Blue Mass Group

It’s unusual that declarative statements by candidates for a major office like Governor are open to the charge of being demonstrably false, but that seems to be where we are with the results of the Democratic caucuses.  Consider:

• Don Berwick issued a press release stating that he “has secured more than the necessary 15 percent of elected delegates to qualify for the September primary ballot.”  But over at Boston Magazine, David Bernstein says that “[n]one of the other campaigns believe this number,” and some of our own resident number-crunchers have their suspicions as well.
• Juliette Kayyem’s Facebook page is plastered with the claim that she “took second place at the caucuses,” behind only Steve Grossman.  This claim is rated “probably not” true by Bernstein, and “extraordinary” and “blustering” by BMG’s finest. (Interestingly, though, she claims only to be “on our way to 15%,” not to have achieved that goal.)

Yes, the math is complicated … but it’s not that complicated.  And yes, “committed” delegates can and do change their minds, which makes the counting messy.  Still, it would be nice if the candidates who are making these claims would join us here at BMG, or at some other suitable location, to explain how and where they are getting these numbers.

According to a press release from Don Berwick’s gubernatorial campaign, he’s got the delegates he needs to secure a spot on the primary ballot.  Email (no link):

Coming off a strong final weekend of caucuses, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Don Berwick announced today that his campaign has secured more than the necessary 15 percent of elected delegates to qualify for the September primary ballot. While a plurality of seated delegates remains undecided, internal numbers show approximately 20 percent of elected delegates supporting Berwick.

There’s little doubt that both Martha Coakley and Steve Grossman will easily make the ballot.  So the big question is how many delegates will be in their camps, and how many will remain up for grabs.  Enough for all five Dems to hit the ballot?  Will we hear from Juliette Kayyem and Joe Avellone regarding their “take” from the caucuses?  Or from Grossman and Coakley, for that matter?

Let the horse-trading begin!

Yes, yes I know. The opinion I hold is a rather rare and controversial one among many Democrats, especially those who attend the caucuses. Four years after a stunning loss to Scott Brown, many in the party seemingly still hold the loss against her. Martha however, is not lacking in intelligence or political know-how. She’d be the first one to tell you that she didn’t run the campaign she wanted to, or should’ve run. The story of the 2010 Special Senate Election is the story of a “perfect storm” of sorts- a culmination of dissatisfaction, even in liberal Massachusetts, with Washington, with the powers that be. Coakley doesn’t shy away from her past mistakes, but it’s unfair to place blame for the loss solely on her.

In recent years, it’s been commonplace for any mention of the Attorney General to mention her failed Senate bid. But Martha Coakley, unlike many of the voters in Massachusetts, hasn’t let that election define her. She’s tough. She’s resilient. Getting back on her feet, Martha Coakley buckled down, re-won the AG’s office and got to work. She continued to fight for LGBT rights, protected thousands who were at risk of losing their homes, and continued to pressure the big-banks that ruined our economy. Coakley enjoys the highest approval ratings of any Democrat in the state, but her Senate loss still seems to plague her.

But yes, it is time to forgive Martha. She knows what it’s like to lose a race. She knows what it’s like to have people mad at you. But more than anything, Martha Coakley has been a tireless advocate for all Bay State residents, especially the poor, marginalized and disenfranchised. Martha embodies progressive values. For a state that stands ready to build on the accomplishments that Deval Patrick has brought to fruition, Coakley is the clear choice to bring Massachusetts into a new-era of greatness. Martha is resolute, she’s caring, she’s the right choice for Governor, and yes, it’s time to forgive her.

I’ve been annoyed by the comments of some posters on here (not to mention direct mailings) making charges that the Jason Lewis campaign is being dishonest, misrepresenting facts, or going negative. I live in the district and I am volunteering with Jason Lewis, and I have seen absolutely nothing of the kind.  Ironically, these charges themselves seem to be the only dishonesty going on in the race.

The Chris Fallon campaign has sent mail and posted on Facebook direct accusations that Lewis has misrepresented his record. However, he has refused to provide even one example of a misrepresentation that the Lewis campaign has made, despite multiple requests to do so. That seems odd, especially since he has repeated the claim numerous times.

At the same time, Fallon’s campaign has claimed he has been endorsed by more than 50 legislators. I also know that there have been repeated requests to furnish a list of those endorsements. I too would like to know who they are. I know that the many individuals and groups that have endorsed Lewis are on his website.

Anthony Guardia has also claimed that the other candidates are attacking him and each other, but I have yet to hear anyone “attacking” Guardia at all. I do know that the Lewis campaign has publicly stated that this is a close race between him and Chris Fallon.That assertion is based on polling, and it is an important point for many progressive primary voters because the differences between Lewis and Fallon are very stark.

People are rightly turned off by personal negative campaigning, but I just don’t see that going on in this case on the part of the Lewis campaign, and suggestions to the contrary are the only misrepresentations I’m seeing in this whole race. Considering there will be a general election against a Republican elected official on April 1st, I would hope that all the campaigns would tone down the rhetoric and accusations, honestly discuss their cases and differences among them, and get ready to come together after the primary.

