Related:
- Selecting a Senator: The Massachusetts Electorate
- Selecting a Senator: Meeting Martha
- Selecting a Senator: Mad Mike
- Selecting a Senator: Pag's Bags
- Selecting a Senator: Crazy Khazei
- Selecting a Senator: Brown Out
- Selecting a Senator: Jack Be Nimble
- Selecting a Senator: Capuano Clashes With Coakley
- Selecting a Senator: WCVB Showdown
"In last debate, Coakley’s foes go after each other; Capuano tangles with Pagliuca" by Matt Viser and Andrea Estes, Globe Staff | December 3, 2009
Attorney General Martha Coakley coasted through the final televised debate of the short Democratic primary campaign for US Senate last night, as two opponents lagging in the polls, US Representative Michael E. Capuano and businessman Stephen G. Pagliuca, sniped at each other for much of the hour.
The animosity between Capuano and Pagliuca, who were seated next to each other, was so pronounced that it overshadowed any attempts by Coakley’s challengers to make a dent in her front-runner status.
“You’re going to be the Sarah Palin of the Democratic Party; you already are,’’ Pagliuca said to Capuano at one point, referring to Capuano’s charge that passing a health care bill limiting abortion coverage would force poor women to seek abortions in “the alleys of America.’’
At another point, addressing financial regulation, Capuano said to Pagliuca: “You believe in concentrated wealth, which I don’t blame you [for]. Concentrated wealth in your life is a little bit more than any of the others.’’
The cheap shots don't help, Mike.
All the while, Coakley, leading in every public poll, wore a calm smile on her face and was so comfortable she managed to get off several one-liners. At times, she and Capuano, whose campaigns have clashed throughout the race, were downright cordial. They both joked, when given a chance to question each other, that they wanted to know each other’s favorite color....
I'm glad I missed it.
Pagliuca took a veiled swipe at her for not prosecuting corruption on Beacon Hill, which he said had forced the US attorney’s office to do it instead. But he did not even name her, and only close political observers may have understood his dig.
“The federal government does a great job on many, many things,’’ Pagliuca said. “They prosecuted folks on Beacon Hill; [otherwise] we wouldn’t have those people prosecuted to make our government clean.’’
GOOD POINT, Steve!!!
The debate, cosponsored by the Globe, aired on New England Cable News, WGBH-TV, and WBUR-FM. The four Democrats square off in a primary election on Tuesday. The Republican primary, which is also next Tuesday, includes two candidates, state Senator Scott P. Brown of Wrentham and businessman Jack E. Robinson of Duxbury. Brown has turned down several offers to hold a televised debate with Robinson, and there are no plans for them to meet.
If I vote I'll be voting for Jack.
The winners of the two primaries will face off in the Jan. 19 special election. The candidates all spoke against President Obama’s plan to add 30,000 troops in Afghanistan, with some saying they feared a protracted conflict for American troops akin to Vietnam. Khazei was the only candidate to say he would support an increased tax to help pay for the war, saying it was the only way to spread the responsibility around to citizens who aren’t serving in the military. “All of us have to have skin in the game here,’’ Khazei said. “It’s not fair’’
Well, I WANT MY SKIN OUT, 'kay?!
STOP with the WAR LIES, will you?
Capuano, who said he would vote against authorizing funding for the war, said he would support such a tax if he believed the war were morally justified....
You guys are hopeless.
Didn't we "elect" Democrats to GET US OUT?!
Toward the end of the debate, Coakley said Khazei was being hypocritical for taking money from hedge fund managers and Hollywood executives while criticizing her and Capuano for taking money from lobbyists and political action committees. “I plead guilty to getting money from Leonard Nimoy,’’ Khazei said, reinforcing his wonky image. “Live long and prosper.’’
I think ALL OF YOU STINK!!!
Related: Bankers' Best Friend
Each candidate, when asked about the unfolding Tiger Woods saga, also said they have grown used to their lives being an open book....
Now I am REALLY GLAD I DID NOT WATCH!!!!
Coakley then cited, “much to my amazement,’’ a recent Globe poll that showed she was the candidate voters said they would most like to have a beer with. “I would have a beer with each of these guys,’’ Coakley said.
Related: Selecting a Senator: WCVB Showdown
You see who I would like to sit down with, huh?
Capuano, who used part of his closing remarks to wish his mother a happy 90th birthday, when asked whether his fiery populism would be a good fit in the austere US Senate:
“I actually hug people. I’m just trying to be me. Yes, I want to change the world tomorrow, absolutely. That is an impatient aspect of my life. But I also know that I can’t do that.’’
Maybe that is why I thought he was the best DemocraP in the debate I watched.
So what are the pundits saying?
"Front-runner Coakley is still unscathed" by Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff | December 3, 2009
In one of the whispered themes of the race, the other campaigns have been reluctant to attack the front-runner because they fear a blowback from voters who might be upset at the sight of male candidates hammering away at a candidate seeking to become the first woman elected to the Senate from Massachusetts. They avoided it again last night....
