Hello BlueMassGroup Readers,
For those I have not met on the campaign trail, I would like to introduce myself and tell you why I’m running for Congress in Massachusetts 10th Congressional District.
I’m running for Congress because we need to make Washington work – the right way. I can’t remember a time in my life when our biggest institutions, and that includes Congress, Wall Street, and corporations like BP, have failed us as much as they have during these years. People took their life savings and put them in 401K’s for investments, people put money away for their children’s tuition, and then saw their savings disappear because of the greed on Wall Street.
I have a track-record of taking on tough fights on behalf of Massachusetts’ families–and winning them– and I’ll do the same in Washington.
I strongly believe that we need to elect people who will challenge the status quo in Washington. For some, that may sound like empty rhetoric, but as a State Senator I risked my political career by running against then Senate President Bulger, because Beacon Hill was broken.
As District Attorney, I’ve gained a view that very few people have. I have seen firsthand what happens when someone loses their job and families are torn apart. I’ve seen the consequences of inaction. I’ve worked hard to keep our communities safe and secure as DA, and also developed a number of innovative programs and authored legislation as a State Senator to protect the most vulnerable in society.
Now I want to go down to Washington and fight for the changes we need. I will fight to help small businesses create jobs again, stop the Wall Street abuses that got us into this mess and promote clean energy sources that will help break us free from our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs for American workers.
I will continue to champion marriage equality, protect a woman’s right to choose, and fight to close the loophole that allows people on the FBI’s terrorist watch list to buy guns — regardless of what the gun lobbies want.
I will be a leader who fights to protect our environment, just the way I did in the State Senate where I crafted our state’s safe water law, to protect our lakes, ponds and drinking water from pollution. I was named the Environmental Legislator of the Year as a result of my work championing environmental rights and I’ll do the same in Washington. I am the only candidate in this race who supports the Cape Wind project, because it will strengthen our environmental security, enhance our economic security, and bolster our national security.
I’m committed to changing the way Washington does business. There’s a lot at stake this November, but I am confident that by working together, we will be successful. If you would like to learn more about my campaign, please visit billkeating.org . I hope to see you on the campaign trail!
Discuss
30 Comments . Comments are closed.The right choice for the 10th
Bill is the best man for the job - his performance during the debate this week made that even more clear. He has the experience and the guts to stand up for what is right. He put his constituents first when he stood up to Bill Bulger, and I'm sure he'll go to DC and put his constituents first there, too.
I'm voting for Bill Keating because he shares my values and has the experience and support to win in November. The 10th is in danger of turning red, and if Jeff Perry wins this election, it's going to be a VERY deep shade of Red - Jeff Perry might have Scott Brown's endorsement, but he's a million miles to the right of Scott.
Go Bill, Go!
thanks
Chris - Thanks for your support! Hope to see you on the campaign trail.
State Senate, DA, congress...
I can't find anything on the website either that points to non-public sector employment.
What private sector jobs have you held and when?
Thank you
First I'd like to thank Chris for his kind words and answer questions between some events tonight.
In terms of my non-public sector experience, I practiced law for 13 years. I understand the pressures many small businesses are having meeting payroll and the tough time families are having making ends meet. We need to provide small businesses with access to loans and provide them tax credits so they can hire again. I'm confident we can turn our economy around and get it moving in the right direction again. I got into this race for that reason, and if elected, that will be my top priority.
What sort of law?
I'm very curious to know what your legal practice was about, can you outline it?
Welcome, Bill!
I always appreciate a candidate taking the time to post here.
I hope you don't mind a question. I've asked this to a few other candidates this year.
I read recently that over 40% of Massachusetts 3rd graders don't read at grade level, which is surprising to me. The numbers are even higher in a few other parts of the 10th congressional: 52% in Nantucket, 48% in Harwich - read more here:
http://www.capecodonline.com/a...
Any ideas on what can be done at the federal level to improve reading proficiency in 3rd grade in MA?
I'd suggest that one important component would be to revive the Early Learning Challenge Fund, but I am very open to other ideas and perspectives.
Thanks again for posting, and best of luck with the campaign!
re: thanks for your question
With regards to improving reading levels of children, I am a strong advocate for early childhood intervention and recognize that reading skills at the 3rd grade (and higher) can be predicted by the age of 4. Therefore early intervention is key and the hard work has to be done at the local level--working with parents, school districts and even pediatricians. At the Federal level, it is critical that necessary resources are provided to local communities in order to ensure critical populations are served. In addition, local programs should adhere to best practice standards, to ensure positive outcomes.
Keating and Juvenile Justice
I have a question about Keating's record:
I seem to recall that in the State Senate he championed trying children in adult courts, including the outrageous law that allows children to be sent for prison to life with no chance of parole.
