New England Legendary Criminal, 82 Year Old, Whitey Bulger Arrested in Los Angles – Tales of the Boston Mob and Massachusetts Politics

Whitey Bulger, Most Wanted Fugitive, image Boston Phoenix

This is one for the books, (the best one goes to Howard Carr:, entitled ”The Brothers Bulger: How They Terrorized and Corrupted Boston for a Quarter Century” - Whitey Bulger, , dubbed by the Boston Herald, as the “most wanted man in the world”, was arrested in Southern California last night, after years of sightings both in the U.S. and around the world.

The tale of murders, corruption, politics and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts crime is well chronicled in Carr’s book, a fast read, complete with photographs, and worth the read if one is interested in the “mob” in New England, and its ties to the political landscape. What is most interesting perhaps is how this particular man managed to elude capture and long-term prison for decades. His brother, William Bulger, was the President of the Massachusetts Senate, as well as going on to become the President of the University of Massachusetts, articles on one of the most powerful politicians in Massachusetts, and his brother can be found here: under topics: http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/b/willimam_m_bulger/index.html. William Bulger vehemently denied knowing the whereabouts of his brother, and this close South Boston family, apparently did not know the whereabouts of the proverbial black sheep, during his years on the “lam”.

Other sources: Boston Magazine

Best(Almost Obsessive): The Boston Herald Archives

The FBI’s most used motto: ”We always get our man”, is appropriate here. What is probably the biggest question on everyone interested in this particular elusive criminal is how he managed to stay “underground” for so many years, and who helped him to avoid capture.

Also worth reading: Jon Keller’s ”The Bluest State: How Democrats Created the Massachusetts Blueprint for American Political Disaster”

Nancy Pelosi faces challengers – Names mentioned as Replacement: Richard Neal (D-MA2)

Richard Neal Next Minority Whip? Progressives add to List of Pelosi Replacements: image Kerry.senate.gov

Not without a little interest as the Congressman Richard Neal represents the MA2 district, a bleep on a bog: www.leftinalabama.com speaks to the question all Progressives are asking: “Dose Nancy Pelosi Deserve to be the Dem Leader?” (Title of the post on leftinalabama) The question asked is met with a variety of no’s, most often with reference to sports and what happens to the head coach when any given team suffers massive losses.

Then the roll call of who might be acceptable to Progressives, since Ms. Pelosi is clearly not (in Alabama and one would suspect elsewhere outside of the main media): John Larson, Ed Pastor, Richard Neal, Ed Markey, Norm Dicks, Bob Brady, David Price, and Anthony Weiner.

Richard Neal, who the Progressives may champion, (as they did with the recent get-out-the-vote to reelect Neal to yet another term in Congress), does not necessarily project the personality nor the power to become the whip. Although objectively, one has to look at Neal, who is a team player in the Obama administration, managed to survive the first challenge he faced in decades to win reelection, and managed that to the tee.

When one questions what does the minority whip do? They count votes and bully their peers into seeing things their way. Hardly sounds like Neal’s style, however, that may be the reason why his name came up at all – the fact that (old adage again) one can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, coupled with a threat of some sort, that would surely never make the press. Neal is the epitome of discretion.

One knows this especially when one is a constituent simply because the Congressman is barely heard of or from during the period between elections. More to the point, even during elections, there is little to find out about Richard Neal, other than very positive stories run in the local press, followed by glowing endorsements from the same. Neal won the election, some might say, handily, however, when looking at the reality of the race, he had to fight harder than usual, as one Tom Wesley, of Hopedale, a veteran and businessman, managed to get 40% of the vote, but did that distraction of a war for his seat of “power”, prevent any negotiations elsewhere? Most likely not. Neal is no idiot, knowing his political fortunes were about to be seriously diminished, it would make sense, for him to turn from visions of Chairing the House Ways and Means Committee (no longer an option) to Minatory Whip. He’s progressive, he has Obama’s back, and yet, he appears non-threatening.

Although one must understand that this is from one comment on one progressive blog, early in the conversation, one must factor that it has at least some traction. Suggestion: Set Google Alerts to Richard Neal, Minority Whip.

