Richard Neal (D-MA2) Plans to Run for Re-Election in 2012 – Despite Possible Redistricting and Loss of Congressional District

Richard Neal(D-MA2) and John Olver (D-MA1), May have to run for new combined district seat in 2012 - photo Springfield Republican.

From: Masslive.com (Springfield Republican) – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA2) announced yesterday that he would seek re-election to Congress in 2012. Neal has held the seat since 1989 and faced his first challenge in 2010 in Republican Tom Wesley, a political newcomer who garnered 40% of the vote in the district, exceeding pundit’s expectations showing Neal as powerhouse taking 75% of the vote. There will be several challengers to Neal’s seat in 2012, however, that will depend upon the Commonwealth’s redistricting due to a significant loss in population forcing the loss of a Congressional seat. As of this time, it is unclear which district will be lost in the state, with some speculation that the 1st and 2nd districts will be merged, having the lowest populations.

Massachusetts has lost population consistent with increased taxes and joins other similarly high tax states in losing seats. From urbangrounds.com via Washington Examiner:

New York and Ohio are likely to lose two seats each, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will be down one apiece. The average top state personal income tax rate in these loser states: 6.05 percent.

Therefore, Neal, who had been vying for the top slot on the Ways and Means Committee prior to the Nov. 2nd election which saw an historical power shift in the House, with Democrat losses the highest since the 1930’s, is now relegated to “ranking member”, with the possibility of the current district, east of Springfield, being merged with part of the 3rd district held by McGovern, leaving the 1st District alive and well under the direction of John Olver who will face an in party challenge from Berkshire Register of Deeds and former state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., a Pittsfield lawyer, is running for the 2012 Democratic nomination for the seat and has a fund-raising event scheduled for Thursday.

With the possibility of the District Loss, Neal may have to face a three way primary challenge against fellow Congressman John Olver (D-MA1) and Nucifero. Neal, a former schoolteacher, first ran for elected office in 1984 and won the seat as Mayor of Springfield, he was elected to the Congress upon the retirement of Democrat Edward Boland, facing no opposition in 1989. Neal, who has been dubbed “Nancy Pelosi’s and Irelands Tax-Man on the Hill” votes straight party line 98% of the time. In the waning hours of the 111th Congress, Neal and other House Democrats plan to force a vote on tax cuts, proposing the Progressive model of increasing taxes on all businesses and income over $250,000 while negotiations between the White House and Senior members of the House and Senate are still taking place. A purely political stunt designed to embarrass the incoming majority. The Bush Tax Cuts are set to expire on the 1st of January, with an across the board increase in taxes for all Americans. The Democrats in both Houses and the Administration appear to be stalling and allowing these tax increases to go through, which will, in all likelihood extend the current economic crisis. The blame will rest solely on those who failed to move this issue forward over the past two years, and, Neal, who held a high ranking seat on the Ways and Means Committee, had the power to do so.

Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA8) Up for Re-election in 2012 – Battles to Maintain Power in Congress – Capuano (D-MA) No to Pelosi – Boston Globe Scolds

Pelosi Seeks Power - here with Obama - mutual adoration apparent - image PatDollard

Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, is determined to seekthe position of Democrat Minority Leader, regardless of the fact that some in the Democrat Party would prefer another member take the lead. Pelosi, who, despite support for her Republican Opponent in 2010, John Dennis, coming from every corner of the 8th district, including the endorsement of Cindy Sheehan, won re-election by a an astounding 80.1% of the vote. Pelosi, who along with the House Democrats, lost leadership positions when Republican’s regained control of the Congress in November, simply refuses to go away. Perhaps it is the fact that she did so well in her own District, or the dogged nature of the Progressive, whose ideology trumps reason in all cases, that leads the most unpopular figure in American politics to compete in what is partially, a popularity contest.

All leadership positions, regardless of which political party controls the house, are subject to politics inside the party; members must convince their “peers” that they deserve a specific leadership post. Nancy is now in the stages of doing just that, while the GOP is perhaps her biggest cheerleader. Her biggest detractor however, comes from the Bay State, where one would think that Progressive Democrats would heartily support Nancy’s quest to be the Minority Leader – not so.

The Boston Globe reports today, (or more to the point opines and blasts several Democrat incumbents for bad manners) suggests that Michael Capuano (D-MA8), is not pleased with Nancy’s performance and suggests she seek retirement. Capuano, unlike the balance of the 9 Massachusetts Congressional Representatives, did not face a tough fight for reelection this year (he ran uncontested. He understands the consequences should Pelosi remain the face of the Democrat Party. It was the numbers that came into play in the once “secure” Democrat Commonwealth of Massachusetts that made Mike stand up and take notice.

