Represenative Flanagan has worked for expanded affordable health care, transportion and education issues, advocated for youth in the Commonwealth and represted northern central Massachusetts with passion and determination. She has a bright future and is the only one in that race that will support reproductive choice and comprehensive sexual health education. Bonus, she works her tail off for other (D’s).
Capital punishment?
Well, Brian left politics to work for Sheriff Glodis…need we expound? And, the kiss of death from the T&G article above:
Former state Rep. Emile J. Goguen hugged Mr. Knuuttila in the middle of Main Street before the rally got under way. Later, Mr. Goguen said he was endorsing his friend.
This might be a good time to call out DINOs everywhere and demand that they relinquish the false mantle of Democrat when they are Republican party-liners.
Disclosures: Can’t stand DINOs
First, Heartland, in addition to “can’t stand DINOs” are you a Flanagan supporter? If so, in all fairness, I would like to know. Secondly, do you life in the Worcester/Middlesex District? I would also like to know that. One more question: Do you know Brian Knuuttila personally? I do.
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p>I am not a “DINO” as I think folk here know – neither do I claim to be an idealogically “pure” member of any faction within the Democratic Party. I consider myself an educated, independent thinker who has chosen to become a member of the Democratic Party because it is the only party that upholds the United States Constitution’s Bill of Rights – or has continued to support the concept of democracy vs. oligarchy/plutocracy.
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p>As a matter of disclosure, Brian Knuuttila was the first reprentative to support full funding and the first raise in 20 years for the indigent defense bar/independent contractors. He suffered politically for that support. He also understands and supports nurses in their fight not to be forced to care for more patients then is safe and right.
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p>I have nothing “against” Rep. Flanagan, and I will not use labels to either ask you to support her or oppose her – I think that is dishonest intellectually and a lot like elementary school student name calling.
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p>Rep. Knuuttila fought tirelessly as a representative for transportation improvements for Gardner. He is no “DINO” albeit he and I don’t agree on everything – my own experience is that I have never met anyone with whom I agree on “everything”. Have you?
“Unfair”, I would disagree with you on that judgement.
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p>I maintain my position that “conservative” Democrats whose positions/votes are in line with the Republican party platform should be honest and join that party. My comments are about politics and positions, they were not ad hominum.
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p>As this race moves forward, I just may jump in to support Flanagan. Thanks for asking.
Few candidates of EITHER party support 100% of their parties platforms – though candidates who are enrolled party members support most/many of their parties positions.
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p>A Republican who supports equal marriage rights is NOT thereby rendered a Democrat.
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p>Many Democrats who are supportive of organized labor, reaising the minimum wage, fair taxation, etc. did not support equal marriaige rights – THAT did not make them defacto Republicans!
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p>As to what is unfair – or fair – I expect it would take a one on one in depth discussion, but, yes, I consider your characterization of Brian inaccurate and unfair.
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p>We are both entitled to our opinions – it just happens that, as I said, I have known Brian Knuuttila for five years and he is NOT in sympathy with the anti-democratic, pro plutocracy core of the Republican platform.
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p>And as all politics is local, it is also personal – so as I have direct, personal knowledge of BK and consider him a fine, if centrist/conservative Democrat and not at all supportive of the “core Republican virtues”: 1) The Republican’s core platform mandatse the rich getting richer; 2) Further supports a shocking reduction of civil liberties, 3) and the Republican platform in rashly cutting taxes and only supporting regressive taxes, leads to a crumbling infrastructure, let us agree to disagree as to what the definition of a “DINO” is – again, BK is NO DINO.
I respect the work you do and that you are emotionally invested in this discussion.
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p>Which candidate will support Choice?
Which candidate will support equal marriage and all civil rights issues related to that tenant?
Which candidate will support GLBT initiatives?
Which candidate will not support Capital Punishment?
Which candidate will likely support progressive taxation and progressive economic policies?
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p>Disclosure: I have received no direct financial benefit from votes by either candidate….don’t expect either, ever.
I admit BK bought me a cup of coffee and a sandwhich once. In the interests of “full disclosure”! I guess that Sterling debate will be interesting – it is a bit of a hual for me but if I can work out the route and make time, I will go.
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p>You are right as to “emotionally invested” – and I cannot even vote in this one.
For the last 45 minutes of the 90-minute debate the floor will be open for questions for the candidates; come on down and bring your questions.
