Jack E. Robinson, Republican candidate for the 9th Congressional District seat, and Samiyah Diaz, Republican candidate for the Second Suffolk state Senate seat, have both asked for the support of BMG’s readers.
Robinson sent a two-page written endorsement request to BMG’s editors, which you may read and download here (pdf). He starts off by pointing out that all of his positions are available on his website, and says drily that he “would direct you to Lynch’s positions on his campaign web site – but it’s been down ‘for re-construction’ since early summer and hasn’t been up since.” That is, indeed, incredibly weak on Lynch’s part.
Robinson goes on to note his often more progressive stances than Congressman Lynch on important social issues such as choice and gay marriage, and says that Lynch “hasn’t accomplished a single thing in his five years in Congress (other than bringing back some small earmarks for the District).” He also argues that in the event that Republicans retain control of Congress, he’ll “be able to accomplish much more for the District (even as a freshman Republican) than Lynch will.”
Robinson is scheduled to debate Congressman Lynch in Norwood on November 2.
Diaz left a comment in this thread in which she requests the support of BMG readers. Here’s what she has to say:
Thank you for this opportunity
Thanks, guys, for giving me a chance to earn a progressive nod for November 7. I got into this race in February to give voters a choice at the polls for the first time in ten years. But more than that, I think that competition is good for everyone, including incumbents (even though they hate us for it!), because it creates a forum for new ideas. I’ve run on a socially progressive and fiscally prudent platform. I’ve put many new ideas and suggestions for reform on the table in this campaign. It’d be great to win the election, so I actually could work to make these ideas a reality, but I’m realistic about my chances if people vote “the party line” on November 7. But you’ve asked for more about me, so I’d appreciate being considered for the BMG endorsement:
First of all, as a single, working mom who also is finishing up my third year of law school, I haven’t had time to raise the funds to get my message out as well as I would have liked. Campaigning is a full time job, so it’s easier for incumbents or people who live with their parents. If elected, of course, I’d be a full time Senator, but why jump into the race if I couldn’t campaign full time? That was an easy choice for me: I believe we NEED more single moms, more working people, more people of diverse economic background to run for the Legislature. It’s the People’s General Court, after all, so I hope that my effort will encourage others to become active and engaged in public life. To offset my lack of funds, I have a detailed website at www.samiyah4senate.com. The website lists all of my proposals and media statements on issues such as public safety, education, economic opportunity, and quality of life. Many of my proposals are original ideas that can advance the policy debate in Massachusetts. Most of all, I wanted to put some solutions on the table.
Some people think I’m motivated to run merely as an anti-Wilkerson candidate. Not so. In fact, my family and I have long supported Dianne. We supported her because of her stand on progressive issues and because diversity is a positive value in public life. But integrity and accountability also are important values in public life and we weren’t getting the complete package. I don’t believe it’s negative campaigning to point out Dianne’s incarceration for tax violations, or that she has repeatedly been sanctioned for ethics and campaign finance violations, or even that she filed a bill to extend Matt Amorello as the Chair of the Turnpike Authority. These are all relevant facts to a voter’s decision who to vote for on November 7. I’ve offered far more positive reasons to support me (hardly any covered by the press) than criticisms of Dianne (all covered by the press), but I know I can do the job and I know I will work hard to make people proud that they voted for Samiyah Diaz.
Maybe this effort is symbolic at this point. Deval rightly is the source of much pride in the African-American community so that Dianne’s base vote will turn out strongly at the polls. But in a democracy, even symbols have value. People need to realize that a blank vote means a vote for Dianne. Sonia supporters need to realize that I am their best hope of seeing a competitive election for this seat in two years. And even Dianne supporters need to realize that the winds of political change are blowing in Massachusetts. I ask for your support, I hope I’ve earned it, and I’ll never forget it.
Respectfully,
Samiyah Diaz
Do the right thing!
Thanks to both Mr. Robinson and Ms. Diaz for their willingness to reach out to this heavily Democratic site. Seems to me that this kind of dialogue is an excellent start toward breaking through the tiresome partisan barriers that afflict politics on every level these days.
I really appreciate what you’re doing. I’m a second year law student, and I wouldn’t have the guts to do it, never mind the time.
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However, considering the DINOish nature of a lot of the state Leg. Dems, why should we vote against a truly progressive Dem, admittedly one that isn’t exactly a paradigm of virtue?
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In other words, do you believe that, because, say, you are unsullied by ethics problems, you will be a more effective Senator then Wilkerson, despite her experience?
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I don’t want to belittle Wilkersons ethics problems, I do consider them serious. But, well, I think Wilkerson did get a wake up call during the primary. But now that the primaries are done, I think you have a larger hurdle to cross to get me to vote against the Democratic party.
