Sunday, September 12, 2010
CMassPolitics.com Interview with Mike Stopa
Interview with Mike Stopa (R-Holliston), candidate for U.S. representative in the Third Congressional District.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
P.O. Box 13: 'A great campaign' ending (Part 5)
The latest part of our look at campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. Also see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.
As you'll recall, we received solid mailers from each of the front-runners on Thursday. Two of them sent more the next day. Here's what we received Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11.
Gina DiBaro
"Have You Heard?"
Gina DiBaro checks in for the first time this month with four testimonials -- half of them from Paxton (!), all from "regular people" and not government or political officials. That's either a good thing or a bad thing. The reverse (not pictured) says DiBaro will bring "a New Voice, New Vision and New Results ... my priorities are job creation, public safety and fiscal responsibility. It is time for Full Time Representation!" Not sure I like the capitalization, but I'm definitely detecting an attack on state Rep. Robert Spellane, who's leaving this seat. That would make this the first mailer (or the first since we started keeping track) to mention Spellane, even in a veiled fashion.
John Mahoney
"You're Getting Soaked"
Say what you will about Joff Smith's "silhouette" mailer, but this is the first entirely negative mailer of the campaign: the only mention of its sender, John Mahoney, is in the return address. In a mailer that complains about negative attacks, the text begins with: "Under Joff Smith's failed leadership ..." (the reverse, aside from address information, shows a man being drenched, with the legend: "Feel like you're being soaked? You are.").
Another question: Since all of Worcester's woes are attributable to Smith's "leadership," is Mahoney conceding that Smith is a leader on the council? One attack that does hit home: Mahoney mentions Smith's vote to grant city councilors a pay raise.
Joff Smith
"My Name is Joff"
With a bare minimum of decoration, Joff Smith rehashes his résumé in a letter to voters. Do voters see an inconsistency in his arguments? "Government has neglected taxpayers ... can't fix problems by sending political insiders" ... but ... "I am the only candidate with experience governing through a fiscal crisis." So Smith, the only current elected official, is not a political insider? Overall, though, this mailer is a winner. He gets his message across and cites some specific votes and actions.
John Mahoney
"A Great Campaign"
The only mailer to arrive Saturday, and though John Mahoney has my full attention, he doesn't have much to say. The reverse (not pictured) is simply "John Mahoney - State Representative - September 14" in huge letters and a photo of him with his son. The phrase "this has been a great campaign" makes this seem a valedictory mailing -- will Mahoney be absent from what I assume will be a massive mailer crush on Monday?
This is the fifth in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series will continue.
As you'll recall, we received solid mailers from each of the front-runners on Thursday. Two of them sent more the next day. Here's what we received Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11.
"Have You Heard?"
Gina DiBaro checks in for the first time this month with four testimonials -- half of them from Paxton (!), all from "regular people" and not government or political officials. That's either a good thing or a bad thing. The reverse (not pictured) says DiBaro will bring "a New Voice, New Vision and New Results ... my priorities are job creation, public safety and fiscal responsibility. It is time for Full Time Representation!" Not sure I like the capitalization, but I'm definitely detecting an attack on state Rep. Robert Spellane, who's leaving this seat. That would make this the first mailer (or the first since we started keeping track) to mention Spellane, even in a veiled fashion.
"You're Getting Soaked"
Say what you will about Joff Smith's "silhouette" mailer, but this is the first entirely negative mailer of the campaign: the only mention of its sender, John Mahoney, is in the return address. In a mailer that complains about negative attacks, the text begins with: "Under Joff Smith's failed leadership ..." (the reverse, aside from address information, shows a man being drenched, with the legend: "Feel like you're being soaked? You are.").
Another question: Since all of Worcester's woes are attributable to Smith's "leadership," is Mahoney conceding that Smith is a leader on the council? One attack that does hit home: Mahoney mentions Smith's vote to grant city councilors a pay raise.
"My Name is Joff"
With a bare minimum of decoration, Joff Smith rehashes his résumé in a letter to voters. Do voters see an inconsistency in his arguments? "Government has neglected taxpayers ... can't fix problems by sending political insiders" ... but ... "I am the only candidate with experience governing through a fiscal crisis." So Smith, the only current elected official, is not a political insider? Overall, though, this mailer is a winner. He gets his message across and cites some specific votes and actions.
