Tisei, the GOP’s 2010 nominee, leads Tierney 45 percent to 40 percent in the Emerson College Polling Survey released Wednesday. The five point lead is a bump for Tisei from an April poll showing the two candidates tied at 44 percent of the vote.
There is good news for Tierney though — is the poll still finds him easily topping his primary competitors, holding 59 percent of the vote. Former Marine Seth Moulton, Tierney’s closest primary challenger, had 17 percent, while his other two competitors, Marisa DeFranco and John Devine, failed to break single digits.
(Hat tip to David Bernstein, via Facebook)
Please share widely!
kbusch says
He’s losing badly.
David says
the poll appears to have used an unusually small sample size (253 likely voters).
kbusch says
The 34-53 numbers look pretty bad. Even if his support stands at 46.12%, the numbers he has to make up to reach 50% consist largely of people who think he should not be re-elected.
fenway49 says
He’s in trouble or the poll, with a wildly low sample, is off. The 34-53 sounds a little too hostile. I don’t think he’s that unpopular in the district.
kbusch says
Unless they’ve miscalculated the margin of error, even if we assume the most optimistic reading, he is still in trouble.
danfromwaltham says
And by the US Chamber of Commerce. I hope Richard wins
jconway says
That climate change denying, minimum wage and Medicare expansion opposing, social security privatizing, Koch brothers backed cesspool of corporate ambition and power? Pretty sure that negates any claims to moderation Tisei may have earned due to his orientation, his laudable work on equality in a party hostile to it, and his votes as a State Senator in favor of choice and gay rights. He can skip the convention all he wants, his money is just as dirty and comes from the same Tea Party groups that toppled Cantor and almost toppled Cochran.
danfromwaltham says
But you still live in Illinois, right? I read Rep. Bruce Rauner has a 10pt lead over Dem Gov. Quinn and that Rauner was endorsed by Chicago preacher James Meeks b/c Rauner supports school choice. You should write about that race, it’s very interesting.
jconway says
James Meeks is one of the strongest homophobic activists in the black community and nearly killed marriage equality with his efforts. I am not surprised he is backing the Republican. There have also been questions about Rauner basically buying whatever token support he is getting in the black community, he also paid signature gatherers, many of whom lied when I asked him who they worked for, to get his term limits bill on the ballot.
Rauner got Emmanuel his IB job that gave him the fortune he needed to run for his first congressional seat, apparently in open violation of the Shakman decree. In spite of living in one of the best public districts in the state, he bribed to get his unqualified daughter into a magnet school. That took away a spot she didn’t need nor deserve that should’ve gone to a Chicago resident. He is part of the Chicago machine, Clout Street, the Madigan-Cullerton-Emmanuel alliance and they are squeezing Quinn out.
Quinn had a few self inflicted wounds too. Picking Vallas for LG will win him no suburban votes or Tribune endorsements, but will piss off the CTU, ITF, and keep those foot soldiers on the sidelines. He also made an HW Bush style promise on temporary taxes that he has had to make permanent. But we got marriage equality, no death penalty, and the state is funded for another year. The pension deal was fairer than other ones in GOP states. Collective bargaining is still secure. I wouldn’t envy the poor SOB who wins this race.
danfromwaltham says
Sounds like Rahm is doing to Quinn what Menino did to Harshbarger in 98′. Please keep us posted.
jconway says
But it’s not something I’d be rooting for.
bean says
Sent to the Victory Fund tonight:
“I was deeply disturbed to hear that the fund endorsed gay republican Richard Tisei against Democrat John Tierney in Massachusetts. The Republican Party has made clear that it is hostile in every way to equality for GLBT Americans. It doesn’t *matter* if Tisei has finally come out (now that the battle for marriage equality in Massachusetts is safely over; Tisei might have been a bit more impressive if he had come out during that fight, 10+ years ago, when it would have really counted), or that he personally might not vote for mean-spirited and discriminatory legislation if elected to Congress. He would still be a vote for a Republican speaker of the House and a legislative agenda that offers NOTHING to GLBT Americans. Shame on you, Victory Fund, for helping Tisei’s candidacy, or the candidacy of any Republican against a viable Democrat who supports GLBT people. I certainly will NEVER send your organization a dime.”
bean says
Frickin’ *lobby* him to vote against putting marriage equality in the ballot, because it was unclear how he would break on the issue, back when he was a State Senator, still in the closet, and marriage equality was up for grabs. I can’t believe a GLBT organization would endorse him; they may have short memories, but we shouldn’t. Just as with Bathroom Bill Baker, it’s hard for me to take Tisei’s supposed pro-gay views seriously. Neither of them was visible or supportive when it would have counted for something. How can they be trusted to do the right thing on the next contentious issue that impacts GLBT equality or the rights of other minorities?
Tierney’s got a perfect record on GLBT issues.
danfromwaltham says
Or do you have selective memory, depending on whether there is a D or R next to their name? Let’s rewind the tape, shall we?
“In August 2008, he told Southern California megachurch Pastor Rick Warren his definition of marriage: “I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.”
He later added: “I am not somebody who promotes same-sex marriage, but I do believe in civil unions.”
In November 2008, he said much the same thing to a rather different audience: MTV.
“I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.”
To say John Tierney is better on LGBA issues than Richard Tisei is akin to a white Democrat lecturing an African-American Republican on the importance of civil rights.
Like Fred, you mention the closet thing with Mr. Tisei. I’m not gay but I find these comments offensive.
striker57 says
While I won’t presume to speak for bean (and that’s not needed in any case), I am impressed with President Obama’s decision and statement in support of marriage equality going into the 2012 election:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/politics/obama-same-sex-marriage/
As I have posted before, elected officials who will listen and have the courage to learn about and eventually come to the other side of an issue should be congratulated.
