Sorry for the relative lack of posts over the past two days or so. I have been having some computer issues, which were officially solved today with the purchase of a new netbook.
I am ready to rock and roll, and you are going to see a flurry of posts on Saturday and Sunday. Try to contain your excitement.
Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick to endorse Mike Capuano tomorrow.
He already picked up the endorsement of former Massachusetts First Lady Kitty Dukakis, and now Mike Capuano can add the current First Lady to his roster of supporters.
Diane Patrick announced today that she will endorse Democratic Congressman Mike Capuano for U.S. Senate at his 50th “Open Mike” conversation tomorrow at the Dedham Community Theater at 10:30 a.m.
In a campaign press release, Camp Capuano noted that Mrs. Patrick, a partner at the law firm of Ropes and Gray, first met the Congressman on her husband’s successful campaign for Governor. The release also notes that Capuano was one of Governor Deval Patrick’s earliest endorsers.
“Mike and Barbara offered us tremendous support and friendship throughout the course of Deval’s campaign. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to reciprocate with my own endorsement now,” said Mrs. Patrick. “Mike has proven leadership on issues important to me such as improving education and fighting to protect our cherished civil liberties. Mike’s experience in the House coupled with his passion to fight for what is best for Massachusetts makes him the very best candidate to send to the U.S. Senate. I am proud to endorse Mike today"
The campaign noted that Saturday’s event will also mark the 50th “Open Mike” conversation of the campaign.
Diane Patrick announced today that she will endorse Democratic Congressman Mike Capuano for U.S. Senate at his 50th “Open Mike” conversation tomorrow at the Dedham Community Theater at 10:30 a.m. In a campaign press release, Camp Capuano noted that Mrs. Patrick, a partner at the law firm of Ropes and Gray, first met the Congressman on her husband’s successful campaign for Governor. The release also notes that Capuano was one of Governor Deval Patrick’s earliest endorsers.
“Mike and Barbara offered us tremendous support and friendship throughout the course of Deval’s campaign. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to reciprocate with my own endorsement now,” said Mrs. Patrick. “Mike has proven leadership on issues important to me such as improving education and fighting to protect our cherished civil liberties. Mike’s experience in the House coupled with his passion to fight for what is best for Massachusetts makes him the very best candidate to send to the U.S. Senate. I am proud to endorse Mike today"
The campaign noted that Saturday’s event will also mark the 50th “Open Mike” conversation of the campaign.
Martha Coakley releases new campaign ad on Wall Street, economy.
Martha Coakley released a new campaign ad today that focuses on Wall Street and the economy.
The ad begins with quick mention of being raised in North Adams, and the basic values of honesty and responsibility she learned from her parents. "Those are values Wall Street ignored when they wrecked our economy," says Coakley.
A voice over then notes that Coakley "held Wall Street accountable," and ticks off some of her job creation ideas. "In the Senate, I'll work to bring responsibility and fairness back to our economy," Coakley concludes.
I like the idea of juxtaposing small town family values with Wall Street corruption. That's a message that will play well with middle class voters and laid off workers in the Democratic primary.
My only gripe with the ad is that it doesn't mention election day. I think every ad from here on out should be putting December 8 in big, bold letters.
The ad begins with quick mention of being raised in North Adams, and the basic values of honesty and responsibility she learned from her parents. "Those are values Wall Street ignored when they wrecked our economy," says Coakley.
A voice over then notes that Coakley "held Wall Street accountable," and ticks off some of her job creation ideas. "In the Senate, I'll work to bring responsibility and fairness back to our economy," Coakley concludes.
I like the idea of juxtaposing small town family values with Wall Street corruption. That's a message that will play well with middle class voters and laid off workers in the Democratic primary.
My only gripe with the ad is that it doesn't mention election day. I think every ad from here on out should be putting December 8 in big, bold letters.
Downtown Scotty Brown and the Friday morning roundup.
