Richard Neal (D-MA2) – Up for Reelection in 2012 - From No News During 2010 Mid-Terms to Media Spotlight – Neal Kicks it Up A Notch. What Gives?

Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA2), photograph: Politico via AP


During the 2010 Election, Google Alerts and/or news of the Congressional Representative from the Massachusetts Second District appeared to be almost non-existent, one could Bing, Ask, or even"Scrub the Web, and come up short of mention, news or comment. It was as if Neal was caught in an almost virtual “news blackout” – rather unusual for a Congressman who was vying for the top slot on the House Ways and Means Committee. This was up until the results of the 2010 Election dropped all high-profile Democrats in Congress off a rather lofty perch. Neal’s method of campaigning also changed in 2010, from a once every two year postcard to constituents warning about the evils of Republicans, to actual campaign stops surrounded by local elected officials at nursing homes and Smith College. Neal was more visible in the Western Massachusetts district than he had been in decades, but still it was limited and somewhat sparse coverage.

Now, Richard Neal appears to be everywhere in the local and national news, (clearly bypassing Google alerts for one Mitt Romney) – although one might look at the fact that Massachusetts is set to lose a Congressional Seat with the release of the 21010 census, it is doubtful, from a logistics standpoint, that either Neal or John Olver (MA1) would be in danger of losing a seat although that has been cause for some speculation from the East of the Bay State media. It would, in all likelihood, in this Democrat controlled state, with most district Representatives being quite visible in Congressional circles, with a few exceptions, it is one those few exceptions that will, in all likelihood be merged into another district, the most likely being the 10th merging with the 4th (or one might argue, the most sensible.)

One has to wonder, therefore, what gives with Neal – the 2010 elation was a lot closer than he would have been comfortable with, and he may be gearing up for 2012, where, in all likelihood, he will face opposition from a center right Republican. It may be that Neal has realized that being out of the spotlight gave the opposition ammunition, and as that 75% win margin predicted by the New York Times in 2010 failed to materialize, it is time to get out and talk to the “folks”, or at least the media, while sending out constituent post cards, far more frequently than in an election year.

A recent media roundup for Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA2) follows:
”Western Massachusetts organizations get $2.6 million for homeless, mentally ill” an article from January 19th, crediting Neal with ‘Bringing Home the Bacon” (Springfield Republican)
”Life sciences push focus of conference” an article from January 17th, announcing Neal as a speaker at a symposium at Smith College to further development of a Life Sciences Industry in the Western Part of the State. (Springfield Republican
January 15th, Neal Attends a MLK Scholarship Breakfast(CBS Local News)
January 11th, in the wake of the Tucson Tragedy:

Congressman Richard Neal and Senator Scott Brown were both in Springfield Monday and spoke publicly about the tragic shooting. "I'm not going to change my schedule or the manner in which I meet people, I can tell you that," said Neal (D-Springfield). (NBC Local News)"

There are 4,295 news articles which include or mention Neal on the Repeal of Health Care Legislation, the most recent: from NPR: January 19th, “House Moves Towards Health Law Repeal Vote, includes remarks made on the floor by: Richard Neal
The Boston Globe, January 17th ”Some in Congress look at incentives in disability benefit” The article, on the “abuse” of Social Security Benefits and the rise in Children who are diagnosed as having behavioral issues, being added to the SSI roles, showcases Neal in his quest to end the abuse:

Neal, a Springfield Democrat, said he has been talking about children’s SSI with lawmakers in both parties, including Dave Camp, a Republican from Michigan who now chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. Neal said he also met with Michael Astrue, commissioner of the Social Security Administration, and said Astrue expressed concern about the issues raised in the Globe series.

January 19th, the Hill Blog”Democrat Slots on Ways and Means Announced” Neal is set to serve as a ranking member of that committee.

The list goes on and on, when previously weeks might go by without a mention!

Therefore, either Congressman Neal is now determined to be in the spotlight ahead of the 2012 general election, but one might want to ask, given the statewide and national scope of most of the articles, and specifically the number of articles coming out of Boston, for which office?

It may not, in retrospect, have anything to do with either redistricting or Neal seeking reelection or a higher office; it may have to do with Neal doing his job in a highly unusually visible manner. It is always of interest with a leopard, so to speak, appears to change its spots, so speculation naturally, occurs. The only offices higher in the grander scheme of things are one Senate Seat (Brown (R-MA) and Kerry (D-MA), the later with lower numbers in approval that one Scott Brown from Wrentham, but then again, closely aligned with Neal. The other office, of course, is the Presidency – is that unthinkable – hardly – recall Calvin Coolidge, the allegedly last Republican from Northampton.

Therefore, in the interest of the MA Hampden Second District having a Congressional Leader in the spotlight for, again, the first time in decades, a quote of the week is in order – and it is a doozy.

On the Health Care Repeal Vote: (The Boston Globe)

“This legislation is modeled after a modest, market-driven proposal offered by that left-winger, Mitt Romney,” said Representative Richard E. Neal, a Springfield Democrat. “But what do we hear? The usual scare tactics.”

