Snark-Infested Waters by Mike Bailey

Snark-Infested Waters by Mike Bailey

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Posts Tagged ‘Lance Lambros’


The Week In Politics

Friday, August 27th, 2010

As mad as it sounds, the wheels have begun to turn for one potential 2012 campaign.

A movement is underway to recruit Victoria R. Kennedy, widow of the late US Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D), to run for her husband’s former post herself in the next election to “take back” the seat from US Senator Scott P. Brown (R).

“We must reclaim the Kennedy Seat for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts not because she is a Kennedy but because we need a strong Democrat in Washington to represent the people from Massachusetts,” reads the message on the movement’s official Facebook page.

I was not a fan of Sen. Brown during the special election, and he has yet to win me over in any big way, but I will nevertheless invoke one of his catchphrases from the campaign: it’s not the Kennedys’ seat, it’s not the Democrats’ seat, it’s the people’s seat. It belongs to whoever the voters say it does.

This idea that a seat has to be “reclaimed” smacks of pointless entitlement on the Democrats’ part; just because a Democrat – Sen. Kennedy – occupied that office for 47 years and the last Republican to hold the post was Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (1947 to 1953) doesn’t mean it’s “theirs.” By their own logic, the seat belongs more to the GOP, since they held it from 1851 to 1926 (75 years vs. the Democrats’ 56).

***

For some time now, the Republican Governors Association has been funding some harsh and rather negative-in-tone ads targeting Governor Deval L. Patrick and gubernatorial hopeful Timothy P. Cahill.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party is turning the tables a bit with its somewhat tongue-in-cheek new website “Charlie’s World” (http://charliebakersworld.com/), “a special place where Charlie Baker can use ‘facts’ that aren’t true; a place where, when things don’t go well, it isn’t his fault or he wasn’t involved; a place where anything might happen.”

I have to wonder if Green-Rainbow Party candidate Dr. Jill E. Stein sees all this stuff going on and, on occasion, finds herself oddly grateful that no one is paying attention to her.

***

Joseph D. Malone, Republican candidate for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District, recently won a straw poll conducted by radio host Jeff Katz on his eponymous talk show on Rush Radio 1200 AM (their motto: “Harkening back to the Golden Days of Radio, when reception was terrible and static was king.”)

Mr. Malone walked away with 80 percent support, and rival State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) received 15 percent support. Five percent supported Mr. Katz, because they mistakenly thought it would be humorous to kiss up to the host.

***

Raymond Kasperowicz, the third of four GOP candidates for Congress, just gave his campaign website a snazzy new look. Hie thee hither to http://rkasperowicz.com/congress/ and scope it out. It’s all red, white, and blue and patriotic and stuff.

***

James F. Munafo Jr., Republican candidate for State Representative of the Second Barnstable District, invites supporters to a “FUNdraiser” in support of his campaign. Join Mr. Munafo at Sandwich Mini-Golf on Route 6A in Sandwich for the “Vote Munafo Mini-Golf Tournament” on Sunday, September 12. The tourney runs from 4 to 7 PM.

The “suggested greens fee” (a.k.a. campaign donation) is $10 per person. Prizes will be awarded for best scores in the child and adult categories, as well as for the youngest golfer, the older golfer, and for the best golfing outfit.

Shoot an e-mail to votemunafo@integrity.com to reserve a spot in the tournament.

***

William Zammer is hosting at his Flying Bridge restaurant (which, I report sadly, neither flies nor has a bridge) a fundraiser for David T. Vieira, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Third Barnstable District. That is scheduled for Sunday, September 12 from 4 to 6 PM. Donations will be accepted at the door.

***

Who’s a good boy? Who’s a good boy!? Daniel A. Wolf is! Yes he is! Yes he is!

Mr. Wolf, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, has picked up a new endorsement from the Massachusetts chapter of the Humane Society.

He’s also received an endorsement from the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters, for which I do not have dumb jokes.

But wait, there’s more! Mr. Wolf has also official earned nods from several notable figures on the Cape, including Margo L. Fenn, director of the Cape Cod Commission; Susan L. Nickerson, former executive director of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound; and former state representative Eric T. Turkington.

***

State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable) probably didn’t need this little tidbit coming out right now as he runs for Congress. This week’s Beacon Hill Roll Call Report listed Sen. O’Leary as tied for having the fourth-worst attendance record in 2010 (he missed 22 out of 227 roll call votes, a 90.3 percent attendance record).

Granted, that’s only 10 percent of the votes taken this year, and lord knows other lawmakers have been far less diligent, but one can only imagine how this might come back to haunt him (courtesy of his many rivals for the hotly contested seat).

***

This week’s event reminders:

Lance W. Lambros, Democratic candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, will hold a meet-and-greet tomorrow from 4 to 7 PM at Merchants Square, at the Sandwich Democratic Headquarters annual barbecue; and on Monday, August 30 he’ll attend from 3 to 5 PM a senior citizens forum at the Barnstable Senior Center.

William R. Keating, Democratic candidate for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District, will also be at tomorrow’s barbecue in Sandwich.

Mr. Wolf is the guest of honor at a house party fundraiser in Hyannis on Sunday. Check out his official website at www.danwolfforsenate.com for more information about that, and his upcoming “Howl for Dan Wolf” (seriously, dude?) at the Cotuit Art Center on Sunday, September 5. That event, featuring comedian  Jimmy Tingle, runs from 8 to 10 PM.

