Have a look at the full page ad we are running in today’s Lowell Sun ahead of the candidates debate on Tuesday at UMass Lowell. The challenges facing the people of Massachusetts and the nation are serious. I will be Your Voice in the U.S. Senate. Seriously.
http://lowellsun.ma.newsmemory.com/advmarketplace.php?v=ad&c=3&adid=59873
Please share widely!
Where are there Nachos for All:
Garcia Brogans, 131 Middlesex St., about a 5 minute drive from Durgin Hall (35 Wilder St. UMASS South Campus, Lowell) where the debate is – any time after 8:30 PM until the last one leaves! I especially hope to see my fellow BMGers. This is not a “campaign sponsored event” – I am personally your host.
A little bit of an exaggeration. Probably closer to 10, though at night without the insane level of traffic I encountered at 4:30 today…oy…
But with all the lights and stuff between, I doubt you can make it in 5. I keep underestimating how long it takes to get anywhere in Lowell. ;-P
The Mr and I will try to make it. It depends on my level of near-falling-asleep I’m at…
It draws a sharp contrast. It does so in an amusing manner. It underlines how Scott Brown functions as a kind of pretend Senator rather than an actual one.
I am concerned about references to the centerfold photo, particularly by Democratic candidates. I’d prefer for outside groups to highlight that. It could seem like an unfair attack on a youthful indiscretion.
I suspect that the way to use it politically is to weave a negative narrative around Mr. Brown such that the centerfold can become emblematic of that narrative. That way one can refer to it without mentioning it.
“Not serious” almost works. I’ve thought that emphasizing Mr. Brown’s amazing vanity would work, e.g., he’s not only vain about his appearance but
(1) He thinks his election in 2010 was some kind of world historical event
(2) His campaign constantly tells us that the attacks on him are “unprecedented” because, after all, he’s such a good guy.
(3) He touts how hard working he is because he’s too vain to notice how unprepared he is on almost every issue.
(4) He thinks he adds something super-special to the Senate because he’s too vain to notice what an undistinguished career he has had there.
Democratic non-EWarren candidates are going to have to be bold, and they’ve got to focus their criticism on just one person, Senator Brown.
Go milquetoast, you’re toast. Fire at other Democratic candidates, you’ll be fired as a candidate.
Well done Representative Conroy.
The primary is like an audition to see who can oppose Mr. Brown the most capably.
Execution leaves a bit to be desired. Who cares if you were photographed doing tornado cleanup work? Whoop dee doo, you know how to exploit a photo op. But so does Brown. That item makes you look as unserious as him, especially when it’s the first one. The life science bill and the “frank answers” thing are definitely worth including. I’d scrap the rest.
Some of the examples need work. (Full disclosure — I’d love a Scott Brown signed bat! Not enough to buy one, but still.)
Scott Brown gets great press for doing little more than engaging in the occasional scripted event, and he has virtually no record of legislative achievement, yet we’re supposed to believe that he is more qualified than many other candidates of far more substance–go ahead and make that contrast.
Would agree though to drop the Centerfold–the real point is that Brown favors photo-ops over answering real questions.
You should be attacking Elizabeth Warren. Go right at her. Who do we want going against Scott Brown? That’s the message. Don’t worry about alienating your base.
You have to get the nomination so attack the front runner.
The ad is nothing special. The copy seems more about trying to be cute then effective. And the print is too small.
a studio head shot from the 1950s. Only in color.
p.s. I agree, you probably are the better candidate to beat Scott Brown. But it will never happen unless you go after Warren now and go after her hard.
The voters don’t want to be told what to do by a few of the powerful. Get the message out.
And he will certainly not start attacking E. Warren. He has told me himself that he has great respect for her work. But he has broader experience (foreign policy, work in the private sector, experience as a legislator) and he has also actually run against and defeated an entrenched Republican.
What oppressive regime originated the concept that show casing the negative aspects of an opponent is bad?
As for what is acceptable? I suppose the ‘I know it when I see it’ rule applies.
An abortion when a teenager? Negative
Fifteen abortions in the last 18 months? Not negative.
Peed pants from being very drunk/high and laughing too hard when 19? Negative
Peed pants while waiting to be seated at restaurant twice yesterday? Not negative.
Golden Banana in Peabody where he had bachelor party for high school best friend who knocked up girlfriend? Negative (still married by the way)
Golden Banana in Peabody where he announced candidacy and location of campaign headquarters? Not negative.
