John Kerry Faces Uphill Battle for Senate Seat

WCVB Boston is reporting that Ed O’Reilly, (Firefighter, Lobsterman, Lawyer, and candidate for US Senate MA) is challenging incumbent John Kerry to a series of “town hall style” debates during the month of August. O’Reilly, who is seen as a long-shot in the primary, won over the required 15% of delegates necessary to place his name on the ballot this September. Those attending the Democrat Convention in MA, not unlike any other state and party convention, are primarily chosen from among the party personalities; (including elected officials) they are not your average party voter.

John Kerry, photo Wikepedia

When the Democrats go to the polls in September, it is then that the candidate will be chosen to run against the Republican candidate, Jeff Beatty. Although Kerry is always heavily favored to win, one has to take into account that the majority of the Democrats in the state voted for Hillary Clinton on Super Tuesday. Shortly thereafter, John Kerry came out and endorsed Obama, an endorsement that was covered by every Massachusetts press outlet available. The rank and file were not especially thrilled with this endorsement – the signal – Ed O’Reilly’s ability to get on the ballot – period. When the rank and file go to the polls in September, the outcome may, again, be somewhat different than predicted. Jeff Beatty may be facing Ed O’Reilly, not John Kerry in November.


Ed O’Reilly is the definitive Massachusetts Democrat: demanding immediate withdrawal from Iraq, promoting Universal Healthcare funded by the Federal Government, and, of course, “Marriage Equality” (same-sex). He has an interesting take on Renewable Energy; one that would please any environmentalist Read O’Reilly’s reasonable plan here.

Additionally, O’Reilly is getting enough press to “brand” him within the state, from national CNN interviews to articles in the Boston Globe and has a full slate of appearances around the state this month.

Finally, in an age where electronic media and communications has become critical, Ed O’Reilly has a sharp, easy to navigate and informative Website www.edoreilly.com . John Kerry’s site www.johnkerry.com is less informative, rehashing the "us vs. them" (RoadblockRepublican’s.com), difficult to read and navigate, and containing more information about national issues that may or may not have relevance for Massachusetts.

Why would any of the aforementioned matter in a state where John Kerry is expected to win the primary and go back to yet another term in the State Senate? The rank and file: a Suffolk University poll suggests that 51% of the state voters feel it is time to replace John Kerry – the poll did not specifically name an opposing challenger, indicating that even without branding, anyone on the ballot who is “Not-Kerry” stands a chance at becoming the junior U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Most important, the primary is not “closed” to party members, independents are able to vote in Massachusetts primary’s (Massachusetts State Election Commission).



Regardless of the outcome of this primary, change in Massachusetts is imminent. Voters view Kerry unfavorably, and should Kerry not make it past the primary, how likely is the DNC to fully fund O’Reilly’s campaign? Meanwhile, Jeff Beatty has both a strong grassroots campaign as well as the backing of the Beltway Republicans; possibly the first time a Republican running in Massachusetts has received national support. How important is this particular seat? Right at the moment – Very because this is the seat that holds the narrow lead for the Democrats in the U.S. Senate.


That could, however, change next week. Should John McCain (who is statistically tied in all polls, despite the Obama 08 Tour), and the balance of the Republican congressional and senate Republican candidates (incumbent or otherwise), hammer home the off-shore oil drilling issue (approximately 75% of American’s surveyed believe drilling to be the answer to our energy concerns), the entire nation would be in play in a year that was supposed to be a walk in the park for the DNC. Why? The Democrat Leadership and candidates continue to bow to the environmental lobby (refusing to allow a vote on repealing the ban on drilling while they hold the majority!). Should the Republican’s begin to take advantage of this situation, it would force the DNC to defend and protect all races, including Massachusetts. Massachusetts will be the race to watch, from the Democrat primary in September to the General Election. Jeff Beatty will be the candidate to watch.

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

Massachusetts - the Opportunity For Positive Change

Jeff Beatty,
Candidate for U.S. Senate Seat Currently Held by John Kerry (D)

Jeff Beatty

Massachusetts, dubbed the “Bluest State”, has long been the bastion of Progressive political think, with the rare exception; the Democrat party has held control of the majority of state seats as well as U.S. congressional and Senate seats. When one party holds a super majority, it leaves little room for political discourse and solutions that will benefit all peoples, rather it is exactly what our founding fathers feared (refer to: Federalist Papers), control by one party that leads to the destruction of the Constitution and changes to the Republic of the United States. Massachusetts, of all places, has become a model to the rest of the nation – of exactly those issues that so worried Hamilton and Jay.

In light of recent events, those who hold more conservative political points of view are in a unique position. There exists the opportunity to promote and elect conservative candidates to one or possibly both U.S. Senate seats long held by Democrats. With the question raised regarding the eventual replacement of Ted Kennedy (D MA) by the media it is being suggested that the Kennedy Dynasty remain intact. (Yahoo News Service) To those of us who have lived under the Kennedy reign for all of their lives, that scenario is unthinkable. A political dynasty is not in keeping with the principles of the Republic. It is one thing for a father and then a son to hold the same office within a span of years, but should a single family to hold sway over a state government with national influence for over 50 continuous years it smacks of monarchy.

Therefore, It is the hope of this resident that John Kerry will go the way of Progressive Democrat, Tom Daschle and that when Senator Kennedy’s seat is vacated, it will not remain in the “hands of yet another Kennedy”. Massachusetts can send a clear message of change to the rest of the nation. Yes we can – provide positive, conservative, middle-class, non-elitist, fiscally conservative, and yes moral, governing.

Jeff Beatty is running for the U.S. Senate seat long-held by John Kerry. Jeff Beatty is retired Army, serving as an officer with the elite Delta Force, he was wounded in the first Blackhawk shot down, for which he earned a Purple Heart. He also earned a Combat Infantry Badge while helping to rescue hundreds of Americans. Jeff is also a former FBI agent, advising the National Hostage Rescue Team and a former CIA counter-terrorism officer with service in Europe and the Middle East. His background puts him in a unique position to understand the very real and serious external threats to our country that can affect Americans both at home and abroad. Jeff is now a businessman - running a successful security consulting firm. James McDonnell, campaign Chief of Staff for Jeff Beatty notes: “He knows what it is like to meet a payroll, support a company, and be part of the middle class. In short, he’s one of us and has the relevant experience that is required of a U.S. Senator.”

James took the time to answer some of my questions on how Jeff Beatty stands on the issues. (Those positions and background provided by James McDonnell directly are noted in quotations.)

Jeff Beatty is pro-life. “He was given up for adoption at four days of age and knows how precious life can be.”

“Jeff believes that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.”

He takes a strong stand on illegal immigration. No amnesty, current laws should be enforced, and the borders secured.

Taxation: he is in favor of repealing the death tax and wants to eliminate the requirement for businesses to pay tax on projected earrings.

Earmarks: Jeff holds that the earmark process has been corrupted over time. He feels that to eliminate them entirely would limit a Senator’s discretion in funding certain requirements.

National Defense, Jeff’s background speaks for itself, yet, he is not blind to the mismanagement of the Iraq war, and rather “he understands the need to win the war.”

To learn more about Jeff Beatty and to offer support for an anti-elite, conservative candidate opposing John Kerry, visit Jeff Beatty.com

I am of the opinion that in his service to his country, his experience in the private sector and his stand on important values, and immigration issues, makes Jeff an excellent candidate fill the seat currently held by John Kerry.