WTF? Why does GENDER get a PASS in SAME-SEX MASSACHUSETTS?
At one point, each was asked about their likeability and the public image of them that has developed.
Capuano, asked if he was “too hot,’’ said: “I plead guilty to being passionate. . . . I am what I am.’’
Coakley, asked if she was “too cool,’’ replied that the last time the country elected a candidate voters wanted to have a beer with, “It was George Bush.’’
Again with the beer! I'd rather have a smoke with her.
Asked if he was “too wonky,’’ City Year cofounder Alan Khazei retorted, “I plead guilty to that,’’ and mentioned his penchant for “very comprehensive, detailed’’ 10-point plans.
Is he “too rich,’’ Pagliuca was asked. “I’ve been very lucky,’’ he said and launched into his talking points about the need to create jobs and reform health care.
When asked, in light of the allegations of infidelity about Tiger Woods and members of the Senate, if the candidates objected to the scrutiny faced by public figures, Khazei said: “We are obsessed with this silly stuff . . . We need to focus on real issues.’’
Tiger Woods again!!!! Khazei is correct there!
By most assessments, the race has failed to engage an electorate that seemed to be more fascinated by the decline and death of Kennedy than by the contest to succeed him.
I'd agree with that, too.
The name of Kennedy, a senator for 47 years, was invoked only tangentially last night, once by Khazei, in connection with his support for public service programs, and once by Capuano, in his closing statement, when he said he would be, like Kennedy, a passionate progressive who can get things done.
With a lack of opportunities to confront each other directly, the candidates will now try to reach as many voters as possible in the closing days, when the campaign will be turned over to their field operations, who will try to turn out the voters next week.
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"For candidates, a missed opportunity to offer visions" by Renee Loth | December 3, 2009
Coakley was measured and lawyerly even on a question about her personal life, talking about “zones of privacy’’ and rarely venturing beyond her experience as a prosecutor. Voters could be forgiven for wondering what her priorities are....
Oh, I see; HER PRIVACY is worth protecting. To hell with ours!
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But she's going to the nominee!
MARTHA COAKLEY will be the state’s next US senator....
It was a frontrunner’s dream - an easy night of little substance asked and none offered....
Kennedy took plenty of PAC money. All Khazei could say was that Kennedy was “singular,’’ “unique,’’ and “special.’’ Coakley chimed in that, by the way, all PACs are not evil, such as those for environmentalists and nurses. Even if there is a late groundswell for Khazei, that subtle jab was probably an effective reminder that he remains too naive for the brawling of Capitol Hill. It was a bit ironic because it appears that Coakley, short of a shockingly effective Republican challenge, will head to Washington, without voters being completely clear what she will brawl for.
Only if my guy wins!
Here are a couple clues for what Coakley would fight:
Great, she'll fight for tyranny and gays!
--more--"
And I guess it is unanimous, readers.
"The cool prosecutor and the haughty legislator" by Scot Lehigh | December 3, 2009
ATTORNEY GENERAL Martha Coakley hit her debate stride at just the right moment, turning in a confident, assertive, and likable performance and emerging unscathed from the final face-off.
City Year co-founder Alan Khazei was gutsy in voicing support for a tax to pay for any increased troop presence in Afghanistan....
Capuano's disingenuous and haughty reply showed viewers something instructive about how he responds to critics. And now it’s up to the voters.
--more--"And the DECIDING FACTOR!
"If looks make the senator, Coakley takes race" by Alex Beam, Globe Columnist | December 3, 2009
Someone has to say it: Martha Coakley is a very good-looking woman and by far the handsomest candidate among the four Democrats running for Ted Kennedy’s seat.
Call it the Babe Factor....
In person she’s a knockout. If you don’t think women over 50 can be attractive, well, you’ve got a lot of living left ahead! “Foxy,’’ one political blogger called her. “People say I am better looking in real life than I am on television,’’ Coakley commented. Most definitely.
Are good looks all that matter in a political race? No....
But....
In life and in politics, it helps to be easy on the eye....
You can talk all night about the strengths and weaknesses of our last five presidents, but one thing is for certain: They were all conventionally handsome men. Good looks are one thing, but how does Coakley adorn them? In other words, what does she wear, and is she making the right choices?
How you liking it, ladies!?
“Women are held to a different standard in their dress and wardrobe,’’ Ginger Burr, president of
I asked Burr to watch two videos of Coakley, one from a New England Cable News profile and the other from a Channel 5 appearance. Her verdict? Burr tipped me to the Mary Janes, the vaguely retro dress shoes that strap across the top of the foot. “They have a bit of young girl feel to them,’’ Burr said. “That is sort of contrary to who she is.’’
