For the first time in not so recent memory there are two Republican challengers for the Hampden 2nd Congressional District seat currently occupied by one Richard Neal. Neal, who votes straight Democrat Party Line, and is currently vying for the Chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee should the Democrats retain power over the house, will face his first real challenge in decades. Neal, one of 9 Democrat House Members with enough cash on hand that the Democrat Leadership is asking them for help (see Politico story here), should feel confident that he has cash on hand to defend his seat. That said, Neal is not counting on cash alone to save him from retiring. How much trouble is Neal in? He’s hoping that party icon President Bill Clinton will pay a visit to the district hub of Springfield MA to energize and otherwise, lackluster base.
Neal, quoted in a Boston Globe story back in January while on the stump for Martha Coakley: “There’s a great reservoir of support Bill Clinton has always had in Massachusetts,’’ and his visit could spur disinterested Democrats, said US Representative Richard Neal, of Springfield.”
That was January, and not much has improved since Coakley ran against Scott Brown in the Senate Special Election. One can blame Coakley for missteps (which the pundits that be - have) however, it is also a brand issue and the State of Massachusetts, of all places, is in the process of re branding its collective political think.
WWLP, the NBC Affiliate in Western Massachusetts, held a Lincoln-Douglas style debate between the two Republican candidates running against Neal which aired prior to 3:00 pm, and was not mentioned in subsequent newscasts. Most specifically the 11 pm newscast. It appears that, given the caliber of both candidates, it would be in Neal’s best interest that the press downplay their existence. The debate footage is especially significant due to the fact that independents (and those in the know in MA understand that) control over 50% of the vote and can and do vote in primaries.
The process: An independent (or in Mass. Speak: unenrolled) merely goes to their designated polling station, requests either a Democrat or Republican ballot, and then temporarily declares a party, which they un-declare on their way out the door, should they so choose. The problem Neal faces, unenrolleds understand the process, having been down this road with Scott Brown in January (yes there was a primary) . It is, as of this writing, uncertain as to what percentage of unenrolleds will be voting in the primary, (Neal is running unopposed on the Democrat ballot). What is understood is that independents (or unenrolleds) as a group are as engaged and interested in this midterm as the Republicans’.
The Debate: Dr. Jay Fleitman appeared to be commanding in his presentation, with Mr. Wesley basically agreeing with every point made. The only difference being that Dr. Fleitman has drawn up a plan that would certainly make sense for those American’s struggling in this economy – which, as of now, crosses socio-economic lines. Mr. Wesley, a businessman, and veteran, dismissed having plans, as they are subject to change. Dr. Fleitman, who has given up a lucrative practice as well as his seat as Chairman of the City of Northampton Board of Health in order to run for Congress, appears to be a man who is used to making plans, executing them, and if the situation changes, flexible enough in order to achieve an objective that would best fit his constituency.
Both men should be considered patriots and hero’s as they are taking time away from family and business in order to run against one of the most “under the radar” Pelosi style Democrats the nation is saddled with. That said, in this opinion, Dr. Fleitman won the debate on both his opening and closing remarks, it was all about substance. Of special interest: this was a politically polite debate, however, one can sense that Dr. Flietman was gearing up for the debates against Richard Neal post primary. One has to wonder, should Dr. Fleitman, who appears to be the frontrunner, emerge from the primary next Tuesday, if Richard Neal will debate Dr. Fleitman in an arena which is avail be for the majority of the public. Or will it be similar to the debates seen so far in this critical election – at odd hours, in only certain sections of the State (Governors debate) and/or designated to the web. Fortunately, the group most inclined to vote, has grown very web savvy, and are searching diligently for an opportunity to replace Richard Neal via Google!
The video appears in two parts below. It goes without saying, that in this climate, in this corner of Western Massachusetts, a Republican stands an alternative candidate stands a better than average chance of besting an incumbent, specifically a Democrat incumbent. (This according to election returns from the January special elections race: shown here: The following occurred in the Hamden DISTRICT 2: Rep. Richard Neal: Agawam – Brown, Brimfield – Brown, Chicopee – Brown, East Longmeadow – Brown, Hampden – Brown, Holland – Brown, Longmeadow – Brown, Ludlow – Brown, Monson – Brown, Palmer – Brown, Springfield – Coakley, Wales – Brown, Wilbraham – Brown, Hadley – Coakley, Northampton – Coakley, South Hadley – Brown, Bellingham – Brown, Blackstone – Brown, Brookfield – Brown, Charlton – Brown, Douglas – Brown, Dudley – Brown, East Brookfield – Brown, Grafton – Brown, Hopedale – Brown, Leicester – Brown, Mendon – Brown, Milford – Brown, Millbury – Brown, Millville – Brown, North Brookfield, - Brown, Northbridge – Brown, Oxford – Brown, Southbridge – Brown, Spencer – Brown, Sturbridge – Brown, Sutton – Brown, Upton – Brown, Uxbridge – Brown, Warren – Brown, Webster – Brown.
Therefore, should this scenario hold true, (based on voter angst only) or even come close, Dr. Fleitman would be the next Congressional Representative from Massachusetts. The City of Chicopee, one of the largest population areas in the District, voted 53 plus % for Brown versus Coakley (See handy interactive map courtesy of the New York Timeshere. This is not to say that Dr. Fleitman is a “Scott Brown” – he is a Dr. Jay Flietman, who had, incidentally, been on the campaign trail against Richard Neal months prior to Browns election. In that wise, he has had the time to develop the base, and is reaching out to those Independents (Unenrolleds) and Democrats who he has had the pleasure to serve while an elected official in the City of Northampton (no mean feat as a Republican).
Advice from a Conservative Feminist who is vested in seeing a more balanced Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, vote or, if outside of the district, support in any way one is able, Dr. Jay Flietman on September 14th and again on November the 2nd.
An important side note: Alternative Candidates to Democrat incumbents across the state, will need extra help in both time and treasure as the Commonwealth has managed to receive a waiver on the new military ballot law, which protects the voting rights of our military members – just in time for this mid-term
The debate between Dr. Jay Flietman and Mr. Tom Wesley running for Congress against one Richard Neal (D-MA)
part 2
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