Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Romney Failing in Danvers

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CBS4News reports today: “Wayne Marquis (Danvers Town Manager) is still waiting for Governor Romney to declare a state of emergency, so those impacted by the CAI plant explosion can seek additional help from the feds.”

Romney’s appearance in Danvers the day after the horrific explosion was reminiscent of his similar photo op moment in neighboring Peabody when that city was flooded out. Romney shows up in appropriate costume whenever the story rates CNN (i.e.: across the nation/primary state) coverage. He feigns concern, pledges action and financial support and gets out of Dodge…problem is he waited to be shamed by the Congressional delegation into declaring a federal emergency in Peabody and then reneged on his assurances to that city by vetoing the flood relief funds in the budget.

Deja vu…Romney shows up in Danvers and repeats ad nauseum (so the reporters will use the exact quote), “this is the equivalent of a 2,000 ton bomb here.” (bombs get coverage)

Well, Governor-LAME duck…if that’s what you saw in Danvers, why haven’t you asked for the emergency designation from the feds so these unfortunate people can get additional assistance?

What an empty suit you turned out to be.

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Comments

  1. I do not know.  But I remember that none was declared in the big fire which wiped out Malden Mills, which would seem to be a comparable disaster.

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    Does it need to be a NATURAL disaster, LIKE a flood, wind,forest fire, etc.?  Does making a disaster declaration mess up insurance settlement, both for the plant and surrounding homeowners?

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    Or do we just wanna bash Mitt?

    • It took a few seconds on Mass.gov, that you could have done yourself instead of this post.

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      The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is authorized under state law to declare a Gubernatorial State of Emergency upon the occurrence of a natural or man-made disaster.

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      I got an idea, maybe care about MA instead of Romney.  They are not one in the same.

      • which is why you see many MA Republicans coming to the defense of Romney, no matter how reprehensible or self-serving his actions. I understand that the Republicans who post on BMG are in the minority here, which is why they jump in on the side of Governor Good Hair, even if they’d normally be somewhat critical of him.

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        On the national stage, this plays out as adherence to a failed leader and failed policies, even though the current administration has gone against everything that the Republican Party stands for. Although Bush has alienated many conservatives, there is still a core group of Kool-Aid drinkers that support him regardless.

        • Remember, Mitt is from the party that believes that the most terrifying words that someone can hear are “I’m from the government and I’m here to help”. I’m sure that he thinks that the appropriate response is to do nothing — to sit back and get the government out of the way.

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          Remember, to Republicans, government should not be helping, the private market should be doing the job, and if the people there weren’t covered, it’s their own fault and they don’t deserve help because such help would make them weaker and lazier.

    • Here’s the link

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      Please don’t make up facts to justify false arguements, you are watering down any kind of real discussion.

      • Sure, Peter’s wrong on most issues, but he’s good people.  No need to get all high and mighty because you found the answer quickly with a search.  And this part about “making up facts to justify false arguments” must be from another post, I’d guess.  Wouldja cut the guy some slack?

        • I believe this was the statement johnk was referencing when he accused PP of “making up facts” and not PP’s question about what constitutes a disaster.

          But I remember that none was declared in the big fire which wiped out Malden Mills, which would seem to be a comparable disaster.

          • …and he told me at the time that there WAS no declaration.  That’s part of the reason Mr. Feuerstein carried the insurance the way he did.

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            Weld might have done it later, or my friend might have been mistaken.  Which brings me back to the other question – are there insurance issues with the plant or homeowners involved, which could compromise coverage if there is a declaration?

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            And believe me – when my initial sentance is – I don’t know – it’s because I’m asking a question.

            • You mean the other question, question (you also noted natural disasters) đŸ™‚

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              A Gubernatorial State of Emergency (SOE) is initiated when it becomes necessary for the Governor to assume command (direction and control) for the efficient utilization of the total resources of the Commonwealth, in order to mitigate the effects on people and property of a large-scale threat, emergency or disaster.

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              It’s more related to how the state handles the disaster, there is nothing that I found that it’s in any way related to property insurance (if you’re thinking that it could similar to flood insurance).  Katrina is a good example, homeowners insurance filings were not on hold in any way, the SOE was still under effect in November.

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              But as reported today, it also opens the door to federal aid.

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              Hopefully Mitt does the right thing soon, I don’t know why we are in the position that we are in right now.  What does Mitt have to gain here?  He already screwed up in the homeless and the DMH in his last cuts, then days later reinstated/moved the money.  But it still made him look like a real ass to get in that position in the first place.  Now this, it’s happening again.  I really don’t understand.

            • Upthread, the link posted by Johnk is a gubenatorial state of emergency order, which, isn’t necessarily a request for a Federal emergency order.

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              I see no evidence that Gov. Weld ever requested or received federal aid, although he obviously does have the power to request and accept Federal aid under his 639 powers

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              I’m not sure what other benefits there are if a Federal disaster is declared. I know there are extended unemployment benefits available; additional casualty loss deductions for individuals; also, SBA loan assistance is available.  None of these seem to requre time-is-of-the-essence declaration of a state of emergency.

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              I don’t think (but am not 100%) that existing insurance coverage is affected by an emergency, but under some circumstance victims in an affected area are given the opportunity to buy additional insurance after the fact.

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              All in all, it’s complicated and I don’t see how a quick call for Federal assistance does anything at all.

  2. What are’t the victims getting right now that they need? Is anyone destitute? Is anyone have no place to go?  no $$ at all. More than the Red Cross can handle?
    Tell me some stories,
    I haven’t seen them.
    Sure he should ask for fed emergency funds.
    But what is lacking right now?
    How will this have an immediate effect on a family whose home was damaged.

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    No story here.

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    No one is telling me that.
    This is not a massive flood or the Chelsea Fire of 1973. Few businesses are closed. No person is living in a shelter. Those with home owners insurance (probably everyone, required if you have a mortgage)have received some $$$ for short term living expenses. This is covered.

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    This is not a disgrace…. as much as you want to make it out to be.

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    I do hear people wanting to get back to their homes. But a state of emergency will not change that.

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    The Fire Chief’s actions are a disgrace and Romney is a bigger disgrace for not intervening.

    • to the businesses down the Port area that have had to close.  SBA officials were at Danvers Town Hall Friday and Saturday and Sen. Kerry’s office said he would seek relief funds from the SBA for the Danvers businesses affected.  (Kerry is in-coming Chairman of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Presumably, he should know what is involved in applying for emergency loans.)

  4. …..Romney would know better then to let a story like this get the better of him. 

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    And this guy wants to run for President? 

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    A disaster occurred, and now there is a stand-off between the feds and local authorities – and where is Romney?

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    If he can’t help resolve a small dispute like this, how can anyone expect him to lead the country through the aftermath of a horrific terrorist attack or natural disaster?

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    My guess is that GOP op-researchers are already assembling a file of Romney mis-steps that they will use to plant seeds of doubt with the press during the GOP primaries.

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    I think the ’empty suit’ moniker is apt, and that is probably the brush that his GOP opponents will try to paint him with. 

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    Who knows whether it will stick?

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