Barney Frank 2010 Opponent - Republican Sean Bielat - “Outed” for Being a Democrat by Local News – Blames Barney Frank!?

Sean Bielat, candidate for the Massachusetts 4th Congressional Seat, has been running a scorched earth primary against the somewhat flawed Republican, Earl Sholley, in hopes of besting Sholley to gain the privilege of running against incumbent Barney Frank. The Bielat campaign put out a website, entitled: Decide for Yourself.org which includes Lexis Nexus court documents, and links to newspaper articles that appear damming to Mr. Sholley. It is clearly marked – clearly marked “paid for by Bielat for Congress.” In essence, one can agree or disagree with this tactic; however, it was apparently brought on by divisive remarks made by followers of the Sholley Campaign.


Decide for Yourself.org

That said, in a recent article on Wicked Local here the fact that Sean Bielat was a registered Democrat up until 2005, complete with copies of his voting records via Lexis Nexus, is thrown out at the district in the form of an “outing”.

The article also incorrectly states that Mr. Sholley has been a lifelong resident of the District, when, in fact, he had moved there in 2008, however, Sholley had been a resident of the Commonwealth, living in Holliston and Attleboro. It is not an uncommon practice for politicians and/or those seeking to become politicians to move to a district in order to run against an incumbent. Therefore, the carpetbagger charges being thrown by commenter’s on this article at both Sholley and Beilat should do some research on the practice.

Is it a problem that Mr. Beilat was a former Democrat? Hardly, that’s a cause for celebration – however, timing, as they say, is everything. Had Sean Bielat begun his campaign with: "I was a lifelong Democrat, who, after much soul searching found that I could no longer support the Party and its policies and became a Republican. I also decided that I had to make up for my previous faux pas and step up and stand up to one of the most egregious politician’s in the nation – Barney Frank – so I decided to run for Congress."

That narrative would have propelled Mr. Beilat into stardom, both in the district and in the eyes of the national press. There is nothing that Republicans love more than converts.

That did not happen.

Mr. Beilat did not mention he was a Democrat, and in response to the “Wicked Local” article, Bielat’s team posted a message on his website www.seanbielat.org, Entitled: Yes, I was a registered Democrat .


Bielat: Blames Barney

Unfortunately, not unlike the current occupant of the White House, Mr. Beilat chose to blame Barney Frank, of all people, for “outing” him as a Democrat. His heartfelt account of growing up in a Democrat family as well as his “seeing the light”, is ruined by his casting blame at Frank. He could have and should have used it to his advantage.


Scenario: "I was a Democrat at one time, but I chose the better party, and although I should have been upfront from the beginning about my affiliation, I felt that a) it was not relevant, b) I was embarrassed to admit I was a Democrat, c) I was afraid I would not be accepted" – anyone of those would have done, with the following: “and I apologize if I have offended anyone, it was obviously my mistake.”

This regardless of the allegations that Barney Frank is on some kind of a witch hunt to “out Beilat” so that Frank can hold onto his seat, the charge that Beilat makes in his post opening.
That allegation by the way may or may not be true. The wicked local author, most likely followed up on Google searches which landed on his blog posts regarding Mr. Bielat. The reason this sounds more plausible is that this blog began to receive search in February of 2009, immediately following Beilat’s announcement to run as a Republican. The screen shot below from tracking software is from North Carolina, additional searches came from Chicago Illinois, upstate New York and Los Angles.


Search for Sean Bielat Democrat from February 2009 - click to enlarge

As there is more than one Sean Bielat, (as was pointed out to this blog regarding a post incorrectly stating a place of marriage), it was dropped. Apparently, not by seasoned journalist, Tony Schinella, who, with Lexis Nexus at his disposal, easily found the supporting documents. As this is a non-for-profit blog, paying for extensive Lexis Nexus services (which can get pricey), does not happen.

So, to Mr. Beilat, Man up, and take responsibility (or have your campaign staff do it) quickly. Change the narrative, which should have been your narrative from the beginning. There are only two candidates on the Republican Ticket, and you have done your best to “out” Earl Sholley (who, in reality, most of what was outed was old news) in order to rise to the top (which appears a flaw of sorts). Congressman Frank could have been bested, now, thanks to you, it may still be doable, but it will be three times the uphill battle it was.

With that said, Congratulations are in order to Mr. Bielat on his conversion, (regardless of who announced the conversion) and for being a patriot who would take time out of his life, his work, and his family, to run against one of the most fiscally damaging politicians of our lifetime.

May the better man win the primary, and whoever does win, that man will need all the support they can handle to best Congressman Barney Frank. Therefore, the time for Mr. Sholley’s (supporters) and Mr. Beilat to begin to talk about issues, is now, and to talk about avidly supporting the winner, regardless of whom that may be.

