Really, this guy is unbelievable. I had thought that he was a serious candidate and maybe had a future in MA politics. But if he is so thin-skinned that he can’t handle a mild Globe story, fuhgeddaboudit.
As you may recall, the Globe recently reported that Sean Bielat, who unsuccessfully challenged Barney Frank for Congress, took a $10,000 stipend from his campaign account. Big deal – he was legally entitled to do so, and pretty much everyone (including BMGers) agree that it was entirely appropriate. What was inappropriate was for Bielat to hide the fact that he took the stipend until after the election. That, as even Bielat sympathizer Brian McGrory agrees, was “shady.”
The Globe also made a minor error in its reporting. The story (by Frank Phillips) said that “it appears Bielat is the first Massachusetts candidate to take advantage of a change in federal law that allows him” to take a stipend from his federal account. Phillips overlooked a story from September by his colleague Brian Mooney reporting that Mac D’Alessandro, who unsuccessfully challenged Steve Lynch in the Democratic primary, also took a stipend. The Globe published a clarification on that point.
Bielat, of course, thinks that this is all evidence of a conspiracy. In an email sent to supporters, Bielat says the Globe was trying to “portray [him] as a villain,” and decries a “double standard in journalism.” Puh-leeeeze. Phillips made a minor error in his story, overlooking a failed primary candidate who also took a stipend. The Globe issued a correction. And it’s worth noting that D’Alessandro disclosed his stipend before the election, avoiding the whiff of intrigue that Bielat created for himself by delaying disclosure. If that amounts to a “conspiracy” or a “double standard” in Bielat’s mind, then right-wing paranoia has surely taken a firm hold on him.
Here’s some free advice for Mr. Bielat: next time, try living up to the ideals of transparency that you pitch from the campaign stump. That way, you won’t create a story where none really should exist.
but as we learned in November, riling up the base isn’t necessarily a winning formula.
Just another Republican politician who listens to the people who call talk radio and assumes they speak for the public.
Only McGrory and Bielat himself seem to think people were criticizing him for taking a stipend. McGrory quoted no one except Phil Johnston, and he sympathized with Bielat.
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p>Bielat got his clock cleaned in an election in which the stars were lined up for him more than they will ever be in the future. I suppose anything’s possible, but the idea that he has a bright future is laughable.
If Bielat hasn’t figured it out yet, those who respond to a email like like aren’t voting for Frank to begin with. Did he think about how undecideds are going to view his crybaby rant?
disclose up front. He should have just said he was going to do that from day one, and took a stipend earlier in the campaign. No one would have cared.
No one cares now, either.
Aren’t reporters and media types supposed to report the news, instead of making wholesale judgments for everyone else?
Why’s he still publicly whining like this?
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p>If he doesn’t plan to run again, Sean really should get on with his life. Take up macrame or something, and stop stewing in getting creamed.
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p>If does plan to run again, he’s coming across as a 24-karat loser. He should shut up before people start imagining him with a bib and pacifier.
he wouldn’t be whining! Maybe that’s the problem…