This Sunday is also the end-of-summer lobster and clam bake in support of Rep. Perry’s Congressional campaign. That’s at the Sandwich American Legion Hall that runs from 1 to 3 PM. Go to www.jeffperryforcongress.com for more info and to make any necessary reservations.

Stephen J. Murphy, Democratic candidate for state treasurer, will be in Hyannis on Tuesday, August 31 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Mr. Keating is also scheduled to be at that event at the Hyannis Anglers Club House on Ocean Street.

Sheila R. Lyons, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, is holding a fundraiser at the Anchor Inn in Hyannis on Tuesday starting at 7 PM. Go to http://sheilalyons2010.com for more info.

Steve Grossman, Democratic candidate for state treasurer, has a visit to Cape Cod planned for September as part of his “Ice Cream Tour.” He’ll be at Four Seas in Centerville from 5 to 6 PM on Friday, September 3.

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding a pasta supper fundraiser at the American Legion Hall in Sandwich on Saturday, September 25 starting at 6 PM; a golf tourney fundraiser at Holly Ridge on Sunday, October 3 starting at 8:20 AM; and “Pizza & Politics with Pizzazz” at Two Brothers Pizza & Mexican in Sandwich on Monday, October 11 at 5:30 PM.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

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The Week In Politics

Friday, August 20th, 2010

I lead off this week with a message to voters in the Second Barnstable District: Calm the hell down.

If you read the Beacon Hill Roll Call Report the last couple of weeks, you might have noticed that State Representative Demetrius J. Atsalis (D – Barnstable) was listed as “did not vote” on the many pieces of legislation that sped through the State House in the final week of its formal session.

The Enterprise received some reader letters expressing anger over this, assuming Rep. Atsalis just blew the votes off. Not so; he was in Sweden with his family for his father-in-law’s funeral. He didn’t get back stateside until August 3.

Bet you people feel sheepish now, huh?

***

Ah, the fun just never ends. With the whole “Flanagangate” starting to lose its steam (meaning it utterly failed to derail State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry’s (R – Sandwich) Congressional campaign, as his detractors had hoped), the blogosphere snipers are on the hunt for fresh muck to rake.

Last week Those Who Vent Their Impotent Rage From the Shadows pointed out that during his 2002 campaign, then-citizen Perry noted he had a degree from “Columbia State University,” a now-defunct “diploma mill” that awarded degrees of a suspect pedigree to its enrollees (the guy who ran the non-existent school, a former stage hypnotist, was later convicted in federal court for the scam).

In an e-mail statement to the media, a campaign mouthpiece said Rep. Perry was just one of many people duped by the faux educational institution and has long since removed the credential from his résumé.

Campaign staff for rival Joseph D. Malone, never one to squander an opportunity to score some cheap points, passed around a link to a Quincy Patriot Ledger story on the latest brouhaha. They’re calling for Rep. Perry to drop out, which is laughable, and to me indicates just how scared the Malone campaign is.

Credit where it’s due: Mr. Malone has been extremely active and visible, but he is nevertheless failing to collect campaign donations on the same level as his chief rival, he’s not topping the straw polls, and he’s not getting the big endorsements – all indicators that he has a lot of ground to cover before be can overcome Perry at the polls.

Nevertheless, this latest revelation is not doing Rep. Perry any favors. There is a little over three weeks until the primaries so it’s not at all too late for his momentum to crumble, especially if anything else embarrassing pops up.

***

A quick note on the Democratic side of things, William R. Keating has picked up an endorsement from the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, a statewide union representing more than 12,000 firefighters from 200 fire departments throughout the Commonwealth.

***

Can you believe it? There’s yet another person running for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District.

Joseph van Nes of West Tisbury announced last week he planned to run as an unenrolled candidate on a primarily “bring the troops home” platform. That bring the current field of contenders to a total of eight – two Democrats, four Republicans, and one other unenrolled.

No, wait: make that nine. Marianne Lewis of Dedham is also in the race as an unenrolled candidate. Earlier in the season she’d been a rumored candidate but after months of dead silence and inactivity, it looks like she is indeed officially in. Her website is up at www.maryannelewiscongress.com.

Having a variety of candidates is great, having non-party choices is great, but come on, people…you can’t enter the race so late in the game and expect any kind of decent outcome. You’re barely even spoilers at this late date.

***

The Congressional race is not the only one enjoying a surge of johhny-come-latelys. Last week I reported that Republican James P. McKenna has entered the race for Massachusetts Attorney General as a write-in candidate. It seems that there’s a second Republican doing the same thing: Guy A. Carbone of Belmont.

Sigh…where were you guys earlier in the year? You know, when voters would have flocked to you to sign your nomination papers so you could more properly challenge Martha Coakley, who was widely regarded as very vulnerable after her loss in the US Senate special election?

***

Daniel A. Wolf, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, last week received an endorsement from MassEquality for his longstanding support of same-sex couples. According to a press release, Mr. Wolf’s company Cape Air in 1996 became the first airline in the nation to offer same-sex health care benefits to its workers.

He’s also received an endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers – Massachusetts.

