happened to run into our friends Jay and Pam who help out at Berkshire Scenic Railroad Museum in Lenox (I went to college with Jay). Kevin was itching to go play so I didn't get to talk to them much but it was nice to see them.
I didn't buy much as it cost $5 to park and $10 to get in which left me with $1. Kevin wanted to take a ride on a Thomas the Tank train and it broke my heart to tell him I didn't have enough money. But, something distracted him and he was over it quick. One display that was selling Thomas stuff did take credit cards so I bought him a Thomas toy named Kevin. I don't think I've ever seen that one so I had to buy it. "Kevin" isn't a train but is rather a crane.
The only downside was the people. I don't know if you've ever been to a train show but they're full of middle age men who are paranoid beyond belief about kids touching their stuff. Kevin was looking at one display and the guys looked back at him real quick when they heard something drop (it was a toy from the toy area). Also, the people there were really pushy and kept on cutting lines and pushing through the lines.
But, it was a great time and Kevin slept like a baby both ways. He's now happily playing with his new toy and I think we're going to grab some pizza from this place I just heard about in Lowell. A good Saturday with the boy!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Stay classy, Mr. President
I was shocked last night when President Obama criticized the Supreme Court for a ruling they made as they were sitting right in front of him. Then you had those uncouth Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer stand up and applaud right in their ears.
Stay classy, boys, stay classy.
See it here.
Stay classy, boys, stay classy.
See it here.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
oh dear Lord
So it looks like Florida Gators' quarterback Tim Tebow will star in a Super Bowl ad with his mother discussing her decision to not have an abortion with she was pregnant with Tim. Seems pretty nice to me, a feel good story, no?
Not to ABC News. Apparently telling the world that you are glad you did not have an abortion and highlighting a positive message is something that may "spark controversy." Some student from the LGBT organization at the University of Florida said, "The UF community itself knows that he is very religious and he’s done a lot of humanitarian work,” Middlekauff said. “I don’t know if the public knows that. They’ll know after this.”
Oh no! They will know his secret...he, he, he...believes in Jesus Christ. OH THE HUMANITY.
Not to ABC News. Apparently telling the world that you are glad you did not have an abortion and highlighting a positive message is something that may "spark controversy." Some student from the LGBT organization at the University of Florida said, "The UF community itself knows that he is very religious and he’s done a lot of humanitarian work,” Middlekauff said. “I don’t know if the public knows that. They’ll know after this.”
Oh no! They will know his secret...he, he, he...believes in Jesus Christ. OH THE HUMANITY.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Perfect present
I heard today that Scott Brown will be sworn in on February 11. How providential, that's my birthday!
What a great gift - plus, our second child is due on February 10. That should be a great week!
What a great gift - plus, our second child is due on February 10. That should be a great week!
Road trip
Every ten years, schools and colleges have to go through a reaccreditation process. Schools in New England are typically accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges out of Bedford, MA. My school is up for its reaccreditation in 2011 and I am one of the coordinators along with one of our English teachers and a guidance counselor.
Today NEASC had a conference down in Farmington, CT to discuss the process and to give us coordinators some tips. The conference was held at Our Lady of Calvery Retreat Center which is run by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion, an order I've never heard of. The sisters were very kind and seemed to really enjoy having visitors.
It took me less than 2 hours to get there and the only traffic I hit was a tiny bit in Hartford on Route 84. The sisters had plenty of coffee for us, some breakfast food, and pasta for lunch. The center is right down the street from a girl's school called Miss Porter's School which, one of the sisters told me, was the school Jackie Kennedy attended.
The conference was a total of 5 hours and my total drive time was 4 hours - kind of funny, I almost spent as much time driving. But, I learned a lot and enjoyed spending some time away. I also signed up to serve on an accreditation team in October. If all goes according to plan, I will be visiting Arlington Catholic High School in Arlington, MA. The process is 4 days, 3 nights - I hope Lynn lets me sneak away!
Today NEASC had a conference down in Farmington, CT to discuss the process and to give us coordinators some tips. The conference was held at Our Lady of Calvery Retreat Center which is run by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion, an order I've never heard of. The sisters were very kind and seemed to really enjoy having visitors.
It took me less than 2 hours to get there and the only traffic I hit was a tiny bit in Hartford on Route 84. The sisters had plenty of coffee for us, some breakfast food, and pasta for lunch. The center is right down the street from a girl's school called Miss Porter's School which, one of the sisters told me, was the school Jackie Kennedy attended.
The conference was a total of 5 hours and my total drive time was 4 hours - kind of funny, I almost spent as much time driving. But, I learned a lot and enjoyed spending some time away. I also signed up to serve on an accreditation team in October. If all goes according to plan, I will be visiting Arlington Catholic High School in Arlington, MA. The process is 4 days, 3 nights - I hope Lynn lets me sneak away!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Arrogance
Can you believe this guy?
Rep. Marion Berry's parting shot, published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette [no link, subscription only] offers a warning to moderate Democrats and border state moderates — warning of a midterm bloodbath comparable to the 54-seat D-to-R swing in 1994.
But the jaw-dropper is Berry's claim that President Obama personally dismissed any comparison between Democrats now and under Bill Clinton 16 years ago — by saying his personal popularity would bail everybody out.
The retiring Berry, who doesn't say when the remarks were made, now scoffs at Obama's 50-or-below approval rating:
Writes ADG reporter Jane Fullerton:
Berry recounted meetings with White House officials, reminiscent of some during the Clinton days, where he and others urged them not to force Blue Dogs “off into that swamp” of supporting bills that would be unpopular with voters back home.
“I’ve been doing that with this White House, and they just don’t seem to give it any credibility at all,” Berry said. “They just kept telling us how good it was going to be. The president himself, when that was brought up in one group, said, ‘Well, the big difference here and in ’94 was you’ve got me.’ We’re going to see how much difference that makes now.” [snip]
“I began to preach last January that we had already seen this movie and we didn’t want to see it again because we know how it comes out,” said Arkansas’ 1st District congressman, who worked in the Clinton administration before being elected to the House in 1996... "I just began to have flashbacks to 1993 and ’94. No one that was here in ’94, or at the day after the election felt like. It certainly wasn’t a good feeling.”
Rep. Marion Berry's parting shot, published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette [no link, subscription only] offers a warning to moderate Democrats and border state moderates — warning of a midterm bloodbath comparable to the 54-seat D-to-R swing in 1994.
But the jaw-dropper is Berry's claim that President Obama personally dismissed any comparison between Democrats now and under Bill Clinton 16 years ago — by saying his personal popularity would bail everybody out.
The retiring Berry, who doesn't say when the remarks were made, now scoffs at Obama's 50-or-below approval rating:
Writes ADG reporter Jane Fullerton:
Berry recounted meetings with White House officials, reminiscent of some during the Clinton days, where he and others urged them not to force Blue Dogs “off into that swamp” of supporting bills that would be unpopular with voters back home.
“I’ve been doing that with this White House, and they just don’t seem to give it any credibility at all,” Berry said. “They just kept telling us how good it was going to be. The president himself, when that was brought up in one group, said, ‘Well, the big difference here and in ’94 was you’ve got me.’ We’re going to see how much difference that makes now.” [snip]
“I began to preach last January that we had already seen this movie and we didn’t want to see it again because we know how it comes out,” said Arkansas’ 1st District congressman, who worked in the Clinton administration before being elected to the House in 1996... "I just began to have flashbacks to 1993 and ’94. No one that was here in ’94, or at the day after the election felt like. It certainly wasn’t a good feeling.”
Chips keep falling
With the victory of Scott Brown, political dynasties are falling all over the country. This time it's the Biden family. When Vice-president Biden resigned his Senate seat last year, the governor put in some placeholder while Biden's son, Beau, went overseas with his National Guard unit. He's back but today announced that he will not run for the seat in November. Biden was seen as a lock after he gave an emotional speech about his father at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. But, a funny thing has happened since then. The people don't take kindly to people assuming they're going to win elections and don't like being told who to vote for - just ask Martha Coakley and the Kennedy family!
This comes on the heels of Sens. Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan announcing they will not seek re-election. Dodd's seat may go to a Democrat, AG Richard Bluemthal, but look for Dorgan's seat to go Republican. Biden's old seat is also looking like it may go Republican with DE Rep. Michael Castle running.
Brown's victory was such a win for democracy.
This comes on the heels of Sens. Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan announcing they will not seek re-election. Dodd's seat may go to a Democrat, AG Richard Bluemthal, but look for Dorgan's seat to go Republican. Biden's old seat is also looking like it may go Republican with DE Rep. Michael Castle running.
Brown's victory was such a win for democracy.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Look in the mirror
Jon Keller reminds us of an important fact. The reason why Scott Brown is now a senator-elect is because of the Massachusetts Legislature. You may recall that before 2004, if a senator died or resigned, the governor appointed a replacement to fill the rest of the term. But in 2004 Sen. John Kerry was running for president and if he won, a Republican (Mitt Romney) would appoint a replacement. So, the Democratic legislature changed the law to have a special election less Romney get the chance to appoint a Republican. The rational, of course, was that a Democrat would win the special election with no problem.
Ironically, Romney vetoed the bill and the legislature overrode it (Romney was a huge backer of Brown in the special election). Anyway, you know the rest of the story. If the law stayed the way it was, Deval Patrick could have appointed a Democrat who would have served until 2012, voted for the health care bill, and saved President Obama. Instead, Obama's presidency is on life support, health care reform is dead, and Democrats are running scared.
I never thought I'd say this but nice work Massachusetts Legislature!
Ironically, Romney vetoed the bill and the legislature overrode it (Romney was a huge backer of Brown in the special election). Anyway, you know the rest of the story. If the law stayed the way it was, Deval Patrick could have appointed a Democrat who would have served until 2012, voted for the health care bill, and saved President Obama. Instead, Obama's presidency is on life support, health care reform is dead, and Democrats are running scared.
I never thought I'd say this but nice work Massachusetts Legislature!
Thank you Dracut
So Scott Brown beat Martha Coakley 70-29 in Dracut last Tuesday. The town clerk posted the breakdown by precinct and Brown slaughtered her in each one (except for one where there were 54 votes, he got 28).
I am in precinct 6 where he won 704-342. Of the 10,918 who voted, 87 voted for Joseph Kennedy. Who are these nuts??
Anyway, good work Dracut!!
I am in precinct 6 where he won 704-342. Of the 10,918 who voted, 87 voted for Joseph Kennedy. Who are these nuts??
Anyway, good work Dracut!!
First term done
Presidents typically have one year to get things done. After that, it's the midterm elections and after those, the president has to start running for re-election. President Obama seemed to have squandered his first year as nothing was really accomplished. Well, somethings did happen - the deficit exploded and unemployment went up 2%.
Howie Carr reflects on Obama's first year in a good column today. See it all here but below is a taste:
Fifty-three percent of the American electorate lost their minds in 2008. They’re waking up now; some are, anyway - the ones who work, or used to. Being broke and unemployed and lectured on your inherent racism, homophobia and other failings by the rapacious plunderbund that is the Democrat Party has a wonderful way of concentrating a voter’s mind.
Howie Carr reflects on Obama's first year in a good column today. See it all here but below is a taste:
Fifty-three percent of the American electorate lost their minds in 2008. They’re waking up now; some are, anyway - the ones who work, or used to. Being broke and unemployed and lectured on your inherent racism, homophobia and other failings by the rapacious plunderbund that is the Democrat Party has a wonderful way of concentrating a voter’s mind.
Cry me a river
Joan Vennochi is back with another absurd column, this time wondering if Martha Coakley lost because she is a female. PLEASE!
Coakley won the Democratic primary by 20 points and had a 30 point point lead over Scott Brown a month before the general election. She lost because people are fed up with the Democratic party in this state and because they continue to take people for granted. Brown won the hearts and minds of many when he said during the debate in January, "It's not the Kennedy seat, it's not the Democrat's seat, it's the People's Seat." That is why he won, Ms. Vennochi, not because of Coakley's gender.
