John Kerry Makes Appearance in
Western Massachusetts

Photo, Springfield Republican, MassLive

If one has difficulty remembering the last time John Kerry made an appearance in the other half of his home state, it is because he simply does not travel here that often. He was in the area yesterday, visiting supporters for his 2008 re-election bid. Local CBS Affiliate Channel 3 speculated about the possibility of Kerry being given a place in the Obama administration, noting of course, that Obama would first have to get the Democratic nomination, then actually get voted into the White House. Kerry replied that he’d like to keep his current job.

The Springfield Republican article here talks about Kerry’s 25 years in the senate and his visit to two cities in the Western Half of the state, Northampton and Springfield. To some in this neck of the woods, it appears that it may have been 25 years since his last visit. He has faced little or no opposition to his seat in the past, however, 2008 is different, which may be why he has a sudden interest in making an appearance in this forgotten part of the Bluest State.

Enter Jeff Beatty. Jeff Beatty (R) is the strongest opposition candidate that Kerry has faced in the past 25 years. Beatty is a conservative Republican, willing to work with those on the other side of the aisle in order to get the job done. He has the necessary credentials to enter the Senate as a viable replacement to the lackluster Kerry.

Jeff’s Republican opponent, Jim Ogonowski, failed to collect the necessary signatures in order to place his name on the ballot, and some of the signatures he did collect are being called into question. The Boston Globe reported yesterday article here that Ogonowski fell short of the necessary votes, and from the Left Leaning Carpetbagger blog , reports that Ogonowski is supported by the national party, an embarrassment since he failed to garner the signatures. Jeff Beatty on the other hand, is more of a grassroots candidate, has out raised Ogonowski by both funds and signatures, and is polling very favorably against John Kerry. This may be why John Kerry is suddendly inetrested in WEstern Massachusetts.

To learn more about Jeff Beatty, visit his website: Jeff Beatty .com Kerry may have the support of the Bay state rank and file Democrats, but it is the Independent or Unenrolled voters, who make up more than 50% of the state’s electorate, who will make the difference in this election. It may just be time for a change.