Mitt Romney Readies For 2012 – With Backing from Republicans for Cuomo?

Mitt Romney, 2012? Image from the Moderate Voice

It is no secret that former Massachusetts Govenor, Mitt Romney is looking at a run at the White House in 2012, and as such, every move he is making is beginning to come under a microscope. In a recent blip (hardly an article, more of a “teaser” on Politico, Ben Smith writes that Mitt Romney, who is in the process of nailing down financial backers for the run, has the backing of CNBC’s, Anthony Scaramucci, who “defected” to the Cuomo camp in the 2010 NY Gubernatorial race.

The fact that donors, especially, switch parties to support a candidate they feel can offer benefit to their specific industry is nothing new. It is a payoff in a manner of speaking for protection. In this case, Wall Street and business is speculating on a Romney win, for the good of the economy. While in 2008 Unions, specifically the United Auto Workers, received 17.5% of the GM shares (stocks) during the Obama bailout. CBS.

One comment on the Politico article noted that “politics makes for strange bedfellows”, while the balance bantered back and forth about Romney ridding the Republican Party of the Tea Party (not in those words) and others who noted the fit was perfect calling Romney a “RHINO” – Republican in name only.

One has to look beyond the rhetoric, to understand that in order to run, one must have not only the cash but the support of a wide range of possible constituents; Romney, a savvy businessman, would understand that better than anyone (with the possible exception of Donald Trump (no kidding). The fact that one has the backing of someone who ping pongs between parties is simply of no consequence. Individual donors, like the rest of the voting public, are, with increasing frequency, switching parties, and therefore, it does not mean that Romney would, as some suggest, rid the Republican Party of the “Tea Party” or, at this point, anyone willing to provide funds for a successful bid. No more so than any other candidate that will come down the pike with few exceptions.

Romney’s Conservatism is called into question, time and time again, not unlike that of former Governor Mike Huckabee. Both of the aforementioned attempted to govern states with legislators that were heavily stacked with members of the opposition party, and actually made inroads on policy and budgets that resulted in stable economies, for both the State of Arkansas and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Governing, often involves reaching across the aisle, and making compromises, which the later can be done without sacrificing principals. Governor Mike Huckabee, was blasted for being a “liberal” (i.e. a RHINO) Republican in Name only), during the 2008 Republican primaries, based on the fact that he did cross the aisle, Romney, for his part, did pretty much the same in governing Massachusetts – with the understanding that he was greatly outnumbered.

As conservatives would prefer a leader more in line with a Ronald Reagan or Barry Goldwater (note: Hillary Clinton was a Goldwater Girl), one has yet to emerge that would carry the party on principles and stick to their proverbial guns, with the glaring exception of Sarah Palin, other candidates may be in the wings that would do the same, however, at the moment, the three here, represent the media’s main targets for a 2012 run.

Therefore a caution to conservatives, and others who are anxious on seeing Romney with a donor on his list that may or may not look like a staunch conservative – it is one donor only an in the grand scheme of things, one that is tied Wall Street. Should Romney start getting the backing of the Teachers Union, Emily’s List, the SEIU, or George Sorros, then one might have reason to be a bit taken aback, and cast their primary vote elsewhere. However, although it is far too early to speculate on who will complete and or lead the field in 2011-2012, it is not too early to begin planning – which Romney has been doing since he lost the bid to McCain and Huckabee in 2008; With Huckabee conceding last to McCain.

Massachusetts Governors Polls Suffolk University – Although Patrick Leads, over One-Third Undecided - Analysis

Although it’s still early in the game in the three-way contest for the Massachusetts Governor’s race, polling indicates that Deval Patrick’s fortunes are on the rise, that is until one checks the marginals – at that point this race appears to be wide open. (Marginal are the percentage of participants, the demographics and the willingness to answer or knowledge of a candidate.)
In reviewing the data from the May 26th pollone finds Patrick’s lead in the 41st question of the survey, which asks the question: "Regardless of who you are personally supporting for Governor - when all The votes are counted this fall, who do you believe will be elected Governor
on November 2nd - Deval Patrick, Charlie Baker, Tim Cahill, or Jill Stein {
STYNE}?"