Normally, members of Congress in blue states like Massachusetts and California, do not even face a serious challenger, and go unchallenged for decades. In 2010 that changed, and both California and Massachusetts saw challengers in Districts that are home to some of the most previously powerful in Washington. For example, when looking at Districts the New York Times suggested would be taken by each incumbent with at least 70 plus percent of the vote, they actually came in a tad too close for comfort. The MA2 (Richard Neal (Formerly seeking Chair of House Ways & Means), saw 1st time challenger Tom Wesley with little financing, take 42.7% of the vote, MA5 (Niki Tsongas), saw 1st time challenger, Jon Golnik take 42.3% of the vote, the open seat in the 10th District, Democrat Bill Keating won by merely 4 points, and in the MA4th, Barney Frank (former Chair Finance) was chased by Sean Bielat, and won by 10 points, which had Barney Frank fuming (see Globe article on Frank’s bad manners.) The balance of the races, were in the same vein in MA, with entrenched incumbents coming in with lower overall percentages than in previous decades.

Capuano understands that those results are encouraging, not to the Democrats, but to those who are now considering run in 2012 at the same Congressional Representatives who only won by 10 points or even 20. The challenges will come, and these former powerful members of the House, will have to begin fundraising again, to battle opponents unknown. It is that with Nancy Pelosi’s face as leader, which will be used in every possible ad against those who support her, which has smart Capuano running as far away from his former protégé as possible.

It will be interesting as the infighting continues, to see if, between now and January when the new Congress convenes, who will take the titles of Democrat Minority Leader and Whip. Capuano may be hoping it is a moderate face, however, Nancy is not going away quietly, and may, in the end, manage to take the lead. According to the Globe, all Nancy Pelosi needs is the backing of the California Congressional Representatives (D) as well as the 10 Democrat Massachusetts Congressional Representatives and she will be well on her way to meet her goal. Note that report was made prior to the Capuano announcement/analogy vis a vis Pelosi and baseball (the losing coach is normally fired (paraphrased), leaving Pelosi, 1 short. Surely there are other Progressives, left in the Congress who will stand for Pelosi, and give the GOP the opportunity of taking the rest of the House and Senate in 2012. Of course, this depends on whether or not the GOP stands on its principals and delivers on the promises made - that is the only option before these new Congressional members.

Massachusetts – Democrats Switching Ballots to Republicans in “Surge” of Thousands Finals Days Prior to Election

Tom Wesley, a man "For and of the People" Running for Congress Against Richard Neal, and getting a helping hand from "thousands" of Democrats in the District! image Politics2010


A report from news from Channel 3, CBS News Springfield, MA, last evening began by speaking about a surge in voter registration changes and early data suggesting that Republican gains in Massachusetts suggest that change from the Bay State did not end with Scott Brown’s victory in November. From"CBS3’s, (WHFS, Springfield, MA), Matthew Campbell:

“Republicans have been surging. Riding a wave of voter frustration into the November elections, they hope to take key seats in the state and elsewhere.
So far, early numbers suggest they have a very good shot. Springfield's Election Office reported that they've seen hundreds (video below notes “if not thousands”), switch their registration from Democrat to Republican this year. Speaking with Secretary of State William Galvin, he echoes the same results from around the state.”

Both the video (below) and web version of the report began with the sign for a Democrat rally, put up on the Springfield City Hall then taken down as citizens complained about the legality of a Democrat rally banner placed on City property days prior to the event. In interviewing Governor Deval Patrick and MA2 Congressman, Richard Neal, both looked somewhat uneasy at the suggestion that change may occur on November 2nd in Massachusetts.

The shift in the party registration has been evidenced at rally’s in recent days for Neal Challenger, Republican Tom Wesley, who is dubbed as a “career citizen” in reference to his run against Congressman Neal, who was first an aid to George McGovern, then Mayor of the City of Springfield, then a State Legislator, prior to moving on to the Congress in the 1988. Neal has held that position, unchallenged, since that time, and has a record in the past two sessions of voting lockstep with Democrat Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, 98% of the time. Those attending the Wesley events have left the Democrat Party, and are working with vigor for Wesley – the biggest reason for the switch and the surge in voters (internal polls have incumbents breaking for Wesley 70/30 in the district) is the fact that Brown was sent by the people as a message, and that the message was ignored by Congress. This change in party is occurring in the rank and file as well as with elected officials. Recently, a member of the Springfield City Council, Timothy Rooke, switched parties and endorsed Republican Charlie Baker for Governor.

