I can see that I am going to have to be more attentive to this blog lest my candidate for the seat in the 5th Congressional be totally misrepresented and marginalized. Peter Koutoujian was a state rep from Waltham for 14 years. in those years he chaired the Committee on Public health and then the committee on banking and finance. He championed the causes of improved school nutrition, He invested in eliminating health disparities, he was and is a tireless advocate for victims of violence, especially domestic violence, he supported gaym marriage and transgender rights. He was very involved in the development of our healthcare law and its financing. I feel fairly certain that he would not have supported that ill conceived tax on technology.
He was appointed to be the Middlesex County Sheriff by Deval Patrick in 2011 and has worked to restore transparency to that office, to reach out to his corrections officers, who suffer some of the highest rates of suicide in law enforcement. He reinvigorated the summer camp for kids in the county. He has developed new vocational and educational programs for inmates so they will have some skills to keep them out of jail.
Heatlanddem has asked why the “Big K” wants to leave his gig as Sheriff, and he has said that Peter is not the brightest of the candidates and is not the “Wow” in the race. I wonder if Heartlanddem has ever met Peter Koutoujian or heard him speak. He is by far more passionate speaker and more knowledgable on the issues than any of the other candidates. Blue Mass Group folks and ProgMa appear to be marginalizing the person actually likely to win the race. One need only look at potential votes to see that Peter, coming from Waltham, with an incredible base of support is the front runner in the race, though I realize he is not the darling of the Progressive community. So when you are all done debating who is the most progressive candidate, it will be time to say hello to Congressman Koutoujian.
HeartlandDem says
As Charlie wrote – I am not a Koutoujian hater. He’s an affable guy and yes, we’ve met on many occasions over the years. And yes, he’s a hard worker and represented his hometown well. His kitchen looks nice.
As Sheriff of Middlesex County, his reach and ability to fund-raise overshadows all of the other candidates. He should win the money race by a huge margin. Sheriffs employ a lot of people. A lot of people work for Sheriffs. A lot of people want Sheriffs to like them. And MA voters don’t usually go for women candidates over a likeable guy candidate. Of course, that ceiling was smashed by Senator Warren and it would be good to see MA politicians reflecting our demographics a bit more than they have historically, but I digress.
Nothing personal. I don’t feel it for the Sheriff for this race. The passion, intellect and breadth of knowledge of two candidates is palpable – a third has all of the above just presents differently – serious/sincere but not passionate.
On a personal level, I like the “Big K” – he’s charming. I still want to know why he would want to leave his gig as Sheriff to become a peon in the dysfunctional House of Representatives? As Sheriff, he can make real tangible and measurable differences in the areas that you touted as his interests.
So bring it. It’s all good.
Disclosures: are you a volunteer, employee, relative or staffer?
socialworker says
I am Rhonda Bourne. I am a volunteer for Peter, who had been my rep for many years. He won me over years ago when he supported gay marriage and was a guest at my wedding. he helped me write a bill when I was concerned about the bed closings at DMH. He has been supportive to me and my family for a long time.
I think you underestimate his intelligence and his appeal.
To be a congressman is his dream. Not sure why that is not enough.
David says
testing…
danfromwaltham says
He voted to raise the sales tax 25% a few years ago. Would Peter have supported Deval’s plan to raise the income tax?
socialworker says
If he did as you say vote to raise the income tax 25%. When you say 25%, I would ask 25% of what? If the rate was 6% and you raise it be 25% that is 8%, which makes a minimal difference in the cost. I would be surprised if that were not the case for everyone else in this race. I will ask him if he would have supported Deval’s tax plan to raise the income tax.
danfromwaltham says
Peter K. voted for that bill, so we could help bailout the MBTA, which still needs bailing out. That’s the 25% hike I referred to. The bill also allowed cities and towns to add .75% on meals taxes. So if you go out to a restaurant, it’s a 7% tax. The bill also double taxes alcohol, which we rejected in a popular vote in 2010.
Recently, Deval wanted to increase taxes by a billion bucks (income hiked to 6.25%, sales tax down to 4%). Obviously, it didn’t pass, but curious if Peter would have supported it, if in the legislature. Trying to get a sense of his thinking.
socialworker says
I will ask Peter his views or you could come to one of the many house parties he has been holding in Waltham and other cities and towns across the district.
Funny how we feel comfortable taxing the hell out of cigarettes, but so resistant to taxing ETOH, despite its incredible social and medical costs.
danfromwaltham says
Regarding taxing alcohol, Al Bundy said it best, Peter should have known better 🙂
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YtIRnp2f_l8
danfromwaltham says
From $100 to $40. Nothing wrong with that, my man.
http://votesmart.org/bill/7915/21992/13662/reducing-firearm-licensing-fee#.UhC5WMu9KSM
socialworker says
He supports thorough backround checks, closing gun show loop holes, banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines.
socialworker says
Peter tells me he would have supported Deval’s tax plan
danfromwaltham says
Thank you.
seamusromney says
Sounds like a challenge. Not my district, but if it was, koutoujian would have just lost my vote due to this “time to say hello to congressman koutoujian” arrogance.
socialworker says
So you would not vote for a candidate who had a supporter who felt this strongly about him? Sorry that makes no sense to me,.