Coakley won the Democratic primary by 20 points and had a 30 point point lead over Scott Brown a month before the general election. She lost because people are fed up with the Democratic party in this state and because they continue to take people for granted. Brown won the hearts and minds of many when he said during the debate in January, "It's not the Kennedy seat, it's not the Democrat's seat, it's the People's Seat." That is why he won, Ms. Vennochi, not because of Coakley's gender.
So what are you going to do?
The Boston Globe has a long editorial today essentially calling for more "competition" (i.e. Republicans) on Beacon Hill. They're also critical of the Democrats and the way in which their dominance of power has corrupted them and led to little things like the federal indictment of Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, the arrest of Sen. Anthony Galluccio, and the picture of Sen. Diane Wilkerson stuffing cash into her bra.
So, my question to the Globe is will you now endorse Republicans? I cannot recall the last time the Globe endorsed a Republican. So typical of liberals - they say one thing but do another.
So, my question to the Globe is will you now endorse Republicans? I cannot recall the last time the Globe endorsed a Republican. So typical of liberals - they say one thing but do another.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Coakley post-mortem
Attorney General Martha Coakley did a series of interviews yesterday to reflect on her stunning loss to Scott Brown. The Globe has an article as well as a video (posted below) of her thoughts. She claims the whole "Curt Schilling is a Yankee [sic] fan" was a joke. However if you listen to it again, when Dan Rea expressed his shock, she said, "No...OK, I was wrong."
On her arrogant campaign style and her dismissal of the idea of shaking hands:
“I believed - and I still believe - that it would be difficult to do the kinds of retail politics that you would do in a general election,’’ she said. “By using some sort of hyperbole or shorthand . . . voters took that I was arrogant about it. But I’m not.’’
Please.
Anyway, see the article here and the video below:
On her arrogant campaign style and her dismissal of the idea of shaking hands:
“I believed - and I still believe - that it would be difficult to do the kinds of retail politics that you would do in a general election,’’ she said. “By using some sort of hyperbole or shorthand . . . voters took that I was arrogant about it. But I’m not.’’
Please.
Anyway, see the article here and the video below:
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Not a good week
First Scott Brown shocks the world and tonight, Air America, the liberal radio station announced it was going off the air.
The initiial reaction to the Air America announcement by many?
"They're still on???"
The initiial reaction to the Air America announcement by many?
"They're still on???"
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
That was fun
Some final thoughts on the groundbreaking election of Scott Brown.
This was truly a grassroots movement. Not only did Brown dominate the internet (Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc) he also dominated the attention of regular folks. People who never cared about politics were so excited about his candidacy. People were calling talk radio saying that were doing things they've never done before - donating to a campaign, making phone calls, going to rallies, etc. Brown really tapped into something here and did an amazing job running against the political machine in Massachusetts.
When I went to his rally on Monday in Littleton, I could not believe all the people honking their horns, the excitement, the genuine interest in Brown, etc. This was indeed a quasi-revolution in Massachusetts. For the first time in many people's lives, they were going to vote for someone who they actually believed in! Brown was not the lesser of two evils, he was the real deal.
Where do we go from here? I think Deval Patrick's re-election chances just went down the toilet and I think the GOP has a real chance to pick up a constitutional office seat or two (auditor, treasurer, heck, maybe even attorney general if Martha Coakley leaves). Brown's election will certainly shake up things on Beacon Hill and don't be surprised if the legislature sees some turn over. People will be more confident to run for office now and many incumbents have a lot of explaining to do.
So congratulations Massachusetts and savor this unusual feeling - a victory!
This was truly a grassroots movement. Not only did Brown dominate the internet (Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc) he also dominated the attention of regular folks. People who never cared about politics were so excited about his candidacy. People were calling talk radio saying that were doing things they've never done before - donating to a campaign, making phone calls, going to rallies, etc. Brown really tapped into something here and did an amazing job running against the political machine in Massachusetts.
When I went to his rally on Monday in Littleton, I could not believe all the people honking their horns, the excitement, the genuine interest in Brown, etc. This was indeed a quasi-revolution in Massachusetts. For the first time in many people's lives, they were going to vote for someone who they actually believed in! Brown was not the lesser of two evils, he was the real deal.
Where do we go from here? I think Deval Patrick's re-election chances just went down the toilet and I think the GOP has a real chance to pick up a constitutional office seat or two (auditor, treasurer, heck, maybe even attorney general if Martha Coakley leaves). Brown's election will certainly shake up things on Beacon Hill and don't be surprised if the legislature sees some turn over. People will be more confident to run for office now and many incumbents have a lot of explaining to do.
So congratulations Massachusetts and savor this unusual feeling - a victory!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Phew
Well there you go - Scott Brown is the U.S. Senator-elect from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am so relieved and excited, especially for the future of the GOP in Massachusetts. Republican consultant Charlie Manning said on WCVB Channel 5 tonight that he thinks Gov. Deval Patrick will not seek re-election.
WOW. Talk about collateral damage.
I am so glad this was a six week election. I can now get back to day to day things, you know, talking to my wife, getting ready for a baby, etc, etc.
Thank you for indulging me over the past week or so and thank you to those who voted for Scott Brown!!
WOW. Talk about collateral damage.
I am so glad this was a six week election. I can now get back to day to day things, you know, talking to my wife, getting ready for a baby, etc, etc.
Thank you for indulging me over the past week or so and thank you to those who voted for Scott Brown!!
Oh really?
So about an hour ago, Martha Coakley released a press release claiming voter fraud from Scott Brown. There was one little problem with the press release - it was dated yesterday!!
Nice try, Martha.
Nice try, Martha.
Did my part
So I voted for Scott Brown at Lakeview Junior High School around 1:15 today. The ladies said I was the 509th voter from my precinct - more than the total number who voted in last month's primary.
I drove past two other polling places - the senior center and the library - and there seemed to be steady traffic going in and out. There was a police officer at the library directing traffic if need be. Word is that turnout is huge in the suburbs and Boston is doing pretty good.
2 hours left until polls close - me thinks this will be a loooooooong night.
I drove past two other polling places - the senior center and the library - and there seemed to be steady traffic going in and out. There was a police officer at the library directing traffic if need be. Word is that turnout is huge in the suburbs and Boston is doing pretty good.
2 hours left until polls close - me thinks this will be a loooooooong night.
Bottom of the 9th...
Someone from Bedford made an analogy on National Review that describes how I am feeling right now.
Game 4, 2004 World Series, bottom of the ninth...3 outs until the Curse was potentially going to be Reversed. I was at my friend's house in Southie with my then fiancee Lynn. My friend Dan and I were standing after the last out of the top of the ninth and we were pacing back and forth, back and forth. First batter up - Albert Pujols - and he singles up the middle. Dan and I just looked at each other with that Boston "NOOOOOO! Here we go again look."
Any Red Sox fan will tell you that prior to 2004, the Red Sox ripped your heart out year after year after year. Even though they've won 2 World Series in this century, I still cringe when I watch highlights of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Dan and I knew that feeling and when Pujols singled, we both naturally thought the worst.
But, Keith Foulke got one out, then two....then Edgar Renteria hit one back to the mound, Foulke snared it and threw to first for the final out!!! Dan and I hugged and jumped around like we had just won the lottery. I went out on his deck and screamed, I called my cousin Bill who was crying, we walked around Southie high fiving everyone and seeing people everywhere celebrating. It was historic.
I want to relive that feeling tonight. I want Scott Brown to pull off a historic comeback. We need this. If Scott Brown turns into Bill Buckner and Martha Coakley is Ray Knight scoring that final run, you can address all future correspondence to me at the local nut house because that is where I will spend the rest of my life!
VOTE SCOTT BROWN!!!
Game 4, 2004 World Series, bottom of the ninth...3 outs until the Curse was potentially going to be Reversed. I was at my friend's house in Southie with my then fiancee Lynn. My friend Dan and I were standing after the last out of the top of the ninth and we were pacing back and forth, back and forth. First batter up - Albert Pujols - and he singles up the middle. Dan and I just looked at each other with that Boston "NOOOOOO! Here we go again look."
Any Red Sox fan will tell you that prior to 2004, the Red Sox ripped your heart out year after year after year. Even though they've won 2 World Series in this century, I still cringe when I watch highlights of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Dan and I knew that feeling and when Pujols singled, we both naturally thought the worst.
But, Keith Foulke got one out, then two....then Edgar Renteria hit one back to the mound, Foulke snared it and threw to first for the final out!!! Dan and I hugged and jumped around like we had just won the lottery. I went out on his deck and screamed, I called my cousin Bill who was crying, we walked around Southie high fiving everyone and seeing people everywhere celebrating. It was historic.
I want to relive that feeling tonight. I want Scott Brown to pull off a historic comeback. We need this. If Scott Brown turns into Bill Buckner and Martha Coakley is Ray Knight scoring that final run, you can address all future correspondence to me at the local nut house because that is where I will spend the rest of my life!
VOTE SCOTT BROWN!!!
Monday, January 18, 2010
What liberal media?
You know, I was beginning to like Globe columnist Joan Vennochi as she was writing some good stuff about Deval Patrick and the corruptness of the Massachusetts Democratic party. But now that Scott Brown has gained traction, she has returned to her moonbat roots. Tonight she posted a column headlined "Brown supporters trying to suppress vote by bullying."
Oh dear God.
Now I know she didn't write the headline but that is the gist of her column. As one person said in the comments, where was the outrage when liberals openly called for the assassination of President Bush? How about those who compared Bush to Hitler? The F*** Bush bumper stickers? Huh Joan?
I love how the Globe doesn't go after Martha Coakley for her blatant lies and slander but attacks Brown for things his supporters have said. That's been their spin now for a few days - Brown "attacks" Coakley when everyone knows that Coakley's ads have really hurt her. I was at the gym tonight (lost 10 pounds now by the way) and I overheard a woman say to her friend (and I paraphrase), "I was all for her until she got nasty."
Joan Vennochi and the Boston Globe cannot stand it that the people of Massachusetts are finally giving the Democratic party and their house organ, the Boston Globe, a kick in the butt. The Globe was doing a decent job of covering this race but now that the plebs may actually vote for Brown, they've done all they can to portray Coakley as a victim and Brown as a bully.
Pathetic.
Oh dear God.
Now I know she didn't write the headline but that is the gist of her column. As one person said in the comments, where was the outrage when liberals openly called for the assassination of President Bush? How about those who compared Bush to Hitler? The F*** Bush bumper stickers? Huh Joan?
I love how the Globe doesn't go after Martha Coakley for her blatant lies and slander but attacks Brown for things his supporters have said. That's been their spin now for a few days - Brown "attacks" Coakley when everyone knows that Coakley's ads have really hurt her. I was at the gym tonight (lost 10 pounds now by the way) and I overheard a woman say to her friend (and I paraphrase), "I was all for her until she got nasty."
Joan Vennochi and the Boston Globe cannot stand it that the people of Massachusetts are finally giving the Democratic party and their house organ, the Boston Globe, a kick in the butt. The Globe was doing a decent job of covering this race but now that the plebs may actually vote for Brown, they've done all they can to portray Coakley as a victim and Brown as a bully.
Pathetic.
Some final thoughts...
Well here we are, 9 or so hours until the polls open and I am beat! Thank goodness this was a 6 week campaign or I think I would have had a stroke by now. I was so worked up about something campaign related last night: my heart was pounding, I was sweating, and I could not for the life of me fall asleep. I actually had to take some Unisom to fall alseep - and I still didn't fall asleep for a long time!
Anyway, I am still predicting a Martha Coakley victory tomorrow. I just have a bad feeling that the Democrats' GOTV efforts will supercede those of regular Joes like you and me. They just have too much in their arsenal.
