Jeff Beatty – Massachusetts Senate Campaign - Shoring Up the Grassroots

Political campaigns, outside of the national spotlight, generally take the summer in stride, campaigns are limited to an occasional press release and a stop here and there for a photo opportunity; there are the parades and the party meetings – all aimed at gearing up for the race come September. Campaigns, especially U.S. Senate Campaigns have been noticeably absent from the Massachusetts landscape for decades. John F. Kerry has a website: John Kerry.com, but has not made appearances in the state, with the exception of one visit to Western Massachusetts; meeting with officials in Springfield and Northampton back in late May Springfield Republican article.

This summer is noticeably different. Jeff Beatty has been on the road, making appearances weekly and meeting with local town Republican Committees as well as well as meeting families in a variety of small settings across the state.

Local weekly and daily media are reporting these visits and adding Jeff’s website link in their articles. His visit to Marblehead to meet with local working class families as reported in the Marblehead News is one such example.

On Flag Day (June 14), Jeff and campaign staff attended a monument unveiling for retired navy captain, Thomas Hudner. That evening he was in Dedham, followed by visits to New Bedford and Longmeadow, with appearance on NECN (New England Cable News). Beatty and his campaign staff have been crisscrossing the state non-stop, the campaign invitation to a meeting in Agawam last evening, asked those who were attending to bring along family and friends; Independents and Democrats. Beatty intends to work to accomplish a great deal in the nation and for Massachusetts, by working with Democrats and Independents, and not excluding them based on party bias. Beatty is not excluding the national media from his summer campaign, making an appearance on Michael Regan’s talk show on the 23rd.

Meanwhile, the Democrat contender for Kerry’s spot on the primary ticket has also been working the local circuit. Edward O’Reilly (Edward O’Reilly.com), a Progressive Democrat, has been similarly working hard getting his stand on the issues out through the press. As a Progressive, he can be viewed as a real challenger to Kerry. Although the local pundits refused to believe he’d even get onto the primary ballot, and now doubt that he will beat Kerry in the primary, one has only to examine the Democrat party in Massachusetts to understand that it is vibrantly Progressive and O’Reilly is a grand fit for the base. There is a difference between traditional Democrats (the working class party (alleged), and the Progressive movement (clearly socialist with no apologies). This is an ideology that appeals to the base – given the current climate in Massachusetts, either O’Reilly or Kerry will face a strong challenge in the fall from Beatty. As for Kerry, outside of one quick visit to the state in May, he has been noticeably absent. This is nothing new, he has been noticeably absent except for rare occasions when he feels he must make an appearance. He’s busy on the national stage, just like Daschle (D) South Dakota, removed.



A favorite You-Tube Beatty Video features Col. David Hunt. Col. Hunt is supporting Jeff Beatty.

If you live in the BayState, or are just interested in learning more about Massachusetts politics and those who would represent us; it is strongly suggested that one visit all three campaign websites in order to learn more about each candidate and make an informed decision.

John Kerry Faces Multiple Challenges – The Obama Factor

John Kerry will face opposition from within his own party in the September primary. Edward O’Reilly secured 22.5% of the votes at today’s convention. Baltimore Sun story here.
As noted in the Sun article, Kerry has run without opposition for the past 24 years. Although it was expected he would easily pass the convention as the sole Democrat on the ballot – O’Reilly succeeded in securing more than the necessary 15% of the delegates to place his name on the primary ballot. The press is playing the fact that Kerry voted for the Iraq War as the primary cause of his woes (not to mention his virtual absence from Massachusetts the majority of the time). The main reason for the sudden shift is Kerry’s backing of Obama over the wishes of the majority of his constituents. Although Hillary Clinton made a lovely speech today regarding party unity, it is doubtful that those who understood the relentless anti-feminist rant of the press and her peers in the Senate will easily forget and forgive. This is especially true for of an incumbent, like Kerry, who is vulnerable.

Photo NY Times

Kerry will most likely succeed in the primary (then again, he was supposed to easily sweep the convention today), to face a solid grassroots Republican, Jeff Beatty, who secured 17,000 plus signatures from Republicans and Independents (and possibly a Democrat or two) in order to place his name on the ballot. Noting that the Democrats seem to focus lately on how charismatic a candidate might be (rather than say qualified), Kerry might be in real trouble here, in the heart of the People’s Republic of Massachusetts.

John Kerry Faces Opposition

The Massachusetts Democrat Party will hold their primary this Sunday in Lowell, MA and although John Kerry is expected to win his party’s nomination, it is not without some opposition. A percentage of party members are unhappy that he endorsed Barrack Obama over his constituents preferred candidate Hillary Clinton and are supporting fellow Democrat, Edward O’Reilly. (Full article Worcester Telegram)

Additionally, CBS News is reporting that Kerry faces opposition from Republican candidate, Jeff Beatty in November. Beatty will run unopposed. Jim Ogonowki, the Republican backed by the National Republican Senate Committee, has withdrawn from the race after failing to collect the signatures necessary to place his name on the ballot.

Beatty, who amassed 17,000 certified signatures (10,000 were required) obviously has the grassroots support necessary to win an election. The Massachusetts Republican Committee along with the NRSC should now scramble to get their collective acts together and endorse Beatty post haste. With credentials and plenty of time to brand, these Republican Organizations have the candidate and the opportunity to make national headlines by defeating Kerry. Kerry is viewed as unbeatable by the media, however, with his own party disillusioned with his lack of performance and a high number of unerolled voters (50%) who may be even more hostile, the task at hand would not be insurmountable. Think Ted Daschle.


New England Cable News Jeff Beatty Interview