Charley on the MTA says
Sorry Rhonda, but I agree that last sentence was pretty gratuitous. If you’re supporting a candidate, don’t you want to draw people in, rather than sticking a finger in their eyes? Just sayin’.
danfromwaltham says
He has the face of an Irishman, and an Armenian last name, how do the others compete with that? Akin to running against a Kennedy, no?
Socialworker, you are a breath of fresh air, I applaud you coming on BMG to support your candidate, and love your spunk, don’t lose it.
socialworker says
I stand tall for my candidate, who has been insulted on this website frequently, not as smart as the other candidates, been disrespectfully called “Big K,” Someone calls someone else a “troll,” and there is something wrong with my attitude/tone.
My experience has been that there is no drawing people in on this website. people don’t come here to be educated about the issues/candidates, people read and post here because they already have their point of view. If I am wrong, I apologize, but that has been my experience, and again I am not new, just haven’t been active for awhile, used to post under my own name.
I don’t think a person saying that their’s is the best candidate and will win constitutes a bad tone. I do think that there is a tendency not to look at the reality of things and to pontificate from on high. As you can see, I do that quite a bit myself. I consider saying that I would not vote for your candidate because what you say about him is arrogant is akin to people who say if you call them one more time on the phone, they are not going to vote for your candidate.
fenway49 says
I don’t recall anyone saying he/she would not vote for him because of anything you wrote. All I said was that your post, ostensibly intended to make the case for Peter as a candidate, might not be effective. You won’t win many over with sulking claims that he’s not “the darling of the progressive community,” as if not being so makes him more honorable, and snide comments about “debating who is the most progressive candidate,” as if it were a waste of time and not a perfectly valid concern for progressive Democrats choosing in a primary for a D+14 district.
Nor will defenses of danfromwaltham be popular, and for good reason. You may not have seen the full body of work I’m talking about, but if there’s something wrong with pointing out that danfromwaltham’s a troll, I don’t want to be right. This is not a Democrat who has a few different views (we have those); this is a professional contrarian troll who admits to voting for Bush twice, McCain, Romney, Brown, Charlie Baker. The guy who gleefully posts every time some Republican wins a low-turnout three-way race. If that’s the poster with whom you want to align yourself, be my guest.
danfromwaltham says
Chris Gabrieli on 06′ primary, Lynch in 13′ primary, John Silber twice, Eddie King, my state rep. 2004, I supported Howard Dean b/c of his war stance.
socialworker says
One of the poster said he would not vote for Koutoujian because what I said in the last sentence of my post was “arrogant.”
I align myself with no one. I write my own beliefs. Is debating who is the most progressive candidate a waste of time, yes because it my view, this is not a race in which the candidates differ on the issues. Tell me one issue that is important to you as a progressive that the 4 candidates would differ on? I leave out Brownsberger because he has already separated himself with some unusual positions. Tell me one thing that is important to you that you believe Spilka, Sciortino, Clark and Koutoujian would differ on?
This is a race based upon strategy and grassroots organizing; identifying and getting out your votes for an election that frankly is barely a whisper at this point.
doubleman says
Do you really think the issues don’t matter? If you think all the candidates are aligned on all the issues, then I implore you to pay closer attention to the race.
For example, Spilka and Sciortino have come out hard against NSA bulk surveillance. Clark has introduced a wiretap bill that would expand the ability of law enforcement to surveil in MA. There’s one huge issue with big differences. I have not seen Koutoujian make a statement on this issue, but would love to see one if he has made one. I’d also like to see more than just a one pager (without any specifics) on the issues on Koutoujian’s website.
Another – Sciortino and Spilka want to move to single-payer quickly. Koutoujian thinks we need to see the ACA through before moving to something like single-payer with a public option. Brownsberger absolutely opposes Medicare-for-all and thinks that we should have a managed care concept.
Another – Spilka wants zero interest student loans. Koutoujian wants a low fixed rate. Brownsberger supports the Congressional compromise position and thinks zero percent rates would be a bad idea.
There are other issues where they differ, and many others that have not come up yet. I suspect we’ll see a big difference between the “progressive darlings” and the law-and-order candidates on things like the Drug War. How the candidates differ on those issues are important and should matter to the voters.
Moreover, whether a candidate will be a real leader for certain positions rather than merely voting the right way should matter a great deal. For example, voting for the buffer zone bill is a big difference from being a primary sponsor of the bill. I want a progressive leader, not a progressive voter. That’s why I take offense to you saying that discussing who is the most progressive is irrelevant.