Either way, win or lose, Scott Brown ran a hell of a campaign and really got people inspired and jacked up. As you see below, I went to his rally in Littleton today and the place was chaos. Everyone wanted a picture with him, car horns were beeping non-stop, and everyone was in such a great mood. You got the sense that people, who are so used to being pushed around by the Democratic Machine, were feeling some hope. I think in Scott Brown, we have a guy who we really believe in as opposed to Coakley who many Democrats will vote for holding their noses. They must have severe buyer's remorse.
My mother called my uncle today and asked him if he wanted a ride to the polls tomorrow. He said sure but either way, he would crawl on his knees through glass to go vote for Scott Brown! See what I mean?
Anyway, I am sure this won't be my last post on the race but thanks for putting up with my seemingly around the clock coverage of this race. People are giving me a hard time for my constant updates here and on Facebook but man am I so energized. I am also grateful to my wife for putting up with me always being on-line and talking non-stop about Scott Brown this past week or so. She loves the guy too but even she said she can't wait for this to be over so I stop talking about it! I was talking to a friend of mine tonight (who shall remain nameless) and he too has been on the internet for 10-15 hours a day following this race, refreshing Twitter, checking blogs, etc, etc. That was my weekend too!
So, please, please, please vote tomorrow and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE vote for Scott Brown!!!!!
Anyway, I am still predicting a Martha Coakley victory tomorrow. I just have a bad feeling that the Democrats' GOTV efforts will supercede those of regular Joes like you and me. They just have too much in their arsenal.
Either way, win or lose, Scott Brown ran a hell of a campaign and really got people inspired and jacked up. As you see below, I went to his rally in Littleton today and the place was chaos. Everyone wanted a picture with him, car horns were beeping non-stop, and everyone was in such a great mood. You got the sense that people, who are so used to being pushed around by the Democratic Machine, were feeling some hope. I think in Scott Brown, we have a guy who we really believe in as opposed to Coakley who many Democrats will vote for holding their noses. They must have severe buyer's remorse.
My mother called my uncle today and asked him if he wanted a ride to the polls tomorrow. He said sure but either way, he would crawl on his knees through glass to go vote for Scott Brown! See what I mean?
Anyway, I am sure this won't be my last post on the race but thanks for putting up with my seemingly around the clock coverage of this race. People are giving me a hard time for my constant updates here and on Facebook but man am I so energized. I am also grateful to my wife for putting up with me always being on-line and talking non-stop about Scott Brown this past week or so. She loves the guy too but even she said she can't wait for this to be over so I stop talking about it! I was talking to a friend of mine tonight (who shall remain nameless) and he too has been on the internet for 10-15 hours a day following this race, refreshing Twitter, checking blogs, etc, etc. That was my weekend too!
So, please, please, please vote tomorrow and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE vote for Scott Brown!!!!!
Video from Brown Rally
My son and I went to a Scott Brown rally in Littleton this afternoon - here is a sense of what it was like:
More from the People's Rally
Scott Brown's campaign just released a 2 minute highlight video from his "People's Rally" yesterday in Worcester. So much energy!
Win or lose...
Michael Graham of WTKK writes an occasional column for the Boston Herald and offers a good one today on how Martha Coakley, win or lose, has seriously damaged herself politically.
Pretty good stuff, see it all here but below is a taste:
Coakley’s arrogant assumption of victory was so strong that midway through the brief campaign season, she simply disappeared off the campaign trail for days.
When independent voters and moderate Democrats were wondering if Coakley was out of touch, she answered by jetting off to Washington for a big-dollar lobbyist fundraiser. Why didn’t she just stop by AIG and present them with a bonus check while she was at it?
Then suddenly she found herself in a competitive political race. And how did Coakley respond? She threw a political tantrum.
Voters were deluged with Coakley’s attack ads - so many they could barely fit in the commercial breaks. Dark, ominous and ugly, Coakley’s media message was the polar opposite to that offered by smiling Scott Brown.
In the end, Coakley spent millions on TV ads that actually drove her own numbers down.
And then, as though to prove she couldn’t do anything right, she held a fundraiser starring the U.N. envoy to Haiti.
What was Coakley thinking, having Bill Clinton at a $2,400-per-person fundraiser at the Fairmont Copley while crying Haitian families were clawing through the rubble looking for loved ones? Is rescuing a desperately incompetent Democrat really more important than saving the starving of Haiti?
Pretty good stuff, see it all here but below is a taste:
Coakley’s arrogant assumption of victory was so strong that midway through the brief campaign season, she simply disappeared off the campaign trail for days.
When independent voters and moderate Democrats were wondering if Coakley was out of touch, she answered by jetting off to Washington for a big-dollar lobbyist fundraiser. Why didn’t she just stop by AIG and present them with a bonus check while she was at it?
Then suddenly she found herself in a competitive political race. And how did Coakley respond? She threw a political tantrum.
Voters were deluged with Coakley’s attack ads - so many they could barely fit in the commercial breaks. Dark, ominous and ugly, Coakley’s media message was the polar opposite to that offered by smiling Scott Brown.
In the end, Coakley spent millions on TV ads that actually drove her own numbers down.
And then, as though to prove she couldn’t do anything right, she held a fundraiser starring the U.N. envoy to Haiti.
What was Coakley thinking, having Bill Clinton at a $2,400-per-person fundraiser at the Fairmont Copley while crying Haitian families were clawing through the rubble looking for loved ones? Is rescuing a desperately incompetent Democrat really more important than saving the starving of Haiti?
CNN Gets it
There is a story on cnn.com on how Scott Brown is outpacing Martha Coakley on social networking sites. I've talked about this a couple of times but CNN points out something I didn't even think of: You Tube.
They found that Brown's videos have been viewed 578,271 times vs. 51,173 for Coakley. I think this is because Brown's ads are positive, have catchy music, and aren't negative and boring like Coakley's. Compare these two:
They found that Brown's videos have been viewed 578,271 times vs. 51,173 for Coakley. I think this is because Brown's ads are positive, have catchy music, and aren't negative and boring like Coakley's. Compare these two:
Just what I thought
Yesterday I wondered out loud if most of the people in the crowd at Northeastern were there for President Obama and not Martha Coakley. Furthermore, since there were many students there, were they even eligible to vote (i.e. from out of state). Looks like I may have been right (via Red Mass Group):
Compare that to the reception Brown got at his rally:
Look at the reaction Doug Flutie and Curt Schilling got at the rally too - got a little dusty here when I watched it:
Compare that to the reception Brown got at his rally:
Look at the reaction Doug Flutie and Curt Schilling got at the rally too - got a little dusty here when I watched it:
Sunday, January 17, 2010
By the numbers
The guys over at the liberal website Blue Mass Group have crunched all the poll numbers (throwing some out) and have come up with the current poll numbers for the Senate race:
Um, yeah, I am a little excited.
Um, yeah, I am a little excited.
Hail Mary
I didn't catch all of President Obama's speech for Martha Coakley as Kevin was up and about and I was helping him watch some You Tube videos. But from what I am reading on-line, Coakley was an absolute bore and the people were there to see Obama and not Coakley. The event was held at Northeastern and when Obama said he was glad to be at Northeastern, the place went crazy. It makes me wonder if the majority of people there were college students. That's not a bad thing of course but are they voters and, were they just there for some star gazing?
Over in Worcester, they're saying Brown got 3,000 people with tons more left outside (Obama got 1,500 with tons outside too). Kathryn Lopez makes a great point:
If you watched the Obama rally (which was easily accessible on national television), you saw people who showed up at a political rally excited about the president of the United States and yawning at the candidate they're being offered by the Democrats on Tuesday. If you watched the Brown rally (available via livestream on his site), you saw people revved up about an actual candidate on the ballot Tuesday.
By the way, the anti-abortion heckler at Obama's speech didn't do Brown any favors. Wingnuts like that hurt the Right.
Over in Worcester, they're saying Brown got 3,000 people with tons more left outside (Obama got 1,500 with tons outside too). Kathryn Lopez makes a great point:
If you watched the Obama rally (which was easily accessible on national television), you saw people who showed up at a political rally excited about the president of the United States and yawning at the candidate they're being offered by the Democrats on Tuesday. If you watched the Brown rally (available via livestream on his site), you saw people revved up about an actual candidate on the ballot Tuesday.
By the way, the anti-abortion heckler at Obama's speech didn't do Brown any favors. Wingnuts like that hurt the Right.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Picture from http://www.lonelyconservative.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Brown-CoakleyCompPhoto.jpg
Even Kennedy!
So Martha Coakley's big thing is that Scott Brown proposed that hospital workers who object to abortion/contraception, etc. should have some conscientious objection rights. Coakley has spun that into saying Brown would deny all rape victims hospital care (she is such a loathsome human being).
Anyway, someone on Facebook reminded me of Ted Kennedy's letter to Pope Benedict XVI last summer. In it he wrote:
I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health field and I'll continue to advocate for it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees health care for everyone.
So, Martha, would you say that your idol Ted Kennedy would deny rape victims treatment?
Anyway, someone on Facebook reminded me of Ted Kennedy's letter to Pope Benedict XVI last summer. In it he wrote:
I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health field and I'll continue to advocate for it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees health care for everyone.
So, Martha, would you say that your idol Ted Kennedy would deny rape victims treatment?
Social Media Update
Barack Obama won the election in 2008 in part because of his ability to reach out to people on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Typically, Democrats have the upper hand on the internet because their voters tend to be younger. But, the roles have been reversed in the Senate race. Again, this means nothing but it's an interesting little tidbit. As of 10am, Brown and Coakley had the following fans on Facebook and followers on Twitter:
Brown:
Facebook: 72,007
Twitter: 9,335
Coakley:
Facebook: 17,970
Twitter: 3,228
Brown:
Facebook: 72,007
Twitter: 9,335
Coakley:
Facebook: 17,970
Twitter: 3,228
So much for that
State Sen. Barack Obama, July 2004, Democratic National Convention:
Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.
Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America.
President Obama, January 2010, his website:
On Sunday, January 17th, President Obama will be speaking at a rally for Attorney General Martha Coakley in Boston.
With right-wing reactionary Scott Brown and his Swift Boat allies launching new attacks every day, we need to get out there and show our support for Martha Coakley.
Yep, that's hope and change we can believe in.
Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.
Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America.
President Obama, January 2010, his website:
On Sunday, January 17th, President Obama will be speaking at a rally for Attorney General Martha Coakley in Boston.
With right-wing reactionary Scott Brown and his Swift Boat allies launching new attacks every day, we need to get out there and show our support for Martha Coakley.
Yep, that's hope and change we can believe in.
Wait a second....
Last week Martha Coakley said that people who hold strongly held religious views on abortion should not work in an emergency room. She cited the whole separation of church and state thing. But this morning on Twitter she wrote:
Starting off a big day with a very special prayer service at the Charles St. AME Church with Mayor Menino & Rep. St. Fleur.
and later:
Thank you to Rev. Dr. Groover and congregation for your prayers and support this morning. Next stop: Brockton!
I didn't think Churches were allowed to "support" political candidates? Isn't that a violation of their tax exempt status? And, is it appropriate for a public person who so values the separation of church and state to seek the "prayers" and "support" of a particular church?
Starting off a big day with a very special prayer service at the Charles St. AME Church with Mayor Menino & Rep. St. Fleur.
and later:
Thank you to Rev. Dr. Groover and congregation for your prayers and support this morning. Next stop: Brockton!
I didn't think Churches were allowed to "support" political candidates? Isn't that a violation of their tax exempt status? And, is it appropriate for a public person who so values the separation of church and state to seek the "prayers" and "support" of a particular church?
"Perfect political storm"
Mike Barnicle, the former Boston Globe scribe, has a darn good column in Time Magazine about Scott Brown and Martha Coakley. Like most others, he accuses Coakley of acting like the anointed one after she won the Democratic primary on December 8 and dismissing the idea of meeting with everyday people rather than politicos and lobbyists.