This particular quote was chosen due to Neal a) reminding a nation of Republican’s that alleged 2012 GOP Presidential Front-Runner (depends on the polls), Mitt Romney, was responsible for Universal Health Care, and b) giving some “blue meat’ to his own party – Progressive Democrats. Two birds, one stone, one quote.

Elections 2010 – MA2, Incumbent Richard Neal (D) and Republican Tom Wesley Debate Issues for Half Hour Pre-Tapped Debate

Incumbent MA2 Congressional Represenative Richard Neal,(D), up for re-election in 2010 - photo urbancompass blog

The only MA-2 Congressional District Debate known to be televised before the mid-term election on Nov. 2nd took place yesterday on New England Public Television, Channel 57, in Springfield, MA. The one-half hour debate, broadcast at 7:30 pm, was tapped earlier in the day. Coverage of the debate on MassLive, the Springfield Republican’s Website offers the three areas of “interest “touched upon during the limited time allowed the public to compare and contrast the two candidates.


Tom Wesley, Republican Candidate for MA2 Congressional District 2010 image Wales Republican blog


Incumbent Democrat Richard Neal continued to imply that he would be taking up issues when he returned in next session, between each of the three questions poised during the debate. The Congressman spoke for the longest period of time during each question and appeared a bit too over-confident throughout the debate. In the first round of questions, regarding jobs and taxes, Neal accused Republican opponent Tom Wesley of being an “outsourcing expert”, Wesley countered that although companies are forced to outsource to the fact that the U.S. corporate tax rate is second only to Japan (which country is reviewing their tax policies), he also was responsible for bringing jobs back into the country when the tax climate changed. As an example, Wesley cited a company brought back to the district from Germany, when that nation’s tax rate became unfriendly. In addition, in disusing taxes, Wesley brought up the fact that Congress allowed the Bush tax cuts to expire, which means that all constituents will bear a heavy tax burden in the coming year. Neal, who stuck to the party line of “no tax cuts for the Rich”, agreed with Wesley, when he inquired of Neal, what the Congressman felt was “rich”, and if the a $500,000 bench mark might be in order, keeping small business owners’ more comfortable. Neal said he was willing to look at that when he returned for the next session. Neal continued to focus on the incorrect fact that cheap labor drives outsourcing, while Wesley having asked and answered, smiled and told the moderator to move onto the next question. Wesley appeared controlled and confident in all three areas touched on during the debate.

On the question of spending Neal spoke about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the cost of which being the responsibility of the prior administration, never noting that the continued and increased effort in Afghanistan was undertaken by the current administration. Neal noted that he voted against his own party in the original Congressional role of allowing then President Bush to seek military action against Iraq. He said it was the “best vote he ever made”. Mr. Wesley, a veteran, also spoke to the conflicts, noting Special Forces should be utilized instead of the full-scale military option in both instances.

On the question of Health Care Reform, Neal stuck to the Obama Health Care plan, while Mr. Wesley offered alternate solutions, which appeared to be unacceptable to Congressman Neal. Wesley pointed out the jobs lost in the district due to the Health Care Reforms and taxes, while Neal spoke about constituents who were without health care. The later a bit disingenuous as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has mandatory health care coverage. Wesley suggested that certain portions of the Health Care Reform bill were acceptable, however, offered options that would lower costs to both taxpayers and business. The most humorous statement made in this segment came from Congressman Neal, when Mr. Wesley spoke about an Ambulance service that had to reduce its workforce (cutting jobs), because of the cuts to Medicare reimbursement which all health care providers are experiencing. Congressman Neal quipped: (paraphrased) “I know about ambulances – I won an award in Washington from an Ambulance Association!!” Although that statement might be tied with the response by Congressman Neal regarding Social Security and Medicare: (Paraphrased): “I know about Social Security and Medicare”! The fact that seniors would not be given a cost of living raise for a second straight year, was not discussed, nor the fact that Congress had insured they received an annual C.O.L.A.

In the debate, it was clear that Mr. Wesley knew a thing or two about the issues at hand, and that Congressman Neal was clearly on the defensive. As there were no closing statements, it is difficult to score the debate, however, regardless of any partisanship, Mr. Wesley, on content and appearance of control, scored. Both men would be eligible for congeniality awards, if one were looking for a fiery exchange, there was none present.

All in all, the time allowed was far too short, and other districts in the Commonwealth, such as the MA 1, which borders the 2nd district, incumbents have given the time to their constituents by taking part in either multiple and or extended televised debates. One would think, as Congressman Neal voted with the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to take a break in order for incumbents in the Congress to go back to their districts to campaign, one would be seeing a great deal more, as far as debates and coverage of this particular district race. In addition, with that vote to leave, the issue of the Bush Tax cuts was left on the table – the result, a continued hiring freeze from employers across the district who are not sure what liabilities they may face in 2011.
The full podcast of the debate should be available after its second airing, this Sunday at 10:30 am. On Channel 57, in Springfield, MA.