Sadly, Dianne will only see an election victory as an affirmation of her poor judgment and a license to keep going as she has, or worse. You think she “did get a wake up call during the primary”? Think again. She has belittled Sonia Chang Diaz for daring to run against her. And her campaign finance shenanigans continue unabated. For example, in the Pre-Primary Campaign finance report, Dianne listed a liability for her campaign office rent to her landlord, Madison Park CDC of $16,600. You can view the report here: http://www.efs2.cpf….. But in her Pre-Election Campaign finance report, she still lists her liability for unpaid office rent to Madison Park CDC as remaining at $16,600. You can view that report here: http://www.efs2.cpf….. Which means that you should see her rent payments to Madison Park CDC for her campaign office in her Pre-Election spending report here: http://www.efs2.cpf….. I don’t see any payments for campaign office rent, do you? Perhaps the greatest mark of equality and progress in our society will come when all candidates, white or black, men or women, Republican or Democrat, are treated the same when corruption looms. Dianne needs time to get herself together. November 7 will be the last best opportunity for her employers, the voters, to do just that.
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I remain, as I have from the beginning, a Samiyah Diaz supporter and a Sonia Chang Diaz fan.
Sorry, those links didn’t work. If the corruption continues, and I’m still in JP next cycle, I’ll vote against Wilkerson most likely.
However, to me, Democrats and Republicans should not be treated equally, even on things like corruption. That’s because I believe that corrupt Democrats still do some (small) good, while corrupt Republicans do harm.
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As I said, Diaz has a greater barrier because of the R after her name. Explain how she will do better advancing progressive issues, and she’ll have my vote. If she can’t do that, I vote for the D.
I see your point about corrupt Democrats vs. corrupt Republicans. But what about a corrupt Democrat vs. an intelligent, articulate, passionate, engaged progressive Republican who is NOT corrupt? Samiyah and Dianne have identical positions on social issues, whether equal marriage or women’s rights, so the ability to persuade and win the support of other legislators is the key to effectiveness. The depth of Dianne’s fall from power was most starkly illustrated by her hours-long filabuster of the permitting legislation that would expedite new housing construction: she tied up Senate business for hours and had only one other Senator join her position at the end of the debate. The delay at the end of the session cost Massachusetts the opportunity to approve bonds for capital projects statewide, such as new roads, bridges and computer systems for e-government. She immediately issued a press release and tried to spin herself as the darling of her district, but to what end? Samiyah hasn’t burned the bridges with other legislators that Dianne has. Samiyah can meet one on one, work with them and persuade them and build coalitions. We need a Senator who can build bridges, not filabuster them. You want an effective Senator? You want change? Samiyah’s the vote for you. Next time might be too late–Dianne usually is unopposed for election and will be seen as unbeatable if she holds off both Sonia and Samiyah this year. Hope this answers your question.
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Sorry about the campaign finance links–I didn’t realize they expire. Go to http://www.mass.gov/ocpf and you can view the referenced reports online.
On Jack E Robinson: There’s absolutely no good excuse for any sane and reasonable person to even consider supporting sending a Republican to Congress this year, no matter how bad the Democrat and how good the Republican. The Republican leadership of the House and Senate are destroying our country. Anyone who would vote for continued Republican leadership is not fit for office, period.
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Samiyah Diaz is not as easy to dismiss. But on balance, I very much value the causes Dianne Wilkerson champions (very effectively) in the state senate. It was easy to support Sonia because I knew she’d champion the same causes, and I knew she’d be effective. Samiyah, on the other hand. I worry about. I know she hasn’t got the slightest chance of winning in this extremely Democratic district, but I still wouldn’t want to recommend endorsing her if I don’t actually want her to win.
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Also, if she’s actually a moderate why run as a Republican? Why didn’t she start right out as a Democratic primary challenger? It’s not like being a Republican gives her a greater chance of winning, and her token campaign in the Dem primary didn’t look serious to me. If she really is a Republican, well, that means to me that she will support policies that I very much oppose.
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So, no on Diaz.
Cos, I’ve really enjoyed your comments and thoughts this season, but on this one, I’ve got to commend BMG for this observation: “Seems to me that this kind of dialogue is an excellent start toward breaking through the tiresome partisan barriers that afflict politics on every level these days” in response to Samiyah Diaz’s post on the site. Read the post please. Even Deval has said that New England Republicans once were known for being socially progressive. If we give THAT type of Republican a toehold (and don’t you think a Samiyah Diaz Victory in Boston of all places would get noticed?) then only progessives would win because the differences between the political parties would focus on economic and fiscal policy with socially progressive agendas a given. Don’t wipe out the Republicans (they’re doing a fine job of that all by themselves). Instead, reshape them to be a positive force for political change.
She might be a sleazy, corrupt, unethical machine hack, but she is our sleazy, corrupt, unethical machine hack.
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Sorry, Samiyah, the only important thing is the letter in parens after your name. R’s need not apply, regardless of anything else.
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Yay, team!
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Gee, why are there so many independents in this state again?
Cos is looking at the ISSUES, and on the issues, he’s closer to Wilkerson. Yeesh. Give it up.
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Next primary, hopefully someone will run again against her. However, getting rid of her in favor of someone who doesn’t share a Democrat’s values (on the issues) is a perfectly legit reason to vote for her despite her deep flaws.
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RE Lynch, no way in hell I would vote to send a Republican to replace him. Next cycle, we will again try to rid ourselves of him with a better Dem, but I will NOT jeopardize our ability to take back the House to get him out, it’s cutting one’s nose to spite one’s face and Jack will find little support here this year. It’s just a bad year to be a Republican.
