Hey Dude, welcome to the fire. How’s it feel? Well my son, on further reflection, I think you may have hit the lottery. Professionally that is.
1. You learned real early a valuable lesson about leadership;
2. You have legitimate reason to be pissed;
3. You did NOTHING WRONG;
4. Your constituents don’t give a shit;
5. No one will remember this except you;
6. When other reps. feel the heat for something you can say, “calm down you big wus. Remember what happened to me?”
7. You are young. DeLeo, Mariano, Toby Morelli, Pat Haddad etc. they’ll be history, if not dead, by the time you make your mark in life or on Beacon Hill.
8. Most Important. You are in the perfect position to tell the Speaker, Mariano, Moran, and Michlewitz and leadership in general to go fuck themselves. Then get something out of it.
A brief review of the facts.
After passage of House budget late one evening the Speaker’s staff along Majority Leader Ron Mariano, Redistricting Chairman Mike Moran, and Michlewitz were whipping it up in the Speaker’s office. A few others in the loop were there. Speaker Pro-Tem Pat Haddad was handing out plastic cups at her on party down the hall. (This is why people miss college)
A 26-year-old freshman rep. in the building for just six months is invited. “Fucking Aye” he thought. A new guy from the assembly line is invited up to the executive offices to party with the top honchos. Who would say no? Especially when there is no wife and kids to get home to.
Now let’s not forget that from the day this freshman was elected Ron Mariano looked at him as a vote for speaker. His two bobos, Moran and Michlewitz, were put on it and have been up the rep’s ass ever since. The invite to the party was part of it. Same as selling insurance. Now Moran, and Michlewitz have been making it clear all along that they know what’s going on. They have the speaker’s ear. They’re players. “You need something then you tell us we’ll talk to Ronnie and it will get done. Now can we get you to commit to him for speaker?”
Anyway, when at the party the young freshman took the chance to look around, see what’s on the desk, check out the furniture, and the funny pictures of all the previous speakers hanging on the paneled mahogany wall; usual stuff. He’s probably been in the office no more than twice and each time there was little chance to take it all in. So this party was big deal for him. His first budget. Small and intimate, powerful people, kickass location.
The booze was flowing and fun being had in the wee hours. A conversation with a young staffer (whom I’m being told has been asked to resign. Listen up honey. Take a deep a breath. You did nothing wrong. Tell these bastards that if you lose your job you’re going to sue the pants off them. Name them all. The depositions would be gold. You are a young, single, female, and also new employee. These powerful people brought you back to this powerful office and served you booze. In fact, if my information is correct, you were at a bar across the street already partaking when you were invited back to the big guys office party. There you saw all these old men drinking. Thank god for Cusack.)
BTW – many many successful state house marriages over the years and I bet most of these people in current wedded bliss have stories to tell from when they were dating and working in the building.
Back to the party. As all who read this blog know, there is a door in the speaker’s office that opens to the House Chamber. It’s to the left of the rostrum. Over the years thousands of civilians have gotten a tour of the Chamber through this door. I would bet it always unlocked. Except when the speaker locks it so members won’t come in during sessions. Not counting the door from the reception area, other than the bathroom and closet it’s the only other door in the office. The two youngins went for it. No breaking and entering. Rather finding an empty room at a house party. (Question. If you have a house a party and you find two guests in the home office you built in the basement making-out, do you call the police? Do you stop being their friend? Of course not. Then why is Bobby?)
So the court officer catches them. Big deal. The court officer was pissed because his daily routine was interrupted. For years the old timer has been arriving at work hours before the rest of us get up to uses the members’ lounge to shower and get fresh for his long day. Nothing wrong with that. But obviously, unlike our governor, he does not like change. These two kids got him all tripped up.
Now I ask you, when the court officer, who everyone knows including the freshman, arrived do you think the rep thought for one moment that he was in anyway in trouble? Absolutely not. So it might get reported to some people, including the speaker. Big effin deal. This was not a security guard for some unknown agency. He was a court officer. Part of the family. He does what ever the speaker tells him to do.
Which gets back to my original point. Cusack should be pissed at leadership. Where the hell are Ronnie and Moran and Michlewitz? All their influence with the speaker. Ronnie’s leadership strengths. All the bull shit they have been throwing around. The subtle shows of perceived power played only so freshman can be impressed and influenced.They let this happen? This was around for a long time. Who the fuck advises the speaker? This is such a non-story and the easiest thing in the world to kill. Kill? Why the hell did it ever take a breath of life in the first place? These guys are fucking you Cusack and you should let them know how you feel.
But Ernie, how does he do that?
First off, and most important is your youth. These guys can’t do anything for you in 20 years, 10 years, 5 years, and probably two years.
Second, your goal is not revenge. It is respect from your colleagues and constituents.
Third, let Moran, Michlewitz, and Mariano know you are not happy. Ask them why they couldn’t stop this from happening. Don’t burn the bridge. Just a courtesy call.
Fourth, read the rules. Then read them again and again. Then talk to as many experienced hands as you can as ask what’s the best way for a nobody rep to fuck with leadership. There are tons of things you can do. The idea is to throw rocks into their gears. Those informal session objections. Those floor speeches delays things. All sorts of things that make you a pesky fly that has to be dealt with.