The 20 page indictment is right here for anyone to read. Below is a synopsis.

The Set-Up

Page 1 stars out with “Count One – Racketeering and Conspiracy”. This is the same as RICO.

First requirement to make a RICO case is an “enterprise” so the indictment describes the MA Trial Court system and The Office of Commission of Probation in detail. It pays particular note of the department’s out of state practices needed to show interstate commerce.

OCP, (Probation) therefore, constituted an “enterprise” as defined by Title 18, United States Code, Section 1961(4), that is, a legal entity which engaged in, and the activities of which affected, interstate and foreign commerce. OCP affected interstate and foreign commerce by, among other things, the use of goods and services in interstate commerce.

See the feds just can’t barge in and charge people with federal crimes. States don’t like that. Jurisdiction is needed and here is how they got it. It has nothing to do with the Probation Department being a government entity. Same applies to a guy who owns a restaurant in Fall River and another one across the border in Providence.

Okay, Take five.

Five minutes later Settle down. Settle down What? No, no we can’t have class outside today.

Count 1 – Racketeering: The Criminal Enterprise

For the last several years, University of Massachusetts students from the Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and Worcester campuses, in alliance with students from other public collegiate institutions, have gone to the Massachusetts Statehouse and called upon their legislators to support higher education..Thus far, our elected state representatives have not disappointed us in handling our concerns. It is imperative that this trend continues into the coming year.

Coming before the House is Bill 1088, which was sponsored by Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, which would grant full voting rights on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees to each of the five campuses’ Student Trustees. Since the opening of the Lowell and Dartmouth campuses, there has not been full student voting rights on the Board. Instead, each year, voting rights rotate – two students are voting members and the other three are ex-officio. Among those three is my own Trustee, Megan Kingston, who represents the 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students at UMass Amherst. This is problematic not only because it means the magnitude of student-represented authority on the Board is not proportionate to its full constituency, but also because the particular needs of each campus cannot be truly and adequately addressed.

These circumstances leave three campuses’ worth of students disenfranchised. In order to correct this, it is essential that full student representation be instated. The UMass system is not without a proven history of making sound Board-level decisions. Last year, the UMass Amherst Student Government Association voted unanimously to increase the Student Activities Trust Fund fee per semester per person to the resoundingly successful benefit of student organizations and services on campus.

It goes without saying that the Board of Trustees does vote with consideration to student interests. However, ours are not the only interests competing for consideration. Further, to only give consideration to our interests is a half-measure. What is truly necessary for our Board to produce balanced and fair decisions and enactments is to grant us equal representation to all five student trustee to vote on behalf of the 68,000 students who elected them.

Posted in coordination for the 5 UMass Student Trustee Voting Rights Campaign.

Onion:

Swift Boat Veterans For Truth Clear John Kerry After Exhaustive 9-Year Investigation

Borowitz:

ARIZONA GOVERNOR VETOES ANTI-GAY BILL: “LET’S FOCUS ON DISCRIMINATING AGAINST MEXICANS”

PHOENIX (The Borowitz Report)—Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a controversial anti-gay bill last night, telling reporters, “Let’s focus on discriminating against Mexicans.”

Governor Brewer said that while “the intentions behind this bill were obviously excellent,” she was worried that the bill “would distract us from our main mission of harassing, tormenting, and otherwise making life miserable for Mexicans.”

Although Governor Brewer said that she could foresee a time when Arizona might “branch out into discriminating against gays,” the decision to veto the anti-gay bill in the name of anti-immigrant pride was not difficult: “Arizona needs to stick to what it does best.”

RAND PAUL: HILLARY COULD BE DERAILED BY LITTLE-KNOWN LEWINSKY AFFAIR

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Potential Republican Presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) said today that he believes he has a “secret weapon” that will derail Hillary Clinton’s 2016 White House bid: “A little-known affair between her husband and a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky.”

Appearing on the Fox News Channel, Paul told the host Sean Hannity, “Sean, when the American people find out about this scandal, they are going to be shocked, truly shocked. It didn’t get a lot of coverage at the time.”

Asked by Hannity how the scandal could have remained under wraps for so long, Paul replied, “You’ll have to ask Bill and Hillary that. Let’s just say they’ve pulled a lot of strings to keep this story out of the mainstream media.”

“Unfortunately for them, Sean, I have the details on this juicy scandal and I’m prepared to share them with the American people,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a game-changer.”

While he believes that the shocking revelations about President Clinton’s Oval Office dalliances will be enough to destroy Hillary’s 2016 ambitions, Paul confirmed that he has other arrows in his quiver.

“It turns out that Hillary was involved in a business deal called Whitewater,” he said. “When the American people find out about this, it’s going to blow their minds.”

