Today I am withdrawing from the race for the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate. I am doing so because the momentum of the race has shifted so profoundly that I can no longer see a path for me to win the primary and defeat Scott Brown.
As someone who loves our history and our commonwealth, it has been a privilege to run for this office over the last nine months. One cannot retrace the steps of great senators like John and Edward Kennedy without coming to understand the importance of this role.
I know how hard people are struggling today. In a hundred speeches I have defended the right of every citizen to a good home, a good school, a good doctor, and a good job. I have also said that despite the difficulties we are facing today, we must not forget our opportunities and responsibilities for tomorrow.
For America to prosper in the twenty-first century, we need to tackle deep structural problems affecting our middle class. We need to address long-term challenges like job creation, income inequality, climate change and the persistent scourge of poverty.
In Massachusetts, throughout the United States, and around the world we see more and more people expressing their passionate discontent and demanding change. Thousands have taken to the streets from the Middle East to Europe and now to the United States to air their grievances in public. These demonstrations are just one of the many signs that our economic and political systems are seriously broken and must be redesigned and repaired.
We must move towards societies that are far more democratic, prosperous, and just. We must battle constantly against political and economic tyrannies that seek to bend our world exclusively to the desires of the few.
I have spent my entire life working for justice — tackling homelessness, racial prejudice, environmental destruction, and corporate misbehavior. For nearly twenty years, I have concentrated on the vital concept of sustainability, which stresses the interdependence of human, economic, and environmental goals. I entered politics in part to bring the language and values of sustainability — a concept sweeping the world — into the American debate, from which it has largely been absent. By withdrawing from this particular race, I am not withdrawing from this commitment.
I was fortunate to have been the founder and chair of the Global Reporting Initiative, the world’s largest and most successful corporate responsibility standard. This tool, now required by many governments, is transforming the world economy in a manner that combines and respects the needs of financial capital, social capital, natural capital, and human capital. I intend to continue this work to move capitalism into the twenty-first century and create the global systems in which both our people and our planet prosper.
We all have a role to play in this. This is an extraordinary state filled with extraordinary people and we are capable of extraordinary achievements. I plan to play my part moving forward.
I want to thank the thousands of people who have believed in me, supported me, endorsed me, and worked for me since last winter. I traveled more than 12,000 miles across the state and I learned just how strong, creative, and passionate our citizens are. It is my sincere wish that our elected representatives, whoever they are, will listen to the people’s most profound desires and will take the bold steps towards sustainability that will allow Massachusetts to lead America, and America to lead the world.
Allow me to offer thanks for your efforts and for your courage in putting yourself in the race in the first place. Commendable in the extreme.
I’m wondering if you would not mind sharing in greater detail some of the joys, struggles, pitfalls, frustrations and rewards of Massachusetts electoral politics? What was your overall impression? Is there anything about it that particularly surprised you or that you found unexpectedly to be different than your pre-candidacy perception? Are there components of the electoral process that were particularly frustrating? What can be done to encourage others and to enhance the process?
I’m interested in perspectives that may not be uppermost in the minds of print/media journalists and therefore aren’t widely disseminated.
Again, thank you for your efforts and your courage.
Your candidacy elevated the campaign and helped spur all of us to play a better a game. I greatly appreciate all you’ve said and done, and eagerly anticipate your continued contributions in the future.
I am confident that the Democratic nominee will enjoy your enthusiastic support during the upcoming campaign, and I am equally confident that that enthusiastic support will play an important role in defeating Scott Brown next November.
I join petr and, I think, most of this community in thanking you for your effort and courage.
Between your compelling life story and lifelong commitment to helping others, I think you’re pretty high on the list of extraordinary people. It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing from you a variety of events. Best of luick on your next journey.
Thank you for your service, and thank you for helping to bring the spot light on to many important issues during this campaign.
I hope we can continue to hear from you.
for the issues raised and for running a commendable grassroots campaign untainted by PAC and lobbyist money. I look forward to more of your eloquent, incisive comments in the future.
I want to echo the comments above. You are an extraordinary person. In spite of handicaps that would have overwhelmed others, you have contributed so much to MA, to our nation, and to the world. You were the first to challenge Scott Brown and we all thank you for that. I look forward to your continuing participation in the ongoing campaign for decency, fairness, and justice.
Mr. Massie,
You ran a respectable campaign that emphasized important ideas for the country and for Massachusetts. Viable candidates such as yourself must not be deterred, please re-engage at the local level to spread your message. DEMOCRATS NEED DEPTH. You “get it” Mr. Massie, and we need more thoughtful individuals like your self to keep fighting!
-Max
You would have made a great senator. While some people in office often need to be reminded to do the right thing, Bob always just knows. I’ll especially never forget him at the casino debate in 2008. The small town anti-casino forces had been drowned out, and gaveled to silence and outspent every step of the way, but we were there in the Gardner Auditorium, up in the nosebleeds, lost in a sea of paid union seat fillers, getting more and more dejected as one after another pro-casino voice after another testified. Then Bob shows up, still very ill. And he came out swinging. He really woke up the place. We’d never had a champion like that. Some people say they want to help the poor and the middle class – Bob lives that philosophy every day.
Leave you with your head held high and the respect of your opponents. Bravo!
Thank you for running an open, clean, welcoming grassroots campaign. Thank you for taking the time to listen, as well as to lead. You would have been a great senator – and it will take long walks, and some time to grieve before I will consider supporting another candidate.
You ran a wonderful campaign that anyone should be proud of. Those of us who support Elizabeth Warren knew you were a class act. I wish you well and hope there will be a next time. I’ll be with you then for sure.
Though we don’t agree on our politics, I think you performed admirably in giving your support to Bob Massie. I know that I took the time to learn more about him, his remarkable will to succeed, because of your support for him. You do make a difference, even for old fogies lilke me.
I vividly remember Bob Massie speaking at the convention this year. I had never heard of him but I left profoundly impressed. I suspect that Elizabeth Warren is the only one who can beat Scott Brown but I am sorry to see Bob leave the race.
No point in continuing.
Bob is a truly good person who has spent his life working tomake the worlds a better place. He is a gentleman who added much to the race. He is a friend and I have enjoyed getting to know him better over the course of the past year.
everywhere he goes, this campaign was no different. There are posts here from Democrats, Independents and Republicans all who can recognize a truly classy guy.
I really was glad to see Bob in the race. And although I hadn’t committed to anyone, he was on my extremely short list. Over the last few years, I’ve gotten to see him as an incredibly honest and principled and forthright political figure. He is the life and soul of the Democratic party. This is no time for an obituary. I’m sure we’ll see a lot more of him, and I’m very much looking forward to that.