Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Brockton Enterprise: Silbert “Most Interesting Candidate”

By

Interesting editorial in today’s Enterprise.

In a piece entitled “Pay Attention to the Candidates for Lieutenant Governor”, the following are some key grafs…

I actually agree with the editors’ opinion that Murray and Goldberg were condescending towards Silbert’s accomplishments.  (I know, not surprising coming from me, but I’ve tried to look at this from as objective a perspective as I can.)

Andrea Silbert has been underestimated her entire career and has been extraordinarily successful.  She’s worked harder and longer than any of her opponents and while it would come as a surprise to the political establishment if she won, it probably shouldn’t.  She’s already surprised the insiders with her strong performance at the Convention, so who knows what will happen in a couple weeks.

…………………….

Who’s running for lieutenant governor? We’re glad you asked because it’s an important question, even though it may not be at the top of your list of interests.

….

Silbert could be the most interesting candidate, the only one without political experience, which may be why she lags in the polls.

Silbert cofounded the Center For Women and Enterprise, a nonprofit group that helps women find jobs. That didn’t impress her opponents, who sneered at the lack of politics on her resume. Many political neophytes fail “even if they’re smart and well-educated,” Goldberg felt the need to point out.

Goldberg also didn’t hesitate to invoke the magic phase “9-11” and said that, as chairman of the Brookline Board of Selectmen, “I had 58,000 lives to worry about.” We’re sure the residents of Brookline appreciated that. She failed to mention that Brookline is really run by a full-time town administrator.

That is similar to Worcester, which is run by the full-time city manager. The position of mayor is largely ceremonial and goes to the at-large city councilor who gets the most votes. Details, details, Murray may well have muttered, preferring instead to continually invoke his status as mayor of “the second-largest city in Massachusetts.”

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0

Comments

  1. What’s fair is fair. I’m fine with everyone pushing for their candidate, when it’s done in a fair and factual way.  I’m a big Murray supporter, because he is clearly the strongest addition to the ticket to ensure a Democratic victory. What I don’t like is when errors of fact are re-circulated so that they seem to take on the appearance of truth. The Brockton Enterprise has made the mistake (big mistake) of assuming everything in the Boston Globe is correct. In this editorial, the Enterprise recycles the notion first printed erroneously in the Globe, that the mayor of Worcester is just the at-large city councilor who gets the most votes in the election. Not true. In Worcester, the people directly elect the mayor. It’s a separate line on the ballot. It’s a hybrid system in Worcester, the only one like it in the state.  The mayor is, by charter, chair person of the city council, and chair person of the school committee.  The mayor leads the council, which in turn hires a city manager to handle the day to day operations. (And BTW, when Tim took over as mayor in Worcester, he cleaned house and put in place new, more dynamic management that is briskly carrying out Murray’s vision for his city.)

    <

    p>
    The mayoralty in Worcester is not the same as the mayoralty in Boston or Brockton.  Rather than being the CEO of the city, the Worcester mayor is more like the chairman of the board of directors. Tim Murray has taken on that role, and done wonders with it. He’s made a huge difference in that city, simply by force of his vision, leadership and is work bringing people together to get things done.  He’ll be the strongest partner for any of the three candidates running for governor.

    • But I don’t think it changes the upshot of the Brockton Enterprise’s Editorial: that Silbert brings a different perspective to the race.

      <

      p>
      The national anti-incumbent mood is real and we are not immune to it.  People want change this year.  Politics as usual is not a popular entree on the menu.

      <

      p>
      Even if Worcester has become heaven on earth under Murray, he’s still going to be seen as an incumbent politician.  I like the guy and think he’d be a good running mate.  But I’m not convinced he’ll bring a lot of independent, undecided voters our way in the general.

Archives