Burr and I both think that Coakley, who says she doesn’t get professional fashion advice, looks great in pants suits; Hillary Clinton without the baggage, you might say. Coakley successfully wore a dark pants suit at her first televised debate....
Half the job of becoming a senator is looking like a senator. Right now, Martha Coakley is a slightly better-looking version of Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington State. It may not be enough to win, but it is certainly not going to hurt.
What is that old saying about a book and its cover?
Related: Debate connoisseurs give Coakley a thumbs up, Pags falters
"If the candidates serve the way they have campaigned, then we have some strong clues about how each would perform in the US Senate."
Well, since they don't do that there is no reason to read that any further.
And I'm almost afraid of who I'm going to see at the polls:
"Name that candidate; Some voters can, others need hint" by Eric Moskowitz, Globe Staff | December 5, 2009
Four days before the state’s primaries for US Senate, many residents queried about the candidates and the election appear still unfamiliar with their options. A Globe reporter interviewed passersby in and around Downtown Crossing yesterday. Of the 25 who agreed to look at the four 8x10 headshots, six were unable to name any of the candidates, and seven recognized just one of the four. Only six made a clean sweep, identifying all of the Democrats who have been bombarding the airwaves while making their final push for Tuesday’s primary.
“I follow politics but I don’t know.... ’’
In the highly unscientific survey, 16 of 25 said they plan to vote in the primary, including several who scratched their head or chewed their lip as they tried to name the people pictured....
Jessica Acosta, 27, of Allston, an unemployed administrative assistant, said she is particularly interested in the candidates’ economic plans and will try to read up on them before voting. But she, too, did not know when the election is. “I really should know, but I don’t,’’ she said. “When is it?’’
Down the block at Boston Common, Freedom Trail tour guide Steve Hubbard, portraying an early advocate of American democracy in a tricornered hat and woolen cloak, said he knows the election is coming, but does not plan to participate. “The way things have been going, frankly, I think all politicians should be put to sleep,’’ said the 44-year-old Quincy resident, calling the founding fathers smarter, livelier, and more outspoken.
Or some such thing.
“We need a Sam Adams,’’ he said, offering the patriot and the beer that carries his name as a prescription. “We need a Sam Adams, and then we need a six-pack of Sam Adams.’’
Drunk tour guide, 'eh? Only in Bah-stahn!
Jared Rogers, an 18-year-old Suffolk University freshman from Bridgewater, said he would like to vote, but he failed to register in time. He said he hopes to vote in the general election....
And one endorsement I would rather not have seen:
"Democrats turn up heat in stretch run; Special primary contenders make late pitch for votes" by Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff | December 5, 2009
Attorney General Martha Coakley.... announcing an endorsement by women’s rights icon Gloria Steinem....
Related: Toasting the Ladies!
The controlled-opposition, CIA-spook endorsed her, huh?
'cause she looks good?
--more--"
Update:
"Coakley earned a key backer: former president Bill Clinton"
That's another endorsement that doesn't help her.
"Vote by vote, the final sale; Candidates making last push before primary" by Stephanie Ebbert and Michael Levenson, Globe Staff | December 6, 2009
If turnout is low, it will confirm indications from polls and voter interviews that the race to succeed Kennedy has failed to attract heavy interest, despite the high-profile nature of the seat. Just 15 weeks ago, a captivated nation watched the youngest son of America’s political dynasty being eulogized by the president and lionized in a weeklong memorial tribute. What’s more, the loss of Kennedy opened the rarest of political opportunities in Massachusetts.
“It’s hard to believe sometimes that this is the race to succeed Ted Kennedy,’’ said Warren Tolman, a former state senator who ran for governor in 2002. “It’s the seat that Jack Kennedy and Ted Kennedy had, arguably one of the most storied seats in the United States Senate. . . . I don’t think it’s because of the candidates, nor do I think it’s because of the race. I think it’s because of the timing. People are worrying about what they’re getting for Christmas and not how they’re going to get to the polls.’’
Yeah, who gives a s*** how the country is governed?
--more--"
Related: Senate primary attracts little notice
I'll be going. I'll be voting Robinson the Republican.
You DemocraPs can sort this one out yourselves.
Update:
"Candidates hustle to win undecideds; Tomorrow’s vote decides primaries" by Matt Viser and Eric Moskowitz, Globe Staff | December 7, 2009
Duxbury businessman Jack E. Robinson spent the day campaigning in Western Massachusetts, before heading to an appearance before the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. Brown, who is in the National Guard, fulfilled his monthly service requirement before holding two fund-raisers and attending a forum with other Republican politicians last night in Woburn.
You see? MY CANDIDATE is a GOOD MAN!!!!!
Massachusetts hasn’t elected a Republican to the US Senate in 37 years; the Democrat who wins tomorrow will be heavily favored in the Jan. 19 special election....
My state, on the other hand, is el stoo-peedo!!!
a cold morning in Cambridge....
You KNOW why I left THAT in!!
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