So our Treasurer might challenge our Governor. Why? Beyond the ambition of every aspiring politician I really don’t see what this guy offers. I mean Tim for Treasurer was a bit catchy in the no-name two-Cahill 2002 Treasurer race. But, Tim for Governor? Not so much.
Frank Phillips today talks about Cahill considering a run as an independent fiscal conservative – I mean because with our economy on the precipice and the public sector the only meaningfull stop gap against further decline it seems just the time for further reigning in Government spending. The Governor has been forced to make deep cuts across the piece already. What is Cahill then gonna offer, deeper cuts – more policemen off the beat, larger class sizes for our kids, more potholes in our roads and less investment in our future?
Yeah, Cahill sees an opportunity here. The economic climate makes it tough on any incumbent executive at the state level, where they are forced to make cuts and/or raise taxes to keep things afloat. He could mouth off about the things Patrick hasn’t yet been able to achieve and that are difficult to take on with the state in such a state. But, he doesn’t strike me as a guy to propose anything new or creative.
Patrick has shown willing to take on some big challenges – most notably with his recent transport plan. Would Cahill have done that? Massachusetts can’t afford a stay the course, don’t rock the boat Governor. For us to stay on top we need to take some risks and look to the future. Cahill offers bean counting from what I can tell.
Maybe Cahill running as an indie would be a good thing. He’d essentially be contesting the same ground a Charlie Baker would be and split that centre-right vote. I’d be very unenthusiastic about a Cahill challenge within the Party. Not to say I don’t like a good test of democracy but I do want a progressive victory. Cahill could possibly make it a race in the primary but I can’t see him winning it. All he would likely do is injure the Governor for the general. DISCUSS.
a whole host of things Patrick has done that I am not pleased with, first and foremost is the way he has handled this toll increase/gas tax increase deal. I don’t like being lectured or condescended to, and I feel that’s what he, specifically, and Aloisi by extension have done. Having said that, I am still a supporter of his, and barring major changes in the next year or so, will vote for him for reelection, should he run. Having laid out my position, I find the idea of another constitutional officer, of the same party, running to upend a sitting governor who wants reelection to be repugnant. That is just too opportunistic for me, and if he tries to do it, I will not support him, and furthermore should he try to retain the Treasurers office should the governors race not pan out, will vote against him there, too.
that he run as an indy and splitting the Democratic vote. There’s been, pretty much forever, at least a small anti-deval contingent within the party. That grew over casinos. I still don’t think it would cost Deval the election, but it wouldn’t help.
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p>If Cahill runs, it should be as a Democrat. If he’s not going to, then he should be thrown out of the party now, not later. We don’t have time for phony Democrats in state-wide office.
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p>The best part of a potential Cahill run is, after he loses, we won’t have to listen to him anymore. Run, Cahill, Run!
for something he’s going to do later. If he says “I’m going to run as an indie” that’s one thing, but until he says or does something definitive, it’s still a bit early.
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p>Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan of Joe Lieberman types, that’s for sure.
As the actual article says, that he wants to run as a Democrat, and “his people” are investigating an independent run as an alternative. Not really d*mning stuff…
Cahill has shown himself to be a nitwit, but Patrick is getting weaker, not stronger. It’s too early to say Patrick is in trouble in the general election, but I have to believe his negatives are rising precipitously with his gas tax fiasco proposal.
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p>Aside from the idea’s merits (which I think it has), he’s (mis)managed it to the point that he’s gone from well-meaning bumbler to tax (and spend) target. The entire state legislature basically laughed at his proposal. Most voters think it’s stupid. The sad part is that Patrick may be completely right about the 27 cent 19 cent gas tax, but he never really made the case. Big proposals aren’t term papers you turn in; they are ongoing projects and the public needs to be cultivated ahead of time in order for them to develop.
Wealth from gambling? From what I read Nevada isn’t doing so well, the Connecticut casinos are suffering, Rhode Island slots are looking to bail out. I’m sure there is a lot of money to be made at the politics level, but the taxpayer?