Unlike former State Senator Tisei, President Obama let voters know his belief and support going into an election. And unlike former State Senator and failed LG candidate Tisei, Congressman Tierney has been a consistant supporter of marriage equality, workers rights, the need to address climate change and any number of progressive policy planks.
danfromwaltham says
You admire Tierney’s “consistency” on marriage equality but on the other hand, admire Obama for changing his position on the issue in 2012, way after Tisei made his opinion well known. But Tisei is the bad guy, amirite?
You forgot to mention Richard is the former mayor of Melrose. Since brought up he is a failed Lt. Gov. candidate, is Martha to be called moving forward “Failed Senatorial Candidate” or “Fells Acres Daycare Injustice” Martha Coakley?
If you are successful Striker in defeating the casino ballot question, please be sure to have John Tierney at the groundbreaking ceremony with a shovel. I’m sure he will feel right at home…,
striker57 says
Yes Dan, I respect someone who is consistantly supportive of an issue (s) I care about and I can respect an elected official who comes to a new policy position after listening. I am just a complex kinda guy.
So Tisei was elected as a State Rep in 1985 and finally made a statement on marriage equality in 2010 when he was running statewide. 15 years of ducking doesn’t stand up well to Congressman Tierney’s ongoing record.
By the way, can you link to Tisei’s time as Mayor of Melrose?
http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/4760/richard-tisei#.U7Adq2t5mSM
danfromwaltham says
The rest of my comment still stands.
Gay marriage an issue in 1985?
danfromwaltham says
If the CEO of Chick-fil-A wanted to build five standalone stores on Boston and use only union labor to build them would you support his effort?
kbusch says
Striker, may I invite you to an exchange of sound bites tenuously related to the topic under discussion?
jconway says
It’s an uphill climb for Tierney, we have to recognize that, but none of his primary opponents are particularly viable against Tisei. DiFranco is a certified nutjob at this point, haven’t heard of the other guy, and Seth Moulton has made no efforts I am aware of to engage with the progressive grassroots activists here, at Progressive MA, or at Progressive Dems, that tend to win primaries on behalf of insurgent candidates. Pretty hard to beat an incumbent that way.
I think with hard work and hopefully a strong Democrat on the gubernatorial ticket, we can beat back Tisei one more time. I would then strongly urge Rep. Tierney to retire, we can’t have this happen every cycle.
doubleman says
I think Tierney is the best of the bunch (I’m very suspicious of Moulton), but he should have retired and this should be his last race. Kim Driscoll would be a great replacement and I think she could take out Tisei.
JimC says
… might be going off message a little.
“It’s absolutely vital that we reelect John Tierney to the powerless minority so he can retire in two years! That way we can get a candidate who followed the rules and didn’t run against him!”
I am just inspired. If only I lived in the district. 🙂
fredrichlariccia says
was endorsed by United States Senator Elizabeth Warren. And the Wakefield Democratic Town Committee (my hometown, where Tisei lives) and the Lynnfield Democratic Town Committee (where Tisei grew up).
Both Committees broke with tradition and precedent by endorsing in a contested primary.
How do you like those apples, Dan ?
Fred Rich LaRiccia
Fred Rich LaRiccia
kbusch says
In 2004, President Kerry was endorsed by a surprising number of Republicans — and went on to sweep the electoral college.
danfromwaltham says
I believe the MA delegation could use some diversity, no? All I see are white, straight, and severely liberal pols (yes, Liz Warren is white). So like the Victory Fund, I too like to support gay politicians and Richard would be a significant upgrade to Tierney when it comes to ethics, character, and common sense.
Some here scare people that the world will end if Baker becomes our governor for 4 years or a Republican is elected to a 2 year term as a congressman or a congressional district will be under water in 50 years if we don’t tax carbon. It’s all silly.
fredrichlariccia says
You want us to vote for that two-time loser, opportunistic ‘has-been’ Tea Party puke so our MA delegation can show some sexual orientation diversity. That is the most cynical and pathetic reason to elect anyone to public office. And I say this as a 35 year, proud GLBT liberal activist who was there fighting for our civil rights when Richard Tisei was still hiding in the closet.
I really don’t give a rat’s a.. what a candidate’s sexual orientation is. All I want to know is what his/her politics are. And your candidate flunks the test.
All I need to know is that if that Koch suck-up, Wall Street shilling,empty-suit, pretender prima-donna gets in his first vote will be for that government shut-down,
immigrant hating, misogynistic, gay-bashing fool that is suing our President. Enough said.
Folks, do the right thing and vote for the only real Progressive in this race…Congressman John Tierney.
Good night and good luck.
Fred Rich LaRiccia
P.S. And Dan, don’t even get me started on the environment. MEH !
SomervilleTom says
I think you need to be more clear about how you really feel about this guy.
🙂
fredrichlariccia says
” Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.” MARK TWAIN
Fred
merrimackguy says
That’s what I think
sue-kennedy says
To paraphrase Mark Twain, “sometimes I wonder whether some of the comments are being posted by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really meant it.”
danfromwaltham says
Obama does need to follow the law, no? He is 0-13 in the last 2 years.
I have no response for your name calling about Richard Tisei other than insults never fed a hungry child or created a job or brought people together. I find it in poor taste to question when, where, and at what age he made public his sexual orientation.
Typical you want to nationalize the congressional race, resort to typical sound bites and stereotypes, rather than promote John Tierney. I would not ask you to defend John Tierney regarding his wife’s income from an illegal gambling ring outside the US, his wife funneling $7 million of her brothers illegal money, and John Tierney thought his brother-in-law was a software consultant! LMAO, you don’t believe John, do you Fred?
kbusch says
Fred, may I invite you to an exchange of sound bites tenuously relevant to the topic at hand?