I do still agree that strategy and grassroots organizing is what will matter most in this race. But you have not offered any evidence as to why Koutoujian will be able to do that better than others, other than saying that a lot of people like him in Waltham. I’ve seen Sciortino win a write-in campaign a few years ago, and I’m seeing lots of unions (and presumably their members) lining up behind another candidate. Those things imply a strong ground game.
kbusch says
Looking at the timing of various comments, it looked as if seamusromney, who doesn’t even live in the district, said he wouldn’t vote for your candidate based on your comment. At the time the comment was written, it was unclear whether you were speaking for the campaign or not. Now it’s clear that you don’t.
Ryan says
on a lot of these progressive issues. No need to count him out in that dept.
doubleman says
I like Koutoujian and think he is a good sheriff and was a good rep. As far as being the most passionate and knowledgeable candidate on the issues, I recommend you actually experience the other candidates. I don’t think you can say that with a straight face after hearing from all the other candidates. Sure, Koutoujian has great passion and knowledge on some issues, but having more than the other candidates on “the issues” is absurd.
By what measure is Koutoujian the frontrunner? Just because of his base of support in Watertown? In the only poll so far, Koutoujian was third at 12%, and he is the only one holding office across the vast majority of the district. That early poll was really just a reflection of name recognition, and it was before the ground game starts, before any ads go up, before this race gets heated in any way. I would have expected Koutoujian to perform much better.
Koutoujian’s only endorsements have been from Armenian political organizations. I suspect their reach is not too large. Other candidates are receiving endorsements from unions, activist networks, and high-profile individuals who can all help put feet on the ground and bring in dollars. What is really going to matter in this race is the ground game. What makes you think Koutoujian can produce a strong game across the district? Does he have the diehards, the activists, the organizers? Or does he just have a bunch of people who like him in Watertown? If he can’t get those votes out in mid-October, the large number of potential votes in Watertown won’t mean a damn thing.
I think Koutoujian would be a fine Congressman, but of the candidates running, I don’t think he would be the best. We have a great opportunity in this race to pick the best choice, rather than the acceptable one, and that’s why progressives here are talking about their favorites. I would be disappointed with only a couple of the candidates in this race, Koutoujian is not among them, but that disappointment wouldn’t be that great. It’s nothing like the horror I would feel about Dan Conley becoming mayor of Boston.
Koutoujian supported equal marriage, supported the transgender rights bill, supports choice, and is on the right side on most other issues but has he ever been the leader out front on those issues? I haven’t seen that, and that’s why he’s not my (and many other progressives’) top pick. If you have reasons to change my mind on that belief, please share those. I think that would be more helpful than just arguing that he’s on the right side of the issues and the most likely person to win.
socialworker says
Peter has been endorsed by the gay and lesbian officers group. His base of support is strong in Waltham. You might want to look at the history of Waltham voting as to how it relates to who wins races. I know all of the other candidates and have worked with all of them on various issues and have supported some of them at other times.
As for polls I wouldn’t given them a dime of pointing out anything about the race. Who did this poll, who was polled, how many were polled. You are right Peter is not a progressive darling like Carl and Karen. Carl and William Brownsberger have both done, what I guess are considered “push polls.” I have not seen any polls by Suffolk or UMass. Given that there are 5 candidates in the race, the winner only needs 21% of the voters, which is predicted to be about 10% of the eligible voters in the district. For me union groups who have endorsed in the race have done themselves harm. Karen has gotten by far the most union endorsement in a field where all the candidates are good on union issues, so why go out on a limb? Not smart politically. She is not all that likely to win IMHO.
Unfortunately I am not as conversant about what issues Peter has led on. What others do you consider other candidates to have led on. How many of those issues actually differed from the standard party line.
Most voters do not vote issues, if they did George Bush would never have been president. The big question in this race is who will be motivated enough to come out on October 15th and vote.
socialworker says
I would ask that everyone who posts identifies their candidate and their role in that campaign.
doubleman says
I think you were only asked because it is your first post on BMG and seemed out of the blue. I support Carl Sciortino and have been friends with him for a few years. I’m just a volunteer.
doubleman says
I just mentioned that poll as some data suggesting that Koutoujian’s broad support may not be as broad as thought. It was a Spilka poll. If Koutoujian obviously has the most support, it at least was not reflected in that poll. Yes, not the best source, but the only data available so far.
What other evidence are you relying on to suggest that Spilka is not that likely to win. Handicapping this race, I’d say that she is probably the favorite right now. Getting 25 out of like the 28 unions that have endorsed is an enviable position. I know you think Koutoujian is the clear front runner, but who do you think is second?
Isn’t that a problem?
I know that Sciortino was a primary sponsor of the buffer zone bill and the transgender rights bill. Those may have been generally on the left side of support, but what matters about being an effective leader is elevating these issues and getting bills passed when they are not priorities of the party leadership. Getting bills passed that are actively opposed by the party leadership is basically impossible in MA, so I don’t expect to see that among the accomplishments of candidates.
