Well this is a strange one: Nancy Pelosi has made an incursion into the Massachusetts Senate race by endorsing Joe Kennedy III. This is unusual and a bit odd, but it probably reflects strategic thinking on her part: The kinds of things that … [Read more...]
Devastation in Iowa
Even as we enjoy a weekend of mild weather; even as we have an epic Senate primary, at least a half dozen state rep races that I should be paying attention to; and the MA-4 primary … I want to talk about Iowa. So, I like Cedar … [Read more...]
MA House climate bill: Too many cooks, too many carrots, not enough sticks
Someone's gotta say it: They failed again. There’s a new report out that shows that air pollution is about twice as deadly as previously known. It makes it plain that cutting fossil fuel emissions is plainly more humane and far cheaper … [Read more...]
#MASEN: Maybe the campaign doesn’t matter.
Recent developments in the Markey Kennedy race seem to indicate that maybe the race really doesn’t matter that much. I don’t mean the result, which is clearly consequential; but more, the campaign leading up to Election Day. As political … [Read more...]
House voting on climate amendments RIGHT NOW
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is right now taking up amendments on its climate bill. They passed the basic bill already, and it has not elicited praise from environment advocates. Here’s Ben Hellerstein, quoted by State House … [Read more...]
BIG GET: Globe endorses Markey, citing past work and vision for future
This was very gratifying to see this morning. Every word of the Globe's endorsement of Markey seemed like an echo of what I've been trying to say here, only more specifically- and elegantly-stated. It is a really good case. Send Ed … [Read more...]
Miranda’s no-knock amendment passes; Nika Elugardo’s victory still reverberates
Wednesday night, the Massachusetts House passed an amendment by representative Liz Miranda that would prevent no-knock entry by police warrant if there’s reason to think there are children or people over 65 on the premises. It passed by the … [Read more...]
Joe Kennedy throws himself under the omnibus
One of the oldest, and lamest campaign gimmicks is to find some provision of a large, comprehensive omnibus bill; and hold it against a legislator as if that were their own preference. As is happening right now in the Massachusetts House, … [Read more...]
Consumer advocates (and other highly-placed fans) testify for Markey
I listened to a Zoom call this am with a handful of veteran consumer advocates who are supporting Ed Markey: Joan Claybrook, who was President of Public Citizen from 1982-2008 Will Ogburn, former Executive Director of National … [Read more...]
Of Icons and Ice Cream: Appreciation for an establishment Dem
This weekend, Gracie's ice cream store in Union Square, Somerville created a special "Green New Deal With It" mint-chip ice cream, in honor of Ed Markey -- proceeds to Black Lives Matter Boston. There was a line ... around ... the … [Read more...]