Now that the 1st Presidential debate is out of the way, I think it’s time to refocus locally. I recently read Charley’s post on Tierney / Tisei. And I have to say, I disagree a little. You don’t “just gotta” vote for Tierney just because he’s a Democrat and we care about who runs Congress. I mean, I care about who runs Congress, too. And, a vote for Tisei is another vote for Boehner, which means more power to Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan and their ilk. But this Congressional election shouldn’t be about that alone. (It also shouldn’t be about their family either. Frankly, I don’t think Richard Tisei is in the position to call out Tierney about sketchy family business, anyway, given his family’s history.)
Every election is about the future, and where we want to go — for these communities, and for our country. Now, the best way to judge what a candidate will do in the future is by looking at what they’ve done in the past. I agree with those who say, “Vote the man, not the party.” So, let’s take a look at the man, Richard Tisei. Let’s take a look at his record. After all, isn’t that what truly matters?
We know that the best way to create jobs is by investing in the jobs of tomorrow – like in things like life sciences. Yet, Tisei voted against the Legislature’s big Life Sciences bill.
What about on the deficit? Tisei tries to walk the line. He thinks Paul Ryan is a “serious politician,” and that the Ryan budget was a “good starting point for discussion” just as Simpson-Bowles Commission was a good starting point. But here’s the thing, no matter what he says about it being a “starting point,” the bottom line is that he opposes taxing the very, very wealthy to help balance the budget. Which means, basically, cutting social safety net, cutting stimulus, cuts on health care and Medicaid and Medicare.
Speaking of, Tisei was great on health reform in Massachusetts in 2006 — voted for it, just like Romney signed it. But then that same basic plan on the national stage now? Against it.
Let’s talk endorsements. In 2009, Citizens for Limited Taxation gave him 100% rating, while the Mass Teachers Association gave him a rating of 19%. When you’re on the side of folks not wanting a tax cut for the wealthiest and against teachers, what does that say about what you’ll do in Congress? (Source: Votesmart.org)
Tisei says he’s a moderate — especially on women’s rights. NARAL even gave him a 100% rating in 2009-10! But now that he’s running for Congress, he supports the Blunt Amendment and supported eliminating state funding for clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services.
How about guns? The National Rifle Association gave Richard Tisei an “A” in 2010, an A in 2008, and an A+ in 2006. (Again, Votesmart.org)
Tisei won’t even sign the Brown/Warren “People’s Pledge,” so now there’s $900,000 worth of outside negative ads about to pollute our airwaves in this election. Even Scott Brown could get behind the People’s Pledge. Not so Tisei.
Let’s stick with election issues and try something REALLY innocuous, like allowing people to vote easily. While other states have been trying to thwart young people, seniors, and minorities, there’s been a long effort to allow Election Day Voter Registration here in Massachusetts. We haven’t gotten there yet. One reason among many? Tisei voted against Election Day Registration.
OK, that’s all fun and games. Let’s get serious for a moment.
We should consider Tisei’s core fundamental message. Here it is: Tisei is a moderate Republican – a rare thing these days! – and if you want the national GOP to get less extreme, you have to elect moderates. For example, if you want them to be more tolerant, especially of gay people, the best way is for them to know gay Republicans.
It’s a neat argument. Pretty snappy. Here’s Tisei making the case:
As a gay person we will never have true equality until we have people on both sides of the aisle who are willing to stand up for the concept that everybody should be treated fairly under the law.
So, what’s his record on that? Well, when he ran for Lieutenant Governor, he supported transgender equality bill. It was a great opportunity for him to stand up for the concept that everybody should be treated fairly under the law, and convince his fellow Republican — another “Massachusetts moderate,” Charlie Baker. He couldn’t do it. Instead, he simply downplayed their disagreement:
“I think that everybody in the state should be treated equally under the law and nobody should be discriminated against,” said Tisei, who is openly gay.
Tisei said that he and his running mate have “agreed to disagree” on the transgender rights bill, but he dismissed the idea that a policy split with Baker would have an impact on the election.
In other words, on his own ticket, in Massachusetts, with another candidate who claimed to be moderate, he couldn’t even get Charlie Baker to support basic equality. If he can’t convince his own running-mate in Massachusetts to be less extreme, how in the world will he convince Republicans from conservative states to be less extreme on gay rights or any other issue?
And on those other issues? Tisei doesn’t even have the record to indicate that he’d try to be moderate.
No thanks. I’m not going to support Tisei in this election. Especially when I “vote the man” not the party.
jkleschinsky says
This was my favorite line
He’s against teachers, against investments in innovation, science, and research, against increasing access to health care for those in need, and against sensible election law reforms. He’s not right for me and not right for the 6th.
afertig says
Let me know if any of the other links are broken.
Ryan says
We could also write a nice diary on the many wonderful things Tierney’s done, both for his district and on federal issues, from being a firm anti war vote to actually helping pass bills focused on equality — like repealing DADT and passing Lilly Ledbetter — and of course voting for health care reform, the stimulus, Wall St. reform and other important bills for the president’s agenda.
He’s a pretty darn good progressive, and as a constituent, I’m happy to be voting for him yet again.
progressiveman2012 says
John Tierney stood up against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and then fought to make sure our returning veterans have proper health care and benefits. One of many areas where he clearly demonstrated his progressive values.
cadmium says
Tierney gets nowhere near enough credit. His constituent service are awesome. Ask any senior about his office’s outreach and assistance to local Council on Aging. Ask anyone in labor about his support for workers. I have been around for a lot of congressmen and women. Tierney has been consistently the best – in my personal experience. Our Town Committee is small – we are prioritizing his race (not easy). If for no other reason, it is important to fight back against the mega-million smear campaign running against him.