Patrick takes the lead with 48%, Charlie Baker 20%, Timothy Cahill at 9% with 21% of the respondents undecided. It is the undecided respondents or those who flatly refuse to answer that skew the poll in Patrick’s favor, and by a margin that ranges on all relevant (to this article) questions from 21% to 34%.

In the question regarding Baker’s favorability, the GOP candidate received only a 20% positive rating, however, 31% of respondents “never heard” of the candidate and 32% have yet to decide. That is 63% of respondents either never hearing of or undecided at this point. In other words, a huge margin.

In a question regarding Scott Brown’s favorability, 57% respond in the positive, with 3% never heard and 17% undecided.

What is in Baker's favor?

52% feel Massachusetts is headed in the wrong direction.
49% feel Massachusetts economy is not improving
(The latter two having negligible undecideds)

Question 10 – Does Deval Patrick deserve to be re-elected? With 11% undecided, 55% of respondents feel the Governor should seek employment elsewhere.

In the following question, Patrick somehow manages to pull a much improved job ranking at 42% approval.

The kicker: Question 21: “Which of the four reminds you most of Scott Brown?”, Baker receives 26%, with the balance of the candidates shown in single digits and a stunning 56% are undecided.

What this poll suggests is that although Deval Patrick, on paper, appears to be doing well, as Baker gains more recognition, those numbers will become competitive. Should Baker’s media team run a Brown style messaging campaign (sooner would be better, whoever, in the most likely case, it would be in the final months of the campaign), (positive), It is probable that Baker will take a Brown-type lead in the final weeks of the campaign (conservatively speaking).

In the questions regarding the negative Cahill ads run by the Republican Governors Association: it appears that the ad did little to either help or hurt Baker, that said, negative campaign ads, in general in Massachusetts , spell big problems for candidates – if, and only if, they are endorsed by that candidate. To refresh: ads run by the Healy campaign, and ads run by the Coakley campaign did more harm to the candidate than any other factor.

The fact that 63% of the respondents have not heard of Charlie Baker or are undecided, speaks to the early nature of the game. As Baker becomes more visible, one can expect an increase in favorability in the subsequent polling.

Earl Sholley Files with FEC – Will Challenge Barney Frank for U.S. Congress 2010

Earl Sholley Candidate Challenging Barney Frank - photo: prnews

Earl Henry Sholley’s campaign issued a press release today announcing his candidacy for the Massachusetts 4th Congressional District. Sholley, a Norfolk resident, officially filed with the FEC on June 15. Sholley will run against Democrat incumbent, Barney Frank, of Freddie and Fannie fame.

Sholley has worked as a community activist, lobbied for budget transparency and the better use of tax dollars. He has been a guest on CBS this Morning and National Public Radio. Sholley attended the University of Scranton (BS History), University of Massachusetts and also studied at the University of Madrid Spain. He served in the Peace Corp and is also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Earl is also is a supporter of term limits for members of the U.S. House and Senate. Earl Henry Sholley will bring his ethical, diverse background, and strong business and fiscal experience to bear for the 4th District. "I promise to serve all the people of the District, if given the honor and opportunity to serve in the U.S. Congress."

Sholley ran against Frank in the 2008 election, although he entered the race late, he managed to garner approximately 30% of the votes in the district.(MA Secretary of State) This time it appears Sholley is taking things seriously, hiring campaign manager, Lisa Camp key figure in the Huckabee campaign and according to his website he has hit the campaign trail early, attending events both in and outside of the State.

The 2010 4th Congressional District race, considering the incumbent’s infamous reputation, should prove to be interesting and one to watch.

Massachusetts GOP Elects Jennifer Nassour Chair

Hub Politics has reported that Jennifer Nassour has been elected Chair of the Massachusetts Republican Committee. Nassour’s plan for the State GOP included extensive grassroots outreach, with an emphasis on improving technology (For example: the State GOP website has does not have a copy of the press release announcing Nassour’s election, to Chair) and aggressive fundraising in order to bolster candidates. A delegate to the 2008 convention, Nassour a party activist, brings extensive experience to the Massachusetts State GOP. Living in the "Bluest State", when women are rarely elected to hold political offices - it is refreshing and it’s about time.