"A Great Campaign"
The only mailer to arrive Saturday, and though John Mahoney has my full attention, he doesn't have much to say. The reverse (not pictured) is simply "John Mahoney - State Representative - September 14" in huge letters and a photo of him with his son. The phrase "this has been a great campaign" makes this seem a valedictory mailing -- will Mahoney be absent from what I assume will be a massive mailer crush on Monday?
This is the fifth in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series will continue.
P.O. Box 13: Testify, testify! (Part 4)
Part 4 of our look at campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. This review includes mailings received on September 9. Also see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 5.
Thursday, Sept. 9, produced a bumper crop, all from the supposed "front-runners" of the campaign. Margot Barnet, last heard from more than a week ago, again had multiple entries. Here they are:
Margot Barnet
"Your Vote Matters"
Here's another union mailer from SEIU (see Part 1). It's got the hallmarks of a statewide mailer, with no specifics about Barnet's policies and no mention of Worcester or Paxton -- just "... an important primary election for our community." Also, if you don't know where to vote, visit wheredoivotema.com (a state-run website) or call 800-462-VOTE. Nothing groundbreaking here.
Margot Barnet
"Someone We Trust"
This one's from Barnet's local office and focuses on her résumé as a community volunteer and organizer in Worcester: "We know we can trust her to be a champion for our concerns, because that is exactly what she has been doing for decades in our community." It's Barnet's strongest selling point and this is probably her most effective mailer yet.
John Mahoney
"Mahoney Momentum!"
Another big one -- 8.5" x 11". I just had to show the front side, because it's got that great headline, but the back is probably more interesting ... the entire purpose of the mailer is to show seven testimonials, including one from a Paxton resident. Mahoney gets a great cross-section to endorse him, from elected officials (Councilor Barbara Haller and School Committeewoman Dianna Biancheria) to former Police Chief Edward Gardella, a teacher and a senior citizen.
Next time the post office has to raise the price of a stamp because business is down, don't blame John Mahoney. The information on this mailer could have easily fit into a card half this size, but he's still paying to send the largest mailers the campaign has seen so far.
Joff Smith
"What People Are Saying"
I've got to go with first impressions here -- the color scheme is awful; a lot of dark-text-on-black. That said, Smith strikes back with his own list of testimonials, leading off with former School Committee member Dotty Hargrove and city boxing star Jose Rivera. Nobody identified from Paxton. Still, folks who risk eye damage to read the thing learn about Smith's attention to education, neighborhoods and seniors.
It should be said that while testimonials are better than vague promises, they're still not as good (in this voter's opinion) as specific promises or beliefs. I'm learning not to expect specifics in the mail, though.
This is the fourth in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
Thursday, Sept. 9, produced a bumper crop, all from the supposed "front-runners" of the campaign. Margot Barnet, last heard from more than a week ago, again had multiple entries. Here they are:
"Your Vote Matters"
Here's another union mailer from SEIU (see Part 1). It's got the hallmarks of a statewide mailer, with no specifics about Barnet's policies and no mention of Worcester or Paxton -- just "... an important primary election for our community." Also, if you don't know where to vote, visit wheredoivotema.com (a state-run website) or call 800-462-VOTE. Nothing groundbreaking here.
"Someone We Trust"
This one's from Barnet's local office and focuses on her résumé as a community volunteer and organizer in Worcester: "We know we can trust her to be a champion for our concerns, because that is exactly what she has been doing for decades in our community." It's Barnet's strongest selling point and this is probably her most effective mailer yet.
"Mahoney Momentum!"
Another big one -- 8.5" x 11". I just had to show the front side, because it's got that great headline, but the back is probably more interesting ... the entire purpose of the mailer is to show seven testimonials, including one from a Paxton resident. Mahoney gets a great cross-section to endorse him, from elected officials (Councilor Barbara Haller and School Committeewoman Dianna Biancheria) to former Police Chief Edward Gardella, a teacher and a senior citizen.
Next time the post office has to raise the price of a stamp because business is down, don't blame John Mahoney. The information on this mailer could have easily fit into a card half this size, but he's still paying to send the largest mailers the campaign has seen so far.
"What People Are Saying"
I've got to go with first impressions here -- the color scheme is awful; a lot of dark-text-on-black. That said, Smith strikes back with his own list of testimonials, leading off with former School Committee member Dotty Hargrove and city boxing star Jose Rivera. Nobody identified from Paxton. Still, folks who risk eye damage to read the thing learn about Smith's attention to education, neighborhoods and seniors.