Additionally, in an article released by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, on October 26th, talks about Neal having a large “war chest” from Special Interest Groups” and interestingly, Neal’s campaign manager, notes that the only polling done was at the behest of the Neal Campaign, and that Neal was doing well. This statement contradicts one made earlier on said polling. When queried by this blog regarding leaks from the campaigns polling firm suggesting Neal was showing dismal numbers in the district, it was said that there simply was no polling taking place.
Although playing “devil’s advocate”, the campaign have done a second round of polls, however, one would hazard to guess, results would be the same. Additionally, these media reports of heavy campaign war chests by Special Interest Groups coupled with the constant articles from all Bay State media about the monies brought into the district and state by both Neal and Patrick are having unintended consequences. They are firming the commitment of the general public to vote Republican and/or switch political parties based on the public distaste for deficit spending.

The Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District, not unlike the balance of the Bay State, has been, for the past few decades, led by those “unenrolleds” or independent voters who make up over 50% of the electorate. Using statistical data of the district ( here ), one can see that using figures from 2008 party registration (no longer accurate based on an unknown increase in Republican Registration and decline in Democrat Registration) the district placed 27% more votes for Scott Brown than Martha Coakely, in January of this year; this suggests certain Congressional districts, like the 2nd, which are rated Likely Democrat by Washington pundits, might better be deemed as a toss-up, at the very least.

In other words, without enough base to stem the tide, will the usual trolling for votes in Nursing homes (this blog has personal experience in that regard in the 2000 election), dead voting in the Bay State, and the union vote (12 %of the voting bloc nationwide), be sufficient to keep the career politicians in office - unlikely as it did not work for Coakley..

Therefore, if thousand are switching political affiliation across the state, then just how many Congressional Districts are in play? The answer is 9, which is historical in that there are 9 challenged Congressional races, let alone the fact that 4 to 5 of those races are most certainly on the radar. Will all races be by wide margins of 5 or more points? Most probably not, however, they will all be close, and it is now a safe bet that the makeup of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation will be changing on Nov. 2nd.

Finally, based on the video below, one has to ask, do the answers by Deval Patrick and Congressman Richard Neal, and indicate that they are ‘confident’ in this race?




To learn more about Tom Wesley and his citizen’s campaign for Congress visit www.tomwesley.com and volunteer or donate – the final days of the campaign will be critical, and when an opposition may even pull out the dead and disabled to vote to maintain a long-held office, every hand on deck is of import.
Side note: How critical are the MA Congressional Races: polling stations across the state will be monitored by volunteers, in numbers equal to or surpassing the Brown election

MA2 2010 Mid-Term Election Update: Tom Wesley (R), Running Against Richard Neal (D), Receives Romney PAC Endorsement

Tom Wesley, the Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress in the MA2 District, has received the endorsement of former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney’s, Free and Strong America PAC. Upon learning of this endorsement, Wesley issued this statement:

“I am grateful to Governor Romney and his Free and Strong America PAC for recognizing the importance of our grassroots-driven campaign. We need to control government spending and to reduce its size. We need to encourage a business climate that creates jobs and fosters entrepreneurship.”

“As the next Congressman from the 2nd District, I will work every day to accomplish these important goals,” Wesley said.

Wesley, who recently debated Richard Neal on WGBY, Public Television in Springfield, MA, has called for the incumbent to hold town-hall style debates- Neal, has to date, declined. WWLP, an NBC affiliate, invited both Neal and Wesley to debate the issues in a less scripted environment, again, Neal declined. The video of Wesley’s WWLP debate, sans Neal, can be viewed here, on youtube.com. WWLP is one of the dominant broadcast affiliates in the Springfield Market, and would have a larger share of viewership than, say, a public television station, which would have put Neal in front of more constituents.

Instead, the apparently sky, Congressman Neal, attended a fundraiser in Northampton at Smith’s College. The star at that event: Victoria Kennedy who rallied campus Democrats and local Democrat politicians,according to the Hampshire Gazette.

This is telling as Neal’s campaign appears to have focused on his base, instead of reaching out to a broader constituency, including the “unenrolleds”. When viewing the incumbents Face Book page and subsequent photographs of events(posted here on Facebook), one is left with the impression the Congressman is most comfortable in smaller controlled settings. Wesley has been reaching out to all possible voters in the district through his campaign’s ground game, which is essential in order to take one of the most Conservative leaning districts in the state. This is why the endorsement from Romney makes perfect sense.