On the issues:
Sean Bielat.org
Sholley for Congress.us

Obama - Bush Not to Blame for Economy – Congress To Blame! If that Doesn't Work - Maybe it Will be the FBI Next!

The Democrat Controlled Congress - since 2006 - image NYTimes

The Presidenthas apparently had an epiphany that the tactic of blaming former President George W. Bush for the current economic disaster is no longer working with the general public. It could have been his pending umpteenth vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, where the President discovered Massachusetts residents sporting “George Bush, Miss Me Yet T-shirts, or it could have been the polls, either way, Obama needed a new scapegoat, and he finally got it right.

Blaming Congress, which has been controlled by the Democrat Party since 2006 is where the blame lays, President Obama immediately pointed to the differences and blasted – the minority party in both Houses – unfortunately for Obama, even the Los Angeles Times “gets it”:

According to the president, he's been "adamant" with Congress for months now about a new jobs bill to help small businesses. Obama says this really good bill is stalled in the Senate, where so much administration legislation has been crammed through so effectively by Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Reid's been so good at it, in fact, that he's now running for his political life in a reelection campaign back in Nevada where unemployment is 14.3% and Obama's legislation is not so popular.
Reid's up against a conservative Republican. So, that means Harry Reid must be a Democrat, just like Obama, and just like 59% of the Senate's votes.
The very same party that has controlled both houses of Congress since the 2006 election and really controlled them both since the 2008 hopey-changey balloting.
So, facing the growing grim possibility of a GOP surge on Nov. 2, is this maybe the start of buddy-bickering within the Democratic huddle? Vulnerable people pointing the proverbial political finger of blame at someone else? That's ridiculous, of course.

The article is appropriately entitled: “Obama now blames poor job numbers on congressional inaction. Wait! His party runs Congress” and is further evidence that failure to take responsibility, sooner or later, catches up with the “perfect candidate”.

That’s the problem with “perfect candidates”, especially those who, for some reason, have to point the finger at everyone but themselves. As CEO of these United States of American, Barak Obama is responsible for the actions of his administration – Congress, of course, is the other animal, the animal that holds the purse strings, the animal that writes and approves spending measures, and then hands them off to the administration to either sign off on, or veto! This cannot be done without a - majority.

The people get this – they also get the fact that Democrats, Progressive Democrats have run the Congress in preparation of Obama, (also Progressive) someone who apparently would agree with them completely – (With of course, the ones that are the root cause of all Obama’s problems – Republicans in the minority.)

Of course, all this finger pointing isn’t reserved for the President alone: Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has now hinted, that he may not have been the primary target of investigation by the FBI during his recent trial for “trying to sell a Senate Seat – Barak Obama’s Senate Seat.” He was convicted of lying to the Feds, of course, but that charge is somewhat of an oxymoron, when one considers who’s in charge.

In a recent ABC News interview the former Governor of Illinois implied the Feds were truly after – the Blamer in Chief! – This, with Chicago Politics being what they are – might not be a stretch. Video of that “sit” down below.

One wonders who Obama will blame for a Federal Investigation of himself! George Bush no longer works, we the people will just have to wait and see.

Video also available at: ABC News.go.cm/Blotter/blago-winston-churchill-mount-dramatic-comeback/story?id=1144825"

Progressive Democrats in Denial – Local Press Attempts to Reshape Narrative on Public Angst and GOP in Massachusetts

Dr. Jay Flietman - Running the Ground game Against Richard Neal - MA Hamdpen Second - image Jay Fleitman Blog

An interesting article in the Northampton Gazette , entitled “Shifting Ground: Local Republicans are energized, Democrats feisty as fall elections approach”, speaks about the political outlook in the fall elections, specifically in Massachusetts.

The author begins the article by noting the issues that are on the minds of the public: the building of a mosque at ground zero in New York, Rupert Murdoch’s donation to the Republican Governors Association and finally an aide to President Obama criticizing Progressive Democrats. The economy, including the fact that 500,000 new unemployment claims were filed last week, (with article published Friday, August 20th, news of increased jobs claims available day before), the angst over immigration and health care reform were not mentioned at all.

The use of Rupert Murdoch and Fox News as having made a rather large donation to the Republican Governor’s Association is interesting as it is basically a “call to action” for those on the left who tune in to MSNBC. Other, more informed news consumers, understand that Murdoch gives to both political parties, leaning to the left in the 2008 elections with the with the likes of then Presidential candidate, John Edwards urging Democrats to reject money from Murdoch.

Additionally, no word on the sixth Presidential “get-away” across the state on Martha’s Vineyard where George Bush “Miss Me Yet”, t-shirts are selling like “hot cakes”.

The article does nicely outline the differences in political think within the Democrat Party – with the battle between “conservative” and Progressive Democrats highlighted. The author quotes the President of the 100,000 strong PDA (Progressive Democrats of America) as saying nothing should be taken for granted and furthering the fact that Progressives want to make the national party more progressive.