Still, there is a big difference between saying “yeah, I support that” and getting out front, rolling up your sleeves, and making something happen.
I agree. That’s why I suspect the person with the best ground game is going to win. I think the best evidence for a strong ground game are things like recent experience getting out the vote in a tight race, getting support from organizations that bring GOTV structure, and getting broad support from active organizers and activists. I’m not seeing the first two from Koutoujian, and what I am hearing is that on that third piece, many are going with other candidates. I could be wrong, and Koutoujian may be getting the bulk of those types of people in Waltham and Watertown, but I have not heard that.
Overall, though, I think it’s most important to consider who should win rather than who will win. For me, that means the candidate who I think has been the strongest and most consistent progressive leader in the field, the candidate who has experience providing superb constituent services, the candidate who I think has the experience and personality to be the most effective leader, and the candidate who I think provides the best vision for solving the biggest problems.
socialworker says
It is my problem that I am not as conversant on the issues Peter has led on. So I educated my self. He led on the work place smoking ban, emergency contraception, stalking law, school nutrition and de-regulation of needles to name a few. He must have been considered to be a leader as he was chairman of two of the most powerful committees in the State House.
I have knocked doors in Waltham since the start of this thing. Among the Democratic good voters of the more than 150 doors that I have knocked, no one is voting for anyone other than Peter. It has been a pleasure to canvass for Peter. Everyone has a Peter story. Peter has superb constituent services, has the temperment, gravitas and is a leader, as he was in the state house and now as Sheriff.
You have no idea who Peter Koutoujian is. He is a caring and compassionate man who delights and derives satisfaction from helping others. personally that is the biggest reason I support him. When you can call the sheriff of Middlesex County and have him help you strategize about a bill in the legislature, or call him about the possibility that your nephew may be incarcerated and have him plan to make sure that nephew goes to his jail where there is a specialty unit for mentally ill inmates. Or to have him reach out to your family in Canada when their daughter died. They did not know him or he them, but were touched by his gesture. Those are my stories about Peter. You could find thousands more who could tell you compelling stories of the ways Peter touched their lives.
fenway49 says
He’s the sheriff of the most populous county in the state. The rest are in the General Court. I’d imagine ANY officer’s group, gay or straight, would endorse him. The “gay and lesbian officers group” does not represent a very large proportion of LGBT people in the district or county or state.
Waltham may be a bellwether for the state as a whole, but that doesn’t make it one for this district. Waltham’s status as a statewide bellwether is a reflection of it’s being more “conservative” than places like Cambridge, Newton, Amherst, P’town, and more “liberal” than places like Boxford, Wrentham, Charlton. Its position in the middle of the statewide electorate makes it a good indicator of which way the center is tipping. In the 5th CD, Waltham might be toward the right. It’s populous, but less so than Framingham, which is is Spilka’s territory.
Disclosure: I’m not involved with any of the candidates. I live in Newton, which is not in the district, but Peter’s state leg district included part of Newton and he has a lot of personal support here. I too have met Peter and like him. I’m not particularly thrilled with Clark or Brownsberger (whose quirky iconoclastic positions are starting to seem like part of some sort of strategy to me). I’d be fine with Peter, Spilka, Sciortino.
I too was offput by your closing. You seem almost scornful of the idea that, in a D+14 district (second only to Capuano’s in the state), we should want the most progressive voice possible. I found it more offensive than anything I’ve ever heard from the candidate himself. By all means, make the case for Peter. But you’re losing more people than you gain when you simultaneously claim that Peter’s going to run away with the race AND that he’s a poor “misrepesented and marginalized” victim of the meanies at BMG and Progressive Mass., which only endorsed Sciortino because a full 75% of its members chose him in their internal poll.
FYI, since you are new here: your neighbor in Waltham, the one who told you your tone was OK, is our most prolific resident troll. There is no right-wing position he won’t take.
danfromwaltham says
1. I oppose the free trade deals
2. Support single-payer healthcare system.
3. Support gay marriage
4. Support liberalization of the drug laws, including legalizing pot
5. Support increasing the social security cap, and having no cap at all.
6. Support the Rand Paul approach to national security (that wing anyways)
7. Agree with Professor Wolfe (liberal economist) that institutions like Harvard, need to lose their tax-exempt status, and pay federal taxes!!!
8. Ending 3 strikes and your out law
I can go on and on and on
jconway says
Is you occasionally bring in interesting posts and ideas (like the urban service consolidation post). But too much of it is silly
Fox News stuff like harping about Keystone or single handedly blaming Ed Markey for the post-industrial economy. Also a lot of the candidates you back are significantly at odds with your stated positions. I feel like the liberal positions are only brought up to deflect criticism from the conservative vitriol that you regularly engage in. I’m all ears for Jack Kemp style urban policy, creating a party that encompasses a lot of these ideas, or critiquing Democrats for caving on trade and taking the trades for granted. I want outside the liberal bubble perspectives here, I just want them to be informed and substantive.
danfromwaltham says
But Fenway49 knows I never, ever said I voted for McCain in 08. It was Mitt in the primary, Obama in the final in 08. I voted for McCain in 2000 primary over Bush, that was the only time, I guess that is where he is confused.