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p>If the Rhode Island slots are an indication, go to Lincoln. Look around. Does it look like the geriatrics ward? These are people on fixed income. Once the predicted silent tax of inflation that’s predicted starts, these people will be stealing the ketchup, sugar and pepper packets off the restaurant tables. They won’t be boarding any bus for slots. As the old folks get evicted someone will be talking bailout for the gambling industry. Maybe the state could donate the cardboard boxes the one-armed bandits come in to the elderly for housing.
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p>It may be that Mr. Cahill just doesn’t have a real issue and figures any publicity is better than no publicity.
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p>And isn’t a private lottery illegal under Federal law (that Louisiana thing)?
If the stock market continues its death plunge, we will all be in the poor house and I can guarantee you one thing, massive civil unrest will not be idle chatter.
The first of many anti tax demonstrations will be this weekend in Louisiana. Thomas Gage and William Howe thought it was a big joke not that many years ago.
you really mean the first of many GOP orchestrated anti tax demonstrations
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p>It’s been asked before – where were you folks three months ago?
Deep cuts? Where? The elderly haven’t been touched. I know, they vote. But they’re still taking those buses to Foxwoods. The menatally disabled? Yes, deep cuts there. It’s ok though, they don’t vote
Layoffs? Toss some names please. The governor just hired his neighbor for 120K.
Gas tax? Don’t those gimps know they should be sitting in a corner happy to be breathing. The nerve of them (me) trying to have a life with their oversized gas guzzler vans!
I have not seen a civilian flagman since last October!
There’s a ton of resentment out there over Deval’s handling of various, emotional issues: tolls, gas tax, $2 Logan “carbon tax”, etc.
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p>It’s all penny-ante stuff but I think it’s meaningful when by 10 AM the Globe article on the carbon tax generated 300 comments on the website blog, with the sentiment running 9 to 1 “against” the governor (yes, that’s right, I counted.) “Against” is putting it mildly; frothing-mouth anger is more accurate.
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p>The anger wasn’t an Barbara Anderson-like anti-tax anger. It was more like what af just posted … a mix of resentment and indignation over the gov’s preachy condescension, as if he was playing the taxpayers for chumps and thinking no one would notice the difference between the righteous carbon fee and a plain-Jane hike in parking rates.
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p>Plenty of posters were extra angry because Aliosi forced Mass Port to rescind their just-implemented $1.00 parking fee increase so he and Deval could slap their $2 increase on instead. Someone pointed out that now different parts of our state government are fighting to be the first to impose the same tax.
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p>Mix in a sharp decline in the economic health of the state, and much heightened economic anxiety, and Patrick could be in a very weak position for an incumbent.
as instructive as an analysis of opinions offered by callers to talk radio.
A 68% disapproval rate is something to worry about.
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p>Except for the breakdown for Dems, which still split negative 53/42, his approvals are all around the mid-20’s.
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p>Wow. It’s 18% for independents. That’s worse than Bush’s 28% approval rating in Gallup’s December 2008 poll.
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p>If these don’t change, he’s toast.
I think it’s what MCRD, chimpschump, and bostonsheperd do while they’re waiting for the metamucil to kick in.
QED
http://www.bostonherald.com/ne…
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p>What’s Peter Porcupine’s phrase? Oh yeah, “wishful hearing.”
This is great news. The guy that stands in front of the MA State Democratic Party in May of 2008 and wouldn’t answer the tough question of if he supports Obama or H. Clinton.
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p>Think about that.
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p>And he wants to make us believe he can make the hard decisions that come with being Governor.
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p>The MA Democratic primary was February 5th.
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p>By May, it was clear to most that Obama was going to win the nomination.
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p>So as he asked to be elected as a DNC delegate, members of the the party had the audacity to ask him who he supports.
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p>And they are still waiting for an answer.
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p>Still, its better to let people think you are an idiot than open your mouth and remove all doubt.
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p>Run Tim run
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p>This is just silliness, and economic nonsense. All revenues for state operations come from us, the taxpayers. Unless, Deval can print money, we are the source. Now we have less to remit to Beacon Hill.