***

State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable), candidate for Congress, last week received what you might call a composite endorsement from four former state environmental secretaries, based on Sen. O’Leary’s record on environmental issues: James Hoyte, John Devillars, Robert Durand, and John Bewick. He also got the nod from a former assistant secretary, Richard Delaney.

***

Steve Grossman, Democratic candidate for state treasurer, has a visit to Cape Cod planned for September as part of his “Ice Cream Tour.” Mr. Grossman has made a point to hit a local ice cream shop at each of his campaign stops, and on September 3 he’ll be at Four Seas in Centerville from 5 to 6 PM.

***

Mr. Grossman’s primary rival, Stephen J. Murphy, will be in Hyannis on Tuesday, August 31 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Mr. Keating is also scheduled to be at that event at the Hyannis Anglers Club House on Ocean Street.

***

This week’s event reminders:

Mr. Wolf has a meet-and-greet in Mashpee this Sunday, August 22, from 4 to 6 PM at Starfish Restaurant at South Cape Village in Mashpee. He’ll also be at house party fundraisers in Marstons Mills on Thursday, August 26; in Osterville on Friday, August 27; and in Hyannis on Sunday, August 29. Check out his official website at www.danwolfforsenate.com for more information.

Rep. Perry’s will be held at the Aqua Grille in Sandwich on Sunday, August 22 from 4 to 6 PM, for a fundraiser hosted by Eileen DiBuono and Patricia Markoff. Sunday, August 29 is an end-of-summer lobster and clam bake at the Sandwich American Legion Hall that runs from 1 to 3 PM. Go to www.jeffperryforcongress.com for more info and to make any necessary reservations.

State Representative Susan D. William Gifford (R – Wareham) will hold her annual clambake fundraiser on Thursday, August 26 beginning at 6 PM. It’ll be held at Zecco Marine in Wareham. Go to www.susangifford.com for details.

Lance W. Lambros, Democratic candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, will hold a meet-and-greet on Saturday, August 28 from 4 to 7 PM at Merchants Square, at the Sandwich Democratic Headquarters annual barbecue; and on Monday, August 30 he’ll attend from 3 to 5 PM a senior citizens forum at the Barnstable Senior Center.

Sheila R. Lyons, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, is holding a fundraiser at the Anchor Inn in Hyannis on Tuesday, August 31 starting at 7 PM. Go to http://sheilalyons2010.com for more info.

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding a golf tourney fundraiser at Holly Ridge on Sunday, October 3 starting at 8:20 AM; a pasta supper fundraiser at the American Legion Hall in Sandwich on Saturday, September 25 starting at 6 PM; and “Pizza & Politics with Pizzazz” at Two Brothers Pizza & Mexican in Sandwich on Monday, October 11 at 5:30 PM.

***

Finally, from the Kick Him While He’s Down and Out (of the Race) File: Christy P. Mihos, whose second attempt at the corner office ended this year when he was shot down at the Massachusetts Republican State Convention, last week was hit with the largest fine ever handed down in Massachusetts history for campaign finance violations.

Smilin’ Christy M. agreed to pay a whopping $70,000 fine for using more than $112,000 in personal money – meaning out of his own pocket and his corporate coffers – for his ill-fated campaign, much of which was never properly reported. He’s paid half the fine already and will pay the second half in November.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

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The Week In Politics

Friday, August 13th, 2010

We lead off this week with a quick public service announcement. For the benefit of voters, the Enterprise Newspapers has established an online archive of this year’s political profiles. New profiles will be posted as they appear in the print editions of the paper.

You can access the archives through the menu on the left of this page.

***

Has Governor Deval L. Patrick slit his own throat – politically speaking – over the casino bill?

After apparently reaching a compromise on the issue of whether to allow slot machines in Massachusetts as part of the state’s expanded gaming bill, Gov. Patrick backpedaled last week and vetoed that provision – over the very vocal protestations of House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D – Winthrop) and Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth).

The governor explained his turnaround on the fact that slot machine contracts would be issued on a no-bid basis, and wagged a finger at the Legislature for being unwilling to compromise and for dragging its collective feet on putting a bill together in the first place.

Gov. Patrick’s supporters are portraying this as political courage, but it’s more like political folly. In one fell swoop Gov. Patrick has cheesed off two of his most powerful allies, and many other lawmakers who worked on the bill in good faith. He needs a united front and now he’s created a State House divided.

I should remind you, readers, that Gov. Patrick two years ago had a chance to plead his case before the House as it was considering an earlier iteration of the bill, but instead nipped off to New York City to negotiate a book deal.

Then there’s one of the strongest lobbies in the state, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, which is staunchly pro-casino. It often endorses the Democratic candidate in gubernatorial races, but will Gov. Patrick’s deathblow to the casino bill cause the AFL-CIO to withhold its stamp of approval?

***

Elsewhere in the governor’s race, Dr. Jill E. Stein announced last week that her campaign had successfully collected enough signatures to secure a spot on the November ballot (as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party, which is considered a “political designation” in Massachusetts, she had a longer time period in which to collect signatures).

So we officially have a four-way race for the corner office, but the question now is whether the media will give Dr. Stein any attention, or will continue to treat her as a non-entity.

***

A reader contacted me last week to ask me what was going on with the race for State Representative of the Third Barnstable District – by which I mean she had no idea that State Representative Matthew C. Patrick (D – Falmouth) had an opponent.