I don’t think it’s silly to mention how Obamacare is encouraging part-time jobs. I don’t think it’s silly to ask if Jared Remy received special treatment and if there was gross negligence by the DA and her team. I don’t thin it’s silly to push back on the global warming drama. I don’t think it’s silly to be supportive and expanding of conceal-carry laws in exchange to ban semi-auto weapons. I don’t think it’s silly that I support the Second Amendment. I don’t think its silly to mock the Democrats idea of “War on Women” (buy your own contraception) vs the real “War on Women” is the 200,000 that are sexually assaulted every year, and i suggest that many should arm themselves. I don’t think it’s silly to hold Markey accountable for his trade votes, which obliterated the private-sector unions in this country. I don’t think it’s silly to support Keystone XL, since its half built, and we won’t have trains carrying 100 oil cars through Massachusetts every week.
fenway49 says
on that point. That makes your record Reagan twice, G.W. Bush twice, Romney in 2012 AND the 2008 primary (not like there was an interesting 2008 DEMOCRATIC primary or anything but you pulled a GOP ballot), Scott Brown, Charlie Baker. You’re pointing to John Silber and Ed King as proof that you support Democrats sometimes. Please…
Jconway’s correct that your “liberal” positions are not the meat of your commentary. They are raised mostly to deflect criticism of your Fox News agenda, or (as with NAFTA) to suggest that Democrats are the real enemy of working people as if Republicans are not a thousand times worse (a reason why, by the way, I get so angry when “Democrats” espouse conservative economics; it just gives cover to hypocrites on the right). Your posting history here speaks for itself. Your recent contributions inlcuded (this is just since July 1):
–Obama somehow responsible for a 40-year trend toward wealth concentration and McJobs. It’s not corporate greed, it didn’t happen under the Bushes or Reagan, the top employer in the 90s wasn’t a temp agency, it’s all Obama’s fault. This theme is repeated in no fewer than five posts since July 1. The most recent hides behind NBC conserva-hack Lisa Myers.
–2 posts pro-Keystone XL. This was a bigger theme when there was Ed Markey to rail against. Just like you harped on the 20-year-old NAFTA issue (about which, you’ll recall, I agreed with you until it became clear it was largely a vehicle to support the more conservative Steve Lynch in the primary).
–2 posts against unions and public sector pensions (Detroit and San Jose).
–2 posts in favor of nuclear energy. Because that’s safe.
–A call for a football player angry about the indefensible Zimmerman verdict to be suspended.
–A call for capital punishment and for the DA to resign because a victim of domestic violence didn’t cooperate with the investigation.
–Celebration of Illinois’s approval of concealed carrying of guns
–An endorsement of Will Brownsberger BECAUSE he’s in favor of Citizens United
As you youself say, you mock the very idea of a “war on women” while states regularly pass laws all but eliminating access to abortion clinics. You don’t explain why should women have to pay for contraception out of pocket when everything else (including Viagra for single men) is covered by insurance. The answer to sexual assault is more guns. Everyone must carry guns lest they be victim of a crime.
Your record is clear.
danfromwaltham says
Yes, I voted Republican in the 80’s at the presidential level, like most people did. Went for Perot in the 90’s (didn’t mention that), and even Obama in 08′ but I admit, if Mitt was McCains’s VP, I would have voted Republican.
Scott Brown and Charlie Baker are not your typical Republican, no matter how you try to link them to the GOP Platform. You missed Gabrieli in 06 and even Howard Dean in 04, even though it was a lost cause by then, I didn’t like John Kerry.
I can’t help if the jobs numbers suck, I report them every month. If Obama is not responsible, who is? There was a huge discussion on BMG on capital punishment, and I and one other person favored it. Anyone here want to say Jared Remy should not be put to death for what he did to that women? Do you? Or is that trolling b/c I ask pointed questions?
True, I have written many diaries on various topics, I try not to be a Johnny One Note (Citizens United, Abortion, Citizens United, Climate Change, Citizens United, etc). I even decided not to post a diary which proves temperatures last year were the coldest in a decade, b/c I cannot get anyone to admit the models are suspicious, at best. Telling people there is an alternative heating with oil, burning anthracite coal while supporting Americans, is just giving the people more options.
I don’t want people to hate me, just perhaps get out of the tunnel vision that Republicans are racist, bigots, homophobes (that’s what johnt001 said to Dan Winslow as he offered free drinks to this community) and Democrats are all good, even as they drive cities like Detroit into the ground. It’s almost like you want BMG to be like The old Pravda, ignore the facts, spin the news just to make one party look good, even though both are covered in warts.
johnk says
nothing personal.