Brown, he said, is riding a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment and has worked his tail off trying to meet people. People are sick and tired of being pushed around and taken for granted by Democrats, Barnicle said. They want to be asked for their vote and they demand accountability.
Read it all here but below are two paragraphs - one about Coakley and another about Brown:
As Tuesday approaches, Coakley desperately seeks to eke out a win after she and her staff spent the past month acting like un-indicted co-conspirators in destroying a 30-point lead. She has approached the public with the demeanor of a substitute teacher with little interest in her students' lives. In a state where politics and revenge are in the blood, poor Martha Coakley apparently never learned that a name on the ballot is nothing more than a job application. People want to be asked for their vote. People want a retail shopping experience with a candidate: eye contact, a handshake. Elections are not coronations. Coakley spent a month behaving like a fugitive, attending fund-raisers and meeting with mayors instead of hurling herself at the public.
"As opposed to standing outside Fenway Park? In the cold? Shaking hands?" she said dismissively to the media, after being asked why she was practically hiding out....
Now, Brown finished speaking. He plunged into the crowd alongside former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Given the often contrived and polarizing conflict that dominates the cable-TV landscape, it would be easy, on the outside looking in, to slap a Tea Party label on Brown's supporters. But most of those lunging for his hand were not lunatics from the fringe, merely Democrats and Independents feeling bruised, ignored and taken for granted by people in power.
So here was a state senator, virtually unknown outside of his immediate family just last Thanksgiving, being greeted with a clamor at the fire house, Ladder 1 — Engine 8, on Hanover Street. Then, it was Caffe Vittoria and Mike's Pastry, where a Republican has often been made to feel like Alex Rodriguez standing at the plate in Fenway. No longer.
Brown, he said, is riding a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment and has worked his tail off trying to meet people. People are sick and tired of being pushed around and taken for granted by Democrats, Barnicle said. They want to be asked for their vote and they demand accountability.
Read it all here but below are two paragraphs - one about Coakley and another about Brown:
As Tuesday approaches, Coakley desperately seeks to eke out a win after she and her staff spent the past month acting like un-indicted co-conspirators in destroying a 30-point lead. She has approached the public with the demeanor of a substitute teacher with little interest in her students' lives. In a state where politics and revenge are in the blood, poor Martha Coakley apparently never learned that a name on the ballot is nothing more than a job application. People want to be asked for their vote. People want a retail shopping experience with a candidate: eye contact, a handshake. Elections are not coronations. Coakley spent a month behaving like a fugitive, attending fund-raisers and meeting with mayors instead of hurling herself at the public.
"As opposed to standing outside Fenway Park? In the cold? Shaking hands?" she said dismissively to the media, after being asked why she was practically hiding out....
Now, Brown finished speaking. He plunged into the crowd alongside former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Given the often contrived and polarizing conflict that dominates the cable-TV landscape, it would be easy, on the outside looking in, to slap a Tea Party label on Brown's supporters. But most of those lunging for his hand were not lunatics from the fringe, merely Democrats and Independents feeling bruised, ignored and taken for granted by people in power.
So here was a state senator, virtually unknown outside of his immediate family just last Thanksgiving, being greeted with a clamor at the fire house, Ladder 1 — Engine 8, on Hanover Street. Then, it was Caffe Vittoria and Mike's Pastry, where a Republican has often been made to feel like Alex Rodriguez standing at the plate in Fenway. No longer.
Who to blame?
The Globe has two columns today on who to blame for Martha Coakley's collapse and Scott Brown's insurgence - Joan Vennochi says blame Beacon Hill while Jeff Jacoby says President Obama is the problem.
I think they're both right. Beacon Hill Democrats have had a number of scandals lately and their complete hold on power has resulted in higher taxes and a sense that they can do whatever the heck they want. Obama has lost a lot of his spark and a lot of liberals are leaving the ship because of Obama's failure to live up to some promises (i.e. close Gitmo).
You can see Vennochi's column here and Jacoby's here.
I think they're both right. Beacon Hill Democrats have had a number of scandals lately and their complete hold on power has resulted in higher taxes and a sense that they can do whatever the heck they want. Obama has lost a lot of his spark and a lot of liberals are leaving the ship because of Obama's failure to live up to some promises (i.e. close Gitmo).
You can see Vennochi's column here and Jacoby's here.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Still working?
When I got to the gym this morning, some of the TV's were showing the remarks by Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton about relief efforts in Haiti. I was actually taken aback when I saw Bush speaking - literally haven't seen him in a year.
Anyway, Obama called Bush and Clinton "men of great stature" and on their way out, Obama was back slapping Bush and putting his arm around him.
Why is this a big deal? Because Martha Coakley and the Democrats have spent a week or so trashing Scott Brown, warning voters that he will be George Bush reincarnate (cue to scary music). Will these ads ring a little hollow now that Obama has asked Bush to assist with the Haiti earthquake and was wrapping his arm around him?
See a picture of it here.
Anyway, Obama called Bush and Clinton "men of great stature" and on their way out, Obama was back slapping Bush and putting his arm around him.
Why is this a big deal? Because Martha Coakley and the Democrats have spent a week or so trashing Scott Brown, warning voters that he will be George Bush reincarnate (cue to scary music). Will these ads ring a little hollow now that Obama has asked Bush to assist with the Haiti earthquake and was wrapping his arm around him?
See a picture of it here.
Enthusiasm Gap
Politico's front page story tonight is on the enthusiasm gap between Martha Coakley and Scott Brown supporters. I haven't seen this for myself of course but it makes perfect sense. The only crowds Coakley is speaking to are unions and Democratic groups and they're essentially being bused in. Brown, on the other hand, is going to rallies with people who want to be there. His campaign is truly grassroots.
Here is a taste of the article (you can see the whole thing here):
Democrat Martha Coakley, Massachusetts’ attorney general, kicked off a series of stops with a morning speech at a Boston union hall, receiving a response more polite than enthusiastic.
Coakley and Vicki Kennedy, the widow of the late senator, both addressed a crowd of about 100 electrical workers but it fell to a state representative from nearby Dorchester to deliver the closing remarks aimed at firing up the Democrats.
“I see there is some excitement in this room but there is not enough excitement in this room,” Martin Walsh said, as the heavily male, Carhartt-and-jeans crowd stood with hands in pockets.
There was no need for such an exhortation on Cape Cod as state Sen. Scott Brown, the Republican nominee, was enveloped by a couple hundred, sign-waving supporters as he attempted to walk into a local pub where another hundred voters waited for an afternoon rally.
Here is a taste of the article (you can see the whole thing here):
Democrat Martha Coakley, Massachusetts’ attorney general, kicked off a series of stops with a morning speech at a Boston union hall, receiving a response more polite than enthusiastic.
Coakley and Vicki Kennedy, the widow of the late senator, both addressed a crowd of about 100 electrical workers but it fell to a state representative from nearby Dorchester to deliver the closing remarks aimed at firing up the Democrats.
“I see there is some excitement in this room but there is not enough excitement in this room,” Martin Walsh said, as the heavily male, Carhartt-and-jeans crowd stood with hands in pockets.
There was no need for such an exhortation on Cape Cod as state Sen. Scott Brown, the Republican nominee, was enveloped by a couple hundred, sign-waving supporters as he attempted to walk into a local pub where another hundred voters waited for an afternoon rally.
Schilling responds
Curt Schilling responded to Martha Coakley's assertion that he is a Yankees fan. I especially love his last line:
"I've been called a lot of things...but never, I mean never, could anyone make the mistake of calling me a Yankee fan. Well, check that, if you didn't know what the hell is going on in your own state maybe you could..."
Martha, Martha, Martha. Don't you remember the famous first words out of Schilling's mouth during his first press conference after he was traded from the Diamondbacks?
"I guess I hate the Yankees now!"
I bet she doesn't remember. No, she doesn't remember.
"I've been called a lot of things...but never, I mean never, could anyone make the mistake of calling me a Yankee fan. Well, check that, if you didn't know what the hell is going on in your own state maybe you could..."
Martha, Martha, Martha. Don't you remember the famous first words out of Schilling's mouth during his first press conference after he was traded from the Diamondbacks?
"I guess I hate the Yankees now!"
I bet she doesn't remember. No, she doesn't remember.
Coakley and Conan
Joanna Weiss has an interesting comparison of the U.S. Senate race and the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien feud intoday's Globe (Given Coakley's poor understanding of baseball and pop culture, she should read the column so she knows Johnny Carson isn't the host anymore).
Anyway, I'm less interested in Weiss' Leno/O'Brien aspect (although it is interesting) and love this part:
Entitlement is a good chunk of the reason why Martha Coakley has watched her once-comfortable lead in the Senate race vanish. Her shock at her predicament is palpable. I can’t keep myself from giggling at one of her attack ads, so sinister in tone that it feels like self-parody. “Who is Scott Brown, really? A Republican,’’ it asks. Wait - he didn’t tell us that already?
But that’s the underlying message, apparently heartfelt: Can’t you people understand that Brown isn’t supposed to win this race? This is Massachusetts, after all, where congressional seats are supposed to be reserved for Democrats. And the primary, which Coakley won without exerting herself, did nothing to dissuade her that a candidate with Kennedyesque views and statewide name recognition owned the future.Assumptions can be hard to shake, in politics and in the equally political business of TV. And just as conventional wisdom holds that Massachusetts is ruled by the left, it says that TV is ruled by the young, the hip, the edgy. That’s why we keep getting shows like “Jersey Shore,’’ and why NBC promised “The Tonight Show’’ to Conan five years ago.
See it all here.
Anyway, I'm less interested in Weiss' Leno/O'Brien aspect (although it is interesting) and love this part:
Entitlement is a good chunk of the reason why Martha Coakley has watched her once-comfortable lead in the Senate race vanish. Her shock at her predicament is palpable. I can’t keep myself from giggling at one of her attack ads, so sinister in tone that it feels like self-parody. “Who is Scott Brown, really? A Republican,’’ it asks. Wait - he didn’t tell us that already?
But that’s the underlying message, apparently heartfelt: Can’t you people understand that Brown isn’t supposed to win this race? This is Massachusetts, after all, where congressional seats are supposed to be reserved for Democrats. And the primary, which Coakley won without exerting herself, did nothing to dissuade her that a candidate with Kennedyesque views and statewide name recognition owned the future.Assumptions can be hard to shake, in politics and in the equally political business of TV. And just as conventional wisdom holds that Massachusetts is ruled by the left, it says that TV is ruled by the young, the hip, the edgy. That’s why we keep getting shows like “Jersey Shore,’’ and why NBC promised “The Tonight Show’’ to Conan five years ago.
See it all here.
Bus tour
Scott Brown will be all over the state this weekend on his bus: today he is on the Southcoast/Cape, tomorrow out in Western/Central Massachusetts, and Monday he'll be at the TD Garden and then up my way in the Merrimack Valley. I think I am going to take Kevin to meet him on Monday! Go out and witness history in the making.
His schedule for the weekend is:
Saturday:
9:30 AM Craig's Cafe, 1354 Hancock Street, Quincy
10:00 AM Stroll along Hancock and Temple Streets with Governor Weld with remarks and rally at Thomas Crane Public Library (40 Washington Street)
11:30 AM Stop-By the Plymouth Campaign Office (74 Long Pond Road, Plymouth) with remarks and rally.