Romney, who will, most likely, seek the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination, has endorsed several candidates from the Bay State, including Gubernatorial Candidate, Charlie Baker and Congressional Candidate, Sean Bielat. For a full list of Massachusetts candidate endorsed by Romney’s PAC, visit freestrongamerican.com/our-candidates/MA.

Endorsements by high-profile politicians, such as Romney and Senator Scott Brown, are often viewed by pundits as the future candidate sowing political capital by “investing” in candidates that will, in turn, back them in the future, both on the campaign trail and in public office. These endorsements, although politically partisan in nature, speak volume about the confidence in the individual candidates and their campaigns chances of besting the incumbent in the 2010 mid-terms.

MA 2010 Barney Frank and Richie Neal Run on Save Social Security from Republicans - No Increase for Seniors in 2011 - Again

Richard Neal (D-MA2) Runs on Social Security - Again - photo credit kerry senate

Although running on one’s record in Congress during this particular mid-term is not the most popular tactic for incumbents, even in Massachusetts, one would think that any Democrat Congressional Representative would know better than to run the tired scare tactic on the Republican Party and Social Security. Not so for both Richard Neal and Barney Frank, two Massachusetts Democrats facing challenges this election cycle. Under the current administration and the watch of the Democrat controlled legislature, seniors did not receive a cost of living increase in Social Security benefits for 2010 and will not receive an increase again in 2011. Neal is running a television advertisement on Social Security (not found on the web as of this writing) and Frank, is is visiting seniors noting that he’s “working hard to get them an increase in Social Security payments that so many say they need as their bills continue to rise.”

The question this election will be, are seniors buying this message? The fact that Social Security increases are determined, not by the Congress, but rather the Social Security Administration which is driven by the U.S. Department of Labor.

That said no incumbents are running on Congressional cost of living increases or C.O.L.A.’s, which are automatic, and in place regardless of the economy. According to an article in the Jackson, Mississippi, Clarion Ledger: “that drink's all the rage among senior citizens.”

With the increasing use of the web and instant news access for American’s seniors (especially the estimated 76 million baby boomers, many of which are just beginning to collect social security retirement benefits.) that message may not resonate this November, even in Massachusetts. Both Richard Neal (D-MA2) and Barney Frank (D-MA4)face Republican Challengers in this years election. Neal will face Tom Wesley, a businessman and veteran tomwesley.com and Frank will face Sean Bielat, a businessman and active reservist seanbielat.com on November 2nd.

MA 2010 Election Update – Roll Call of Dems who Voted to Stay in Session to avoid Tax Increase in 2011 – Not One Mass. Rep. on the List!

The House voted to adjourn yesterday and put aside voting on legislation that would have prevented a tax increase come January, 2011. Those Democrats voting to stay in Session, along with all Republicans are shown below. Who’s missing? Every single Democrat Congressional Representative from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – who voted with House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (who cast the vote that put the House on mini-vacation) to come home and campaign. One more reason why anti-incumbent sentiment is running high in Massachusetts are stunts like this.

Putting one’s “career” over the interests of the tax payers is a problem; therefore, when the opportunity arises, in every district in the Commonwealth, the question should be poised:
“Why, Congressmen, (or woman) did you vote to come home and campaign, instead of saving me from paying more taxes? Followed by: “and why should you keep your job?”


Every single member of the House of Representatives (your congressional representative) and Senator knew that allowing the Bush Tax cuts to expire would mean your income would decrease, yet the people we hired decided their income was more important – they needed to get back to their districts to campaign. Was it each and every single Congressional Representative or Senator – hardly. In fact, the House of Representatives passed the motion to adjourn and not vote on the Bush Tax Cuts by one vote – the tie breaker - Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

That means that thirty nine Democrats joined all Congressional Republicans in voting to stay in session and vote on your income. Those Democrats who joined all Republicans and voted no are:

AL Bright
AZ Giffords
AZ Kirkpatrick
AZ Mitchell
CA McNerney
CO Markey
GA Marshall
ID Minnick
IL Bean
IL Foster
IN Donnelly
IN Ellsworth
LA MeLancon
MD Kratovil
ME Michaud
MI Peters
MI Schauer
MS Childers
MS Taylor
NC McIntyre
NC Shuler
NH Arcuri
NJ Adler
NM Heinrich
NV Titus
NY Bishop
NY McMahon
OH Driehaus
OH Kilroy
OH Space
PA Altmire
PA Carney
PA Murphy
PA Perriello
PA Sestak
SD Sandlin
TX Edwards
VA Connolly
VA Nye

If your Democrat Congressman or Congresswoman is not on the above list, they are responsible for increasing your income. Nothing more, nothing less.