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p>With tax receipts way off, revenues go down. What do you want? It’s increase taxes, increase debt, or cut costs.
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p>What’s your call? Increase taxes? Let’s vote on that.
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p>And be careful about increasing debt. Massachusetts already has the highest per capita debt in the nation, $10,546, which is 20% of our state gross product, also highest of all 50 states. The national average is $3,124 and 7%.
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p>I’m cutting costs, most folks are too. Why not the state? How about 10%?
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p>Quite the opposite. Please refer to a study done by the MBPC that shows empirical and theoretical evidence that increasing taxes increases economic activity (at the state level).
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p>Reason? Quite simple. Unlike the federal government, the state is required to run a balanced budget (granted, there are many tricks, perfected over the years, to avoid this requirement, but in theory that’s what we’re supposed to do!).
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p>Therefore, any tax dollars raised are spent, by definition. And where? In Iraq? No. In Massachusetts, for the most part. Fixing roads, hiring school teachers; creating jobs, in other words.
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p>Do you pay more? Absolutely. Do you get more? No doubt about it. Try to look beyond the end of your nose (or wallet). We all benefit when our communities are prosperous, safe, and vibrant places to live. You depend on government services as much as I do. As Barney Frank once observed, “In all my years of public service, not one constituent has called and said, ‘Please slow down those ambulances’ or ‘Can my road get plowed a little less often?'”
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p>As to your comments on debt, though, I totally agree. That is one of the shell games we’ve been playing to avoid the balanced budget requirement, and it has to end. It’s why the Turnpike Authority is bankrupt. It’s why we spend almost (maybe more by now than) 50% of our MassHighway budget on debt service. Shameful.
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p>So, in practical terms, you and I may not be so far apart. I just object to your characterizations.
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p>Together we can!
triple our taxes and we will be saved. Give everything to the government——government does such a splendid job of cost effective expenditure. We have only to look at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a scintilating example of fiduciary responsibility.
Fixing roads? Where?
Hiring teachers? Again, where? My friend is graduating with his teaching certificate in May. He’d love to know where the hiring is. Last I heard was about massive teacher layoffs.
The Turnpike Authority is bankrupt from hiring all the friends and relatives of the state legislature. What’s the average pay, $70,000? For a cashier!
The Reagonomics mythology has been so pervasive for the last few decades that most ordinary people (NOT economists!) believe the way you do.
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p>The truth is we aren’t hiring teachers and fixing roads is because people like you are so opposed to paying for that (i.e. it’s called “taxes”).
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p>The Pike is broke because it was the innocent victim of having the Artery Tunnel expenses shifted to its bonding authority rather than paying for the expense the honest way — by raising taxes. Or, better yet, making the contractors honor their bids and do the work they said they would for the price they said they would. That’s not government waste, my friends, that’s corporate welfare. Well, okay, maybe that’s the same thing, but when the money is given to rich people, business, and Repuglicans it seems to be okay.
You have just spouted the worst hogwash I have ever read on this site–increasing state taxes will improve economic activity. I am still splitting my sides laughing.
Increasing taxes to sit in a savings account won’t do squat, but if the idea is to turn around and spend a la New Deal, then yes.
Seriously. I’m genuinely curious why someone who has so much contempt for the site spends so much time here.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think Edgar and his cohorts (MCRD, billxi, JohnD, bostonshepherd, …) were only on here to discredit conservatism.
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p>You guys have GOT to get a better outreach program.
Frankly, I think it’s mostly union-backed BS. The Economic Policy Institute is a far left-wing organization, and its research is biased and suspect,
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p>In particular, most of the research from Tim Bartik at the Upjohn Institute is not base on ex post empirical study, as far as I can tell, but from his own econometric modeling.
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p>He should look at Gov. Debbie Stabenow’s own tax policy record in Michigan, then judge how that state has done economically in comparison to other Rust Belt states.
BUT…
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p>As everyone who has been following my commentary here (and elsewhere) knows, I am a HUGE supporter of our Governor, so I am a little thin-skinned when people criticize him.