12:45 PM Water Street Cafe, 25 Water Street, Plymouth
1:15 PM Mamma Mia's Restaurant, 122 Water Street, Plymouth
2:45 PM Stop-By Hyannis Campaign Office, 645 Main Street followed by a stroll down Main Street
3:20 PM Rally at Tommy Doyle's, 334 Main Street, Hyannis
5:30 PM Flat Iron Cafe, 444 Centre Street, Middleboro
Sunday:
8:00 AM Holyoke Office Campaign Office, 555 South Canal Street, Holyoke
8:30 AM International House of Pancakes, 640 Riverdale Street, West Springfield
10:40 AM Kenmore Diner with Governor Cellucci, 250 Franklin Street, Worcester
11:15 AM Worcester Campaign Office, 18 Grafton Street, 8th Floor
1:00 PM Boston College Women's Basketball vs. Georgia Tech, Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill
3:30 PM Hillside Cafe, Boston College
Monday:
12:15 PM Meet and Greet Fans outside Boston Garden
2:00 PM North Andover Town Common, Retail Shops
3:10 PM Chelmsford Town Common, Retail Shops
4:00 PM Littleton Campaign Office, 23 Stevens Road, Littleton
6:00 PM Rally at Luciano's Lake Pearl, 299 Creek Street, Wrentham
His schedule for the weekend is:
Saturday:
9:30 AM Craig's Cafe, 1354 Hancock Street, Quincy
10:00 AM Stroll along Hancock and Temple Streets with Governor Weld with remarks and rally at Thomas Crane Public Library (40 Washington Street)
11:30 AM Stop-By the Plymouth Campaign Office (74 Long Pond Road, Plymouth) with remarks and rally.
12:45 PM Water Street Cafe, 25 Water Street, Plymouth
1:15 PM Mamma Mia's Restaurant, 122 Water Street, Plymouth
2:45 PM Stop-By Hyannis Campaign Office, 645 Main Street followed by a stroll down Main Street
3:20 PM Rally at Tommy Doyle's, 334 Main Street, Hyannis
5:30 PM Flat Iron Cafe, 444 Centre Street, Middleboro
Sunday:
8:00 AM Holyoke Office Campaign Office, 555 South Canal Street, Holyoke
8:30 AM International House of Pancakes, 640 Riverdale Street, West Springfield
10:40 AM Kenmore Diner with Governor Cellucci, 250 Franklin Street, Worcester
11:15 AM Worcester Campaign Office, 18 Grafton Street, 8th Floor
1:00 PM Boston College Women's Basketball vs. Georgia Tech, Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill
3:30 PM Hillside Cafe, Boston College
Monday:
12:15 PM Meet and Greet Fans outside Boston Garden
2:00 PM North Andover Town Common, Retail Shops
3:10 PM Chelmsford Town Common, Retail Shops
4:00 PM Littleton Campaign Office, 23 Stevens Road, Littleton
6:00 PM Rally at Luciano's Lake Pearl, 299 Creek Street, Wrentham
Sense of entitlement
Adrian Walker, no right wing wingnut, is very critical of Martha Coakley's campaign in this morning's Globe. Saying she is a capable prosecutor and attorney, Walker said she's been too timid to show her personality, like many women candidates ("It’s hard to remember a candidate for major office so afraid of revealing his or her personality").
He also points out the people of Massachusetts are sick of the sense of entitlement from Democrats and being told who will be their government leaders.
See it all here but below is a taste:
We won’t know until Tuesday night whether bringing President Obama in to campaign was a good idea or a bad one. At first blush, though, it’s problematic. It reinforces the idea that Coakley can’t close the deal with voters by herself. And worse, it reinforces the idea that she is simply a product of a political machine.
Her response, at crunch time, is to rely on the White House and the Democratic National Committee - even as her opponent is imploring voters to vote for “me against the machine.’’
His message is resonating. Her strategy isn’t.
If nothing else, give Brown credit for having a better sense of the mood of the voters. They got tired of hearing that it was “Ted Kennedy’s seat.’’ (Best line of the campaign, by Brown: “It isn’t Ted Kennedy’s seat, it belongs to the people of Massachusetts.’’)
They got tired of hearing that they had to save an unpopular health care proposal.
They got tired, as voters always do, of inevitability. Voters hate inevitability.
He also points out the people of Massachusetts are sick of the sense of entitlement from Democrats and being told who will be their government leaders.
See it all here but below is a taste:
We won’t know until Tuesday night whether bringing President Obama in to campaign was a good idea or a bad one. At first blush, though, it’s problematic. It reinforces the idea that Coakley can’t close the deal with voters by herself. And worse, it reinforces the idea that she is simply a product of a political machine.
Her response, at crunch time, is to rely on the White House and the Democratic National Committee - even as her opponent is imploring voters to vote for “me against the machine.’’
His message is resonating. Her strategy isn’t.
If nothing else, give Brown credit for having a better sense of the mood of the voters. They got tired of hearing that it was “Ted Kennedy’s seat.’’ (Best line of the campaign, by Brown: “It isn’t Ted Kennedy’s seat, it belongs to the people of Massachusetts.’’)
They got tired of hearing that they had to save an unpopular health care proposal.
They got tired, as voters always do, of inevitability. Voters hate inevitability.
True woman of the people
You can really tell Martha Coakley has the pulse of pop culture here in Boston. Her latest charge? That Curt Schilling is a Yankees fan. Huh?
She made this charge on WBZ's "Nightside with Dan Rea" last night after joking that Rudy Giuliani, who campaigned for Scott Brown yesterday, is a Yankees fan. Then Rea said that Brown had Schilling campaigning for him and that's when Coakley said, "Another Yankees fan." I bet my bottom dollar that Coakley has no idea who Schilling is. This woman is more out of touch than we thought.
By the way, Schilling called me last night to ask for my vote for Scott Brown - a robocall of course. I've gotten about 5 or 6 in the past few days from the Brown campaign but none from Coakley lately. I did get one from Coakley's camp few weeks ago and told the person "No way in hell am I voting for her."
Anyway, listen to Coakley's Schilling charge below:
She made this charge on WBZ's "Nightside with Dan Rea" last night after joking that Rudy Giuliani, who campaigned for Scott Brown yesterday, is a Yankees fan. Then Rea said that Brown had Schilling campaigning for him and that's when Coakley said, "Another Yankees fan." I bet my bottom dollar that Coakley has no idea who Schilling is. This woman is more out of touch than we thought.
By the way, Schilling called me last night to ask for my vote for Scott Brown - a robocall of course. I've gotten about 5 or 6 in the past few days from the Brown campaign but none from Coakley lately. I did get one from Coakley's camp few weeks ago and told the person "No way in hell am I voting for her."
Anyway, listen to Coakley's Schilling charge below:
Friday, January 15, 2010
Get what you pay for
Looks like the Democrats got too cute this time around (from Hot Air):
When Ted Kennedy died on August 25, 2009, Massachusetts law required the state to hold a special election to fill the opening he left in the US Senate. That law was put in place by the state legislature in 2004 when John Kerry ran for President, and it was championed by Ted Kennedy himself. Why? The governor at the time, Mitt Romney, was a Republican — and Kennedy didn’t want Romney appointing an interim replacement that wasn’t a Democrat.
Fast forward five years, to when Kennedy was days away from death. The Kennedy family released a letter written by the Senator demanding that the law he pushed in 2004 get repealed in 2009 in order to allow Governor Deval Patrick to appoint his successor. Why? Patrick is a Democrat and a reliable liberal who would select someone in Kennedy’s mold. The state legislature responded by acceding to Kennedy’s dying wish and Patrick appointed Paul Kirk to fill Kennedy’s seat temporarily, until the special election could be held.
This all seemed to go by plan for the Democrats. They had ensured ideological continuity of the seat, and more importantly gave Harry Reid back his 60th vote for cloture, which allowed Reid and Obama to press forward with their plans to overhaul the American health-care system. All they would need is to keep Kirk in place until Massachusetts sent another Kennedy protege to the Senate.
But did they outsmart themselves? The special election date was the earliest possible date, as I recall, but the continued focus on ObamaCare came directly from the Democrats’ insistence on changing the Massachusetts law so that Patrick could appoint Kirk to the seat. Without that, the seat would have remained vacant — and Reid and Obama would have been forced to put ObamaCare aside and start working on the economy, especially in November, after the House finally passed its version. It would have given Reid and Obama an excuse to suspend the effort, and make the special election a referendum on health-care reform as a concept, rather than the specifics of the proposal that came out of the Senate.
Most of all, it would have eliminated the back-room dealings and dishonesty that has become so apparent over the last four weeks — which could have saved Ben Nelson’s bacon, for one.
The decision to press the Massachusetts state legislature for that blatantly self-serving change may have ironically enabled the Democrats to badly overreach — creating the impulse that is lifting Scott Brown over Martha Coakley in Massachusetts, and Republicans over Democrats nationwide. And Democrats have no one but themselves to blame for it.
When Ted Kennedy died on August 25, 2009, Massachusetts law required the state to hold a special election to fill the opening he left in the US Senate. That law was put in place by the state legislature in 2004 when John Kerry ran for President, and it was championed by Ted Kennedy himself. Why? The governor at the time, Mitt Romney, was a Republican — and Kennedy didn’t want Romney appointing an interim replacement that wasn’t a Democrat.
Fast forward five years, to when Kennedy was days away from death. The Kennedy family released a letter written by the Senator demanding that the law he pushed in 2004 get repealed in 2009 in order to allow Governor Deval Patrick to appoint his successor. Why? Patrick is a Democrat and a reliable liberal who would select someone in Kennedy’s mold. The state legislature responded by acceding to Kennedy’s dying wish and Patrick appointed Paul Kirk to fill Kennedy’s seat temporarily, until the special election could be held.
This all seemed to go by plan for the Democrats. They had ensured ideological continuity of the seat, and more importantly gave Harry Reid back his 60th vote for cloture, which allowed Reid and Obama to press forward with their plans to overhaul the American health-care system. All they would need is to keep Kirk in place until Massachusetts sent another Kennedy protege to the Senate.
But did they outsmart themselves? The special election date was the earliest possible date, as I recall, but the continued focus on ObamaCare came directly from the Democrats’ insistence on changing the Massachusetts law so that Patrick could appoint Kirk to the seat. Without that, the seat would have remained vacant — and Reid and Obama would have been forced to put ObamaCare aside and start working on the economy, especially in November, after the House finally passed its version. It would have given Reid and Obama an excuse to suspend the effort, and make the special election a referendum on health-care reform as a concept, rather than the specifics of the proposal that came out of the Senate.
Most of all, it would have eliminated the back-room dealings and dishonesty that has become so apparent over the last four weeks — which could have saved Ben Nelson’s bacon, for one.
The decision to press the Massachusetts state legislature for that blatantly self-serving change may have ironically enabled the Democrats to badly overreach — creating the impulse that is lifting Scott Brown over Martha Coakley in Massachusetts, and Republicans over Democrats nationwide. And Democrats have no one but themselves to blame for it.
Who is running this show?
You know, the Democrats have some of the best political people in the world but they keep shooting themselves in the foot with the Martha Coakley campaign. The latest? The DSCC posted a new ad attacking Scott Brown and Wall Street Greed. Guess what image was used in the ad? The World Trade Center!!
They have since pulled the ad.
Stay classy, Martha.
They have since pulled the ad.
Stay classy, Martha.
On your dime
Michael Graham exposes a state employee at Middlesex Community College using his state e-mail account to campaign for Martha Coakley. This has to be a violation of state law, no?
See it here.
See it here.
Wheels coming off?
Although I still think Martha Coakley will win on Tuesday, the consensus is that she has run a terrible campaign. The spin is already going that way by the Dems just in case she does lose. I was listening to Steve Leveille on WBZ last night and his callers were all furious at here for her lackluster campaigning and being out-hustled by Scott Brown. This woman has no clue - she told the Globe this week that she was campaigning and what should she be doing, shaking hands at Fenway in the cold? That says it all!
Brian McGrory of the Boston Globe says the same thing in his column today. You can tell it's going to be a great column with a lede like this:
Martha Coakley made a jaw-dropping declaration earlier this week at the only live televised debate in Boston that she has deigned to do. She said, and I quote, “I’ve traveled the state and met tremendous people.’’
