Can any MA locals provide any content/context on what's going on up there?

I think we all assumed that this would be a walk in the park for whatever D candidate was put forward.
Who is Brown? How did he manage to close the gap to single digits?

Did someone turn lose Rove's evil conservative mind control satellite beam technology?

Just wondering, the press has been giving this a pass on the national stage (except for Fox).. Just wondering if you locals have any more info/color commentary

Not a local, but it sure seems that the Dems in MA change the rules to benefit themselves whenever they need to.................Oh, just like the Dems in DC!

quote Originally posted by Uaana: Did someone turn lose Rove's evil conservative mind control satellite beam technology?

Was that a Freudian slip, sir?

quote Originally posted by olejoedad: Not a local, but it sure seems that the Dems in MA change the rules to benefit themselves whenever they need to.................Oh, just like the Dems in DC!

It would seem that the rule change to benefit the Democrat didn't go over well with the locals...

Blue to Red: Massachusetts Senate Race

In the state legislature, Democrats control 90% of the seats. They used that majority to change the state law and allow the Democratic Governor Deval Patrick to appoint an immediate replacement for Kennedy in the period before a special election was held, allowing Democrats to maintain the 60th Senate seat and break the GOP filibuster on health care reform. That maneuver did not go down all that well, given that the legislature passed a bill in 2004 requiring a special election and taking away the ability of the governor to fill a vacant Senate seat. That step was taken to ensure that then GOP Governor Mitt Romney could not appoint a Republican to fill out John Kerry's term had he been elected president in 2004. Some hypocritical acts by politicians stink worse than others.

quote Originally posted by fierobear: It would seem that the rule change to benefit the Democrat didn't go over well with the locals... Blue to Red: Massachusetts Senate Race In the state legislature, Democrats control 90% of the seats. They used that majority to change the state law and allow the Democratic Governor Deval Patrick to appoint an immediate replacement for Kennedy in the period before a special election was held, allowing Democrats to maintain the 60th Senate seat and break the GOP filibuster on health care reform. That maneuver did not go down all that well, given that the legislature passed a bill in 2004 requiring a special election and taking away the ability of the governor to fill a vacant Senate seat. That step was taken to ensure that then GOP Governor Mitt Romney could not appoint a Republican to fill out John Kerry's term had he been elected president in 2004. Some hypocritical acts by politicians stink worse than others.

It's all bait and switch boys and girls. The bad part is that the republicans are about as bad as the democrats. Both my senators (democrats) said they couldn't support the House healthcare bill because there was so much public opposition. But they didn't have any problems voting for the Senate bill.

The general public is just stupid. Even when polls show congressional approval ratings in the teens, 90% of incumbents get re-elected.

This always reminds me of the South Park episode where they have to choose between a giant douche or a turd sandwich.

Scott Brown is a Lt Col in the national guard, with 20 years of service and a State Senator. He's ringing with Independents over terrorism (Coakley supports trying terrorists in civil courts) and spending (people afraid of Obamacare and everything else rammed through Congress without being read). He has a 50 point lead among Independents, and is even picking up 18% of Democrats. You may remember Scott's daughter as the one edged out of the American Idol Top 12 in Season 5:



Ayla plays basketball for Boston College.

Martha Coakley is a product of western MA and the Attorney General. Her campaign, apparently, can't spell Massachusetts correctly (look at the print at the end of the ad):



This, incidentally, is the first negative ad of the campaign. Scott's response:



As you can guess, Coakley has gotten endorsements from Obama, Clinton and Joe and Vicky Kennedy. Scott has gotten endorsements from the Boston Herald, the State Police Association, Doug Flutie and Curt Schilling.

Coakley had a commanding lead over Scott in December. It was nine points last week, and is two points now.

Coakley's ads have given her the perception of being entitled (typical Democrat) and not having much of a personality, while Scott's ads have shown him driving around the Commonwealth in his Chevy pickup and talking with people.

[This message has been edited by Patrick's Dad (edited 01-12-2010).]

Scott Brown echoes the words of JFK.



When is Scott Brown running for President???

quote Originally posted by SGS: It's all bait and switch boys and girls. The bad part is that the republicans are about as bad as the democrats This always reminds me of the South Park episode where they have to choose between a giant douche or a turd sandwich.

While I don't think the Republicans are as bad as the Democrats, they haven't been acting like conservatives. However, given our current choices, it's better to take a turd over a douche if the turd spends less money, doesn't try to shove DMV health care down our throats, doesn't try to socialize banks and businesses, and so on. Not the best of overall choices, but I'll go with the non-Marxists, thank you.

quote Originally posted by fierobear: While I don't think the Republicans are as bad as the Democrats, they haven't been acting like conservatives. However, given our current choices, it's better to take a turd over a douche if the turd spends less money, doesn't try to shove DMV health care down our throats, doesn't try to socialize banks and businesses, and so on. Not the best of overall choices, but I'll go with the non-Marxists, thank you.

I don't disagree, but the reality is that you're not making a choice per se.....you're just picking between who will screw you over less....the "lesser of evils" approach. It's not a choice so much as it is a lack of options.

I'll submit that with a little research and a little activity on the part of the American public, we can vote for people we WANT in office, not for the person we'd rather have 2nd least.

quote Originally posted by SGS: I don't disagree, but the reality is that you're not making a choice per se.....you're just picking between who will screw you over less....the "lesser of evils" approach. It's not a choice so much as it is a lack of options. I'll submit that with a little research and a little activity on the part of the American public, we can vote for people we WANT in office, not for the person we'd rather have 2nd least.

A worthwhile concept.

In reality, I'll just say that it appears that you lead a rich fantasy life.
That was NOT meant as a dig. It's just that the American public has gotten so accustomed to the status quo (dare I say complacent?) that it's not likely to happen any time soon. The media and the "system", et al, are not helping. And don't want to help.

You seem to know your way around the forum fairly well.
I don't know if you've been here before in a "previous life" or not, but I bid you "welcome" and good day.

I hope that Brown can get Charlie off the MTA!!!!!

Brown up in reputable polls now, above the margin of error.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Brown up in reputable polls now, above the margin of error.

Which polls?

Jim

Yes, this was good news to wake up to this morn. I hope this is going to be a trend in all the elections this year. In fact, I bet it will be.

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: Which polls?

I had heard it on a news break from my classic rock-n-roll station. Searching I find only one poll at present, done by Suffolk University located in dowtown Boston MA.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I had heard it on a news break from my classic rock-n-roll station. Searching I find only one poll at present, done by Suffolk University located in dowtown Boston MA.

Isn't that interesting, normally there are polls all over the place for an election.

screw polls where are Neptune and his buddies to jump in with comments?

Yes I don't live in MA but this vote affects me

Are our own "progressive" posters shying away? Dudes.. MA is as blue as MN/Union theoracy can make them

should be scaring the pee out of all "progressive" D in the senate and house elections

Gotten to the point that my ugly white butt is willing to step up on a stage for congress.

File this one under "Oh No She Didn't......."



Gold star for the first one to ID that symbol of evil capitalist greed that Coakley apparently favors "cracking down on" in the background of her ad...

Yes the ad has been pulled.... welcome to the digital age Martha, you can't un-make a statement like this. You might have to find a different building full of evil capitalists to crack down on though... I think I saw something on the news awhile back about someone having beat you to this particular symbol of capitalism.

Yes I realize Martha didn't edit the ad... but hey, you lay with the dogs and you might get a few fleas.

WTC