It should be said that while testimonials are better than vague promises, they're still not as good (in this voter's opinion) as specific promises or beliefs. I'm learning not to expect specifics in the mail, though.
This is the fourth in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
P.O. Box 13: Smith goes negative (Part 3)
Part 3 of our look at campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. This review includes mailers sent through September 8. Also see Part 1, Part 2, Part 4 and Part 5.
Entering the last week before the election, Joff Smith took the offensive with the first negative mailer of the campaign (or at least, the first one since we began keeping track), while John Mahoney followed up his first, biographical effort with one focused more on issues.
John Mahoney
"A Fresh Take on the Issues"
Finally, Mahoney lets us know he's more than just a tall guy, with another mammoth 8.5" x 11" job with nice, big type. Mahoney "will fight for tax incentives to entice businesses to locate in and around Worcester and Paxton." He also says the right things about education, protecting children from crime and bullying, and constituent service ("no issue is too small").
Don Sharry
"Vote for Don Sharry"
Exact same postcard as Sharry's last, and addressed to the exact same person, so it's probably not a case of being listed twice on his address list. If I was going to read it the second time, chances are I'd already read it the first time. See my reaction here.
Mike Perotto
"Experienced and Accomplished"
This Sept. 8 mailer is essentially the same message as the previous Perotto postcard, but in larger size (11" x 6"). His priorities are: "Create and retain jobs ... Increase Chapter 70 funding for education ... Lower taxes and spend wisely ... Service constituent requests." Lotta controversy there.
Joff Smith
"Stood Up for Taxpayers"
An 8.5" x 5" mailer that Rosalie Tirella hates, so it's got that going for it. Obverse is a four-paragraph letter with the usual "I know firsthand that we need to support our small businesses" and "change can't happen on its own" type of sentiment. Reverse is where the controversy is: Joff lined up next to silhouettes labeled "John Mahoney" and "Margot Barnet," and a paragraph next to each one. Joff's highlights his lowest-residential-tax-rate votes. Mahoney's blurb accuses him of being "part of the group" that wants a cut in the business tax rate, which would raise residential tax rates. Barnet's says she's "opposed to a bill that would create 15,000 new jobs in MA." It would be nice to know what bill this is (Tirella argues convincingly that it's the casino bill; Barnet is the only one of the six candidates to oppose casinos). The mailer implies that Barnet is controlled by special interests that want to raise property taxes. In both cases, the candidates' relationships to proposed residential tax hikes are a bit more nuanced than the mailer suggests; this is politics, but in terms of this week's catch, it's the only one to go negative, so it's an outlier in terms of tone.
This is the third in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
Entering the last week before the election, Joff Smith took the offensive with the first negative mailer of the campaign (or at least, the first one since we began keeping track), while John Mahoney followed up his first, biographical effort with one focused more on issues.
"A Fresh Take on the Issues"
Finally, Mahoney lets us know he's more than just a tall guy, with another mammoth 8.5" x 11" job with nice, big type. Mahoney "will fight for tax incentives to entice businesses to locate in and around Worcester and Paxton." He also says the right things about education, protecting children from crime and bullying, and constituent service ("no issue is too small").
Don Sharry
"Vote for Don Sharry"
Exact same postcard as Sharry's last, and addressed to the exact same person, so it's probably not a case of being listed twice on his address list. If I was going to read it the second time, chances are I'd already read it the first time. See my reaction here.
"Experienced and Accomplished"
This Sept. 8 mailer is essentially the same message as the previous Perotto postcard, but in larger size (11" x 6"). His priorities are: "Create and retain jobs ... Increase Chapter 70 funding for education ... Lower taxes and spend wisely ... Service constituent requests." Lotta controversy there.
