Kerry’s Negatives – A Plus for Challenger Jeff Beatty

The Boston Herald article this morning regarding John Kerry’s challenger, Jeff Beatty, references the uphill battle the campaign faces in the “bluest” state – a state that is known to heavily favor the Democrat party. They fail to note that the state is more heavily “independent’ and that both the Democrat as well as the Republican parties (the later always penned in the press as embattled) lost equal enrollment in the past 4 years. In addition, most of the Democrat incumbents go unchallenged; it may be the mindset, furthered by a state and national press that any other party would fare ill within the “Bluest State” – bunk!

Jeff Beatty is the first qualified candidate to face Kerry in a dozen years, and the fact that Kerry is facing opposition from within his own party for the first time in 24 years is telling. The Herald ponders the question whether Kennedy’s illness will play a factor in the Kerry race – should Kennedy leave the Senate, the state might need Kerry to help keep the federal support that Kennedy brings home. Why would the Herald and or the people of the State believe that Kerry would suddenly become more engaged than he has in the past? Beatty, an effective businessman, who has garnered significant grassroots support, is an effective campaigner who would take his experience to Washington in order to further the interest of the residents of the state. Kerry’s lackluster performance for the state, coupled with the anger of those in the Democrat party who are upset with his support of Obama over Clinton, will aid Beatty’s already well-established campaign.

It is interesting to note that every national article as well as articles from papers in the Bay state use the moniker “little known” when referring to Jeff Beatty, preferring instead to focus on Kerry, Ogonowski’s failure to make the ballot, the State’s and national Republican party’s preference for Ogonowski ad nausea and the “eventual” return of Kerry to the senate. Beatty’s treatment by the press is similar in scope to that received by a “little known” John Thune, who made history by unseating the first Senate Leader in 52 years – Tom Daschle.
More on Jeff Beatty from the Worcster Telegram

Jeff, a US Army veteran, will also participate in the Dedham Flag Day parade this Saturday. Interesting Fact: Flag Day is also Army Day and this year marks the 233rd anniversary of the founding of the American Army.