It’s official. DeLeo Out. Mariano In. We will see if Rep. Holmes gets more than ten votes.
Progressives would do well to read David Bernstein’s profile of Speaker DeLeo and talk to some of his constituents in Winthrop, Revere, and East Boston. They could learn a thing or two about how politics actually works at the local level. I teach and work with some of them. They’ll tell you that DeLeo sends flowers to every funeral, sponsors scholarships for high school seniors, and makes sure the potholes get filled. He makes sure money and jobs flow to this blue collar district and its cash strapped schools, senior homes, and health clinics. He made sure Revere jumped to the front of the line for a new high school. He started a robust internship program for interested RHS students that have largely gone to students of color. He gets stuff done for his district.
In the before times you could bump into him in line at New Deal Fruit, the Revere farmers market, or the immigrant businesses on Shirley Ave. He didn’t deliver sermons, he delivered services. He didn’t worry about fiscal probity. He got jobs and money for his district (and yes his supporters and relatives). In a job strapped district he tried to save the tracks, then made sure local union contractors got hired when they ultimately got redeveloped. He brought in Amazon to replace a closing candy factory. If the rise of Trump has taught us anything, it’s that good jobs, or even the mere promise of them, motivate voters more than fighting corruption or saving the climate or stopping racism.
Last I checked immigrants, prisoners, and children do not vote in the 19th Suffolk. Perhaps that’s why DeLeo only half heartedly fought for an already watered down criminal justice reform bill. Or why he let the Safe Communities Act languish despite his district having one of the highest number of undocumented families in the state. It could explain how his timid leadership on climate, along with a reticence to raise new revenue, squandered the progressive possibilities of the supermajority he commanded, particularly during the time when he served with a Democratic Governor. That moderation also kept his ideologically diverse caucus together against a Republican one.
Progressives could learn a thing or two about how he slowly accumulated favors in exchange for votes and how it grows him maintain power for so long. They should apply those lessons in raw politics toward electing a progressive speaker who can deliver on the progressive priorities DeLeo put on the back burner. Forget another do nothing Governor, we need a progressive speaker able to deliver for the state like DeLeo delivered for his district.
Sounds like all the reasons a Speaker should not be quite so powerful. Plus I read that Holmes has dropped his bid.
This sounds like it is essentially the same dynamic as the old-school machine Democrats who got things done in the days of cigar-filled back rooms. The old-timers in Somerville remember similar times in Somerville — when every precinct had a “captain” who knew every voter personally and who knew how to make life hard or easy for each of those voters. The old-timers I talk to do not miss the “old days” of “personal” politics in Somerville.
It’s not that I disagree with you, it’s that this is a reminder of how difficult it will be to solve the urgent and immediate issues facing each of us.
In the not too distant future, large sections of Revere will be underwater. The decades of denial that result from this legal corruption (because that’s what you describe) will result in the death, disease, homelessness, and horrific suffering of an enormous number of Revere residents when the sea reclaims Revere a few short years from now.
Climate change isn’t the only headscratcher regarding what is good for his district vs. his policy priorities. I’ve long wondered why he his not friendlier to the cause of public transit since his district falls well within the turf of the MBTA and surely could benefit his constituents. I’m sure municipal services in his district could be helped by greater tax revenues as well.
(etc.)
Condescend, much?
Show me a successful statewide progressive leader who got anything big done at the state level in the years I’ve been on this site. 2006 to now. Last big thing was Romneycare and we can thank Teddy and DiMasi for that. I can’t think of anyone with their clout locally today.
Mitch McConnell will stop anything our members of Congress want to do nationally. and Baker and now Mariano will keep doing the same statewide. Where’s the progressive who can outvote either of these roadblocks to change?
I’m just being real. A big reason I got into teaching is I’ve largely given up on local and state politics as a venue for effecting real sustained change. At least my students can make changes in their communities.
I agree with you.
I think that you’re actually accomplish more in “politics” by what you’re doing now — your influence on your students is more likely to bear political fruit than anything you might do as a political consultant for the next decade or two.
In a few years time (you’ll know when it’s right), after you’ve gotten to know the lay of the land in there, I encourage you to think about running for a seat on the school board. That’s another place where you can make a meaningful political contribution.
It will take decades to undo the damage done by 40 years of Reagan-style GOP lies. The rub is that I think the chickens come home to roost well before then.
When the impact of climate change really starts to hit MA, it will make this pandemic look like a walk in the park. My read of the current science is that we’re talking 2030-2040.
I remain unconvinced that America will rise to these challenges. We’ve done just the opposite so far.
Your frustration does not justify the condescension. Trickle is right.
I think the general problem is that legislative bodies seem to have evolved into dictatorships, so if, say, Mitt Romney thinks about confronting McConnell, he’ll get no backup.
But, the Leg just passed the Roe Act, a landmark progressive achievement, over Baker’s veto. (Baker’s veto, by the way, is more evidence that he’s running in 2024.)
The Roe Act and the override is important policy, but low hanging fruit in this solidly pro choice state. As you pointed out, even Baker should have been for it based on his past actions. Are there any major anti-abortion figures left in state politics? Scott Brown is still in the Shire, Lynch flip flopped a decade ago, and Jim Lyons lost his seat. A tougher vote would be something that raised taxes over the Governors veto to raise revenue for the T, schools, or to keep renters in their homes. Or zoning reform where Baker is to the left of the legislature. I think both sides of the statehouse are waiting for a federal rescue package that might not come if
Georgia Democrats don’t win on Tuesday.