I've had the chance to meet both candidates and find that both of them are able to make a compelling case for their candidacy. But there are significant differences, especially on social issues.
I've been writing fairly extensively on the campaign at my blog:
Knuuttila kicks off the campaign in Clinton Candidate Knuuttila grilled in Sterling Flanagan kicks off her campaign in style Knuuttila's stormy Tuesday
Full disclosure: I'm a member of the Sterling Democratic Committee and have been helping to set up the debate, we'd love to have a crowd.
I am not great as to a sense of direction and posting the address would help me google it to get directions – THANKS.
The debate will be at the First Church in Sterling. The address is 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road, on the town common.
Which is a lead in to “remind me of the date and time” which is also “publicize the date and time” – THANKS
I added the event to the calendar a month or so ago under the title above. I probably should have mentioned the candidates by name to be more clear.
Since the district doesn’t have a number [like, say, “4th Middlesex” and may not be as well known. But I do think it is worth watching, and whether ultimately you and I agree is not as important to me as that there is real attention paid and a good turnout where the citizens vote for a set of real, informed reasons.
I though that the Democratic Party was meant to be inclusive. These litmus tests that people demand are dangerous to our party. If – as you claim – that this gentleman is a ‘DiNO”, well then I imagine that he will be soundly thrashed in the Democratic Primary.
Yes, Democrats are a Big Tent, but the party actually has to have principles otherwise we are nothing but a team to get more of “our side” elected.
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p>”Litmus test” makes it sound as if we are fussing over picky, tiny details. (“I won’t vote for someone with bad shoes!” “If you leave 100 people behind in Iraq, it’s not a complete withdrawal!”)
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p>What if it’s a difference over principles? Why doesn’t that matter?
As a pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, anti-death penalty Democrat, I feel that my party has room for people who disagree on issues like the ones above. I think that a Democrats first goal should be to protect the needy and decrease the gap between rich and poor.
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p>I am sick of hearing during city council races, for example, that we can’t vote for Mr x because he is pro-life. What has that to do with city council? Do you get my drift here?
The seat in question however is a legislative seat. The house has a slim pro-choice majority with a pro-choice Speaker. The senate leans more pro-choice with a pro-choice President.
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p>It is another egregious sign of the regressive times in which we live, that there is less dialog about the rights of women to govern their bodies than there was 30 years ago.
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p>Legislative candidates need to be called out on these issues and many more….that’s why campaigns and forums like the Sterling debate are crucial for people to tune in. Cudos to the SDTC.
However, the “litmus test” issues being discussed in this race do fit what many care about in a state legislator.
The gap between rich and poor, and the plight of human services workers is very much on his radar.
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p>Interestingly, at tonight’s debate in Stirling, Brian Knuuttila said that most of the inmates in the Worcester County jails were mentally ill, and did not belong there. He said if he were in the State Senate, he would be filing legislation to create a Mental Health Court [I forget the exact term he used] which he said other states have and they work well.
How big would you want this tent to be. If George W. Bush or Dick Cheney decided to enroll as a Democrat, would you roll out a welcome mat?
Like you and I Brian Knuuttila supported John Edwards and even worked for him in other states. Brian resonates to the Two Americas/One America message and is very much a democrat. Brian is not a neocon meanie and that comes across to me at least as a smear, not valid discussion.
I was lining up a hypothetical. When you advocate for a “big tent,” the question is how big a tent do you want it to be? Where do you stop rolling out more cloth? Where is the real difference? A party that tries to be everything to everyone is not a particularly viable organization, so I just want to know, where are the boundaries?
I would say your sally-forth was more a hypercritical than a hypothetical, Pablo.
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p>The term “straw men” comes to mind. Your intent, in all cynicism, was to somehow brand BK with Bush.
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p>To say that Bush and Cheney are not Democrats really is not informative in discussing BK or Flanagan either, for that matter.
Deb, why did you ask if Heartland is a resident of the Worcester and Middlesex district? You’re not, I’m not, and we have had plenty of conversations about then-Representative Knuuttila.
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p>You love the guy because he is out front on your big issue – indigent defense bar/independent contractors. Others, including myself, find him horrible on the issues that are near and dear to our hearts.
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p>However, in most other places, a legislator with Knuuttila’s views would likely not be a Democrat. Given that the Republicans are such a toxic brand in this area, I can understand why Mr. Knuuttila wouldn’t want to associate himself with the other party. This whole thing seems o be an advertisement for non-partisan state elections, where the general election (and not the state primary) would be tantamount to election.