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p>Confessions aside, I acknowledge that I haven’t agreed with his every proposal, nor have he and I ever seen eye-to-eye on every issue. Still, I worked hard for his election, and he’s doing the job I wanted him to do — he’s shaking things up. Yes, making a few missteps along the way (like who’s gonna throw the first stone, eh?), while making real and significant improvements in so many other areas.
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p>As for the transportation reforms, who can deny that they are overdue? You may not agree with every aspect of Deval’s plan, but how about coming up with a better one instead of sniping?
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p>I’ve educated myself on the sorry state of affairs this Commonwealth is in {and I invite others to read, at a miniminum, two docs I’ve posted or linked to on my website, one having to do with the shameful shell game of hiding salaries in the capital budget, the other an analysis by MBPC on how this has contributed to our fiscal mess}.
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p>Sure, both the gas tax and tolls are suboptimal ways of paying for these needed reforms, but that may be all we can do at the moment. Longer term, let’s completely rewrite the state Constitution and the entire tax code; but guess what! We can’t wait for all that the happen while the barn is on fire!
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p>So, please, tell Tim Cahill to take his crazy ideas and apply for a job elsewhere. We have the most responsible and progressive Governor in office that we’ve had in more years than I care to remember, so let’s support him and his efforts because the alternative (of inaction) is so detrimental to our future that I shudder even to contemplate it…
Having received of one of those fours, I wonder what it is I need to work on. Enthusiastic supporters like you are important. You work hard and sincerely. But constructive criticism is also important. Talk to your state reps and senators off the record. Ask them how he’s doing.
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p>I don’twon’t support Tim Cahill. I will support Patrick for governor again. It’s less his policies than his politics that upset me.
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p>Managing the candidate/office holders and the party’s image has to be a priority, if anything is going to get done, and Patrick’s image has been poorly managed. If we weren’t in Massachsuetts, Patrick’s career would probably be over. As a supporter, that’s something you might consider, though not state.
First I would like to say that we are hard times and we all know it but to suggest that Tim the Treasurer is a magic bullet is just a laugh and a hoot. Have any of you looked at the treasurers Department? Seriously how about the Lottery?
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p>You complain about the Governor not cutting or not taking car of the tax payers, you point to cutting belt tightening and his recommendations on how to keep our bridges and roads safe after 10Plus years of ignoring them as to costly to deal with by Mitt, Jane, Paul and Bill. Please the Governor has walked into a state in shambles and now a sinking economy and you want to run screaming from the building. Well I would suggest you pick up your spine on the way out the door because you lost it.
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p>We are facing challenges not seen since the 1930’s make no mistake we so far have been lucky here in Massachusetts but our time has just about run out. Did you see te January numbers for unemployment, Google Massachusetts and read for yourself the sobering fact. So let’s start cutting and ad to the death spiral we are in as a nation, that makes good sound economic sense NOT. The governor has proposed a modest tax increase to deal with infrastructure and debt and you want to hang him for it yet on the Economic scale of 1-10 what do you do in a economic collapse this ranks at a 9 it deals with stabilizing your mortgages and it repairs and builds infrastructure to prepare you to capitalize on the recovery. Sound, Logical, Progressive leadership.
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p>Now lets look at Tim (who I supported and do not regret doing so) has he cut payroll? Not that I can see, Has he managed his charges well Lets look deep at the retirement system which is about 40% of his job description, I see a reference to Madoff who made off with some of our retiree money and did we make the 8% return this year oops I don’t think so likely we lost 30-40% and have cut into principle oops! not a good thing to bring a new bill to the legislature in a down economy, Lets look at the lottery did we cut staff or the budget to deal with the slow down in spending? I don’t think so. Instead we are trying to raise billions with slot parlors. Hey isn’t that gaming? Will he have to cut lottery revenue sharing with the city and towns on the fiscal 10 cherry sheets? Likely unless he is buying up a lot of tickets himself, not likely.
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p>So this is the guy you think is a solid conservative choice to a Progressive Leader like Deval give me a break. Look at Tim and think Tom and tell me if you think we would have been better off with that Conservative in this situation. If you do then you certainly never supported Deval and your just blowing smoke here. Tim presents no substantive change he is merely trying to stay one step ahead of his own bad news.