"Stood Up for Taxpayers"
An 8.5" x 5" mailer that Rosalie Tirella hates, so it's got that going for it. Obverse is a four-paragraph letter with the usual "I know firsthand that we need to support our small businesses" and "change can't happen on its own" type of sentiment. Reverse is where the controversy is: Joff lined up next to silhouettes labeled "John Mahoney" and "Margot Barnet," and a paragraph next to each one. Joff's highlights his lowest-residential-tax-rate votes. Mahoney's blurb accuses him of being "part of the group" that wants a cut in the business tax rate, which would raise residential tax rates. Barnet's says she's "opposed to a bill that would create 15,000 new jobs in MA." It would be nice to know what bill this is (Tirella argues convincingly that it's the casino bill; Barnet is the only one of the six candidates to oppose casinos). The mailer implies that Barnet is controlled by special interests that want to raise property taxes. In both cases, the candidates' relationships to proposed residential tax hikes are a bit more nuanced than the mailer suggests; this is politics, but in terms of this week's catch, it's the only one to go negative, so it's an outlier in terms of tone.
This is the third in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
P.O. Box 13: Résumés on postcards (Part 2)
Part 2 of our look at campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. This review includes mailers received through September 4. Also see Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.
Only a couple mailers trickled in during the week after the big debate, both of them small and jam-packed with text, as opposed to the previous spacious, slick and graphics-driven efforts from the purported frontrunners:
Mike Perotto
"Leader for You"
First of the postcard-sized postcards, but also the wordiest one yet; break out the magnifying glass (don't let the image fool you -- this one was the size of an average tourist's postcard, tiny compared to the other mailers). Easily the most specifics yet; he gives highlights of his 14-year tenure on the City Council and promises to (among other things) "be an ambassador to startup and high-tech businesses"; "scrutinize the budget"; and "return your phone calls and e-mails the same day or the following morning." This is damning with faint praise, though; he still doesn't give any truly specific proposals.
Don Sharry
"Vote for Don Sharry"
Slightly longer than a postcard; more photos than Perotto's. Under the heading "Uniquely Qualified" on the back, says he's a health insurance professional and a business owner, specializing in employee benefit plans. Well ... so is Perotto, isn't he? Can't both be "unique." Obverse is a six-paragraph letter to district voters that probably would have worked better in bulleted format, although the boldface does help. "We need someone who has the experience and knowledge to help control spiraling budgets, unfunded mandates and ever-rising health insurance costs." OK, but how? We're invited to visit donsharry4staterep.com "to learn more," but the "Issues" page there (as of today) is simply the text of the mailer, without any explanation.
If Perotto and Sharry (and Gina DiBaro) are really shaping up to be also-rans, as scuttlebutt has it, they need great mailers even more than the three "front-runners." So why do campaigns spend the big bucks to send these things out, if they're not going to take full advantage of my attention and give me a reason to vote? Knowing the names of your kids isn't going to win you my vote. Maybe the next week will bring more specifics ... keep an eye on that mailbox and on this blog!
This is the second in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
Only a couple mailers trickled in during the week after the big debate, both of them small and jam-packed with text, as opposed to the previous spacious, slick and graphics-driven efforts from the purported frontrunners:
"Leader for You"
First of the postcard-sized postcards, but also the wordiest one yet; break out the magnifying glass (don't let the image fool you -- this one was the size of an average tourist's postcard, tiny compared to the other mailers). Easily the most specifics yet; he gives highlights of his 14-year tenure on the City Council and promises to (among other things) "be an ambassador to startup and high-tech businesses"; "scrutinize the budget"; and "return your phone calls and e-mails the same day or the following morning." This is damning with faint praise, though; he still doesn't give any truly specific proposals.
"Vote for Don Sharry"
Slightly longer than a postcard; more photos than Perotto's. Under the heading "Uniquely Qualified" on the back, says he's a health insurance professional and a business owner, specializing in employee benefit plans. Well ... so is Perotto, isn't he? Can't both be "unique." Obverse is a six-paragraph letter to district voters that probably would have worked better in bulleted format, although the boldface does help. "We need someone who has the experience and knowledge to help control spiraling budgets, unfunded mandates and ever-rising health insurance costs." OK, but how? We're invited to visit donsharry4staterep.com "to learn more," but the "Issues" page there (as of today) is simply the text of the mailer, without any explanation.
If Perotto and Sharry (and Gina DiBaro) are really shaping up to be also-rans, as scuttlebutt has it, they need great mailers even more than the three "front-runners." So why do campaigns spend the big bucks to send these things out, if they're not going to take full advantage of my attention and give me a reason to vote? Knowing the names of your kids isn't going to win you my vote. Maybe the next week will bring more specifics ... keep an eye on that mailbox and on this blog!
This is the second in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
P.O. Box 13: Barnet triplets arrive (Part 1)
Part 1 of our look at campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. This review includes mailers through August 31. Also see Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.