First – I asked Heartland that questions ’cause I was curious and wanted to know [anyone is free to answer or not].
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p>Second – I disagree that BK would be a Republican anywhere else. But then I just spent 10 days in Michigan. I assure you, BK is WAY to liberal for the Michigan Republican party.
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p>LOL
In certain parts of the country, the GOP has gone so far to the right that they ban left turns at all intersections.
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p>That said, if BK moved a few miles north he would be in the GOP mainstream.
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p>This is a race to watch. I hope Flanagan wins by an overwhelming margin, as this is not just an election – it’s a Democratic primary and it serves to define the brand.
BK is too liberal in many of his positions for either the NH or ME Republican parties. I spend time in both those states, due to the nature of what I do & where family lives.
Even though many Mass. GOP folks are to the left of our DINOs (seeing Tarr and Baddour at the same function on several occasions, I always walk away thinking Tarr is the Democrat and Baddour is the Republican), I won’t argue the point further.
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p>Okay. Just one more point and an obscure Arlington reference. John Worden is to the left of BK.
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p>However, I would rather vote for McCain than Knnuutila. If I lived in the district, I would be doing everything possible to elect Flanagan.
Just think, you could have asked any question you liked. It was a truly open forum. And it was very clear there were two Democrats on that stage.
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p>Just think, you could have met both candidates, heard their positions, and had something more to say then mean-spirited, ignorant sounding name calling against a fellow Dem.
This IS a “race to watch” between two strong, qualified candidates with local roots but different philosophies. I believe this district would be well-served by either candidate, but that the focus of the candidates differs.
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p>Mr. Knuuttila has a deep understanding of the legal system, corrections, transportation, and small business.
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p>Ms. Flanagan appears more rooted in human services.
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p>Their area of the state has been traditionally underserved and economically isolated, which needs to change.
Hello everyone! Long time reader, first time poster. I thought it was an appropriate time for me to join though and introduce myself. My name is Mandy Johnson and I am Jen Flanagan’s campaign manager for her State Senate race.
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p>I want to thank HeartlandDem for bringing up our race, because it is very important to the people of North Central Massachusetts.
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p>Jen has been working hard reaching out to voters and activists in the area over the last few months, and will continue to do so the rest of the year. She is committed to the people of North Central Massachusetts, and has spent the last ten years working hard to make sure they have a voice on Beacon Hill.
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p>As others have noted, we would love for folks to join Jen tonight at the Sterling Democratic Town Committee’s Democratic State Senate Forum. Details are listed below.
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p>If you have any questions for Jen or me though, feel free to post them here, email me at mandy@jenflanagan.com, or call the office at 978-343-2600.
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p>Check our our website as well, http://www.jenflanagan.com, to get an idea of Jen’s commitment and priorities.
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p>Hope to hear from you!
Mandy
Mandy,
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p>Thanks for introducing yourself to the BMG community. I’ve worked with Mandy on a number of campaigns over the years. Mandy’s a great person to work with and I’m sure that you will all enjoy getting to know her, as well as her candidate.
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p>Once again, welcome.
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p>Kate
Great name for a nice New England town, eh?
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p>How did things go?
We had about 45-50 in the crowd, a better turnout than we expected. AmberPaw was there and asked a great question during the open floor segment.
I thought both candidates did well. Since I was on stage helping the moderator, I unfortunately didn't get a chance to pay as close attention to the answers as I'd have liked. I'll end up having to watch the tape to flesh out their answers, but I think both candidates left happy with their performances.
Over the next couple of weeks, we're hoping to distribute the tape to all of the local access stations serving the district and also place it on YouTube.
Knuuttila != Gnutella != Nutella
Nutella is
http://www.nutellausa.com
that he is delicious, but you don’t really have any idea what to spread him on, so he stays in the cupboard?
I was making a repair to stomv’s comment.
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p>stomv’s URL had a stray %20 in it. I have no opinion on the aptness or the inaptness of comparing Knuuttila to a chocolaty nut spread. Given that, DSB’s downrating seems gratuitous. Besides, the original comment has the sign != which in many computer lingos means not equal.
that he’s not a soft brown pasty mass of nutty pure? who knew!? maybe that his first name isn’t filbert should have been a clue. oh wait, filbert would be close his cousin. his name would have been hazel. never mind.