John Walsh – MASS DNC Chair – Leaves to Chair Patrick PAC – No Hint of Bay State Replacement – Ground Troops and Retail Politics – An Opportunity for the RNC and MASS GOP to Lose

The Bay State in 2013 Markey-Gomez Election - not entirely a blue state - image: Daily Kos

A somewhat interesting piece appeared in the Boston Globe – an opinion column by Joan Vennochi, who suggests the sun and moon rises over John Walsh – the title “John Walsh’s rhapsody in blue” speaks to the Walsh victories, Deval Patrick’s campaign for Governor and use by those methods (“yes we can”) by the Obama Campaign in 08, the win of Elizabeth Warren, et al. Since Mr. Walsh is going to head the outgoing Governor, Deval Patrick’s Federal PAC, one can anticipate that Walsh is heading to DC in short order.

Patrick has continued to claim he is not running for President (that mantle will go to either Hillary Clinton, or the Professor (yes, Elizabeth Warren), but they need strong Progressives on the national level to make sure that happens – who will be up for the DNC Chair? – Patrick? It’s a possibility.

What of Massachusetts? There is no clue as to who will replace Walsh, who was brought into the State DNC Specifically to run the State Party, according to Blue Mass Group and there are no replacements in mind. One had better hope, if one is a Democrat, that Walsh’s Replacement is of the same cut of cloth, not necessarily in Venocchi’s description of the Bible According to John Walsh, where Democrats actively campaign for higher taxes, but the retail, door knocking, aggressive, get out the vote style of Massachusetts Democrat Campaigns that have been the staple as long as time remembers.

That has been the downfall of opposition parties, the MASS GOP and the National GOP – who place a focus on fundraising rather than the mechanics of winning a race. The lack of poll-watcher, drivers, and door knockers on the ground in certain states and precincts of import has been like watching fish in a barrel for decades. The campaign of a Republican in Massachusetts, can’t be won without the hard work of disgruntled Democrats (See Scott Brown) – One needs those union members behind them (regardless of whether or not on the face of things – they support the Democrat candidate). That and the use of similar tactics would be the only way to level the playing field in Massachusetts, and elect a Republican to the White House in 2016. Of course, on that note, they may want to insure that the candidate is acceptable to that group of 20 million or so evangelicals who may or may not vote for a Catholic or a Mormon, or a suggestion from a prominent church leader that allowing Barrack Obama to win, and destroy the nation, would somehow gain more converts and destroy the Democrats) and, sit out a race entirely (See 2008 and 2012).

Miracles do happen, and depending upon who is sitting in the Mass DNC Chair, should they have the level of confidence, and the ability to be a 1950’-1960’s retail, ground troop, smart guy with a lot of pull, then nothing will change. If that person is a moonbat and somewhat competent, then there is a huge opening that is the RNC’s to lose. The fact that the national Party ignores the Bay State and gives it up for “lost” before a race begins, is one of the pivotal mistakes the National Party makes. Upending the Bays State would have a ripple effect throughout the country, especially as concerns increased morale, and decreased morale, depending upon which party is winning or losing.

It should prove interesting, however predictable, as the status quo, regardless of competence in the Chair seat, will most likely, the same remain.

Kristen Hughes wins MA GOP Chair in Tight Race – 41-39 in Long Night in Boston – Opponent Rick Green, Announces Chair. Top Mass Dem Congratulates Media on Twitter

The New Mass GOP Chair, Kristen Hughes – image from Mass Live (Springfield, MA Republican)

In a late night in Boston, the Massachusetts GOP chose a new leader, Kristen Hughes, a , the former Deputy Finance Director for Scott Brown’s campaign and grassroots organizer who had brought more state seats to Beacon Hill in the 2010 elections. She has the experience and, obliviously, the fortitude to meet a challenge.