He goes on to cite the 4th Districts, Barney Frank:

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, of Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District, warns that progressive Democrats upset with the party's conservative members should try to defeat them in primaries - but only in safe Democratic districts, not ones that could be taken by a Republican.
In a recent interview with Congressional Quarterly, Frank added that if progressives have a choice between a conservative Democrat and a Republican in November, they should vote for the Democrat "but stick voodoo pins in him ... that relieves your frustration and helps public policy."

The Massachusetts 2nd District is also highlighted, with Richard Neal (D) being seen as “Safe” – in fact all but one Massachusetts district is seen as safe by political pundits who quote the “Cook Report”, a Washington Based political publication. Although the Cook Report bases its bi-partisan analysis on reports from those in the “know” in political circles in states where they may not have intelligence on the ground, one has to note the absence of any polling, outside of the Governor’s race, by firms other than those hired by candidates for internal polling purposes.

If all was “rosy” so to speak, there would be no need for Bill Clinton to come to Springfield to stump for Neal, nor, for that matter, Barney Frank to open a a campaign office in Newton of all places.. (Only two of many instances taking place across the Bay State.)

The Hamden 2nd, where Neal has run virtually unopposed (the true focus of this article), in decades, now has Republican’s vying for his seat, and they have the ground game on. In fact, newly former Democrats (those must be the “conservative Democrats to which the PDA refers), have “jumped ship” to the Republican side – which began with Scott Brown, and has carried through to district races. Democrat held seats “safe” in Massachusetts? Hardly.

Dr. Jay Flietman, who is running against Richard Neal, is highlighted in the Gazette article. It may be because Fleitman is the “hometown” Republican, a man who sat on the Board of Health in Northampton until relinquishing his seat to campaign against Neal. The fact that Fleitman was able to get to the Board of Health in Northampton (which is similar in political think to Amherst and Cambridge (see additional progressives quoted in the article, with one moderate community college professor thrown in who had voted for McCain) speaks volumes on the ability of “Dr.Jay” to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, including Democrats. Jay Fleitman will face Tom Wesley is the upcoming primary on September 13th. There are multiple Republican’s running in all but one, one district in Massachusetts.

The question remains, how much clout does the press, or Progressives, for that matter, have in shaping the narrative on this mid-term? One has to factor in media, in general, and where consumers are going to get their news. The highest rated radio talk shows in Massachusetts include Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and locally Howie Carr of WRKO fame, Fox News (although much maligned) takes the top spot in cable wars on a weekly basis (See Cable News Ratings), coming close in viewership to the national network outlets who, at one time dominated evening news broadcasts. A recent New York Times article, noted broadcast was down for all networks, by range of 4 to 6 percent To networks that, in the late 1990’s had 10 million viewers per night, the fall to cable is telling.

Consumers are no longer sitting back and waiting for their national or local news anchor to tell them what is up – they are literally “Googleing” for verification. Blogs, as well as alternative news organizations, including international sources, are now being used in an effort to get the “scoop”.

Therefore, the Progressives of America have their work cut out for them. For that matter, so does Bill Clinton. Although highly popular in Massachusetts, Richard Neal, is rather lackluster, more so this season than any other. Will these races be a walk in the park for those who rise to the top of the ticket after the primary? No - but these candidates are better prepared to fight the Democrats on their own terms – they may not have the SEIU out in force, (who’s members were quoted in the Brown election as having been paid to support Coakley, but were voting for Brown), nor the “star power” of a Bill Clinton, but what they do have is the ability to connect with the voters, regardless of party.

Therefore races will be close, in the vein of Scott Brown close – 2 to 3 points were predicted in his “win” over Coakley, a slightly conservative number.

Pollsters to trust: Public Policy Polling a firm known to lean Democrat, but who, in the past, especially in recent special elections, has been spot on. For a skewed view of how well a favorite candidate (out of Massachusetts) might be doing, Real Clear Politics offers a combination of polls, to come up with an average.

The people have a choice, in the Hampden 2nd – between an entrenched, straight party line, politicians who is obviously influenced by Progressives, as opposed to the majority of Democrats (one Richard Neal), or a knowledgeable and likeable physician from Northampton, Dr. Jay Flietman who seeks to bring a different, fiscally conservative narrative to Washington.

Herein lays the crux, “likeable”, it will boil down to retail politics, on all level, and the more appealing the candidate is to the masses now (progressive think), the better the chance of besting an incumbent.

As of now, one must respectfully agree to disagree on the notion that all seats, with the exception of the 10th District, are “safe”, rather, with Democrats playing defense for the first time in decades, it appears that these districts are up for grabs, and as conditions worsen, along with the rhetoric that all is well with Democrats from the local news, the face of Massachusetts is on the verge of a substantial shift in political think.