Jeff Beatty – Massachusetts Senate Campaign - Shoring Up the Grassroots

Political campaigns, outside of the national spotlight, generally take the summer in stride, campaigns are limited to an occasional press release and a stop here and there for a photo opportunity; there are the parades and the party meetings – all aimed at gearing up for the race come September. Campaigns, especially U.S. Senate Campaigns have been noticeably absent from the Massachusetts landscape for decades. John F. Kerry has a website: John Kerry.com, but has not made appearances in the state, with the exception of one visit to Western Massachusetts; meeting with officials in Springfield and Northampton back in late May Springfield Republican article.

This summer is noticeably different. Jeff Beatty has been on the road, making appearances weekly and meeting with local town Republican Committees as well as well as meeting families in a variety of small settings across the state.

Local weekly and daily media are reporting these visits and adding Jeff’s website link in their articles. His visit to Marblehead to meet with local working class families as reported in the Marblehead News is one such example.

On Flag Day (June 14), Jeff and campaign staff attended a monument unveiling for retired navy captain, Thomas Hudner. That evening he was in Dedham, followed by visits to New Bedford and Longmeadow, with appearance on NECN (New England Cable News). Beatty and his campaign staff have been crisscrossing the state non-stop, the campaign invitation to a meeting in Agawam last evening, asked those who were attending to bring along family and friends; Independents and Democrats. Beatty intends to work to accomplish a great deal in the nation and for Massachusetts, by working with Democrats and Independents, and not excluding them based on party bias. Beatty is not excluding the national media from his summer campaign, making an appearance on Michael Regan’s talk show on the 23rd.

Meanwhile, the Democrat contender for Kerry’s spot on the primary ticket has also been working the local circuit. Edward O’Reilly (Edward O’Reilly.com), a Progressive Democrat, has been similarly working hard getting his stand on the issues out through the press. As a Progressive, he can be viewed as a real challenger to Kerry. Although the local pundits refused to believe he’d even get onto the primary ballot, and now doubt that he will beat Kerry in the primary, one has only to examine the Democrat party in Massachusetts to understand that it is vibrantly Progressive and O’Reilly is a grand fit for the base. There is a difference between traditional Democrats (the working class party (alleged), and the Progressive movement (clearly socialist with no apologies). This is an ideology that appeals to the base – given the current climate in Massachusetts, either O’Reilly or Kerry will face a strong challenge in the fall from Beatty. As for Kerry, outside of one quick visit to the state in May, he has been noticeably absent. This is nothing new, he has been noticeably absent except for rare occasions when he feels he must make an appearance. He’s busy on the national stage, just like Daschle (D) South Dakota, removed.



A favorite You-Tube Beatty Video features Col. David Hunt. Col. Hunt is supporting Jeff Beatty.

If you live in the BayState, or are just interested in learning more about Massachusetts politics and those who would represent us; it is strongly suggested that one visit all three campaign websites in order to learn more about each candidate and make an informed decision.