What is most interesting about this particular GOP State Chair contest is that – there was a contest for Mass State GOP chair. The fact that there may be so-called “division” in the State Party, is being touted by the media as some sort of problem, however, it appears that to have a robust party, one must have an exchange of ideas, rather than a dictatorship or, “cronyism”, the later being prevalent in Bay State politics. In past years, there was little to no “news” on the Mass GOP chair position and very few either cared or knew who was being elected, and to what position within the State Party – things changed in 2009 and 2010. Those being referred to as the “right” of the MA GOP – are the fiscal conservatives and yes, Tea Party members, who were elected to State Committee Seats. Without a doubt, one might suggest that if this were the Democrat Party, there would be “blue dog” Democrats a la Stephen Lynch, MA Congressional Representative, recently announcing a bid for the Senate Seat open via John Kerry’s rise in status as Secretary of State, versus, Ed Markey, also a Congressional Representative and a screaming Progressive, who also is vying to the Senate Seat.

Enter the media, and what was left out of the story as “tweets” coming through last night suggested the following, that there was a “crowd” in attendance to support either one of the State Chair candidates, and that Boston P.D. was brought in for ”crowd control! With the long night and extremely close race, the Mass GOP is seen as marginal, rather than evolving and merging into a competitive party from the ground up. The general consensus among Mass. Politico’s is that “experience” (i.e. the longer one is in a particular elected position) trumps all. In most years it is unusual for a Democrat to have any competition at all, in 2010 there were over 200 Republican’s running for State and Federal offices, a stunning amount. Massachusetts needs good, solid competition going into elections, a two, or three party governments would help shift the Bay State towards reality.

Over at the Boston Globe, , reporter, Stephanie Ebbert, who was in attendance at the GOP Chair election, and “tweeted” throughout, writes about the division and saw the race for Chair as a boost for Scott Brown, should he decide to run for Senate, which is looking likely. “The contentious fight over leadership had further divided the state’s minority party, which is still reeling from its losses in November and is preparing for an upcoming special election to fill John F. Kerry’s seat in the US Senate. Many thought that a loss for Brown’s candidate would leave him looking weak as he potentially positions himself for another ¬political move.” Ms. Ebbert speaks about the Mass GOP chair position being less than valued, as it has had volunteer, temporary chairs, etc (this alone makes it huge that there was an actual fight for the position). She closes by pointing out that the Democrat Chair, John Walsh, has held that position since 2007. (Boston Globe).

John Walsh, on Twitter, returns the favor, by giving a “shout out” to Ms. Ebbert, “Great Work this time, you didn’t even get kicked out!” (Paraphrased, see Screen Shot). Walsh also congratulates Kristen Hughes, and announces Scott Brown’s candidacy for the Senate Seat (which may or may not be premature). Of note, the AP had run a story on the 30th noting that Brown as leaning towards a run, which, if that is the case, Walsh will have his hands full with a primary between a Blue Dog Lynch, and a Progressive Markey, both unknown outside of their own districts. His job, once the dust clears and Markey wins the primary, is to manufacture enough votes to beat Brown a second time. The problem with most special elections is turnout, which will be, honestly, harder for Hughes without the backing of those on the “right” who had backed “Green”, but not impossible, given the 2010 results.

Walsh and the media know that is the case.



Above Screenshot - speaks volumes

What is a treat to watch, as a Massachusetts resident, is the fact that there is actual news about a party other than the Democrat Party! In previous years, a mention maybe on page 57 of the Globe versus this morning’s offering by the Massachusetts Press.

Congratulation to the new Mass State GOP Chairwoman, Kristen Hughes, one two counts, one for being elected and putting up a fight for the position, and two, for making the Democrats and the Globe a bit nervous. Congratulations to Rick Green, who ran a robust campaign, and his commitment to fiscal sanity in the Bay State. The fact that both factions of the Party had a “favorite horse” in the race for the Chair, speaks volumes about the import of the seat and the State GOP. The MA State GOP has always been dismissed in the past, should over the next ten years, one see more Republican State Legislators and State Senators, and City Councilors and Mayors, then those leading the State GOP would have done their job. It’s a long process to the top of the heap, and it starts at the bottom, ward by ward, precinct by precinct – long and arduous but not impossible.

The Bay State needs division rather than one party rule.



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