If she did, it was under the cover of darkness, with an assumed name.
Great stuff - see it here.
Brian McGrory of the Boston Globe says the same thing in his column today. You can tell it's going to be a great column with a lede like this:
Martha Coakley made a jaw-dropping declaration earlier this week at the only live televised debate in Boston that she has deigned to do. She said, and I quote, “I’ve traveled the state and met tremendous people.’’
If she did, it was under the cover of darkness, with an assumed name.
Great stuff - see it here.
Stealing his line
Mrs. Edward Kennedy has cut an ad for Martha Coakley and in it, she uses one of Scott Brown's lines: "This is not the Kennedy seat, it's the people's seat."
Hey - get your own material. But, desperate times call for copying one of the best run races in recent memory. When your own campaign has been horrible, you might as well go with what works, huh?
Hey - get your own material. But, desperate times call for copying one of the best run races in recent memory. When your own campaign has been horrible, you might as well go with what works, huh?
Brown Out
For the next few days, I decided to change the background color of my blog to Brown in support of Scott Brown! Yep, I am officially insane.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Catholics need not apply
It just keeps getting better (from National Review):
During an interview today, Martha Coakley was asked about the conscience issue Catholic medical personnel encounter when it comes to a law that mandates the distribution of emergency contraception, which sometimes works as an abortafacient. (I wrote about the details of this issue as pertain to Scott Brown and Massachusetts and Martha Coakley's misrepresentation of all of this here.)
Coakley explained that this should not be a problem because "we have a separation of church and state." "Let's be clear," the attorney general added.
The radio host pointed out that complex legal principle that "In the emergency room you still have your religious freedom."
She agrees that "The law says that people are allowed to have that." But, making clear her view — the woman who wants to be the next senator from Massachusetts — "You can have religious freedom, but you probably shouldn't work in an emergency room."
And perhaps Saint Elizabeth's in Boston shouldn't have one at all?
Martha Coakley is a very bad candidate.
During an interview today, Martha Coakley was asked about the conscience issue Catholic medical personnel encounter when it comes to a law that mandates the distribution of emergency contraception, which sometimes works as an abortafacient. (I wrote about the details of this issue as pertain to Scott Brown and Massachusetts and Martha Coakley's misrepresentation of all of this here.)
Coakley explained that this should not be a problem because "we have a separation of church and state." "Let's be clear," the attorney general added.
The radio host pointed out that complex legal principle that "In the emergency room you still have your religious freedom."
She agrees that "The law says that people are allowed to have that." But, making clear her view — the woman who wants to be the next senator from Massachusetts — "You can have religious freedom, but you probably shouldn't work in an emergency room."
And perhaps Saint Elizabeth's in Boston shouldn't have one at all?
Martha Coakley is a very bad candidate.
Wow
This blog has been all Scott Brown all the time lately, huh? This is one of the most exciting moments of my political "life" and all of my time and attention has been consumed by this race. Thankfully my students are taking mid-term exams this week and next so I have some downtime at day and during the night and can read and blog a little more.
I have become addicted to the internet even more than I have been, especially to Twitter. I've noticed that the Right has become very connected on social media and blogs - less than a year after President Obama and his team dominated that medium. For example, on Scott Brown's Facebook Fan page he has over 45,000 fans whereas Martha Coakley's has just over 10,000. On Twitter, Brown has 7,500 followers while Coakley has 2,743. The excitement for Brown is out of control and there is such an enthusiasm gap between Brown and Coakley backers.
Brown is now the face of change and newness and Coakley has to resort to dragging in Bill Clinton's tired old bones tomorrow for a rally in Worcester. Hello Martha, 1995 called, they want President Clinton back.
I am feeling a little more confident about Brown's chances on Tuesday. I will not predict a win but dang do I feel good right now.
I have become addicted to the internet even more than I have been, especially to Twitter. I've noticed that the Right has become very connected on social media and blogs - less than a year after President Obama and his team dominated that medium. For example, on Scott Brown's Facebook Fan page he has over 45,000 fans whereas Martha Coakley's has just over 10,000. On Twitter, Brown has 7,500 followers while Coakley has 2,743. The excitement for Brown is out of control and there is such an enthusiasm gap between Brown and Coakley backers.
Brown is now the face of change and newness and Coakley has to resort to dragging in Bill Clinton's tired old bones tomorrow for a rally in Worcester. Hello Martha, 1995 called, they want President Clinton back.
I am feeling a little more confident about Brown's chances on Tuesday. I will not predict a win but dang do I feel good right now.
Do you believe in miracles?
BREAKING NEWS:
Scott Brown has pulled ahead of Martha Coakley by 4 points (50-46) according to a Suffolk University/WHDH poll just released.
I am going berserk right now. Mark Steyn of National Review has a great take on this:
Even if you're a Democrat, somewhere deep down you know that Martha Coakley wasn't what your party needed at this stage in the political cycle - a grimly talentless hack career pol embarrassingly stupid and inarticulate on matters domestic (if you're religious, don't work in an emergency room) and foreign (my sister can see the Middle East from her house) who reacts to awkward questions by complaining the press is stalking her and standing by as aides send them crashing to the sidewalk, and whose entire campaign has no rationale other than hereditary entitlement.
This comes on the heels of an earlier report that Brown has raised $1 million....every day this week.
Cue Al Michaels:
Scott Brown has pulled ahead of Martha Coakley by 4 points (50-46) according to a Suffolk University/WHDH poll just released.
I am going berserk right now. Mark Steyn of National Review has a great take on this:
Even if you're a Democrat, somewhere deep down you know that Martha Coakley wasn't what your party needed at this stage in the political cycle - a grimly talentless hack career pol embarrassingly stupid and inarticulate on matters domestic (if you're religious, don't work in an emergency room) and foreign (my sister can see the Middle East from her house) who reacts to awkward questions by complaining the press is stalking her and standing by as aides send them crashing to the sidewalk, and whose entire campaign has no rationale other than hereditary entitlement.
This comes on the heels of an earlier report that Brown has raised $1 million....every day this week.
Cue Al Michaels:
I KNEW IT!!!
Martha Coakley is nothing more than Michael Dukakis incarnate, so says the head of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees:
Asked why the race appeared so tight in such a strongly blue state, McEntee cited complacent campaigning by Coakley in the weeks since she won the Democratic primary.
"I don't know Mrs. Coakley," he said. "But maybe it's something in the water in Massachusetts. I remember when Dukakis was nominated [in 1988], he was 16 points ahead. He went back to Masschusetts and became governor again. He didn't campaign! ... As I understand it, Mrs. Coakley has followed a bit too much of Mr. Dukakis."
This keeps getting better.
Asked why the race appeared so tight in such a strongly blue state, McEntee cited complacent campaigning by Coakley in the weeks since she won the Democratic primary.
"I don't know Mrs. Coakley," he said. "But maybe it's something in the water in Massachusetts. I remember when Dukakis was nominated [in 1988], he was 16 points ahead. He went back to Masschusetts and became governor again. He didn't campaign! ... As I understand it, Mrs. Coakley has followed a bit too much of Mr. Dukakis."
This keeps getting better.
Toss up?
One of the most respected political analysts in the country, the Cook Political Report, is now calling the Massachusetts Senate race a "toss up":
This race call is one of the toughest we've had in a long time. The modern electoral history of federal statewide races in Massachusetts argues strongly that while state Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Democratic nominee, could have a close race, at the end of the day it's unlikely that she ends up losing. After all, no Republican Senate candidate has won in the Bay State since 1972.
But the non-quantitative arguments are quite strong. Republican Scott Brown has been the superior candidate with, by a long shot, the better campaign.
...
To the extent Coakley may still have a tiny advantage, it appears not to meet the normal standard we have for a "lean” rating: a competitive race but one in which one party has a clear advantage. We see no clear advantage.
This race call is one of the toughest we've had in a long time. The modern electoral history of federal statewide races in Massachusetts argues strongly that while state Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Democratic nominee, could have a close race, at the end of the day it's unlikely that she ends up losing. After all, no Republican Senate candidate has won in the Bay State since 1972.
But the non-quantitative arguments are quite strong. Republican Scott Brown has been the superior candidate with, by a long shot, the better campaign.
...
To the extent Coakley may still have a tiny advantage, it appears not to meet the normal standard we have for a "lean” rating: a competitive race but one in which one party has a clear advantage. We see no clear advantage.
Oh the horrors!
Want to know how arrogant Martha Coakley is? In an article in the Globe yesterday, she was asked about her low key campaign style. She said:
“As opposed to standing outside Fenway Park? In the cold? Shaking hands?’’
Um, yes Martha, talking to real people, is a good thing. But, we all know you rather speak to high power lobbyists in Washington:
“As opposed to standing outside Fenway Park? In the cold? Shaking hands?’’
Um, yes Martha, talking to real people, is a good thing. But, we all know you rather speak to high power lobbyists in Washington:
Busted!
Did you catch the Food Network's fawning special episode of "Iron Chef America" in which the secret ingredient was produce from Mrs. Obama's White House garden? I did, it was a good episode although I could not believe that we were being subjected to another Obama Lecture. Anyway, it turns out that the produce they used in the episode wasn't even from the White House garden! I had a feeling about this.
The Chicago Tribune has the story here.
The Chicago Tribune has the story here.
Transparent? Um, no
Remember then Sen. Obama promised (and as president) that his administration would be the most transparent in US history? Remember he said he would broadcast health care negotiations on C-SPAN? Remember when he said no lobbyist would be working for him?
He broke all of those promises, especially on transparency. The LA Times does a masterful job highlighting the Obama Administration's hypocrisy on this by showing Vice President Joe Biden's schedule for today. The headline says it all:
"Joe Biden update: He meets on transparency today. But the meeting is closed."
See it here.
He broke all of those promises, especially on transparency. The LA Times does a masterful job highlighting the Obama Administration's hypocrisy on this by showing Vice President Joe Biden's schedule for today. The headline says it all:
"Joe Biden update: He meets on transparency today. But the meeting is closed."
See it here.
Yikes
Saw this picture on WBUR.org (the NPR station for Boston). If you don't know, that is the widow of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Vicki Kennedy, on the left and Martha Coakley on the right. This pictures says a thousand words, doesn't it folks? Yikes!
Nice profile
I will give credit where credit is due - today's Globe has a very nice profile of Scott Brown. It discusses his personality, his every man persona, and his efforts to win over Democrats and Independents. Brown doesn't have much of a base since only 11% of voters are Republicans so he needs Democrats and Independents to break for him in waves on Tuesday.
Contrast this article with the screed by Joan Vennochi in the editorial section of today's paper. Vennochi is not afraid to take on Democrats but her attack of Brown smacks of desperation and shrillness.
Anyway, the article is pretty lengthy but it's a good read. See it here.
Contrast this article with the screed by Joan Vennochi in the editorial section of today's paper. Vennochi is not afraid to take on Democrats but her attack of Brown smacks of desperation and shrillness.
Anyway, the article is pretty lengthy but it's a good read. See it here.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Coakley's bad week
Martha Coakley has not had a good week so far. Let's recap
1. Bad debate on Monday
2. Misspells Massachusetts in ad
3. Campaign worker harasses a reporter in Washington - highlights the fact that she was in Washington this week at a high profile fundraiser with lobbyists.
4. Scott Brown's momentum is on fire
5. Unions, Coakley's biggest backers, are backing away from ObamaCare
Ralph Ranalli of Beat the Press has a great column on this, especially on the reporter being roughed up. See it here.
1. Bad debate on Monday
2. Misspells Massachusetts in ad
3. Campaign worker harasses a reporter in Washington - highlights the fact that she was in Washington this week at a high profile fundraiser with lobbyists.
4. Scott Brown's momentum is on fire
5. Unions, Coakley's biggest backers, are backing away from ObamaCare
Ralph Ranalli of Beat the Press has a great column on this, especially on the reporter being roughed up. See it here.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Union workers for Brown behind the scenes?