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p>So I am sticking with Deval he has shown leadership and thoughtful logic he has neither pilled on nor pulled out he has been a steady and honest Governor and we are very lucky to have him here at this time. We are facing real challenges to our very way of life I would rather have Deval then Tim any day. As far as mister Baker Bring him on I look forward to the challenge of sending him packing as well.
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p>As Usual just my Opinion
Has the govenor really shwon thoughtful logic and leadership? It appears that he’s throwing darts at a board and hoping for a bulls eye. Managemnet is an important part of the office and he has displayed poor managemnet skills. He would have been better off if he focused on a small number of inmitiatives instead of tossing nebulous proposals at the legislature every two weeks. His most innovative achievement was starting a PAC to avoid state finance laws that allow donors to contribute $5,500 instead of $500. And take money from teh party as well.
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p>I agree about Baker. I think he would be overwhelmed shorltly after his campaign kickoff.
I haven’t seen a whole lot of competence from either of these guys. I could not support Cahill if he ran as an independent, but I would welcome a contested primary. Deval has questions to answer about gambling, LGBT rights, and education, at the very least. While I am not saying that Cahill is better, I am saying that I’m glad that finally someone is vocally and effectively challenging the governor and his fan club. You all know I’m anti-gambling, so I don’t like either of these guys on this issue. But at least we’re talking about gambling.
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p>This is as much about the sorry state of the Mass. Republican Party that the de facto Opposition Leader is the Democratic treasurer of Massachusetts. While I would lean Deval in a Deval-Cahill primary, this is the first time in years that somebody is sparking a policy discussion in a wider circle. And the reflexive seething aimed at Cahill for asking questions demonstrates how badly our Commonwealth needs such a discussion.
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p>In the end, I want Cahill to keep making waves, and decide against a run. Ideally, the DP Fan Club would target him for a primary, which he would win.
Vocally, maybe. Effectively, not so much. Hard to disagree with Lehigh today:
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p>Treasurer is not an easy place from which to launch a Gov campaign, and Cahill so far has clearly not figured out how to do it.
Not in terms of creating change — not sure if Deval is the type to change his mind — but rather for garnering attention for his opposition. Republicans have been complaining about Deval for months now, and their total press coverage has been equal to Tim’s (thus far) occasional outbursts.
Maybe Cahill is looking at running for Governor, but does that mean we ignore any shred of viability in his suggestions? Apparently it does for the Globe. I’d like to think the people reading these posts are interested in solutions to the issues at hand that don’t include taxes. Regardless of whether taxes are “good” or “bad”, we will never lose the reputation of “Taxachusetts” (which we don’t deserve). I think we should welcome all ideas that are proposed and submit them to rigorous review, and not just throw rocks at them.
What does the Governor have to answer for on LGBT rights and education?
Did Cahill just boost his noteriety? Enough to get lambasted over corned beef and cabbage?
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p>Who else will take the mic that morning? It will be televised on: http://newengland.comcastsport…
I for one am happy to see Cahill make a run for it. He seems like a very honest man, maybe too honest for some in the media and the Staehouse, and we haven’t been getting a lot of hoesty laely. Just a bunch of trial balloons.
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p>As for no new ideas, he did solve the state’s school building crisis by creating a new agency and was the first one to propose casinos. By the way, financing a casino construction project is highly unlikely for any of the operators these days – not realistic and too slow. I think he also proposed financing to fix most of the bridges in the state. He was also one of the first statewide politicians to support gay marriage – way before the governor was on the scene.
Yes Tim took a bankrupt system shot some cash into it with a dedicated revenue stream from the already over promised sales tax. But the system still does not require green buildings to save costs it still is not enforcing building maintenance and it is out od cash again. Great job he went half way and then quit on the program what started out with much promise is now almost as bad as it was before.
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p>If this is what to expect from a Governor Tim let me start running for the door now YUK!
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p>As Usual Just my Opinion