An elite Harvard Professor who by definition is not in touch with average Joe? Negative
A candidate where the facts easily can cause a reasonable person to believe that her candidacy was conceived and drafted in Washington D.C. followed the Democrats of Massachusetts being told by an unpopular President and out of state interests who will be nominated? Not negative.
Tom Conroy has a longer, deeper and farther-reaching career in Washington DC, the State Department and public service than Elizabeth Warren and is married to Sarah Sewell a lecturer at Harvard and member of the Defense Policy Board.
So basically, you want him to pull a Romney…
The best strategy is to make a strong case for yourself to distinguish yourself from the rest of the field as a candidate with a real record of achievement who can compete with Brown. The first step for any Democratic candidate, other than Warren, is to rise to a strong second or at worst third. When and if there are two of three obvious contenders (including Warren) the news media will start to treat the primary as a real contest.
the news media will never treat the primary as a real contest.
so the rest are probably lining up to copy that winning strategy.
The trouble is, if Candidate A goes after Warren and draws blood, he creates an opportunity for Candidate B. It’s really hard to be the naysayer and the winner.
Mostly, it’s positioning. By taking on Brown directly Conroy elevates his claim to the office, period. It’s also a “high road” strategy: by contrast, Alan Kahzei’s recent attempt to position himself as a challenger to Warren falls pretty flat.
It’s also a distinct improvement over the “electability” shtick Conroy was on last week.
I have to agree with long2024, above, about the execution, however. In fact one effect for me is to emphasize how thin Conroy’s resume really is.
On those lines: The “freshman state rep” reference is a mistake. Yes I know it speaks to his energy and effectiveness that he accomplished something in his first term–but it leaves the vague impression that he’s still a freshman!
The net effect is positive, though–he is really distinguishing himself as a candidate. With such a large field and so early on, that is probably job one.
The general idea is ok, and Conroy can’t really attack E. Warren until people know him a little, so he might as well focus on contrast with Scott Brown to try to elevate himself. But, the centerfold thing is seriously weak- if people cared about that Brown would not have won last time. I suspect bringing it up may actually help Brown, because it is such a memorable fact. Also, having your picture in the paper is meaningless. All it means is you had a photo-op, not that you actually helped tornado victims (not saying Conroy did or didn’t, just that one picture doesn’t prove anything).
Great work drawing a contrast between your candidacy and Scott Brown. Anyone in this Democratic field would better represent the issues of Democrats and the middle class in the U.S. Senate.
I think the focus throughout this primary ought to continue to be an indictment of Brown’s lacking record in the Senate and his inability to communicate with our local towns and communities. Despite Elizabeth Warren’s great work and inevitable nomination, I like what I see from Rep. Conroy and happen to think that he has a big future in Mass Politics.
I welcome this kind of forceful and unique ad from Tom Conroy aimed directly at Scott Brown, because that’s what Dems are mainly judging the candidates on — not issues, but can you beat Scott Brown? Rather than it’s being ‘so-so’ as someone commented, I see it as meeting the voters where they’re at. Additionally, I think it will appeal to the average contemporary reader and its focus on ‘serious vs seriously?’ works on many levels! The format encourages readers to start questioning Scott Brown’s record, as well as his authenticity, or what they’re seeing.
Furthermore, ‘serious’ describes Tom accurately. This is no ruse. Underneath his kind, approachable manner and youthful looks, is a very smart man who takes matters and his job very seriously. You might even say he’s driven, but not over the top.
True, our problems are serious, as the ad says. People on the streets realize this and are always saying they want politicians to quit bickering and playing games and ‘get serious.’ But they also want politicians who will ‘take them seriously’! Conroy has apparently gotten this message loud and clear — not only in his service as a state Rep, but on his incredibly long walk this summer where he had 100’s of conversations with residents all around MA.
Admirably, the ad says, without saying it, that Scott Brown really doesn’t care, which I don’t believe he does, and that he’s all image, which he pretty much is.
One other important point – and this is to those who wish all the candidates except EW would just roll over – this introductory ad also let’s voters know that Representative Tom Conroy is a very serious candidate — despite all the progressive pac fundraising tactics, early Boston-Herald sponsored polls, premature party v.i.p. endorsements, and lack of media coverage to date for candidates. Tom is very serious about winning the Primary and I think his campaign is just getting the traction it needs.
… in another, perhaps far-off, race from long ago. If not the exact verbiage then darn close. Can’t remember where though.