If this is not true, please correct me. If it is true, then obviously I cannot support him. But I certainly don't want a Republican to win, either.
Funny...
Funny, the good DA found time to answer all other questions... but seemed to dodge this one.
Murder isn't funny...
..if your loved one was killed by a juvenile drug dealer or gang banger. I for one want a DA (and a Congressman) who speaks up for victims. The system should protect everyone's rights, but the system should also protect the victims of drug dealers, abusive priests, and scam artists as well.
Well bill
You've been awfully silent letting Perry get his name recognition up, that plus the carpetbagger charges are not a good way to start. Please for the love of God don't pull a Coakley, we need this seat!
re:
jconway - Thanks for the question. No one has broader or deeper roots than I have, and I'm proud of those roots. I have been the Norfolk District Attorney for the last 12 years representing Quincy, Weymouth and Cohasset which are all part of the 10th district. My wife and I have owned a home in Bourne for over a decade and I've worked every day with the people of this district. I think people understand this attack is just a distraction. When I talk to people, they don't ask about my home...they tell me that they're worried about losing their homes. We're in tough economic times and people want to know what we're going to do to put people back to work. I've taken on tough fights for Massachusetts' families, and I'll do the same if I'm fortunate enough to go to Congress.
We'll fight back hard to make sure that we define who we are, and dispel the smears that is to come from the right wing. I defeated an incumbent Republican to become DA and know the hard work it will take to win this seat and make sure it stays blue!
I'm supporting Bill
I'm supporting you, Bill. Frankly, my first impressions of you were before I even met you. I became aware of what you are doing for youth several years ago. You have made your staff available for things that are important to me. You have people out there educating young men about domestic violence and a woman's right to say "No." I heard of an instance of cyber-bullying in my town and the rapid response that your office made - getting out to the high school and speaking at an assembly for each class at the high school to be sure that the kids KNOW it is against the law and what the repercussions could be. You are working to stem the rise in deaths of young people in our communities caused by drug overdoses. This sort of thing happens with good leadership and an understanding of where budget dollars need to be spent. The first time I saw you speak was at the time of the opening of the Norfolk County home for abused children. My feeling is that if we take proper care of children, we are building a foundation for life.
You and I have since spoken and I know that you are aware of my concerns regarding identity theft, especially among the senior population and I have confidence that you are going to do whatever you can to stop the practice of Medicare using social security numbers on their cards. When I raised the concern, you "got it" immediately.
To those who try to call you a carpet bagger... they have lost sight of the fact that three of the towns in this district, Quincy, Weymouth, and Cohasset, are part of Norfolk County where you have served as District Attorney.
I have no issue with Rob O'Leary. He is a nice man. Being "nice" isn't enough. We need someone willing to go to Washington and FIGHT for us.
My vote is for Bill Keating.
Which begets another question?
Do you own more than one home? If so, which is your primary residence?
Deep cover...
I am surprised the Ledger hasn't sat out side his house for a week to see how many times he actually sleeps in Quincy.
And to the person above who thinks because he has represented 3 towns in the district he isn't a carpetbagger... here's the thing... HE HAS NEVER VOTED IN THE 10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT!!! EVER.
Oh go on
Don't you just know that's the lyinist lie that he's ever lied?
Keeping the 10th Blue......
I've been a political observer and activist on the South Shore for a number of years and I've never seen a race like this one. Bottom line - which candidate, Keating or O'Leary, can win in November. Keating won the money race and seems to have an organization. I was at the debate in Plymouth. There were at least 30 people holding Keating signs. I can't say that there were more than 7 or 8 there for O'Leary. The "Tea Party" activists are going to be out there in full force. I like both Democrats, and I could see myself supporting either one, but who is going to WIN??? Keating has more name recognition, he has to be better known in Plymouth County and he can obviously raise money, since he outraised ALL the candidate, D or R in the race.
Say what you want, but for the Democratic Party to be successful, we need Keating to win. It's that simple.
I agree
Keating represents our best chance to keep the 10th in the Democratic fold. Malone or (shudder) Perry would be a huge step backwards for the right to choose, gay rights,the environment--all the issues we rely on our representatives in Congress for leadership.
Money race?
You have got to be kidding me! I still don't understand how our DA wasn't brought up on charges by OCPF. He took money given to his state campaign and sent it back to supporters... and since the max on the state level is $500, he sent back years and years of donations, so that some special supporters - ie the ones he can manipulate, can write him a max check to his federal campaign! I find it gross. I can't believe this is the person who has been in charge of enforcing our laws... great moral compass Bill.
None of his money, sorry, 13% of his money is from the district, if I recall from a recent Globe story.