Then during one these maneuvers, probably very early on in this attack plan, they will come to you and say, “What do want?” At this time you will have already had in mind something that Braintree wants and needs but no freshman rep. could ever get. You win if your constituents win. One other thing, tell them you want a raise for your companion that night. She’s being put through unnecessary emotional trauma.
You will be remembered in the best way if you get something out of this. No need to make it so publicly as I suggested. Just find a way to let them know that you want something for them treating you like shit. The fact is, right now you can cause them more problems than they can cause you. Your colleagues know you are getting screwed. (Keep in my mind, your age and freshman status is why you get goodwill on this. )
BTW, what if this was a gay rendezvous rather than two breeders? Everyone would say this is anti-gay. And I would have been there right with them because I know a speaker would never let this get out regarding any member. Therefore, I would conclude, the speaker wanted this out.
I do not think that is what happened here. But Deleo’s quotes in the paper yesterday concerned me. My God man, who is advising him?
If DeLeo takes action on this he should find the least culpable that evening were his freshman rep and the young aide. He should however admonish Mariano, Moran, Haddad, Michlewitz, and members of his staff. You know the people I mean. All the fucking adults who allowed this to happen. Then DeLeo should resign as if he was a platoon sergeant who needlessly allowed one of his men to get shot. Because that is what he is doing to Cusack.
Hey Bobby, being Speaker is about protecting the members. Especially the members that voted for you. Being Speaker means not throwing inexperienced and innocent youngsters under the bus while ignoring the role played by your mentor sleazy Ron Mariano so he can be the next Speaker. Ronnie Mariano. Sal DiMasi’s handpicked successor. Only members were on to Ronnie so they gave it to DeLeo by default when the few in power realized that too many members knew the real Mariano. Eighty-one votes became impossible. But now with some turnover Ronnie is back at it trying to influence newer and less familiar members. Well Mr. Cusack you now know why Ronnie couldn’t get the votes from your more experienced colleagues.
One other thing Rep. Cusack. You don’t need this lame public relations dude you hired. He will fuck you up on this. The only statement you should make is to your local paper. Which is to your constituents. Apoligize for the embarrassment this has caused. And that only. You are embarrassed by how it has been portrayed. Let them know your colleagues are very supportive and this does not affect your ability to serve Braintree. Do it in writing. No interview. Refer all other media to this local press release. Keep it local. Remember, you are a gentleman and there is a lady involved. Don’t over think this. It is no big deal. Remember this. The key is to get it out of the way and move on. Publically that is. Right now you have to give leadership the opportunity to make things right. And if that involves any statement from leadership knocking you in anyway then say “NO! I did nothing wrong, why aren’t you protecting me.”
Don’t go on TV. Don’t read any statement in public. One press release to your local papers. That’s it. Do it tomorrow. Win or lose the Bruins will dominate the press the next two days.
What’s your P.R. dude charging?
Imagine, these guys in the boardroom are throwing a freshman backbencher under the bus. These are your friends Mark. I hope you know that by now.
Hey, don’t blame me. I’ve been warning you about these slime balls for quire awhile.
Also, Who is the freshmen class president? It’s a Republican, right? Time for he or she to go after leadership for not protecting the youngsters.
And where are all the women reps.? I hope there are private calls being made to DeLeo advocating for the poor young aide. These powerful men, hand picked by DeLeo, put her in a position from which her employer, the speaker, should have protected her. Law Suit Law Suit Law Suit. How can anyone say they support women causes yet not see the reality of what this is.
And BTW2. Poor Janet Wu. It’s come to this. Shit if only she knew this was the key to getting a raise. All those shitty reports on policy and such that she’s wasted her time on over the years. And those took time to research and report. All she had to do was report on whose holding hands with whom in the State House. Yes, she gets a pass. She has to work too. I bet she’s as pissed as anyone. So demeaning for her.
BWT3 I hope Brad Jones etc. is all over the speaker to make this go away. The aide worked for a Republican
eb3-fka-ernie-boch-iii says
my post from yesterday? It’s been taken off the front page. I am a fickle artist you know.
David says
No disrespect was intended – it was pretty far down the page anyway when it got bumped up to the top as part of some work on the promotion system. Rather than bump every other post back up to restore the correct front-page order, it seemed easier to return that post to whence it came, it having already enjoyed its day in the front-page sun.
David says
David says
HR's Kevin says
I hate these kinds of non apologies. At least we know he is a real politician 😉
eb3-fka-ernie-boch-iii says
until last line re: difficulty for him and his family.
Lame dude. Lame.
But I hope he gets something out of this. And now, before people forget. Next couple of weeks. Something from the conference committee perhaps. They can do it. Don’t accept “no”. There’s other things hanging around that can be done before everyone goes home for the summer. Stay on these a-holes. Remember, it’s not for you, it’s for you’re district.
Hey Mark, this is about respect. Only thing a man wants. If you want respect you need to get something and the other members need to know why you got it. Without that you’re just an n-word to them.
David Whelan says
Best political commentary I’ve read in years.
hlpeary says
Who was the PR genius that picked the kid’s pocket?