Plus your job number posts have more holes than swiss cheese, they mirror far right taking points. I’d read newmax if I wanted to read that rubbish extremism. You are who you are, I don’t understand why you don’t embrace it, why do you want to hide who you are?
johnk says
Am I Nostradamus or what on Scotto.
I love that guy, his PR staff is probably working Harpercollins as we speak.
Ryan says
let’s cull-the-seal-population post.
Ryan says
9. Support the 1st Amendment’s right to troll on the internet.
oceandreams says
Last figures I could find were from 2008, showing Waltham with 31,590 registered voters who are Democrats or unenrolled, and Framingham with 32,598. Among registered Democrats only, the difference is around 500.
So while Framingham does indeed have more people than Waltham, the voting populations for a Democratic primary aren’t all that different.
scott-in-belmont says
that Will Brownsberger has done a push poll. This is false. The Brownsberger campaign has not conducted a push poll. Please provide evidence to back up your claim, or correct it. It’s interesting to me, that as a volunteer for a candidate making a solid case for why your candidate shouldn’t be attacked without basis, you throw out one against another candidate.
Scott Ferson
Brownsberger campaign
danfromwaltham says
Perhaps this is who socialworker meant to say.
Received a call on the congressional race. They must have gotten my name since I pulled a Democratic ballot and voted for Lynch (I’m unenrolled).
They read positive attributes of all the candidates, then asked if I’m more likely or less likely to vote for that candidate. Then I listened to five “posotive” attributes about Sciortino and asked my opinion, more or less likely. After telling the lady I was committed to Brownsberger (I said definitely voting for Will), she read me the spin that Will wants to cut social security crapola. I laughed and said not true, I am fully aware of the CPI proposal (which is needed, by the way). Funny, she said I was the best participant she ever had, guess I was entertaining and actually listened for 15 minutes to all the questions.
Anyway, it was Sciortino that this poll was pushing and tried to sway me away from Will.
scott-in-belmont says
I think a thread on the race is great, lord knows its tough to get dialogue over the summer in a special. Just felt I needed to correct the record, as it is not Will’s style to push poll, which is pretty extreme. I assume that Rhonda was speaking for herself and that that was not a general belief of the Koutoujian campaign. I heard the Sheriff tonight for the first time giving his stump speech in Melrose and thought he did a fine job. Plenty of positives to highlight in this race. Scott
danfromwaltham says
Since the other candidates pledged to vote against any bill, even supported by Obama, that chained social security to CPI, and Will took the honest approach and said no to that pledge, Will should say, IMO, that the other candidates took a Grover Norquist type pledge by locking themselves out of any compromise bill/negotiations. Will wants to be in the room where both parties are negotiating, coming together if you will, finding solutions and moving America forward, the others will be left out in the dark, just based on their own words.
scott-in-belmont says
I take everything after the mention of Grover Norquist. I’m hoping if we mentioned the name Grover Norquist that voters would have no idea who we’re talking about.
socialworker says
The call was rather lengthy and I was asked a good deal about positions of candidates, then the questions focused on the citizens United and Will Brownsbergers; views on Citizens United asked if I understood his reasons, giving them and then asking if I would be more likely to vote for him. Perhaps not a poll, but more looking for a way to couch his views on Citizens United that would be more acceptable to most dems.
danfromwaltham says
That sounds like the same poll. If you said you supported Peter, I’m surprised they were not ready with negative stuff to convince you to switch to Sciortino. She likely mentioned Citizens united but I find that a positive for Will.
scott-in-belmont says
a push poll does not ask questions that could be negative to the candidate paying for the poll. A push poll “pushes” you to vote against another candidate. So, your charge that Will did a push poll must be corrected. Please do so. Scott Ferson, Brownsberger campaign.
kbusch says
Please, socialworker, please, contact the Koutoutjian campaign. You are doing a lot of damage to your candidate, perhaps unintentionally. Someone from the campaign itself who has thought more carefully about messaging and content should take a turn at advocating for the candidate. As it is, you seem to have sunk into a morass of accusations and defensiveness that is pretty unhelpful to everyone — and especially Peter Koutoujian.
*
It’s funny. This is not the first time I’ve given such advice to an amateur press secretary who appeared on BMG.
Charley on the MTA says
Look, socialworker, it’s your funeral, but I’ve had a sense that a. Koutoujian’s a decent guy, and b. people here are actually persuadable. You want him to the be the focus of your posting, not you. And you’ve been prickly and defensive from the first sentence of your original post. I don’t get that.
But, you know, whatever you like. We give folks a long leash here. *sigh*
Ryan says
Great fundraiser and he’s been elected across the district (or at least most of it) and a has a strong base of support on top of that in his old legislative district. If he finishes 2nd or 3rd across the district and a strong 1st in the Waltham area, that’s a strong recipe for success in a 5 person race.
