Jeff Beatty – Batting 1000, predicts Republican Victory in Massachusetts.

Jeff Beatty, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate was on hand to throw out the first pitch today for the American Legion Baseball Tournament at Szot Park in Chicopee. . He was introduced to a strong round of applause, and after he threw out the first pitch - came off the field to words of encouragement, “I hope you win” - players and bystanders alike reached out to shake his hand.

There is something about this candidate – he is likable. The first thing one notices about Jeff Beatty is his ready smile - his hand outstretched in greeting - the kind of guy you want for your next door neighbor – not the “untouchable politician” looking for the next “photo opp”. Watching Beatty walk through the crowd, stopping to chat or take a picture – one quickly understands his grassroots appeal – Beatty has a genuine interest in what the other guy or gal has on their mind – he listens. He has a brand of subtle charisma, soft spoken – yet authoritative and intelligent – a leader. This assessment is from one who has had the opportunity to meet and listen to a few politicians at the state and national level over the past 40 years – those who have run those who have also-ran – Beatty is poised to succeed.


He agrees with the majority of Americans when it comes to the nation’s energy crisis - something that is one everyone’s mind – Beatty is in favor of offshore drilling – accessing America’s oil supplies and increasing the nations capacity to refine.

He also understands the political landscape. Back in early July, he predicted that McCain, with a 20 plus point polling deficit against Obama in Massachusetts – would begin to gain, and eventually take the 12 Massachusetts electoral votes. Good call - a recent 7 News/Suffolk University Poll shows Obama’s lead over McCain in Massachusetts has fallen to 9 points. Although there is this preconceived notion that Massachusetts is a Democrat stronghold (the only state that McGovern carried in 1972), the heavy concentration of those unenrolled voters (51%), can produce a Republican win in presidential races (Reagan, 1980 and 1984), Senatorial Races (Edward Brooke, Republican (also the first African American to be elected to the Senate) 1972, and the Governor’s office (Weld, Romney). It is all about the political climate, and that climate is subject to change. There is a certain South Dakota, circa 2004, atmosphere in the Bay state.

Ed O’Reilly, Democrat Gloucester, has a Kennedyesque charm and may surprise both the Bay state and incumbent John Kerry in the September primary. Kerry, who has deep ties to Barrack Obama, dating to the 2004 Democrat convention , endorsed the Illinois Senator against his constituents wishes (the Bay state Democrats overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton’s candidacy), this and his stance on the Iraq war, led to O’Reilly garnering well over 15% of the delegates necessary to place him on the September primary ballot, at the Democrat Convention in Lowell.

Therefore, it is now a question of who Jeff Beatty will face in November – an incumbent who 51% of voters polled believe should be replaced (Suffolk University Poll) or the affable, but left-of-left, O’Reilly. Massachusetts will be the state to watch this November.

Photographs taken Szot Park, Chicopee - Non-Professional

Massachusetts Senate Race 2008
Ogonowski fails to submit Required Signatures

The Boston Globe is reporting that Jim Ogonowski failed to submit the required 10,000 certified signatures necessary to place him on the ballot in November. Read Full Article Here The article mentions that Ogonowski was favored by the Mass. Republican establishment, specifically calling attention to a fundraiser held for Ogonowski by former governor, Mitt Romney, and noting that the Mass. Republican party establishment was “anemic”. The problem with this assertion is that, like other political parties, the candidate favored by the “elite” or “elder statesmen” may not be the candidate that resonates with the base. See Blog “Springfield Intruder” here

Jeff Beatty, who collected above and beyond the required signatures, and has the grassroots support, allows the “establishment” an opportunity to rethink the political landscape in Massachusetts and begin a concerted effort to regain a seat long-held by an incumbent who would be vulnerable to a candidate that was given the full attention of his or her party. Those in position of party power should keep Ogonowski in mind for another seat that, in all likelihood, will be in play before long. Instead of opting for a write-in campaign or challenging the process through the courts as outlined in the article, Ogonowski, for the good of t he party, should get behind Jeff Beatty along with the establishment in order to get the job done. Republicans cannot afford to play local politics at a time when the nation faces the potential of a Senate that may go to a supermajority of Democrats, effectively eliminating the voice of conservatives. To learn more about Jeff Beatty and how he stands on the issues go to Jeff Beatty.com