This morning the AFL-CIO and its affiliated union presidents, took a straw poll for the upcoming senate race in MA. There were approximately 40 votes up for grabs…Capuano was clear front runner.
Mike Capuano – 19
Next closest…
Bobby Haynes – 4
Steve Lynch – 4
Deval Patrick – 3
Kim Driscoll – 2
And I even believe…Shaq – 1
Not sure how relevant or not this is, but it is definitively interesting. Especially coming at the same time as today’s front page Globe article on the Union’s coming together to coax rank and file away from Brown next time around. And to not be fooled by the jacket and truck routine. As for now, it looks like they have picked there hopeful nominee…and I don’t mean Shaq.
joeltpatterson says
He’d make a great Senator.
liveandletlive says
hlpeary says
on the new AFL-CIO leadership? Since the Blue Cross flap there have been rumblings about the need for fresh faces on the labor front as well…
liveandletlive says
but I just want to say that new leadership there is a great idea too.
heartlanddem says
that labor leadership has no new ideas.
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p>No offense intended to the individuals that were selected but the kool-aid runneth deep in the upper circles of the privileged in labor leadership. The rank and file (yup, been one) are not as enamored with the leadership as leadership is with themselves.
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p>Sure, the leadership will back whomever they believe will carry their agenda (as they should) but the reality is that unions only have the illusion of electoral power.
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p>Based on recent elections, it is not implausible to suggest that there are more people who would vote against the union endorsed candidate than those who would vote for him/her….deliberately.
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p>Congressman Capuano is a fine US Representative…..he already lost the race once.
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p>And don’t get me started on the 4 votes for Bobby, “I can fleece the Commonwealth (aka the working man) and almost get away with it (actually I will, cuz you aaarrr all gonna forget about BC/BS soon)” Haynes. No doubt he’s got the squawk down….wonder which dry cleaner pressed his nice shirt…..my labor peeps don’t have $72,000.00 stipends and pressed shirts?!?
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p>Do yours?
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p>
patricklong says
There is strong evidence that unions have a significant impact on elections, and that it’s favorable to the Dems.
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p>See: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.n…
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p>If unions can effectively convince their members to vote Democratic, they probably also have some ability to swing votes in primaries.
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p>The fact that Lynch and Driscoll got any votes is rather odd though, since they’ve both been working hard to thwart unions’ agenda on healthcare.
jconway says
The Salem Mayor? When has she said anything about healthcare. Also the unions were solidly Lynch before the last two years, perhaps his comeback and shift back to a more populist position can account for that. He is still DoA for the nomination though, he is to the right of Brown on several prominent issues I can think of, most notably abortion.
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p>Also this poll is saddening since it shows the clear lack of candidates we have. I am getting increasingly worried about this race, worried about losing my Congressmen, whom I respect tremendously, to another quixotic Senate bid. Worried about my district getting consolidated with others as a result of that, and terrified that Brown will have a walk. Capuano’s campaign against Coakley exposed several serious liabilities as a compelling state wide candidate he has yet to address.
heartlanddem says
…how’d that work out for Coakley?
eaboclipper says
Labor – Getting Bloody for Cap
sabutai says
A fine parry to Brown’s — Living in the Past, and Dragging the Country After Me
heartlanddem says
Hey kids go %#%@!%%$ yourselves at King Phillip High School.
amberpaw says
What use is a straw poll without the ONLY declared candidate, anyway? Disclosure: I support Bob Massie.
patricklong says
n/t
christopher says
…but I don’t know when she declared relative to this poll being taken.
mark-bail says
The Massachusetts Teachers Association.
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p>The task force report on educator evaluation is a great example of how teachers can and do look out for their students, their profession, and themselves.
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p>The MTA is actively pursuing the ideals set forth by Samuel L. Gompers:
christopher says
mark-bail says
I think I was trying to respond farther up the thread, but I can’t claim points for trying.