As Social Worker has proven, he also has a strong base of support and enthusiastic volunteers.
There’s an abundance of great candidates in this race and a number of them could win, but I don’t see anything controversial or surprising in stating that Koutoujian is the front runner.
danfromwaltham says
I find his website so refreshing, where schmucks like me can ask him questions, and he actually gives you a detailed response.
While I don’t agree with him on the urgency of climate change, he walks the talk, lives a green lifestyle, more than I can say for most.
This is the big reason. Koutoujian and the others took a Grover Norquest like pledge, by saying they would oppose any bill, regardless of what it contained in it, if it tied future rate increases to social security, to CPI. Will had the courage to tell the truth, that CPI is supported by Obama, and needs to be part of a budget deal. Once you lock yourself to a pledge, you exacerbate the gridlock in D.C., just like Tea Party Republicans. That is the wrong course, and hope Will will be my congressman.
socialworker says
Spilka’s poll was apparently 15%, 14% and 12% for Peter. What was the margin of error? Seems to me these candidates are all equal.
Framingham is more populous than Waltham slightly more than 68 thousand to Waltham’s 61, but interestingly, Markey got 1400 votes more in Framingham than in Waltham, and that was in a normally scheduled general e,lection. As we have all said the election will come down to who votes, and that means ground game, identifying voters and getting them out on election day.
rdp says
As a member of the DSC, I know and like all five candidates who are running for the 5th CD. I am quite happy to support Peter in this race because I think he would be most effective in the office once elected. As a prosecutor, member of the legislature and as Sheriff, I think Peter has never forgotten what it means to do public service, which is about helping people and improving lives.
Whether the topic is public health, victim’s rights, school nutrition, or public safety, Peter approaches the issue with compassion and concern for the individuals and families involved. Yesterday, at one of Peter’s house parties, he gave very coherent argument that fighting global warming and climate change is also an issue of economic justice. Climate change impacts poorer and minority neighborhoods earliest and hardest. Certainly this is the case with Keystone XL, and really is an ongoing environmental concern, and one we need to take seriously.
As Sheriff, Peter has greatly improved morale within the office, and has worked to improve public safety by providing education and training opportunities to reduce recidivism. No one in the custody of the Sheriff’s department is doing a sentence greater than 2 1/2 years, so, they will be back in our communities sooner rather than later, and we should hope that they have the tools to get their lives together.
I think that whoever wins this seat will need to understand some of the limits of the role in being a junior member of the minority party. The new member will need to be able to build alliances and make deals where possible and also make the life of the members of the majority miserable where appropriate. I think that Peter has proven that he’s a leader who gets things done, and will never forget his district and where he’s from. I think that he’ll be effective in the job now and also if/when Leader Pelosi takes back the gavel.
Bob Peters (Koutoujian campaign volunteer)
DSC – 4th Middlesex District
socialworker says
Great post that gives a good picture of Peter Koutoujian without my contentiousness and snarkiness.
Progressive Massachusetts says
Thanks for the shout-out. I wouldn’t say that we are marginalizing the Sheriff. He graciously and thoroughly filled out our questionnaire, and then we shared the questionnaires with our membership and asked them to vote. Rep. Sciortino won overwhelmingly. But we did take a good look at Koutoujian, both by going back to when he was in the legislature (which was a great time for comparison because 4 of the 5 candidates were in the general court together), and having our members examine his questionnaire.
The great news about this race is that the quality of the candidates is outstanding, and they have the chance to articulate their vision and values and demonstrate their experience to make their case.
The membership of Progressive Massachusetts evaluated the candidates and clearly chose Rep. Sciortino. I think if people read his questionnaire, they will agree with the choice.
socialworker says
What was the exact number of people who voted? I am a member I voted. I heard from a friend that he was the 54th member of the organization during the vote. How many people voted? 75% doesn’t mean anything unless you know the number
jconway says
I think Peter would make a great AG, I like him a lot as Sheriff, and I tried drafting Will for DA-but he hinted at CD-5. Spilka has taken a lot of great positions but doesn’t have the votes to back it up. So were I a CD-5 voter I’d be torn between Carl and Will. Since I am not I ask that BMGers consider one of those two.
Also, Peter needs to come here and answer questions like Will did.
socialworker says
Where is it that Will came to answer questions? Sheriff Koutoujian will be happy to answer questions from all sources.
scott-in-belmont says
publishes his cell phone, so he’s happy to answer questions if you call him. I think the reference was to the fact that he engages people via his website, and is happy to answer questions there. He is also at the various events around the district. So happy to answer there as well. There has been a lively dialogue on his website on the issues and I invite you to engage him personally there. Scott
danfromwaltham says
http://vps28478.inmotionhosting.com/~bluema24/2013/07/responding-to-questions-regarding-citizens-united/
Bay State Buckeye says
I agree with Progressive Mass (and many others on this thread) that the CD-5 race has a great group of candidates on the Dem side. With that said I was happy to cast my endorsement vote for Koutoujian. The work that he did and legislation that he was able to get passed at the State House, especially during his time as Public Health chair, was solid progressive legislation that has a significant impact on making day-to-day life for people better.