Supposing you're new to town, you don't subscribe to the newspaper, listen to talk radio or read political blogs like this one -- much less attend debates or volunteer on a campaign. How will you decide whom to choose in a six-way Democratic primary race?
Can you depend on campaign mailers? Let's take a look at how the campaigns look on paper -- in their own words -- when given a chance to bombard my house with junkmail. We'll start two weeks out, with the mailers that arrived Aug. 31, and update with other posts until the primary election Sept. 14.
Margot Barnet
"The Healthy Choice"
Here's a mailer with a Service Employees International Union logo on it (and Dorchester return address, and "authorized and paid for by 1199SEIU" disclaimer), carrying the nurses' and healthcare workers' union endorsement. SEIU says Barnet will "create and protect jobs," "protect access to quality, affordable healthcare," keep property taxes low while protecting "local services"; keep seniors and disabled independently at home. Not too much specific here, and not too much to differentiate her from Democratic opponents, who all promise the same things.
Margot Barnet
"For His Sake"
This 10" x 6.25" card also arrived Aug. 31, return address that hotbed of grassroots volunteerism, Ashburton Place on Beacon Hill in Boston. Margot has the Massachusetts Teachers Association endorsement, and apparently that's message enough because the mailer doesn't give any specifics on her education views. A quirk: the clip art of a cute elementary schooler is in color, but Barnet's mug is small and grayscale. I can't prove it but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that identical mailers were sent to every contested Democratic primary district, with the local endorsee's name and likeness inkjetted onto the blank space in a preprinted card. Gotta love local campaigns. It's possible this was not a a district-wide mailing but rather an MTA-only effort; we have a teacher in the house.
Margot Barnet
"Her Work Made a Difference"
The third (maybe second?) Barnet mailer of the day, same size as the last one, but this one comes from her local campaign office, paid for by her local committee, and quotes a Worcester resident on the obverse. The reverse is four testimonials on how Barnet has "already made a difference in our community," and three of them are obviously local. She has Mayor Joe O'Brien's endorsement.
John Mahoney
"Head and Shoulders Above"
The 8.5" x 11" mailer that rival campaigns couldn't stop making fun of. Is he running for shooting guard? Perhaps an apple picker? The flyer is a gimmick, though, and I suppose anything that starts a conversation is fine. It took me a few looks to notice the five foreheads and haircuts that come up to waist-high on Mahoney. A little exaggeration there -- Mahoney is 6'3", which is tall, but not freakishly so. Now, this is nitpicking, but the "measuring stick" behind Mahoney is a ruler -- he appears to be 6 1/4 inches tall. And this is ridiculous nitpicking, but if you could see the ruler extend behind him, below his shoulders, it would end about half a foot (er ... about half an inch) above his wrist. So maybe he's as tall as 10 inches. Details, folks.
The back side is a positive get-to-know-me biography in bulleted format. All he really promises to do is "return your phone calls promptly, work diligently to improve your quality of life, and approach the issues from a fresh perspective." How?
I'm still surprised that Mahoney didn't mention in this mailer or (other than briefly) at the Aug. 31 debate what really sets him apart from his opponents -- he's the only one who ran for this office before it was an open seat (write-in candidate in 2008).
Next: the rest of the week.
This is the first in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
Supposing you're new to town, you don't subscribe to the newspaper, listen to talk radio or read political blogs like this one -- much less attend debates or volunteer on a campaign. How will you decide whom to choose in a six-way Democratic primary race?
Can you depend on campaign mailers? Let's take a look at how the campaigns look on paper -- in their own words -- when given a chance to bombard my house with junkmail. We'll start two weeks out, with the mailers that arrived Aug. 31, and update with other posts until the primary election Sept. 14.
"The Healthy Choice"
Here's a mailer with a Service Employees International Union logo on it (and Dorchester return address, and "authorized and paid for by 1199SEIU" disclaimer), carrying the nurses' and healthcare workers' union endorsement. SEIU says Barnet will "create and protect jobs," "protect access to quality, affordable healthcare," keep property taxes low while protecting "local services"; keep seniors and disabled independently at home. Not too much specific here, and not too much to differentiate her from Democratic opponents, who all promise the same things.
