There is a broader #MeFirst problem with Massachusetts, eloquently highlighted in Don’t Blame Us. The suburban moderate fears the religious right and the activist left in equal measure and wants low taxes, good schools, and cheaper health care. Contradicting priorities by the way.
Our candidate is talking about issues that primarily effect urban voters like immigration and the T, while Baker is not talking about anything. Polling I’ve looked at shows that immigration is only a major issue for the right, that a pro-immigration politics is not really present in our state yet as a driver for votes. As for the T, if you can afford not to take it, you’re not gonna take it or want to pay taxes to make it better.
A middle class first agenda focused on controlling college costs, health care costs, and housing costs would have been far more effective than trying to link Baker to unpopular national and local Republicans or talking about issues the voters outside of Boston who decide elections care about.
Jay Gonzalez ran on great principles, good progressive ones. He had no money, a media relegating his best moments to the Metro section, and a Democratic Party that threw him under the bus at all levels. From cash hoarders like Warren and Healey to the local leaders appearing in Bakers ads. The fix was in. Polito will cruise to her own election unless we radically change the way our party reaches out to unenrolled voters.
I take exception to your charge that the Democratic Party has thrown Gonzalez under the bus. We are doing everything we can to promote is candidacy despite being a very uphill battle. His campaign is a key part of our coordinated efforts.
Was it you intention to write this post in the past-tense, as if it were his political obituary?
Just some reality based commentary. He’s not closing a 30 point deficit in 18 days.
Well, if only everyone voting for Warren would vote for Gonzalez. Not sure why you are calling Warren and Healey cash hoarders. They are both all in on the coordinated campaign and Warren’s field staff now all work for the state party.
How many ads has she put up for Gonzalez or with him? That would help. Staff is a good help and I am glad to see it.
I’m actually not sure it’s legal for a federal candidate/official to assist a state candidate/official in the way you suggest. As I recall these rules came about when certain state legislators did not want Marty Meehan to use his federal campaign warchest to run for Governor.
The Mass. voter: big mouth, short arms, long pockets.
Makes me wonder how “Blue” Massachusetts Democrats really are? It’s a fight I’ve been fighting for a while and will continue to do so, as much as I can. Again, on social issues, we’re blue, really really blue, but on economic issues, well, we’re red, really, really red.
I just watched a TV add highlighting all the prominent Massachusetts DEMOCRATS endorsing Charlie Baker.
One of them was Rep. Dave Nangle from Lowell who has been so consistent in recent years endorsing GOPers in major races over the past few years that I wonder why he doesn’t switch parties himself.