Blue Mass Group

Hat Tip, Paul Krugman, and, of course, The Addams Family.

Please join Congressman Mike Capuano at any of seven “Open Mike” meetings this weekend. The Special Democratic Primary is coming up fast and this is your opportunity to hear directly from Mike, and to ask him questions, as he runs to be our next U.S. Senator. For more info or to RSVP: Please call 617-868-2009 or RSVP online . Note the time is the “doors open” time. 11/28/2009 Capuano for Senate “Posadas con Mike” Chelsea Saturday, November 28, 1 PM Tito’s Bakery, 333 Broadway, Chelsea 11/28/2009 Capuano for Senate “Posadas con Mike” Roxbury Crossing Saturday, November 28, 2:30 PM Fuentes Market, 680 Parker Street, Roxbury Crossing 11/28/2009 Capuano for Senate “Open Mike” meeting in Revere Saturday, November 28, 4 PM 338 Bar and Grill, 338 Squire Road, Revere 11/28/2009 Capuano for Senate “Open Mike” meeting in Chelsea Saturday, November 28, 5:30 PM Merrit Club, 101 Webster Ave, Chelsea 11/29/2009 Capuano for Senate “Open Mike” meeting in Melrose Sunday, November 29, 11:30 AM Beebe Estate, 235 W. Foster Street, Melrose 11/29/2009 Capuano for Senate “Open Mike” meeting in Newton Sunday, November 29, 1:30 PM Café Nicholas, 740A Beacon Street, Newton Centre 11/29/2009 Capuano for Senate “Open Mike” meeting in Brookline Sunday, [...]

Martha Coakley has released a new ad that in some respects is startlingly similar to one of her old ads. Both involve a woman who has been treated badly by the health care system; both women then say that Martha’s the one to fix it. Compare: New ad: Old ad:

Thanksgiving Day is the ultimate time to report news that you’d like to have on record, but unremarked.  So yesterday, the Cape Cod Times reported this item: With a decision possibly looming in the weeks ahead, the proposal to build the country’s first offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound could face another delay. Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Paul Kirk, temporarily filling the seat held by the late Edward M. Kennedy, sent a letter to President Obama urging that any decision on the proposed 130 turbine wind farm in Nantucket Sound be delayed until a national policy on ocean management and planning is in place. Link HERE Interestingly, the Associated Press REPORTED the same day that Kirk was non-participatory – “He’s pretty milquetoast,” said Thomas Whalen, an associate professor of social science at Boston University and author of “A Higher Purpose: Profiles in Presidential Courage.” But he found time to erect another delay for the wind farm.  The Kennedy family got their pick right after all.

Almost a year ago I wrote about how the filibuster was already tying the Senate (and the nascent Obama administration) in knots. I urged getting rid of it ASAP. My post garnered a few comments, but, at BMG, just as with progressives nationally, no big deal. Ezra Klein has a good piece in the Wash Post about the recent history of the filibuster and how it has become much easier to use. (He helpfully includes a reader comment that is very important.) Klein sums up the situation as follows: The story of the filibuster is a story of small changes that everybody got used to, which allowed for more small changes that everybody got used to, and so on, until the Senate had undergone a large change indeed. So here we are with once-a-generation policy choices before us and the operative maneuver in the Senate is the filibuster. Everything revolves around it. A conservative (Democrat) senator like Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, a state with less than two-thirds of the population of the Boston Metro area, can hold up any bill, no matter how important, just by threatening to filibuster. My BMG-relevant question is: have I missed something? Have the four [...]

Our Senate special election is WAY, WAY more important than NY-23 was in November. It’s also, as far as I know, the only election in the country right now. But because a Democratic victory is guaranteed, there is no “referendum” angle. Why doesn’t the opposite angle kick in? The one where a slow news time inflates a story? Can’t the national political press do anything without Glenn Beck or She Who Sells a Book Full of Lies telling them to cover it?  

It’s time for the annual holiday party in Westborough.  Officially sponsored by the Westborough DTC, and co-sponsored by the MW Dems, the MNW Regional Democratic Alliance and the Worcester County Democratic League, it is known informally as Kate’s Party in Westborough on December 13 from 2 to 6 PM.

Everyone is invited.  It does get a little chaotic at times.  It is not an event for the claustrophobic guest.

Usually scheduled for the first Sunday in December, it was moved to the second Sunday so as not interfere with GOTV and so that it can serve as an informal unity event!  I miss all my friends on other campaigns!  All of the senate candidates have been invited, but whoever is the nominee may prefer to spend time campaigning for general election votes that are up for grabs!

Expected guests include:

- Governor Deval Patrick

- LG Tim Murray

- Congressman Jim McGovern

- Steve Grossman

- Joe Connolly

- Sheriff Guy Glodis

- DA Bill Keating

- Former Secretary Mike Festa

I’m still in the process of reaching out to people.  I do have a job and there is this campaign that some of you may have heard of.  Please pass the word on to anyone who may be interested in attending.  

Details below the flip.