I don’t think Wilkerson will even run next term, then maybe Sonia and Samiyah can run. Perhaps Samiyah will have dumped the R next to her name. After all, let her tell it…she’s progressive….
Why are people who label themselves “progressive” so often close-minded that they hew to the unthinking D vs. R mindset that got us here in the first place? Here’s another perspective on R and what it means in the context of the Diaz vs. Wilkerson choice: http://www.samiyah4s…
to Jackie E.
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If you guys like Simayah, go for it. I don’t know enough about her and I’m not going to do the research since, quite frankly, I can’t (and probably won’t ever) be able to vote for her.
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I tend not to “endorse” candidates I can’t vote for. I supported Dunkelbarger, but I never officially “endorsed” him either. And it’s easier for me to get behind a potential US Rep from Massachusetts than a State Senator.
Bottom line:
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You caucus with the GOP, you enable a whole lot of Republicans who do more harm than good. Period.
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You’re more progressive than he? Fine. Start working hard on November 8th for your run against him in the Democratic Primary in September 2008. Don’t play the “more progressive” card when a vote for you is a vote for Republican control of the House of Representatives.
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Let’s not take one step back with the hopes of taking two forward later. Let’s figure out how to just take that additional step forward in the first place.
great post. There’s no way we should elect a Republican this year, as much as I hate Lynch. What we need is a good, high profile Democrat to challenge him in 2008.
Control of the House is clearly the most important issue here; however, Jack could make this a moot point if he promises to caucus with the Democrats. How about it, Jack?
I’d second that and add that the vote for speaker is equally, if not more, important.
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Mr. Robinson, if elected, who will you support for Speaker: Nancy Pelosi or Denny Hastert?
http://news.bostonhe…
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Wow! Even the Herald is slamming the state of the GOP in Massachusetts. But a nice endorsement of Samiyah Diaz with thoughtful observations on the choice confronting voters in the Second Suffolk District.
Many people I talk to in JP have every intention of writing in Sonia’s name again, not that she, or I or anyone is advocating it. People don’t want to vote Republican, nor has the incumbent Democrat made any moves to pick up support in areas where she ran poorly. Her staffer who very occasionally attended Ward 19 Democrat meetings said they were “too busy” to attend our October meeting, at which we considered new endorsements, so there was no general election endorsement in that race.
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Focus on governor this race, by 2008 the picture may have totally changed.
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All this said in great respect of amicus’ position on the race.
Dianne and Samiyah are identical on social issues, so not quite sure what the reference is to agreeing with Dianne on the issues as a reason to vote for her over Samiyah. But it is clear that Samiyah is the underdog here, so blanks or write-ins for other persons are simply votes for Dianne. There are only two candidates for the seat: Dianne and Samiyah, so pick one. Besides, and I say this as a Sonia fan, Sonia has a far better shot in ’08 running against a Republican Senator Diaz than she has running against Senator Wilkerson.
that Sonia can beat Samiyah in 08 but not Wilkerson? You will say anything to get people to vote for Samiyah yet you don’t seem to have any confidence in her ability to hold on to the seat if she wins and Sonia runs against her. It seems like you are anti-Wilkerson as opposed to pro-Samiyah. You’re supposed to be advocating for Samiyah but by coming off as anti-Wilkerson you are actually going against how Samiyah wants to be portrayed.
Mr. Robinson,
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Declare at tomorrow’s debate that you’re switching to be an Independent and will caucus with the Democrats for Nancy Pelosi, and you have my vote.
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I’m not alone in this — many of us would jump at the opportunity to vote for someone less conservative than Stephen Lynch, but won’t vote for someone who caucuses with the Republicans.
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It’s not like the Republican party has supported you in your bid for a seat in Congress — you’ve been a de facto independent thoughout this campaign,
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In any case, even if you do remain a Republican, and I don’t wind up voting for you, I’d like to thank you for running a positive, issues-based campaign.
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– Jeremy
Needham, MA
Once again, I fail to see how the “conservative” label can be easily applied to Lynch.
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Let’s review the voter scorecards for him in the current Congress from a variety of liberal or progressive leaning organizations:
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DAV-100
NEA-100
Council on Amer./Islamic Relations-100
U.S. PIRG-100
LCV-94 (Lynch is endorsed by the Sierra Club this year)
UAW-93
AFL/CIO-93
NAACP-91
Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND)-91
ADA-90
NOW-90 (despite Lynch’s opposition to abortion rights)
American Association of University Women-89
Children’s Defense Fund-89
SEIU-89
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Now let’s take a look at a few on the right side of the spectrum:
National Taxpayers Union (very conservative)-11
NRA-D
Nat’l Right to Life-60
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Lynch’s support for the war (not terribly unpopular in South Boston) and his longstanding opposition to abortion rights aside, he’s been a fairly progressive congressman. Not as progressive as Barney Frank or John Tierney, to be sure, but the second coming of Zell Miller he is most definitely not.
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I like Steve Lynch and I hope he’s reelected handily on November 7th.
Not a democrat not getting my vote. This should not even be on this site.