Our state and nation is at a pivotal moment in determining the shape of our state and national health care system. We cannot afford an empty Senate seat during the next few crucial months.
Is anything going on behind the scenes?
I’m aware of no stories in the Globe and/or local news media reporting even rumors, never mind facts, about who’s talking to who.
Does the Governor’s administration have a strategy? Does the legislature? Have any prospective candidates made their desires known? Is there any conversation between the Patrick administration and federal administration or legislative figures?
What is our “leadership” team — either in the Governor’s office or in the Lege — doing?
Please share widely!
Deval has signed off, but he doesn’t really have to do it. Maybe Murray and DeLeo are negotiating over who gets the most fingerprints on it.
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p>No joke, there will be national heat if they do it. It may only last a week, but a week can feel pretty long.
Of course there will be national heat if they do it. There will be national heat if they don’t do it.
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p>”National heat” is what leadership is all about.
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p>Like it or not, we are in the national spotlight. We seem to be acting like parochial, confused, chicken-shit no-nothings. If we have something to offer, now is the time to step up.
As we’ve already discussed at length, there’s a hearing in a week. Once the hearing happens, the bill can be enacted within a few days, if the powers-that-be want that to happen. That strikes me as a perfectly respectable timetable.
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p>As for “conversations” between the Gov and possible interim appointments, it would be to everyone’s advantage if such conversations stay out of the press. The worst thing we could have is a debacle like David Paterson and Caroline Kennedy in NY. In addition to the fact that the Gov just had hip replacement surgery.
In DC, federal government news is local news. Press coverage of “insider stuff” is (or was) frequent and a necessary part of the process.
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p>There are all sorts of ways that conversations find their way into the press. Yes, debacles sometimes result. Do we really know that the Patterson/Kennedy episode was a “debacle” or even unintentional? The Nixonian handling of L. Patrick Gray (“twisting slowly in the wind”) was professional and intentional, even if cruel. The Valerie Plame affair (especially the involvement of the late Robert Novak) was clearly part of an intentional media strategy designed to punish at least her husband and send a great many messages to a great many people beyond that.
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p>Working with the press is an artform and a skill. Professionals do it well and often. As you observe, there’s a hearing in a week. Surely Beacon Hill is buzzing right now with pre-hearing positioning, bluffing, posturing, testing, and cajoling. Right? SOMEBODY is surely trying to make things happen.
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p>I want some visibility into whatever is going on. I want to know who’s staking out what positions. If there is horse-trading going on (and there surely is), I’d like hear the rumors of it.
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p>I understand that the print media are suffering at the moment. This seems like a really good time for the online alternatives to step up to the plate.
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p>We are in a high-stakes game and in the national spotlight. I want to know that our team is playing that game at the requisite skill level.
My suggestion is ask your Rep. or Senator directly if you’re that curious. My advice is wait until Wednesday’s hearing. I’m sure candidates will start making noise soon enough.
(If somewhat righteous)
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p>If it were me, I’d rather take national heat knowing I did the right thing, so maybe they have genuine doubts.
Legislative: bill has been filed to provide for appointment; hearing set for September 9th.
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p>Political: Martha Coakley has pulled papers; others may be taking cues from Joe Kennedy.