In the past few days there have been leaks coming out from Washington as the Democrats prepare to protect Obama’s image, in the face of a Coakley loss, by placing the blame squarely on Coakley. The fact that Coakley began her campaign with an attitude that her win was a foregone conclusion began to campaign late with negative ads, the last thing that appeals to Massachusetts Independent Voters and made mistake after mistake, coming into the last weekend, is not lost on the populace of Massachusetts. That said, there is a bit of pride in the Bay State, and the Boston Globe, which is the only newspaper in the state to endorse Coakley, has already laid the groundwork to point the finger elsewhere – at Obama.
In an editorial published today by Jeff Jacoby, entitled “Blame Obama”, the fact that Obama’s run the administration counter to the campaign rhetoric, is used as reason enough for the Bay State voters to give Coakley the proverbial boot. Although Jacoby makes excellent points, the fact remains that Coakley is a flawed candidate, one which, given the current climate in the Bay State, will need a good deal of help from the dead, busloads of friends from Illinois, New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York, and a whole lot of shenanigans (basic corruption which Boston is infamous for), in order to pull within the currently projected 4 points of Scott Brown.
Although Democrats are calling the Bay State - they are being out-called, out door-to-doored and out-rallied by Brown Supporters - not one of them is paid, and no-one is campaigning for Brown on the public’s dime (i.e.: Obama). Speaking of the President, although scheduled to make an appearance in Massachusetts on Sunday, there has been some speculation as to whether or not the President will actually show. There are unconfirmed reports that Obama plans to hit the Bay State on Monday instead and head to Haiti on Sunday. This change in plans may have just as much to do with “appearances” (world view) as with the “appearance” of being greeted by a whole lot more Brown supporters than Coakley fans. Additionally, snow and ice are forecast for Monday, giving the President an excellent "out", just in case. Scott Brown begins a tour of the state tomorrow, shaking more hands and winning hearts and minds. A new poll by Public Policy Polling will be released Sunday night and that should, in all likelihood, remain at an approximate 5 plus point lead for Brown.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Obama’s Trip to Massachusetts - No Hope for Coakley – Obama to Campaign on His Agenda - Desperation Sets In at Taxpayers Expense
From Springfield, Massachusetts’Republican, to Boston’s pro-Coakley, Globe, news of Barak Obama’s impending visit tomorrow has hit the airwaves of the Bay State. The resounding message from those commenting on the variety of articles and news reports does not exactly imply that his visit will be a success.
The President has made it clear through robo-calls (audio here) (Coakley is a “good Progressive”,) and advertisng released by the DCSC (video here)that Coakley is merely a side-note to the real issue: Don’t Let Scott Brown De-Rail Obama’s agenda. In other words, the message is Coakley will vote how she’s told. The negative advertising by Coakley and Company is running on every network in the Bay State, often three commercial spots at a time back to back. These are countered by Brown ads, which are a bit more uplifting. The problem with negative ad campaigns in Massachusetts is that they don’t’ work – Ask Republican Kerry Healy.
The problem with Brown (or Coakley’s problem to be more specific): he’ll vote on any issue put before him, as he has in the past, with an independence that has many diehard Republicans calling him a RINO (Republican in Name Only). Brown has managed to successfully run and win his state Senate seat, by a 20 point margin, in one of the few districts that is heavily Democrat – simply because of his independent streak. Coakley is in the last stages of her first term as Attorney General, running with Deval Patrick and Tim Cahill (who has since jumped ship to run as an Independent Candidate for Govenor) the aformention have tanked in polls.
Former President Bill Clinton made stops in Massachusetts on behalf of Coakley yesterday. Clinton, who has, in the past, seen crowds lining the streets, was treated to an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 1,000 – of note: the Brown rally taking place across the street, appeared to have a larger crowd.
Most telling: Obama’s official campaign website: Organizing for America has one blog on the Coakley subject, a special plea to get out and make calls for Coakley – you can sign in at you’re “My Barack Obama.com” site if you want to help from outside the state of Massachusetts. The blog has, as of Saturday morning, a stunning 384 responses.
How much weight does Obama carry in Massachusetts – It depends on the poll and the pollster, his popularity ranges from 60% (Suffolk University) to 44% (Public Policy Polling), being on the ground here, in the Bay State, one can safely assume it is closer to the later, based on comments made and the intense enthusiasm for Scott Brown by Democrats, let alone Independents. It remains to be seen, what type of crowds Obama will draw tomorrow, but if they should be crowds numbering under 10,000 (with Democratic activists coming from all neighboring states), then it will have been a wasted visit to the Bay State, at the taxpayers’ expense. Additionally, should Brown supporters make an appearance and counter-rally as they did when Clinton appeared, it will be an additional embarrassment for the President.