"For His Sake"
This 10" x 6.25" card also arrived Aug. 31, return address that hotbed of grassroots volunteerism, Ashburton Place on Beacon Hill in Boston. Margot has the Massachusetts Teachers Association endorsement, and apparently that's message enough because the mailer doesn't give any specifics on her education views. A quirk: the clip art of a cute elementary schooler is in color, but Barnet's mug is small and grayscale. I can't prove it but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that identical mailers were sent to every contested Democratic primary district, with the local endorsee's name and likeness inkjetted onto the blank space in a preprinted card. Gotta love local campaigns. It's possible this was not a a district-wide mailing but rather an MTA-only effort; we have a teacher in the house.
"Her Work Made a Difference"
The third (maybe second?) Barnet mailer of the day, same size as the last one, but this one comes from her local campaign office, paid for by her local committee, and quotes a Worcester resident on the obverse. The reverse is four testimonials on how Barnet has "already made a difference in our community," and three of them are obviously local. She has Mayor Joe O'Brien's endorsement.
"Head and Shoulders Above"
The 8.5" x 11" mailer that rival campaigns couldn't stop making fun of. Is he running for shooting guard? Perhaps an apple picker? The flyer is a gimmick, though, and I suppose anything that starts a conversation is fine. It took me a few looks to notice the five foreheads and haircuts that come up to waist-high on Mahoney. A little exaggeration there -- Mahoney is 6'3", which is tall, but not freakishly so. Now, this is nitpicking, but the "measuring stick" behind Mahoney is a ruler -- he appears to be 6 1/4 inches tall. And this is ridiculous nitpicking, but if you could see the ruler extend behind him, below his shoulders, it would end about half a foot (er ... about half an inch) above his wrist. So maybe he's as tall as 10 inches. Details, folks.
The back side is a positive get-to-know-me biography in bulleted format. All he really promises to do is "return your phone calls promptly, work diligently to improve your quality of life, and approach the issues from a fresh perspective." How?
I'm still surprised that Mahoney didn't mention in this mailer or (other than briefly) at the Aug. 31 debate what really sets him apart from his opponents -- he's the only one who ran for this office before it was an open seat (write-in candidate in 2008).
Next: the rest of the week.
This is the first in a series of "P.O. Box 13" blog posts about campaign mailers in the 13th Worcester House District race. The opinions expressed are those of a 13th Worcester District voter and not necessarily those of CMassPolitics.com. The series continues here.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Roundup: Neal trouncing challengers in money race; Herr, Lamb trade charges
Continuing their look at the finances of candidates for Congress in Central Massachusetts, the Telegram reported Wednesday that Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) had nearly $3 million in his bank account at the end of the most recent filing period, far outpacing the two Republicans vying for the nomination to oppose him in November.
According to Federal Election Commision reports, Jay Fleitman (R-Northampton) had a little over $54,000 remaining, putting the physician at a 48-to-1 disadvantage to Neal. Tom Wesley (R-Hopedale) had even less money to spend, reporting under $27,000 in available cash. The sum is more than 111 times less than Neal has banked.
Both candidates have heavily self-financed, with Fleitman loaning his campaign over $73,000 and Wesley lending around $33,000 to his effort.
One of the best ways to cope with a lack of funds is through free media, and both Fleitman and Wesley have taken advantage of the opportunities over the last few days. On Tuesday, the two appeared on Channel 22 in Springfield for a televised debate.
Wesley appeared on WHYN-AM Radio in Springfield to talk about his campaign.
Fleitman also did a radio gig, speaking with Bax and O'Brien on WAQY-FM.
The Springfield Republican previewed the race between Fleitman and Wesley, anointing Fleitman as the "higher profile" candidate.
Neal visited manufacturing facilities in Webster and Spencer, talking to employees and entrepreneurs about jobs and international competition.
Third Congressional District
The big news in the Third District was also about campaign finance, but instead of discussing how much was raised, two of the GOP candidates for the nomination were sniping back and forth about House ethics and FEC rules violations. From the MetroWest Daily News:
One candidate who hopes the voters send both candidates to detention is Michael Stopa (R-Holliston). Stopa has been making the rounds on local radio, touting his platform yesterday on WCRN-AM's Peter Blute Show and speaking this morning with WTAG's Jim Polito.