Money race? Ha... I think it is his biggest indictment. Keep boasting about it, and watch your numbers plummet.
I don't know O'Leary, but he has to be better than this.
Hmm, a DA...
Perhaps Martha Coakley has unfairly soured me on the idea of DAs running for Congress (and I don't mean her poor campaign, I mean the kind of public official she's always been), but I must say the idea fills me with trepidation. I think the perspective that prosecutors get over the years is one that, if not very heavily balanced out, leads to a worldview that I don't want my legislators to have. So, what can you say about your positions on:
- CORI and its equivalents around the country - Warrantless wiretapping - Marijuana legalization - The drug war in general - The Military Commissions Act - The PATRIOT Act - "three strikes" laws - Sentencing guidelines - Automatic deportation upon conviction for immigrants - The death penalty - The state of public defenders offices in MA and elsewhere
... because I've learned to assume - partly from Coakley, partly from others - that any DA running for office will have positions on most of these issues that at worst horrify me, and at best don't inspire me. So, I'd rather ask and learn what you actually think about these things, to hopefully dispell my assumptions.
Rob O'Leary is the One!
and he actually lives in the district!
Where are you on mass transit?
The 10th has some (Quincy!), but not much. As I'm sure you know, the MBTA is crippled with debt. The Subway, Metro, and El aren't in good shape either; neither MARTA nor BART are rolling in the dough, both with plenty of deferred maintenance.
My question is: would you change the way the Feds help pay for transportation, and if so, which modes would get more? Would any get less?
Here's a question for my DA canidate for Governor
http://www.patriotledger.com/n...
After years of sexual abuse in our churches, how could you possibly not investigate this... and to say it is because of the statute of limitations!
You are the DA. Did you not know that the legislature greatly extended the statute of limitation on sex abuse crimes? The statue of limitations is not 6 years like your flunky claimed.
Section 9 of Chapter 303 of the Acts of 2006, http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws...
Specifically states that an indictment "may be found and filed at any time after the date of the commission of such offense; but any indictment or complaint found and filed more than 27 years after the date of commission of such offense shall be supported by independent evidence that corroborates the victim's allegation. Such independent evidence shall be admissible during trial and shall not consist exclusively of the opinions of mental health professionals."
Why no investigation? Why no indictment? Trying to win votes in Quincy? Don't want to upset the parish?
If you're not doing this job, why would I want you doing a bigger job?
Hi Bill
A question please? How much money will you make if you're elected next year? Your state pension included with your congressional salary?
Keating by far the best candidate
For the "carpetbag" crowd, ponder this: By representing Quincy, Weymouth and Cohasset for 12 years as DA, Keating represents far more people in the 10th District than O'Leary does.
O'Leary starts off one of his own blogs by attacking Scott Brown on the environment. Two things Rob: 1) Scott Brown is not your opponent, 2) What good is the cleanest air and the purest water if you don't have a job? Keating is the only candidate with clear ideas about creating jobs.
On the money issue. The OCPF admitted its legal. So let me get this straight: people who gave Keating money in the past consented to have the same money be used for the Congressional race? And its legal to do it? Forgive me but....YAWN.
And don't think O'Leary wouldn't have done it if he could. The problem is he only had just over 20k in his coffers at the time. I know selectmen with more than that!
Really? That's your defence?
O'Leary would have done it too, had he sold himself to special interests for the past 30 years? Wow. Compelling.
Yes OCPF has said there is no law against it... but whether it passes the smell test? Whether it is ethical? Many have problems with it.
I think it's time...
...you make any appropriate disclosures regarding your involvement with another candidate in this race. I don't live in the district and don't have a dog in the primary, but you've done nothing but take swipes at a candidate on this thread. To behave this way especially on a diary posted by said candidate himself is especially tasteless in my book.
Up thread you wrote that you...
..."don't understand how our DA wasn't brought up on charges by OCPF"
Now you write, "OCPF has said there is no law against it"
Do you understand how ridiculous you come across?
Many have problems with it?
Other than the Patriot Ledger (which should just change its name to the Jim Sheets Daily Bugle) I'm not seeing the many. The Ledger exposed itself by making the fund raising matter front page news and then neglecting to even mention anywhere in the coverage of the League of Women Voters Forum that Keating is the only candidate on either side in favor of Cape Wind.
"He has never voted in the district"... That may be true, but can you name even one important Congressional level issue that affects the 10th district and not the 4th or any other for that matter? Jobs, Spending, Protecting Seniors, Education, they all span every district.
What do your $500 donors,
especially those not in the 10th district, expect in return for their "investment"?
What will you promise to do to limit the effects of the Citizens United ruling?
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