Of interest, a column in the Globe, this morning, speaking on Obama’s visit and Coakley’s shortcomings - The Globe: here tells all:
It is these articles, popping up in Massachusetts, which are bolstering those Democrats who are already campaigning for Scott Brown’s Massachusetts Senate Seat.
Finally, it has, for decades, been decided that Massachusetts somehow belongs to one political party, however, that is not the case, and with the insinuation by these ads, robocalls, and the like, that it is, will only further energizes the independent streak of all Massachusetts voters, regardless of political affiliation. Independents are already breaking for Brown 3 to 1 and should Libertarian Candidate, Kennedy’s people break for Brown, (in the last debate, Kennedy did send a message that Brown’s ideals most closely aligned with his own), that gives Brown an additional edge of 1 to 2 points.
The President has made it clear through robo-calls (audio here) (Coakley is a “good Progressive”,) and advertisng released by the DCSC (video here)that Coakley is merely a side-note to the real issue: Don’t Let Scott Brown De-Rail Obama’s agenda. In other words, the message is Coakley will vote how she’s told. The negative advertising by Coakley and Company is running on every network in the Bay State, often three commercial spots at a time back to back. These are countered by Brown ads, which are a bit more uplifting. The problem with negative ad campaigns in Massachusetts is that they don’t’ work – Ask Republican Kerry Healy.
The problem with Brown (or Coakley’s problem to be more specific): he’ll vote on any issue put before him, as he has in the past, with an independence that has many diehard Republicans calling him a RINO (Republican in Name Only). Brown has managed to successfully run and win his state Senate seat, by a 20 point margin, in one of the few districts that is heavily Democrat – simply because of his independent streak. Coakley is in the last stages of her first term as Attorney General, running with Deval Patrick and Tim Cahill (who has since jumped ship to run as an Independent Candidate for Govenor) the aformention have tanked in polls.
Former President Bill Clinton made stops in Massachusetts on behalf of Coakley yesterday. Clinton, who has, in the past, seen crowds lining the streets, was treated to an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 1,000 – of note: the Brown rally taking place across the street, appeared to have a larger crowd.
Most telling: Obama’s official campaign website: Organizing for America has one blog on the Coakley subject, a special plea to get out and make calls for Coakley – you can sign in at you’re “My Barack Obama.com” site if you want to help from outside the state of Massachusetts. The blog has, as of Saturday morning, a stunning 384 responses.
How much weight does Obama carry in Massachusetts – It depends on the poll and the pollster, his popularity ranges from 60% (Suffolk University) to 44% (Public Policy Polling), being on the ground here, in the Bay State, one can safely assume it is closer to the later, based on comments made and the intense enthusiasm for Scott Brown by Democrats, let alone Independents. It remains to be seen, what type of crowds Obama will draw tomorrow, but if they should be crowds numbering under 10,000 (with Democratic activists coming from all neighboring states), then it will have been a wasted visit to the Bay State, at the taxpayers’ expense. Additionally, should Brown supporters make an appearance and counter-rally as they did when Clinton appeared, it will be an additional embarrassment for the President.
Of interest, a column in the Globe, this morning, speaking on Obama’s visit and Coakley’s shortcomings - The Globe: here tells all:
We won’t know until Tuesday night whether bringing President Obama in to campaign was a good idea or a bad one. At first blush, though, it’s problematic. It reinforces the idea that Coakley can’t close the deal with voters by herself. And worse, it reinforces the idea that she is simply a product of a political machine.
Her response, at crunch time, is to rely on the White House and the Democratic National Committee - even as her opponent is imploring voters to vote for “me against the machine.’’
His message is resonating. Her strategy isn’t.
It is these articles, popping up in Massachusetts, which are bolstering those Democrats who are already campaigning for Scott Brown’s Massachusetts Senate Seat.
Finally, it has, for decades, been decided that Massachusetts somehow belongs to one political party, however, that is not the case, and with the insinuation by these ads, robocalls, and the like, that it is, will only further energizes the independent streak of all Massachusetts voters, regardless of political affiliation. Independents are already breaking for Brown 3 to 1 and should Libertarian Candidate, Kennedy’s people break for Brown, (in the last debate, Kennedy did send a message that Brown’s ideals most closely aligned with his own), that gives Brown an additional edge of 1 to 2 points.
Friday, January 15, 2010
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