That’s a bad sign for Republican David T. Vieira of Falmouth, who is challenging Rep. Patrick. Granted, neither gent has a primary race and are likely saving the good stuff for the November general election, but Mr. Vieira has been a little too quite for his own good, it would seem.

But wait! He does in fact have something cooking, so to speak. Frank and Andrea Keohane of East Falmouth are hosting a barbecue fundraiser for Mr. Vieira. That’s next week, August 19 from 5 to 7 PM at the Keohane house. Go to www.votevieira.com for details.

***

Democrat Lance W. Lambros has also been on the quiet side in his campaign for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, but this week he announced a number of upcoming campaign events.

On Monday, August 16 he’ll hold a meet-and-greet starting at 7:30 AM at Liberty Hall in Marstons Mills; on Saturday, August 28 he’ll meet with voters from 4 to 7 PM at Merchants Square, at the Sandwich Democratic Headquarters annual barbecue; and on Monday, August 30 he’ll attend  from 3 to 5 PM a senior citizens forum at the Barnstable Senior Center.

Mr. Lambros will also apparently start up a local public access cable segment to discuss the pressing issues of the day, so more on that once I get the details.

***

State Representative Susan D. William Gifford (R – Wareham) has scheduled her annual clambake fundraiser. It’s happening Thursday, August 26 beginning at 6 PM. It’ll be held at Zecco Marine in Wareham. Go to www.susangifford.com for details.

***

Daniel A. Wolf, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, has rescheduled a planned meet-and-greet in Mashpee. That’s now set for Sunday, August 22, from 4 to 6 PM at Starfish Restaurant at South Cape Village in Mashpee.

***

Mr. Wolf’s rival in the primary race, Sheila R. Lyons, is holding a fundraiser at the Anchor Inn in Hyannis on Tuesday, August 31 starting at 7 PM. Go to http://sheilalyons2010.com for more info.

***

Thomas F. Keyes, Republican candidate for State Senator of the Plymouth and Barnstable District, is holding a pasta dinner fundraiser at the Pocasset Community Club on Wednesday, August 18 starting at 6 PM. Go to www.votekeyes.com for details.

***

State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable) has picked up a big endorsement in his quest for Congress, from the Massachusetts Teachers Association last week gave Sen. O’Leary the nod.

“Massachusetts has the best schools in America, and Rob O’Leary’s leadership has made him a great partner for our members and for parents and students in making that success happen,” MTA President Paul Toner said in a press release. “We’re excited to endorse Rob O’Leary because, as a teacher himself for 34 years and a long-time leader on education issues, he’ll make education a priority in Congress.”

Now, interestingly, Sen. O’Leary’s rival in the primaries, William R. Keating, earlier in the campaign picked up an endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers – Massachusetts chapter. I guess these organizations don’t compare notes at all…

Also, Sen. O’Leary has launched what is, at least on the Democratic side, the first TV ad of the campaign. Check it out online at www.olearyforcongress.com/getout.

***

State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) has picked up another big local endorsement, this one from Michael D. O’Keefe, the Cape and Islands’ district attorney.

DA O’Keefe gave Rep. Perry the official thumb’s up last week at a fundraiser for the latter hosted by the former. Rep. Perry also picked up what seems to be his biennial endorsement from the Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL).

Rep. Perry’s next local fundraiser will be held at the Aqua Grille in Sandwich on Sunday, August 22. That runs from 4 to 6 PM and is hosted by Eileen DiBuono and Patricia Markoff. After that, on Sunday, August 29 is an end-of-summer lobster and clam bake at the Sandwich American Legion Hall. That runs from 1 to 3 PM.

Go to www.jeffperryforcongress.com for more info and to make any necessary reservations.

***

This week’s event reminders:

Joseph D. Malone, Republican Congressional candidate, will be at the Courtyard Restaurant and Pub in Cataumet on Sunday, August 15 from 4 to 6 PM.

Mr. Wolf will be at house party fundraisers in Mashpee on Monday, August 16; in Marstons Mills on Thursday, August 26; in Osterville on Friday, August 27; and in Hyannis on Sunday, August 29. Check out his official website at www.danwolfforsenate.com for more information.

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding a meet-and-greet at Lakewood Hills on Tuesday, August 17 at 5 PM; a golf tourney fundraiser at Holly Ridge on Sunday, October 3 starting at 8:20 AM; a pasta supper fundraiser at the American Legion Hall in Sandwich on Saturday, September 25 starting at 6 PM; and “Pizza & Politics with Pizzazz” at Two Brothers Pizza & Mexican in Sandwich on Monday, October 11 at 5:30 PM.

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Cod Young Professionals are co-hosting a pre-primary candidates’ night on Friday, September 10 at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis. WXTK-FM’s news director Matt Pitta moderates the forum involving candidates in the US Representative of the 10th Congressional District and the State Senator of the Cape and Islands District races.

***

Finally, from the Better Late Than Never File: two previously uncontested races now have contests…sort of.

Keith Davis of Holyoke is running a write-in campaign for lieutenant governor. What party? He apparently doesn’t care. According to his website (www.writeinkeithdavis.com) you can throw his name in wherever you’d like (though he thinks a write-in campaign would be “most effective” on the Republican ballot).