In today's paper, the Boston Globe's candidate profile series takes on its first Republican candidate, State Senator Scott Brown.
The detailed look at Brown's background by Globe reporter Brian Mooney includes discussions of his childhood, his experience in the National Guard, his legislative record, and his exploits on the basketball court. Brown apparently starred for Wakefield High School and Tufts University, and earned the nickname "Downtown Scotty Brown." He even told a judge in his youth, "Well, I score about 30 or 40 points a game."
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? If Pagliuca pulls the upset in the Democratic primary, we should skip debates and have Pags and Downtown Scott Brown play one-on-one for the Kennedy seat. Winner take all.
On to the morning roundup:
--Alex Beam thinks we need some attack ads to spice up the Democratic primary (I agree!), and makes some suggestions. I'm not really sure what happens over at Boston.com, but Beam's pieces keep popping up online for a day and then vanishing. They're like one of those hidden Easter Eggs on DVD's. Click on them if you see them, they're worth it.
--Dave Wedge reports on Jack E. Robinson's exploits outside Park Street station yesterday, where he told subway riders he would push for free public transit if elected to the Senate.
--I missed this yesterday, but Massachusetts Attorney General and Democratic candidate for Senate Martha Coakley penned an opinion piece for The New Republic this week with Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard professor who currently chairs the Congressional Oversight Panel. Coakley and Warren make the case for passage of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act of 2009, currently pending in Congress.
--The Globe's Matt Viser has reaction from Mike Capuano and Martha Coakley to Steve Pagliuca's press conference yesterday, where he challenged them on health care. Needless to say, Capuano and Coakley were none too pleased with Pagliuca's lecture. Scott Lehigh also weighs in on Pagliuca's health care push.
--Globe columnist Adrian Walker opines on Coakley's charisma challenge. He notes that even some supporters know she is not a flashy candidate, but that she is criticized for a number of admirable qualities.
--Finally, Brian Mooney (I know this is Globe heavy today, what can I say? They covered a lot of angles.), notes the fundraising tallies, including Scott Brown's $290K and Steve Pagliuca's $350K.
The detailed look at Brown's background by Globe reporter Brian Mooney includes discussions of his childhood, his experience in the National Guard, his legislative record, and his exploits on the basketball court. Brown apparently starred for Wakefield High School and Tufts University, and earned the nickname "Downtown Scotty Brown." He even told a judge in his youth, "Well, I score about 30 or 40 points a game."
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? If Pagliuca pulls the upset in the Democratic primary, we should skip debates and have Pags and Downtown Scott Brown play one-on-one for the Kennedy seat. Winner take all.
On to the morning roundup:
--Alex Beam thinks we need some attack ads to spice up the Democratic primary (I agree!), and makes some suggestions. I'm not really sure what happens over at Boston.com, but Beam's pieces keep popping up online for a day and then vanishing. They're like one of those hidden Easter Eggs on DVD's. Click on them if you see them, they're worth it.
--Dave Wedge reports on Jack E. Robinson's exploits outside Park Street station yesterday, where he told subway riders he would push for free public transit if elected to the Senate.
--I missed this yesterday, but Massachusetts Attorney General and Democratic candidate for Senate Martha Coakley penned an opinion piece for The New Republic this week with Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard professor who currently chairs the Congressional Oversight Panel. Coakley and Warren make the case for passage of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act of 2009, currently pending in Congress.
--The Globe's Matt Viser has reaction from Mike Capuano and Martha Coakley to Steve Pagliuca's press conference yesterday, where he challenged them on health care. Needless to say, Capuano and Coakley were none too pleased with Pagliuca's lecture. Scott Lehigh also weighs in on Pagliuca's health care push.
--Globe columnist Adrian Walker opines on Coakley's charisma challenge. He notes that even some supporters know she is not a flashy candidate, but that she is criticized for a number of admirable qualities.