Daniel Kurtzman:

“CNN is canceling Piers Morgan’s talk show. Yes, it’s been 238 years since the Declaration of Independence, but it still feels good telling the British guy to get out.” –Craig Ferguson

“The Russians finished up with a win in their favorite sport, the biathlon. What a country. They love biathletes, but they hate bi-athletes.” –Jimmy Kimmel

“The Winter Olympics are finally over. They handed out all the medals and all the whippings, and the athletes are now leaving town before Vladimir Putin uses the Olympic flame to burn down Sochi for the insurance money.” –Stephen Colbert

“Yesterday New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was asked about the slow pace of his weight loss and said, quote, ‘Rome was not un-built in a day.’ In fact, Christie and Rome have a lot in common: one was built by Julius Caesar, and the other was built by LITTLE Caesar.” –Jimmy Fallon

“A new report just came out that some companies, especially tech companies, are not hiring enough female employees. But guys who run tech companies say they’d love to hire more women. Or talk to them. Or meet them. Or even see one up close.” –Jimmy Fallon

“The Department of Agriculture is recalling thousands of boxes of Hot Pockets because they contain meat that wasn’t properly inspected. When they heard that, people who like to eat Hot Pockets said, ‘I inspected it when I took it out of the box. Looked good to me.’” –Jimmy Fallon

“Making his first visit to our show tonight is Bill O’Reilly. Bill is here to promote his book ‘Killing Jesus.’ I’m going to have to tell him someone else sold a book on that subject and it sold quite well.” –Jimmy Kimmel

As he was departing from last night’s Republican Governors Association fundraiser – hilariously relocated at the last minute because of “unwanted attention from reporters” – presumed Republican nominee for Governor Charlie Baker had this to say about why he was willing to be seen in the company of scandal-ridden Republicans like Chris Christie:

“It was more a conversation just about how important it is for our campaign to do well in ’14 and make sure we have adequate resources to compete, because there will certainly be plenty of money coming in from the outside on the other side.”

Huh – sounds like Baker is super worried about outside money playing a big role in the Governor’s race.  Now, if only there was a proven way to keep outside money from flowing into statewide races in Massachusetts …

Oh, right, of course there is.  Baker could do what Scott Brown did in 2012: declare that he does not want outside money to back his campaign, and pledge that, if it does, he will pay a financial penalty, as long as the Democrats are willing to make the same pledge.  It worked brilliantly in the Brown/Warren race, despite all the detractors who were sure it would collapse, and it can work again.

Come on, Charlie, put your money where your mouth is.  Challenge the Democrats to refuse outside money in this race for Governor.  The people of Massachusetts will be the winners.

UPDATE: The excellent hesterprynne reminds us in the comments that Baker’s spokesman is on record as being open to some sort of People’s Pledge.  From the Globe on Sept. 18, 2013:

A spokesman for Republican candidate Charles D. Baker said in an e-mail, “When the time comes, we expect that we’ll sit down with the Democratic nominee to discuss the influence of outside money and how we might be able to limit its impact on the race.”

A promising sign.  Here’s hoping Baker actually meant it.

The interviewer makes a compelling case for doctors as government leaders.  Here’s a choice quote:

Dr. Chatterjee:  What are some of your main goals/agenda items that you want to accomplish as the next Governor of Massachusetts?

Dr. Berwick:  There are five main areas.  First, I want to improve the quality of education in Massachusetts.  We already have one of the best public school systems in the nation.  I want to stress on public investment, specifically, investing in teachers to seek higher education and training, and thus grow intellectually.  Second, I want to improve the public transportation system in Massachusetts, which despite its quality, I think is under-maintained.  Third, I am the only candidate in the race that is seriously calling for a single-payer healthcare system for our Commonwealth, and not just paying lip-service to it.  Fourth, I want to make sure that the social safety net is in place due to rising social and financial inequality in our state as well as our country as a whole.  I am a big believer in social justice.  Lastly, I want to invest in workforce development as evidenced by my commitment to instituting workforce development programs during my stint as the Chief of Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The whole thing is well worth a read:

Why we need doctors as government leaders: An interview with Dr. Donald Berwick

Marriage Equality is coming to Texas. Yet another marriage equality ban has been struck down, this time in Texas. Yeah!

Republicans like to blame the EVIL DEMOCRATIC MACHINE for their near constant string of electoral failures in Massachusetts. They prefer not to talk about how their state party platform is better aligned with views in Arizona than in Massachusetts:

Reflecting a major shift in the makeup of the elected Republican State Committee, activists overwhelmingly embraced a new platform Tuesday night that frowns upon abortion and praises traditional marriage.

After a spirited debate in which some members disputed whether social issues should be included in the party’s guiding principles at all, the activists backed the new platform by a 52-to-16 vote.

That’s right, the hate platform didn’t just squeak by with a thin majority – Republican leaders chose hate in a landslide. It’s part of a movement to bring the Massachusetts Republican Party backwards:

Voters in Revere approved the Mohegan Sun / Suffolk Downs casino proposal with 63% of the vote. Voter turnout was high – 44.3% – with 7, 195 YES to 4,177 No votes.

Last November Revere voters approved the casino proposal by a 6,567 to 4,233 vote.

Congrats to all of the folks who worked hard for the last several weeks for the possibility to bring jobs and much needed revenue to Revere.