And then there’s Republican James P. McKenna, who for whatever reason didn’t go the normal route of getting a formal position on the ballot and is also running a write-in campaign for Massachusetts Attorney General. His website is at http://jimforag.com.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

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The week in politics

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Hey, candidates! A friendly reminder that the deadline for turning in your completed nomination papers for any district or county seat is coming up! Party and non-party candidates have until Tuesday, April 27 to get their paper in.

Party candidates for statewide and federal offices have until May 4, and non-party candidates have until August 3.

As of this week, there are still a few local races with no stated formal challengers to the incumbents: William Doherty, Barnstable County Commissioner; James M. Cummings, Barnstable County sheriff; Michael D. O’Keefe, Cape and Islands DA; and State Representative Timothy R. Madden (D – Nantucket).

Even more curious is how no one from the GOP has emerged to take down Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. No one. The closest we’ve come? There was a rumor that Peter Flaherty, former aide to Governor W. Mitt Romney and former Suffolk County assistant DA, was considering a run, but nothing’s materialized.

***

The Sandwich Democratic Town Committee opened up on Sunday their shiny new headquarters for the 2010 election season, and the ribbon cutting attracted no less than Governor Deval L. Patrick.

You may be asking yourself what the big deal is. The big deal is that Gov. Patrick’s presence sends the message that the Democrats are going to be focusing on Sandwich this year. The town’s been firmly in the GOP camp since State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) was first elected to the seat in 2002, and now that he’s moving on to focus on his Congressional run, the seat is vulnerable to a Democratic takeover.

The two gents lined up to duke it out for state rep of the fifth Barnstable district – which includes all of Sandwich – are Democrat Lance W. Lambros and Republican F. Randal Hunt. That’s going to be one of the stronger local contests and could be a very close race.

***

Daniel A. Wolf, Democratic candidate for state senator of the Cape and Islands district, has announced his campaign kick-off event for Saturday, April 24. That will be held at The Paddock in Hyannis and run from 4 PM to 6 PM.

This is actually the third, final, and closest stop on a three-town tour that day which begins in Provincetown and stops in Orleans before ending in Hyannis. To RSVP for the Hyannis event call Stefanie Coxe at 508-360-9074 or kickoff@danwolfforsenate.com.

Mr. Wolf is getting ready to launch his campaign website. The URL is www.danwolfforsenate.com.

***

Another Republican is eyeballing State Representative Demetrius J. Atsalis’s (D – Barnstable) seat. Charles C. Case Jr. of Centerville, an attorney, filed his paperwork with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance last week.

This sets us up for a primary race as James F. Munafo Jr., a Barnstable town councilor, is also running as a Republican.

***

Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth) has given her official website a facelift. It boasts better aesthetics, more features (including more multimedia content), and more active updating. Go to www.theresemurray.com and poke around.

Sen. Murray is running for re-election this year to her ninth term.

***

What the –?! Another candidate for governor’s councilor of the first district?

Yep, and her name is Patricia L. Mosca, and she hails from Bourne. She’s a retired probation officer with the Plymouth District Court and a former social worker supervisor with the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance.

She officially launches her campaign on Saturday, May 8 with a reception at the Hemisphere Restaurant in Sandwich. That starts at 6 PM.

Ms. Mosca is one of four people – all Democrats – running for the seat currently held by Carole A. Fiola, who is not running for re-election.

***

Poll time!

The latest Rasmussen Reports poll of 500 likely voters revealed that Gov. Patrick might be reclaiming a little of his mojo. In a theoretical race between Gov. Patrick, Republican Charles D. Baker Jr., and unenrolled candidate Timothy P. Cahill, the incumbent comes out on top, edging out Baker by an eight percent margin.

This is a better lead than Gov. Patrick had only a month earlier, when he came out winning the same three-way contest by only a three percent margin.

In a scenario in which Christy P. Mihos is the Republican pick, Mr. Mihos replaces Mr. Cahill in the third-placer; Gov. Patrick wins this theoretical election over Mr. Cahill by a five percent margin, and Mr. Cahill beats Mr. Mihos by an 18 percent margin.

(There was absolutely no mention of Green-Rainbow Party candidate Dr. Jill E. Stein, nor of Grace Ross, a former Green-Rainbow Party member who jumped to the Democratic Party to challenge Gov. Patrick in the primary – in theory, at least, because she’s been pretty quiet since she entered the race.)

The poll suggested that Mr. Mihos’s standing is slipping, while Gov. Patrick may no longer be the sitting duck he was a few months ago. The Boston Globe reported last week that the governor has over the past few months displayed a renewed energy and hit hard on some key issues.

No, readers, it’s not at all cynical to think that Gov. Patrick is cranking the volume up to 11 because it’s an election year and his job’s at stake.

***

Mr. Cahill, by the way, is claiming that he is the first candidate to reach the 10,000 signature mark, meaning (assuming all the signatures are certified) he has secured his spot on the November ballot.

“People are sick of the petty bickering between the two major parties, where one party says ‘no’ to an idea simply because the other party came up with it,” campaign mouthpiece Adam Meldrum said in a press release. “This year, the people of Massachusetts are not going to be saddled with the same old partisan choices they’re always been presented with. This year, voters will have a viable third alternative to the Democrats and Republicans who have created the mess this state is in.”

