Richard Neal (D-MA) Evasive on Debating Challenger, Tom Wesley – Is it Pelosi Style Dodge or Fear of Constituents!

Neal(D-MA2) and McGovern (D-MA3) shown on defense at Town Hall meeting in 2009 - photo Worcester Telegram

Congressman Richard Neal has been asked to debate his opponent, Republican Tom Wesley, in Town Hall Style Debates – the Congressman, has, to date studiously avoided debating in this format. There are two debates planned – one on the 15th of October broadcast from Springfield, MA and one in Milford, where only a portion of the eastern end of the Hampden 2nd will be represented. Both of these debates are in rather "safe" settings, and not entirely confirmed.

One can hardly blame Neal for avoiding town hall style meetings or debates – although he thought it was a good idea when blasting President George Bush’s Town Hall Meetings in 2005 (see video below) – Neal has since changed his mind. When holding a town hall style health care forum in August of 2009, with McGovern (D-MA) 3rd District, ” U.S. Reps. James P. McGovern and Richard E. Neal were heckled and booed after trying to rally support today for President Barack Obama's plan for a comprehensive national health insurance program.

The two Worcester-area Democratic lawmakers were shouted down several times by people attending a packed “town hall” meeting at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

UMass officials threatened several times to end the gathering because of the raucous behavior, which occurred despite a heavy police presence.” (Worcester Telegram)

Perhaps Neal would debate Wesley in this style if he were given certain assurances, such as not having to answer any questions based on his vote on Health Care Reform, or any number of votes where this career politician has voted consistently with one political party. In other words, Neal cannot debate the issues, based on his stand on the issues and his fear that, even in Massachusetts, his stand might be unpopular (given his recent 2009traumatizing experience with actual constituents.)

Although Neal is campaigning harder than he had anticipated to try and maintain the Hampden 2nd Congressional seat, it appears to be an uphill battle, and in some cases, even unfair to the "low-profile" Neal. In recent conversations with constituents across the district over the past three days, the response is one of anti-incumbency. The most telling response, one woman (name held by request) who had actually received help from Neal’s office noted: “It’s sad, he helped me, but I really feel that he’s been there too long.” This long-time Democrat went on to note she would be voting for the Republican, Tom Wesley – a first in her 20 odd years of voting.

While researching roll call votes at The Library of Congress online, one finds Neal voting straight party line from 1999 forward. This last term has seen a lock-step party politician in Neal’s Yea’s or Ney’s - see roll call votes for the 111th Congress 1st session here and for the 111th second session here.

It is fear of running on one’s record in an environment which is not only anti-incumbent, but also one in which the voter, regardless of party, is seeking representation that is not afraid to cross party lines – more than say – once.

Therefore, those in the Hampden 2nd, both the east and west ends of the District are being treated to photo-opps of Neal, and articles written about how those darn Wesley supporters show up at Neal events to hold signs in support of their candidate. It is not that Wesley supporters actually “crash the party” – rather they keep a respectable distance. It is apparently too much for Neal, who would prefer to be isolated from the public – at least until after Nov. 2nd. On the following Wed. he is hoping to hop on the first train out of Massachusetts and head back to the “safety” of the Beltway where he can relax in a less hostile environment.

Again, one has to wonder if Neal will get his wish, from sources within a polling firm hired by the campaign, the road to Neal’s success is not certain. Neal will hold the majority of the Progressives in the district, and those Democrats who simply could not vote for a Republican under any circumstances, he will not hold the Republicans (who make a slight dent in this district), or the unenrolled – who are the majority of the voters in the Hampden 2nd.

Although Neal is reported to be running television ads somewhere in the district (note to Neal Campaign: those 3 AM time slots do not reach a large segment of the populace.), The local media is either unwilling (possible) or unable (likely) to pin Neal down on issues, making this race all but invisible in the press. Most important, the “regular” folk are aware that a race is taking place, and the district (which voted heavily for Scott Brown (above statewide averages), sees that same independent streak (pick a name out of the phone book would be better) unabated.

One has to wonder if it was worth it for Neal to vote with Nancy Pelosi on Congress taking a break so that members could go back to their districts to campaign, instead of voting on the Bush Tax Cuts, which places every single household in the district in peril of having to pay additional taxes beginning January 1. Local businesses, both small and large, have been left in limbo, as those tax cuts (see the Wealthy), apply to them as well – this will result in continued hiring freezes for the Hampden 2nd.

One would think Neal would “man-up”, take Wesley on in any debate forum, in order to showcase his rhetorical skills, and to take a stand on the issues, that although unpopular with the majority of his constituents, that he supported.

Neal has to understand that in order to keep his seat; he needs to convince those voters who, even with his help, would prefer to remove him. The only way to reach those voters and to give them a reason not to vote for Mr. Tom Wesley, of Hopedale, a businessman and veteran who has never held a public office, will be to debate Mr. Wesley and stop avoiding questions posed by certain local reporters.

To pretend this race is a "lock" for Neal is foolhardy, although factions within the Republican party may be putting their efforts into the Governors race, or the 10th, 4th and 5th Districts, it is reminiscent of the Brown campaign, where the ground game counted. Should Neal continue to duck and cover (1950's reference to hiding under ones desk in he event of nuclear war.) it may well be his undoing. This race will not be a landslide on either side, it will be tight and although at this point it is difficult to project (without the marginals from referenced pollsters - which, granted this is hearsay without the ability to print the source name, or the marginals - not yet delivered.) one would hazard to bet a 5 point deficit for an incumbent might be difficult to overcome this close to an election.


Richard Neal on Town Hall meetings.