Fifth Congressional District
The Lowell Sun rounds up the voting records of the four Republican candidates for the seat currently held by Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell). While earlier coverage had focused on Jon Golnik (R-Carlisle) and his eight-and-a-half year refusal to even register to vote, the Sun's piece points out that most of the other candidates also have their gaps:
First Congressional District
Rep. John Olver (D-Amherst) touted the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act in a visit to North Adams, saying the economy needs more stimulus spending in the near future to continue recovery.
A post on the liberal site Firedoglake.com touts Michael Engel (U-Southampton) as a "True Activist Progressive Leftist" and says he "is a true grassroots reformer, a democratic socialist in the mold of Bernie Sanders."
According to Federal Election Commision reports, Jay Fleitman (R-Northampton) had a little over $54,000 remaining, putting the physician at a 48-to-1 disadvantage to Neal. Tom Wesley (R-Hopedale) had even less money to spend, reporting under $27,000 in available cash. The sum is more than 111 times less than Neal has banked.
Both candidates have heavily self-financed, with Fleitman loaning his campaign over $73,000 and Wesley lending around $33,000 to his effort.
One of the best ways to cope with a lack of funds is through free media, and both Fleitman and Wesley have taken advantage of the opportunities over the last few days. On Tuesday, the two appeared on Channel 22 in Springfield for a televised debate.
Wesley appeared on WHYN-AM Radio in Springfield to talk about his campaign.
Fleitman also did a radio gig, speaking with Bax and O'Brien on WAQY-FM.
The Springfield Republican previewed the race between Fleitman and Wesley, anointing Fleitman as the "higher profile" candidate.
Neal visited manufacturing facilities in Webster and Spencer, talking to employees and entrepreneurs about jobs and international competition.
Third Congressional District
The big news in the Third District was also about campaign finance, but instead of discussing how much was raised, two of the GOP candidates for the nomination were sniping back and forth about House ethics and FEC rules violations. From the MetroWest Daily News:
With less than a week before the primary, two Republicans in the 3rd Congressional District race exchanged broadsides yesterday, accusing each other with not following election rules.The dispute has devolved into a nice bit of schoolyard taunting:
The dispute between Brian Herr of Hopkinton and Marty Lamb of Holliston stems from Herr's failure to meet a May deadline for turning in a financial disclosure form listing personal income, assets and liabilities. The snag was first publicized by the Daily News, not Lamb's campaign.
"I am very disappointed that Mr. Herr would blatantly attempt to mislead voters, but it seems to be a pattern with him," Lamb spokesman Shane Hayes said in the statement.The Telegram and Worcester Magazine have more. CMassPolitics.com posted both Herr's and Lamb's press releases on Wednesday.
Herr said his campaign would not have mentioned the filings had Lamb not repeatedly raised the tardy financial disclosure form.
"The issue here is people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks," he said.
One candidate who hopes the voters send both candidates to detention is Michael Stopa (R-Holliston). Stopa has been making the rounds on local radio, touting his platform yesterday on WCRN-AM's Peter Blute Show and speaking this morning with WTAG's Jim Polito.
Fifth Congressional District
The Lowell Sun rounds up the voting records of the four Republican candidates for the seat currently held by Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell). While earlier coverage had focused on Jon Golnik (R-Carlisle) and his eight-and-a-half year refusal to even register to vote, the Sun's piece points out that most of the other candidates also have their gaps:
...Westford's Tom Weaver was the only one of the four Republican candidates to vote in the October 2007 special election that sent Tsongas to Congress to replace former U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, who resigned to become chancellor of UMass Lowell.Tsongas is scheduled to be a guest on Channel 5's "On the Record" Sunday morning. Portions of the interview have been made available online.
"I think your public history matters, and that's comprised of voting record, community service and involvement and where you've worked," Weaver said. "People have to put whatever weight they feel is important on that, but I've been saying, tongue-in-cheek, that I'm the only candidate who has been running against Niki Tsongas since 2007."
Golnik, Sam Meas of Haverhill and Robert Shapiro of Andover all failed to vote in that special election that gave Tsongas her first electoral victory by just 6 percentage points over Republican Jim Ogonowski of Dracut.
First Congressional District
Rep. John Olver (D-Amherst) touted the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act in a visit to North Adams, saying the economy needs more stimulus spending in the near future to continue recovery.
A post on the liberal site Firedoglake.com touts Michael Engel (U-Southampton) as a "True Activist Progressive Leftist" and says he "is a true grassroots reformer, a democratic socialist in the mold of Bernie Sanders."
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