***

Back to the polling thing. While poking around online I found on MassBeacon.com an informal poll to see who the favorites are in the race for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District. The poll – completely unscientific, by their own admission – had our two local boys in the lead: Rep. Perry came out on top on the Republican side, besting Joseph D. Malone by a crushing 54-point margin; and State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable) beat William Keating by a smaller but still decisive 18-point margin.

Perhaps tellingly, “other” was the third most common choice above other confirmed and rumored candidates in both races. Alas, the site did not hold a theoretical race between the two party candidates and unenrolled candidate Peter A. White.

The odds of an all-Cape slate candidates are not guaranteed, of course, but it would definitely be cool.

***

On a Joe Malone-related side note, Mr. Malone has added Ted Langill to his campaign staff as his political director. Mr. Langill previously worked as a legislative aide to State Senator Robert L. Hedlund (R – Weymouth). Point of interest: Sen. Hedlund himself was for a time a rumored candidate for the 10th district race.

***

Finally, Suzanne Bump, Democratic candidate for state auditor, has launched her campaign website. That’s up at http://suzannebump.com.

The auditor race is unusually active this year – six candidates! – but then again, long-time auditor A. Joseph DeNucci is stepping down, and open seats tend to attract more interest than those with incumbents.

Special online bonus time!

I came across this campaign ad, which is NOT for J.D. Hayworth, the guy trying to oust US Senator John McCain (R – Arizona) in the primary race, but for McCain himself. It’s remarkably whimsical for a campaign ad so I thought I’d share the cheap yuks with y’all.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net.

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The week in politics

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Christy P. Mihos, Republican gubernatorial candidate, will be in Falmouth tomorrow for a breakfast time campaign appearance at the Falmouth Elks Club. That’s at 8:30 AM.

He has a few other things coming up on his calendar of events, but that could all be rendered moot next Saturday, which is the state Republican convention in Worcester. That will be a make-or-break moment for his foundering campaign, which has seen staffers jumping ship like they were on the S.S. Minnow and is as fiscally healthy as a five-year-old’s piggy bank (his mid-March financial filing with the state had his campaign account hovering just above the $4,000 mark).

The campaign took another blow last week when, according to the Boston Globe, Mihos missed a deadline to submit his $12,500 (!!!) convention fee because he tried to pay by personal credit card, which is a no-no. He barely made an extended deadline for his committee to deliver a check for the amount.

What does that fee cover, you might ask? Well, I have no idea of the mechanics/rationale, but it essentially guarantees that Mr. Mihos will receive a guaranteed 60 delegates toward the 300-plus he needs to secure a spot on the ballot. Yes, it doesn’t matter how many voters want him on the ballot; if he doesn’t get enough delegates at a party convention beyond the ones he paid for, he’s out of the race.

Isn’t the American political system great? By which I mean seriously screwed up. Captain Kirk made more sense describing a game of Fizzbin.

On one hand, simply for the sake of a healthy process I’d like to see Smilin’ Christy M. stay in the race, but on another level I can’t help but feel that removing Mihos from the mix at this stage would be a mercy killing.

***

By the way, Charles D. Baker Jr. this week picked up the endorsement of US Senator Scott P. Brown (R). In a robocall that went out to registered Massachusetts Republicans, Sen. Brown said Charlie Baker “will bring real change to Beacon Hill and work to restore fiscal sanity to Massachusetts government.”

I must wonder, however, if Sen. Brown’s endorsements carry as much weight as they once might have. Some of his supporters among the Tea Party faction and even the GOP are miffed at their Golden Boy for failing to overcome arcane parliamentary procedures and slay the mighty health care reform dragon.

(I’ve already ranted about that here.)

***

Lance W. Lambros, Democratic candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding his campaign kick-off event tomorrow. The public is invited to swing by Holly Ridge Golf Club (121 Country Club Road in Sandwich) between 4 PM and 6 PM to meet Mr. Lambros and, if so inclined, make a campaign donation.

***

Another Republican state rep candidate, James F. Munafo Jr., who is running for the second Barnstable district, has launched his campaign website at http://jimmunafo.wordpress.com/

Candidates for public office, let this website serve as an example for you. It’s a prefab site set up through WordPress (which also powers this here blog), but it looks as good as some of the other campaign sites I’ve seen – better, in some cases.

***

Last call for “Pizza with Perry”! State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich), that is. The soon-to-be former state legislator and could-be US Representative of the 10th Congressional District is holding his next fundraiser at the Hyannis VFW post on Thursday, April 15 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.

Rep. Perry, I should add, received an endorsement this week from former Lieutenant Governor Kerry M. Healey. “When Jeff called and told me he was running for Congress, I told him, ‘I don’t care who else is running, I’m with you’,” Ms. Healey said at a reception in Quincy. “Jeff Perry is a solid, strong legislator and I know he’ll work as hard for you in Congress as he has in the state legislature.”

***

Also on the 15th, look for Republican State Senate candidate Eric T. Steinhilber at the Cape Cod Tax Day Tea Party Rally at the Hyannis Rotary. That runs from 4 to 6 PM.

That’s right: there will be a big distraction at one of the town’s busiest intersections during rush hour. Doesn’t that make you want to just run out and hug the Tea Party folks…around the neck, until they pass out from lack of blood to the brain?

***

Daniel A. “Air” Wolf, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, has named Stefanie Coxe as his new campaign manager. Ms. Coxe is formerly a legislative aide to State Representatives Demetrius J. Atsalis (D – Barnstable) and, more recently, Cleon H. Turner (D – Dennis).