I personally began to know him when I was a staffer at the State House. I always found him to be an interesting and affable guy who really liked to get into the weeds on issues. As a person of color what really impressed me was his attention to healthcare access and outcome inequalities that exist as a function of race and ethnicity. I give him a tremendous amount of credit for rolling up his sleeves and tackling an issue that, frankly, I doubt was a huge voter issue in his district – just because it was the right thing to do.
It seems like he has taken that seem ethic and applied it to his work as Sheriff, focusing on personnel wellness and how to help those in his custody start on a more positive path for when they leave by addressing issues around education, addiction, and employment. The fact that he established a ban on employee campaign contributions voluntarily seems like the kind of instinct towards good governance and transparency we need more of in Congress.
Like I said lots of great candidates in this race but, as a progressive voter who wants a solid partner for people like McGovern, Capuano, Warren, Markey, Keith Ellison, Raul Grijalva, and other like minded voices in Washington, I am proud to be a Koutoujian supporter.
Ryan says
This diary was 2-3 sentences away from being a really great and effective This was very close to being a great candidate diary…. but unfortunately there were 2-3 digs you made at the BMG community that just doesn’t help anyone’s favored candidate.
Particularly, I don’t think the way to win votes here is to attack us over our “darlings” or lack of darling status. I’m not even sure how much truth there is to the “darling” attacks — we’re not a monolithic group and I don’t sense any BMG consensus in the race. There’s plenty of support for a number of candidates.
Koutoujian has a great record and you touched on some of that. I hope next time you’ll touch on it some more, because I’m sure there’s a lot of great stuff about Koutoujian that most of us aren’t aware of and would like to know.
Ryan says
I rewrote my first sentence twice and forgot to delete one of them! LOL.
I hope the rest still serves as a good blogger ‘pro-tip’ for future diaries. I really am serious that I’d like to hear more about him. He’s a very strong candidate in this race, but not a lot is known about any of the candidates outside of the district. Diaries are one of the best tools we activists have in getting the information out there.
danfromwaltham says
Dan Winslow is buying 2 drinks for Democrats at Doyle’s Pub on Wed, Aug 28 at 6:00. He made the offer right here on BMG and I think it would be a good way for some in Peter’s and Will’s campaign to meet some BMG’ers. Sorry, I cannot attend, it’s my bowling night, but it should be fun.
socialworker says
I have read all of the posts carefully. Though I do not agree that I have dome “damage” to my candidate. I do agree that I have not been an effective advocate and supporter for him. I have been clear that I do not speak for the campaign and I do not speak for the candidate. I am passionate about his candidacy and take umbrage at some of the comments that have been made about him in this thread; he is not as smart as the other candidates and his repeatedly being referred to as “Big K,” as if he were not a serious contender for this position.
I have been defensive because I jumped into this conversation following my initial post to defend him. To have have as indpeth knowledge about his positions as many of you do about yours, obviously not. My support for Peter comes from my heart and my conviction that he is a good man who will do best by his constituents, as he always has.
I have educated myself about some specifics. Peter led on a bill to ban workplace smoking. he also led on a stalking bill, an emergency contraception bill. he is a leader in the area of domestic violence. he has fought for improved school nutrition.
‘As sheriff, he has returned transparency to the office. he has reached out to his officers to provide them with support and professional enhancement. he has focused on brining vocational and educational program to inmates, and he has reinvigorated and incredible resource for the children and parents of the Middlesex County, a children’s safety camp where children get transportation, lunch and education about things related to safety, and it’s free.
So, I hope my personality and posting flaws aside, you will take a good look at Peter Koutoujian and find him worthy of your vote.
oceandreams says
Caveats: Because people vote for a candidate for one office doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily for that candidate for another higher office; and all of Sheriff Koutoujian’s current “district” (ie Middlesex County) isn’t in the 5th CD.
Still, though, in looking at the 2012 election data, Sheriff Koutoujian is the only candidate with experience running a race in a Congressional District-sized electorate. There were 750K voters in the sheriff’s race compared with Senate districts of well under 100K (and a House race of less than 20K). That’s probably worth noting if you’re wondering who’s got experience gearing up a ground game that will scale.
2012 election results:
Peter Koutoujian: 461,836 for, 140,948 for his opponent, 152K blank
Katherine Clark: 58,256 for, 26K blank – no opponent on ballot
Karen Spilka: 57,863 for, 20K blank – no opponent on ballot
William Brownsberger 45,852 for, 14K for the Republican, 9K blank
Carl Sciortino 13,842 for, 2,595 for the Republican, 2K blanks