--Finally, Brian Mooney (I know this is Globe heavy today, what can I say? They covered a lot of angles.), notes the fundraising tallies, including Scott Brown's $290K and Steve Pagliuca's $350K.
Alan Khazei raises $1.2 million in second reporting period; $500K cash on hand.
The Citizens for Alan Khazei campaign announced late Thursday it raised more than $1.2 million in the period that ended at midnight Nov. 18th and will report cash on hand of $500,000.
“I am deeply grateful for the thousands of the citizens who are responding to our agenda of Big Citizenship and supporting our campaign with their time and money,” Khazei said. “We did not accept a dime from any lobbyist or PAC, yet we are still financially competitive against traditional politicians.”
The Khazei campaign today also announced that it will have 100 fundraising house parties on Dec. 1st to watch the scheduled TV media debate hosted by WCVB.
In a press release, the campaign stress that Khazei has made a pledge to the people of Massachusetts not to take any PAC or lobbyist money. The Khazei campaign has a strict vetting process, and any money inadvertently received from current and former lobbyists at both the state and federal level was quickly returned.
“The citizens of Massachusetts deserve legislators who are transparent, open, and beholden to no one,” Khazei added. “We are confident that our citizen-financed effort will lead us to victory on December 8th.”
New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is hosting a fundraiser for Alan Khazei tonight at his Manhattan home. The campaign expects the event will raise over $250,000 in individual-only contributions.
The fundraiser tonight will be critical for Khazei's final push, as he enters the home stretch with significantly less cash-on-hand than his opponents - Mike Capuano reported $1.1 million, Martha Coakley $1.9 million, and Steve Pagliuca has already poured millions of his own money into the campaign.
“I am deeply grateful for the thousands of the citizens who are responding to our agenda of Big Citizenship and supporting our campaign with their time and money,” Khazei said. “We did not accept a dime from any lobbyist or PAC, yet we are still financially competitive against traditional politicians.”
The Khazei campaign today also announced that it will have 100 fundraising house parties on Dec. 1st to watch the scheduled TV media debate hosted by WCVB.
In a press release, the campaign stress that Khazei has made a pledge to the people of Massachusetts not to take any PAC or lobbyist money. The Khazei campaign has a strict vetting process, and any money inadvertently received from current and former lobbyists at both the state and federal level was quickly returned.
“The citizens of Massachusetts deserve legislators who are transparent, open, and beholden to no one,” Khazei added. “We are confident that our citizen-financed effort will lead us to victory on December 8th.”
New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is hosting a fundraiser for Alan Khazei tonight at his Manhattan home. The campaign expects the event will raise over $250,000 in individual-only contributions.
The fundraiser tonight will be critical for Khazei's final push, as he enters the home stretch with significantly less cash-on-hand than his opponents - Mike Capuano reported $1.1 million, Martha Coakley $1.9 million, and Steve Pagliuca has already poured millions of his own money into the campaign.
Alan Khazei releases statement on Senate health care bill.
Alan Khazei issued a statement last night on the health care reform bill released yesterday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:
“I applaud the comprehensive healthcare plan introduced by Senate Majority Leader Reid that mandates coverage, preserves a public option, eliminates exclusion for pre-existing conditions and lifetime caps, and does not include any new draconian restrictions on women’s access to reproductive health services adopted by the House.
“I also applaud the portion of the healthcare bill that creates a new federal insurance program to help with long term care costs.
“I would fight to include a key House provision that was excluded in the Senate bill that would authorize the Secretary of HHS to negotiate drug price in the Medicare prescription drug plan.
“I am troubled by the upholding of the insurance industry's exemption from federal antitrust laws, which raises premiums and hurts consumers and I do not believe we should allow states to opt out of the public option. I am also troubled that the bill’s weak employer responsibility provisions ignore the needs of part-time and seasonal workers, continuing the trends in the marketplace which incentivize hiring part time employees to avoid offering benefits.
“I would fight to improve this in the full Senate. I would vote for this bill.”