***

Joseph D. Malone, Republican candidate for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District, continues to hunt down endorsements from (former) big names in Massachusetts politics. He has added officials pats on the back from former governor A. Paul Cellucci and Michael Sullivan, a former US Attorney (and acting head of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms – three great tastes that go great together).

***

It’s official: Richard P. Purcell is Dr. Jill E. Stein’s running mate on the Green-Rainbow Party gubernatorial ticket. Dr. Stein made it official over the weekend.

Mr. Purcell, a New Mexico native and current Holyoke resident, is a former Democrat who jumped to the Green-Rainbow Party in 2000. He’s been involved with town politics and issues, and is a US Army veteran who served as a medic during Operation: Desert Storm.

And remember, readers, Dr. Stein will be in Waquoit tomorrow evening for the Green-Rainbow Party’s Southeastern Massachusetts Convention at Moonakis Café. That event runs from 5 PM to 8 PM, and Dr. Stein and Peter A. White, unenrolled candidate for Congress, will speak about “Growing the Green Economy.”

For more information contact Daryl Sprague at 617-459-0784 or at dsprague@jillstein.org, or Peter White at 508-477-0238 or peter@peterwhiteindependent4congress.com.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

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The week in politics

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

Busy week this week!

As you may have seen on the front page of this week’s Region section, Charles D. Baker Jr. and Christy P. Mihos held their first debate of the season in Hyannis last week.

Go here for my analysis, and in the meantime, if you were hoping to meet Mr. Baker but missed the event, you’ll have another chance tomorrow. The candidate is scheduled to swing by a breakfast and signature gathering event in support of Sheriff James M. Cummings’ re-election campaign. That’ll be held at the Hyannis Resort and Conference Center from 9 AM to 11 AM.

This is a joint campaign kick-off event with Michael D. O’Keefe, the Cape and Islands’ DA, and breakfast is on them, so swing on by!

***

Campaigning against the non-incumbent: this year’s hot strategy?

Congressman William D. Delahunt (D), who is retiring this year, has been catching flack from two of the men hoping to succeed him. First, in response to the piece I wrote about Rep. Delahunt and his career (March 12 issue, if you missed it), unenrolled candidate Peter A. White sent me a lengthy statement chiding the congressman for his support for the “wars for oil” in the Middle East, the bank bailouts, and his failure to push for the impeachment of President George W. Bush.

“I was going to let Rep. Delahunt ride off into the sunset of his retirement from Congress and focus on moving our nation forward through the huge problems that he is running away from, but then I decided that would be a disservice to the voters,” Mr. White wrote. “Delahunt was a team player for the Democratic Party, and as such he did a lot of harm.”

Then came a press release from Republican Ray Kasperowicz, who claims a supporter was shooed away the President’s Place in Quincy – where Rep. Delahunt has an office – as he was attempting to collect signatures for the candidate.

“A representative for the management company for Presidential Towers asked that the campaign worker remove his table, signage and campaign material from the premises,” a press release from the Kasperowicz campaign stated. “A follow-up phone call from the candidate to the building management made clear that the office of Congressman William Delahunt, a tenant of the premises, had requested that the candidate’s campaign presence was not appreciated and asked that it be removed.”

“The conduct displayed by either the Congressman or his staff exemplifies the type of arrogant behavior that has angered the public over the past year and a half,” it stated.

Rep. Delahunt’s people at the Quincy office told me that the claim was “absolutely not true.”

A word of advice, if I may, gentlemen? DELAHUNT ISN’T RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION. Why waste your precious time and energy beating a dead horse (or a lame duck, if you prefer a more political aphorism)? To score points with supporters? Please. That’s like bragging to the hot woman at the bar about how you could have totally beaten up the big guy at the pool table who had no intention of fighting you in the first place.

And you, Ray, bubbi — you’ve got two other guys to worry about in the primary. Focus on them, why don’t you? They’re the ones you have to beat! Priorities, man!

***

“Wait a minute,” you might be saying. “Two candidates? I thought three Republicans were running in the primary?”

Actually, as of this week it’s only two; Donald A. Hussey of Hingham, who announced his plans to run last summer and then dropped off the face of the Earth, announced last week he was withdrawing from the race due to family commitments.

Yet that number might go back up to three. A Barnstable chap by the name of Steven J. Scannell has taken out nomination papers for the seat as a Republican.

We are also semi-officially at two Democratic candidates for that race. William Keating, who was previously planning to run for Massachusetts Attorney General, will as early as next week make a formal announcement of candidacy for the 10th and re-launch his campaign website (which is still oriented toward his planned AG run).

So the (possible) final tally for this race: two Democrats, three Republicans, one unenrolled. That may change depending on what happens with Maryanne Lewis, a former state rep who recently left the Democratic Party, and rumor is she’s considering a run for Congress as an unenrolled candidate.

***

Another bloke who’s taken out nomination papers is James H. Crocker Jr. of Osterville. He’s bucking for a run for State Senator of the Cape and Islands, and if he gets on the ballot he’ll first face fellow Republican Eric T. Steinhilber.

***

Thomas F. Keyes of Sandwich, Republican candidate for State Senator of the Plymouth and Barnstable District, has launched his official campaign website. Truck over to www.votekeyes.com and check it out.