Red Mass Group has an amazing video up. Outside last night's debate, a union steel worker was holding a Coakley sign because "they made him" and he was being paid $50. He then told the Brown signholders that he was actually voting for Brown.
See it here:
See it here:
New poll numbers
A new Rasmussen poll came out today showing Martha Coakley with a 2 point lead over Scott Brown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This comes on the heels of a $1.3 m fundraising day yesterday and an awesome debate performance.
And where is Coakley today? In Washington having a fundraiser with lobbyists.
And where is Coakley today? In Washington having a fundraiser with lobbyists.
What liberal media?
Headline on Boston.com:
Brown says he's raised $1.3 m in 24 hours, launches ad
If this was Martha Coakley it would say:
Coakley raises $1.3 m in 24 hours, launches ad
Notice the extra verb? Makes a difference, huh?
Brown says he's raised $1.3 m in 24 hours, launches ad
If this was Martha Coakley it would say:
Coakley raises $1.3 m in 24 hours, launches ad
Notice the extra verb? Makes a difference, huh?
Another No
I hate to be a skunk at the party but I am still convinced that Martha Coakley will win next Tuesday. I pray to God that Scott Brown wins but as a life long resident of the People's Republic of Massachusetts, I know how things go. Coakley will win because of unions and Democratic special interest groups who will ratchet up their GOTV efforts and get their people to the polls.
But......................unions are now starting to fall away from the health care bill because of a 40% excise tax on "Cadillac" health insurance plans. Most union workers have darn good health plans and will get hit with this huge tax as a result. They met with President Obama yesterday and said they would not support the bill if this tax was in the final version. Coakley is on the record for supporting this bill, Brown is not. If unions don't get some concessions by next week, they may stay home on Tuesday. That would be HUGE.
But......................unions are now starting to fall away from the health care bill because of a 40% excise tax on "Cadillac" health insurance plans. Most union workers have darn good health plans and will get hit with this huge tax as a result. They met with President Obama yesterday and said they would not support the bill if this tax was in the final version. Coakley is on the record for supporting this bill, Brown is not. If unions don't get some concessions by next week, they may stay home on Tuesday. That would be HUGE.
Monday, January 11, 2010
It has begun
Like I said, once the Democrats are pinned down they start playing dirty. The Clintons use race baiting in 2008, Ted Kennedy went after Mitt Romney for being a Mormon in 1994, etc. Now Martha Coakley is out with a super negative ad against Scott Brown (there is a Nazi salute in it, you thought I was kidding in my previous post).
These scum bite, spit, and claw and they will stop at nothing to preserve their power. We must fight back, not be intimated and come out in droves for Brown next Tuesday.
These scum bite, spit, and claw and they will stop at nothing to preserve their power. We must fight back, not be intimated and come out in droves for Brown next Tuesday.
Over $1 million!!
They did it. After setting a goal of a $500,000 money bomb, Scott Brown's campaign has raised over $1,000,000 (and counting).
Brown did pretty good at tonight's debate and even Democrats are conceding that. Martha Coakley was bland (but, to be fair, she was poised and well spoken whereas Brown had a lot of "uhhs). The Democrats are now going to play dirty. They just brought in a hired hand from the DNC to do rapid response and ads comparing Brown to Bush/Cheney, Nazi's, and puppy haters (OK, I made the last 2 up) will be all over the airwaves this week. Her attack began tonight saying Brown supports hospitals turning away rape victims. Of course she is being disingenuous (most Democrats are) as he supported a conscience clause, especially at Catholic hospitals.
I was at the gym tonight (I've lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks by the way, wish it was better but I'll take it) and a Brown ad came on and I heard a girl say, "I like this guy." I think she has a lot of company.
By the way, I put NO stock in on-line polls but a boston.com poll shows that Brown won the debate 72-25 (Joe Kennedy got 3%). The number of people who have voted is over 5,000.
Brown did pretty good at tonight's debate and even Democrats are conceding that. Martha Coakley was bland (but, to be fair, she was poised and well spoken whereas Brown had a lot of "uhhs). The Democrats are now going to play dirty. They just brought in a hired hand from the DNC to do rapid response and ads comparing Brown to Bush/Cheney, Nazi's, and puppy haters (OK, I made the last 2 up) will be all over the airwaves this week. Her attack began tonight saying Brown supports hospitals turning away rape victims. Of course she is being disingenuous (most Democrats are) as he supported a conscience clause, especially at Catholic hospitals.
I was at the gym tonight (I've lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks by the way, wish it was better but I'll take it) and a Brown ad came on and I heard a girl say, "I like this guy." I think she has a lot of company.
By the way, I put NO stock in on-line polls but a boston.com poll shows that Brown won the debate 72-25 (Joe Kennedy got 3%). The number of people who have voted is over 5,000.
Raking in the bucks
Scott Brown began a "money bomb" looking to raise $500,000 all day (it started at midnight). They made that goal by 4pm and are now (as of 5:40pm) at over $685,000! They're hoping to now raise $750,000 by midnight tonight.
This is amazing...he has the momentum and enthusiasm on his side. That's why Martha Coakley is going negative and coming out with the very original attack that Brown wants to bring back the Bush and Cheney policies. Sweetheart, it's time for something new. Bush has been gone for a year now, move on.
You can donate to Brown's campaign here.
UPDATE: Brown has raised almost $760,000!!! Now looking for $1 million.
This is amazing...he has the momentum and enthusiasm on his side. That's why Martha Coakley is going negative and coming out with the very original attack that Brown wants to bring back the Bush and Cheney policies. Sweetheart, it's time for something new. Bush has been gone for a year now, move on.
You can donate to Brown's campaign here.
UPDATE: Brown has raised almost $760,000!!! Now looking for $1 million.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Shocked, shocked
I can't say that I am surprised that the Boston Globe's poll has Martha Coakley ahead by 15 points over Scott Brown as there's no way the Globe would publish a survey with Brown within striking distance. But, there may be some flaws in the survey. The poll was taken on January 2 which makes it a little dated, it has a small sample size (just over 500), a margin of error of 4.2%, and according to one person in the comments, 58% of those surveyed were Democrats and I think 78% of those said they were voting for Coakley.
You can see it all here and decide for yourself.
You can see it all here and decide for yourself.
Showing their true colors
I will say that the Globe, for a time, was doing a nice job covering the Senate race rather impartially. But now that Scott Brown has gained some traction, they're bringing out the claws. Case in point is an article today titled "Scott Brown showcases his more conservative leanings." How much do you want to bet that we will never see an article that says, "Martha Coakley showcases her liberal leanings."? Takers? Anyone?
I didn't think so.
Also, you can tell that the reporter, Stephanie Ebbert, is really up on all things Republican. She wrote that Brown recently appeared on Fox's "Hannity and Colmes." Um, Colmes left that show a long time ago sweetheart.
And I love how she ends the story with this quote from Massachusetts Democratic Chair John Walsh, talking about a group that is airing ads for Brown:
“Clearly, he’s saying something to them that makes them feel that he would fit right in with the hard-right of the Republican Party in Washington,’’ said John Walsh, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. “He’s trying to have it both ways, I think. Scott is trying very hard to fit into the Rush Limbaugh wing of the party.’’
So, if some liberal group runs an ad for Coakley, will Walsh be saying that she fits in with the hard left of the Democratic party? Logic is clearly not Mr. Walsh's strong suit.
I didn't think so.
Also, you can tell that the reporter, Stephanie Ebbert, is really up on all things Republican. She wrote that Brown recently appeared on Fox's "Hannity and Colmes." Um, Colmes left that show a long time ago sweetheart.
And I love how she ends the story with this quote from Massachusetts Democratic Chair John Walsh, talking about a group that is airing ads for Brown:
“Clearly, he’s saying something to them that makes them feel that he would fit right in with the hard-right of the Republican Party in Washington,’’ said John Walsh, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. “He’s trying to have it both ways, I think. Scott is trying very hard to fit into the Rush Limbaugh wing of the party.’’
So, if some liberal group runs an ad for Coakley, will Walsh be saying that she fits in with the hard left of the Democratic party? Logic is clearly not Mr. Walsh's strong suit.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
You ain't kidding
Saw this on that coward Martha Coakley's Facebook page:
Martha and Naral New Hampshire are now friends
That's the understatement of the year!
Martha and Naral New Hampshire are now friends
That's the understatement of the year!
SHOCK
Public Policy Polling has Scott Brown with a 48-47 lead over Martha Coakley!! But, I do agree with their analysis:
Here's the reality: the Republicans and GOP leaning independents are going to come out and vote for Scott Brown. There's no doubt about that. But there's also a much larger pool of potential Democratic voters in the state. If Coakley can get them out, she wins. But this race is well past the stage where Democrats can take it for granted that will happen. It will be fascinating to see what happens the final ten days and we'll do a second poll on the race next weekend.
Either way, this is getting interesting.
Here's the reality: the Republicans and GOP leaning independents are going to come out and vote for Scott Brown. There's no doubt about that. But there's also a much larger pool of potential Democratic voters in the state. If Coakley can get them out, she wins. But this race is well past the stage where Democrats can take it for granted that will happen. It will be fascinating to see what happens the final ten days and we'll do a second poll on the race next weekend.
Either way, this is getting interesting.
He also has killer mother-in-law jokes
So Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat of course, said Barack Obama would win the 2008 election because he is "light skinned" with "no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one."
No comment necessary. See the Globe story here.
UPDATE: And the so-called first black president, Bill Clinton, had this to say about Obama:
"A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee."
These guys fit in well with the party of Robert Byrd, former KKK member!
No comment necessary. See the Globe story here.
UPDATE: And the so-called first black president, Bill Clinton, had this to say about Obama:
"A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee."
These guys fit in well with the party of Robert Byrd, former KKK member!
Words cannot describe...
If this is true then these people are more corrupt than we think. In sum, if Scott Brown is elected on January 19, the state has admitted that it will wait until after the final vote on health care to certify the votes and thus, clearing the way for Brown to be sworn in! The Herald said:
The U.S. Senate ultimately will schedule the swearing-in of Kirk’s successor, but not until the state certifies the election.
See the whole story here, including this arrogant, House of Lordsesque comment from our fraudulent Senator Paul "I was Ted Kennedy's buddy so I got this job as a reward" Kirk:
“Absolutely,” Kirk said, when asked if he’d vote for the bill, even if Brown captures the seat. “It would be my responsibility as United States senator, representing the people and understanding Senator Kennedy’s agenda. . . . I think you’re asking me a hypothetical question but I’d be pleased to vote for the bill.”
The U.S. Senate ultimately will schedule the swearing-in of Kirk’s successor, but not until the state certifies the election.
Today, a spokesman for Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, who is overseeing the election but did not respond to a call seeking comment, said certification of the Jan. 19 election by the Governor’s Council would take a while.
“Because it’s a federal election,” spokesman Brian McNiff said. “We’d have to wait 10 days for absentee and military ballots to come in.”
Another source told the Herald that Galvin’s office has said the election won’t be certified until Feb. 20 - well after the president’s address.
How much do you want to bet that if Martha Coakley wins that she is sworn in the next day? This is mind blowing...get ready for war if this happens.See the whole story here, including this arrogant, House of Lordsesque comment from our fraudulent Senator Paul "I was Ted Kennedy's buddy so I got this job as a reward" Kirk:
“Absolutely,” Kirk said, when asked if he’d vote for the bill, even if Brown captures the seat. “It would be my responsibility as United States senator, representing the people and understanding Senator Kennedy’s agenda. . . . I think you’re asking me a hypothetical question but I’d be pleased to vote for the bill.”
Thursday, January 7, 2010
If you've lost Jack Cafferty...
