Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Where is John Kerry?
In a recent AP article Google News, Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University History Professor, commented that it would be healthy for John Kerry to have to campaign at home this summer. This lead to the question: “When was the last time John Kerry set foot in Massachusetts among his constituents? With the exception of a quick trip to Western Mass earlier in the year, there has been no news of the incumbent seeking to hobnob with the locals. With 51% of the states voters (recent Suffolk University Poll) seeking a change, it may be wise for Kerry to at least set up a few appearances in the bay state. He faces a challenge for the first time in 24 years from within his own party, and in November, should he succeed in the state primary (a foregone conclusion) he will then run against Jeff Beatty, a grassroots Republican who is getting a lot of traction from an intensive statewide campaign. One note of interest on the part of this AP article, Jeff Beatty is mentioned as barely a footnote, and although the bulk of the article is centered on Kerry and his Democrat rival Ed O’Reilly, only Kerry and O’Reilly’s campaign websites are listed at the end of the article. This may be due to the fact that Kerry is perceived as unbeatable by the majority of the press outside and inside the state of MA and that any Republican would not stand a chance in November. A word to the wise,"Watch Jeff Beatty."
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2 comments:
In Massachusetts?
http://www.bluemassgroup.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=C10BEF9FA3ED416E6D63FA389C6D2DE2?diaryId=12069
John Kerry has always been there for Massachusetts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5U4r6qq6Xo
I beg to differ, or politely agree to disagree. It is a well-known fact, that unlike Ted Kennedy, getting something done for Massachusetts is not usually in John Kerry's schedule, nor are frequent appearances in the state. The Blue Mass Group blog has a specific focus - on the Democrat party, regardless of performance - the same can be said of other Republican blogs - defend, as long as there is a Party Letter in front of one's name. That's not how one should judge a politician. Here is a good suggestion: Visit the Senate, it takes a bit of research but not impossible, and see how Mr. Kerry has voted, see how many bills he has written, co-sponsored, and how many of those have gotten the nod - compare each one to the positive effect it may or may not have on Massachusetts. You will come away with a completely different picture of who John Kerry is, and exactly what it is he has accomplished.
Do not, by any means, discount Ed O'Reilly, he is working hard to campaign, and judgeing by the reaction at the convention, he may do well against Kerry in a primary where, you must know, independents are allowed to voice their opinions. The individual that carry's the Democrat standard after September, will be the one who faces Jeff Beatty, who is a very capable candidate.
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