More good stuff. If you know who Jack Cafferty of CNN is, this will floor you. This guy spent years trashing George Bush day after day but now he's saying President Obama lied to get elected and Nancy Pelosi is a fraud. You have to watch this:
Keeps getting better
From Real Clear Politics:
DC clairvoyants say Rahm Emanuel will leave as President Obama's chief-of-staff in the not-too-distant future. Though once a congressman himself, Emanuel is said to be frustrated with lawmakers who won't bend to his will. And his temper -- similar to the Ari Gold-like eruptions of his super-agent brother, Ari Emanuel, in Hollywood -- has not been well received in some quarters.
DC clairvoyants say Rahm Emanuel will leave as President Obama's chief-of-staff in the not-too-distant future. Though once a congressman himself, Emanuel is said to be frustrated with lawmakers who won't bend to his will. And his temper -- similar to the Ari Gold-like eruptions of his super-agent brother, Ari Emanuel, in Hollywood -- has not been well received in some quarters.
Gee, thanks
So President Obama admits that the government screwed up bad with the attempted terror attack on Christmas. Now it comes out that the government failed to connect the dots to stop the Ft. Hood massacre.
Don't blame me, I voted for McCain.
Don't blame me, I voted for McCain.
Gibbs to America: Drop dead!
Remember during the 2008 presidential campaign when Barack Obama said he would have the health care bill negotiations broadcast on C-SPAN? He also said he would have the most transparent administration in history.
Well, the health care bill negotiations are not being done in public and that slimy worm of a Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, refuses to tell the American people why the president is breaking one of his campaign promises. Byron York has the story here but below is a partial transcript:
Another reporter took up the questioning:
QUESTION: Well, does the President think it would be more helpful if this process were more transparent, that the American people could see --
GIBBS: Mike, how many stories do you think NBC has done on this?
QUESTION: Speaking for myself --
GIBBS: Just a guess.
QUESTION: That's not the issue. The issue is whether he broke an explicit campaign promise.
GIBBS: So the answer is --
QUESTION: I deal with the information that --
GIBBS: So the answer is hundreds, is that correct?
QUESTION: Right, but that's got nothing to do with it. I deal with the information, however
much or little of it, there is. I'm saying would people benefit by having more information?
GIBBS: Have you lacked information in those hundred stories? Do you think you've reported stuff that was inaccurate based on the lack of information?
QUESTION: Democrats ran against the very sort of process that is being employed in this health care --
GIBBS: We had this discussion yesterday. I answered this yesterday. Is there anything --
QUESTION: But the President met with members of Congress in the meantime --
GIBBS: And he'll do so today.
QUESTION: -- and pressed them to --
GIBBS: Do you have another question?
What an arrogant pig this man is.
Well, the health care bill negotiations are not being done in public and that slimy worm of a Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, refuses to tell the American people why the president is breaking one of his campaign promises. Byron York has the story here but below is a partial transcript:
Another reporter took up the questioning:
QUESTION: Well, does the President think it would be more helpful if this process were more transparent, that the American people could see --
GIBBS: Mike, how many stories do you think NBC has done on this?
QUESTION: Speaking for myself --
GIBBS: Just a guess.
QUESTION: That's not the issue. The issue is whether he broke an explicit campaign promise.
GIBBS: So the answer is --
QUESTION: I deal with the information that --
GIBBS: So the answer is hundreds, is that correct?
QUESTION: Right, but that's got nothing to do with it. I deal with the information, however
much or little of it, there is. I'm saying would people benefit by having more information?
GIBBS: Have you lacked information in those hundred stories? Do you think you've reported stuff that was inaccurate based on the lack of information?
QUESTION: Democrats ran against the very sort of process that is being employed in this health care --
GIBBS: We had this discussion yesterday. I answered this yesterday. Is there anything --
QUESTION: But the President met with members of Congress in the meantime --
GIBBS: And he'll do so today.
QUESTION: -- and pressed them to --
GIBBS: Do you have another question?
What an arrogant pig this man is.
Big deal
Did you hear the rumor that the Kennedy family was going to endorse Republican Scott Brown for Senate? There must be that rumor out there, because why else would it be a big deal that a Democratic family is endorsing the Democratic nominee for Senate? I mean, I was SHOCKED when I heard that the family of a two Democratic senators and a Democratic president was endorsing the Democrat Martha Coakley.
Crazy, huh? Obviously big, unprecedented news.
Crazy, huh? Obviously big, unprecedented news.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
He's back!
I am so glad Brian McGrory is back writing columns for the Globe. Today he takes on that coward Martha Coakley and her trying to essentially back into the Senate seat. Here is the intro:
If you're a registered voter in Massachusetts, your friendly Democratic Senate candidate, Martha Coakley, is sticking her thumb in your eye.
If you're a registered voter in Massachusetts, your friendly Democratic Senate candidate, Martha Coakley, is sticking her thumb in your eye.
Coakley, in exquisitely diva-like form, is refusing all invitations to debate her Republican opponent in the race, Scott Brown, unless a third-party candidate with no apparent credentials is included on the stage. She may also require a crystal bowl of orange-only M&Ms in her dressing room, but we haven't gotten that far yet. Her demands have led to an astonishing result: there will be just one -- that's one -- live televised debate in the Boston media market this general election season.
Think about that for a moment. We tend to elect our members of Congress for life in this state, especially when they're Democrats, which they usually are. This particular race, a special election, has unfolded at breakneck speed. We have two barely known candidates -- Coakley has run statewide just once, Brown is a state senator from exurbia -- trying to fill a huge void at a time of war and economic upheaval.
And Coakley's overriding strategy is to quietly back into the job, to have you, the voter, know less about the major candidates rather than more.
Politically, this is not necessarily unwise of her. She is the front-runner, in terms of name recognition and stature.
She's also, as the Democrat, the default candidate for many Massachusetts voters. She's counting on voters, knowledgeable or not, to reflexively pull the Democratic lever.
Home run! See it all here but below is the BEST line:
Both Kerry and Kennedy had the confidence in themselves, and the respect for the voters, to debate their major challenger one-on-one. Coakley does not.
Why bother?
The Democrats are starting the spin control with assistance from their house organ the Boston Globe. Dan Payne, a Democratic hired gun, wrote a column in the Globe today about his "ideal" Republican. For Payne, a Republican should be:
He or she would be antiwar; prochoice; an outspoken advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights; willing to challenge a president of his or her party; a voice for the poor; a conciliator; someone who had seen war.
We have a name for someone with these credentials, Mr. Payne. It's called a Democrat!
He goes on to extol the virtues of the last Republican U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Ed Brooke. Brooke, you may recall, also had an affair with Barbara Walters so, yeah, he's a good person to emulate.
Anyway, Payne wrote:
He or she would be antiwar; prochoice; an outspoken advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights; willing to challenge a president of his or her party; a voice for the poor; a conciliator; someone who had seen war.
We have a name for someone with these credentials, Mr. Payne. It's called a Democrat!
He goes on to extol the virtues of the last Republican U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Ed Brooke. Brooke, you may recall, also had an affair with Barbara Walters so, yeah, he's a good person to emulate.
Anyway, Payne wrote:
The first African-American sent to the Senate by popular vote, he was no token. The landmark Brooke Amendment made public housing affordable to all. He was a leader in passing the Equal Credit Act, ensuring married women the right to credit on their own. In 1976, he championed a woman’s right to an abortion and worked hard, albeit unsuccessfully, to allow poor women to have the procedure covered by Medicaid.
He took on his own party’s president, leading a bipartisan force that turned back two of Richard Nixon’s mediocre nominees for the Supreme Court. That led to the appointment of Harry Blackmun, who would later write the Roe v. Wade decision. Brooke was the first senator in either party to call for Nixon’s resignation after the “Saturday Night Massacre’’ during the Watergate scandal.
Wow, what a hero. Payne is holding up a man who did all he could to expand abortion. That's one heck of a legacy. I am sure the 40 million dead babies since 1972 consider Brooke a hero too.
The good thing about Brooke is that he is a veteran of World War II. Other than that, he may as well been a Democrat.
Beautiful Day
I have to run to class in a minute but some quick hits:
1. Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan, long-time Democratic senators from CT and ND, are not running for re-election!
2. Charlie Baker has raised a ton of money - 10 times more than Deval Patrick, according to the Globe
3. Scott Brown is on fire, Martha Coakley is a cowardly dud.
I like this lead from the Yahoo story on Dodd and Dorgan:
With the 2010 election year barely under way, two senators and one governor — all Democrats — ditched plans to run for re-election in the latest signs of trouble for President Barack Obama's party.
1. Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan, long-time Democratic senators from CT and ND, are not running for re-election!
2. Charlie Baker has raised a ton of money - 10 times more than Deval Patrick, according to the Globe
3. Scott Brown is on fire, Martha Coakley is a cowardly dud.
I like this lead from the Yahoo story on Dodd and Dorgan:
With the 2010 election year barely under way, two senators and one governor — all Democrats — ditched plans to run for re-election in the latest signs of trouble for President Barack Obama's party.
Taken together, the decisions by Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota as well as Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter caused another bout of heartburn for Democrats as they struggle to defend themselves in a sour political environment for incumbents, particularly the party in charge.
As 2009 ended, Democrats watched a string of their House members announce retirements and one congressman defect to the GOP.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Picking up steam
MSNBC has a rundown as to what some of the blogs are saying about Scott Brown's chances in two weeks:
From NBC's Ali Weinberg
Despite the focus on the Democratic candidate in the special election for late "liberal lion" Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D-MA) seat, conservative bloggers are stressing not to discount the Republican candidate, state Sen. Scott Brown (who, by the way, received the endorsement of former Red Sox pitcher and rumored Senate candidate Curt Schilling this afternoon, Politico reports).
Conservative blogger Erick Erickson says "the odds are against Brown, but only slightly." He makes the point that Brown may not win, but that enough liberal voters are unhappy with President Obama's first-year record, including his lack of commitment to a public health insurance option, that they might use a vote for Brown as a "public rebuke to the President. (So if Democrat Martha Coakley wins, does that mean it will be a win for Obama?)
National Review Online's Jim Geraghty also picks up on the conservative sentiment that Brown's chances in Massachusetts are not as long-shot as some would believe. "A bunch of ingredients are coming together for Scott Brown. Republicans are angry and fired up, a surprising number of Democrats alternate between unenthusiastic or animosity towards the nominee, and if the independents in Massachusetts are like the ones in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, they'll shift heavily to Republicans compared to 2008." But, Geraghty warns, "The bad news is that Brown needs almost a perfect storm -- unbelievably fired-up Republicans, immensely depressed Democrats, and a heavy skew among independents -- to make up the traditional 30 percentage point deficit and win this race.
From NBC's Ali Weinberg
Despite the focus on the Democratic candidate in the special election for late "liberal lion" Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D-MA) seat, conservative bloggers are stressing not to discount the Republican candidate, state Sen. Scott Brown (who, by the way, received the endorsement of former Red Sox pitcher and rumored Senate candidate Curt Schilling this afternoon, Politico reports).
Conservative blogger Erick Erickson says "the odds are against Brown, but only slightly." He makes the point that Brown may not win, but that enough liberal voters are unhappy with President Obama's first-year record, including his lack of commitment to a public health insurance option, that they might use a vote for Brown as a "public rebuke to the President. (So if Democrat Martha Coakley wins, does that mean it will be a win for Obama?)
National Review Online's Jim Geraghty also picks up on the conservative sentiment that Brown's chances in Massachusetts are not as long-shot as some would believe. "A bunch of ingredients are coming together for Scott Brown. Republicans are angry and fired up, a surprising number of Democrats alternate between unenthusiastic or animosity towards the nominee, and if the independents in Massachusetts are like the ones in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, they'll shift heavily to Republicans compared to 2008." But, Geraghty warns, "The bad news is that Brown needs almost a perfect storm -- unbelievably fired-up Republicans, immensely depressed Democrats, and a heavy skew among independents -- to make up the traditional 30 percentage point deficit and win this race.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