Mr. Keyes, who sits on the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, will hold his campaign kick-off event next Thursday, April 8, at the Plymouth Country Club in (duh) Plymouth.

***

Another campaign website is live, this one belonging to Sandwich Democrat Lance W. Lambros, candidate for state rep of the fifth Barnstable district. The address for that is www.lancelambros.com.

***

State Representative Timothy R. Madden (D – Nantucket) has given his official website (http://timmadden.com/tim/) a much-needed facelift for the 2010 campaign season…not that it really needs it, because the dude still has no potential challengers.

No offense to Mr. Madden, but – COME ON, people! First-termer! Democrat! Lives on an island! Why is no one going after him?

***

So who was State Representative Matthew C. Patrick’s (D – Falmouth) mystery guest at his fundraiser last week? None other than Joseph P. Kennedy III, an assistant DA here on the Cape and for a brief time a rumored candidate for Congress.

Oysters Too in East Falmouth was packed with supporters last Friday, including several other Democratic candidates — Mr. Keating, Rep. Madden, and Mr. Lambros among them. Rep. Patrick seemed quite fired up for the campaign, and spoke at length about how the Legislature has become “a Banana Republic” under the thumb of the House Speaker (and not just Robert A. DeLeo; the Speakership has for several years been a magnet for men who throw their weight around too much).

***

Attention, supporters of Republican David T. Vieira! He has changed the date of his campaign kick-off event to Tuesday, May 11. It’s still at the Falmouth Navigator and it’s still running from 5 PM to 8 PM. Mr. Vieira is running for state rep of the third Barnstable district.

***

Green-Rainbow candidate Dr. Jill E. Stein will announce her running mate tomorrow at an event in Holyoke. Unlike the major party candidates for governor, Dr. Stein’s running mate (which I suspect is a gent named Richard P. Purcell, since he just filed his paperwork with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance) is a lock for the November ballot since he or she will not have to first win a primary race (the mixed blessing of not belonging to a state-recognized political party).

Dr. Stein will be on the Cape next weekend, at the Green-Rainbow Party’s Southeastern Massachusetts Convention at Moonakis Café in Waquoit. That event is on Saturday, April 10 from 5 PM to 8 PM. Mr. White will also be there to speak, and the topic of the evening will be “Growing the Green Economy.”

For more information contact Daryl Sprague at 617-459-0784 or at dsprague@jillstein.org, or Peter White at 508-477-0238 or peter@peterwhiteindependent4congress.com.

***

Endorsement time! Yes, they’re already coming…

Joseph D. Malone, who has been an official candidate for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District for just shy of two weeks, received an “enthusiastic” thumb’s up from former Massachusetts governor William Weld.

“As you know, in the 1990’s I was governor while Joe was state treasurer,” Mr. Weld said in a statement. “During those years, I observed a man who was dedicated to the people of Massachusetts.  A strong fiscal conservative, Joe displayed his intellect, courage and integrity on a daily basis.  He was and is a tenacious champion for the taxpayer and the free enterprise system.”

To make sure you’re all getting this straight: a guy who hasn’t been involved in Massachusetts politics for 13 years is behind the candidacy of a guy who hasn’t been involved in Massachusetts politics in 12 years. Boy, what a compelling endorsement!

***

This, on the other hand, will actually carry some weight: US Senator Scott P. Brown (R) has endorsed State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) in his bid for Congress.

“Having served with Jeff in the Legislature, I know that like me he believes in low taxes, a strong national defense and in the pro-growth policies that will create jobs and get our economy moving again,” Sen. Brown said in a video message posted on Rep. Perry’s campaign website.

“By electing Jeff Perry, the voters of the 10th Congressional District will once again be sending a strong message to the politicians in Washington that the time has come to start listening to the people once again,” Sen. Brown said. “If you believe that Washington is broken, Jeff is just the guy we need to help fix it.”

As Sen. Brown remarked, the two gents were buddies in the Legislature and Rep. Perry worked on the senator’s campaign, so the endorsement is hardly surprising, but it will definitely increase Rep. Perry’s visibility outside of the Cape Cod area.

Word is this endorsement surprised/irked Joe Malone, who has been sort of on the outs with the Mass. GOP since he left office under a dark cloud (stemming from the fact some of his aides nicked about $9 million from the state; Malone was never implicated in the crime, but suspicions linger).

By the way, remember that Rep. Perry’s next fundraiser, “Pizza with Perry,” is Thursday, April 15 at the Hyannis VFW near the airport rotary. That runs from 6 PM to 7:30 PM, and campaign donations will be accepted at the door.

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

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The week in politics

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Hey, Democrats! Got anything planned for this Monday?

Then hie thee hither to the 12th annual Presidents Day Brunch at the 400 East Restaurant on East Harwich (at the intersections of Routes 137 and 39). The event runs from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM and is sponsored by the Harwich Democratic Town Committee.

The HDTC folks have invited Democratic candidates for state auditor and state treasurer to the event, and at last word Suzanne Bump and Steve Grossman, candidates for auditor and treasurer respectively, will be in attendance.

The committee will also announce during the brunch the recipients of the Mabel Canto Democrat of the Year Award and the James Noonan Community Service Award.

The cost to attend is $20. To RSVP or for more information contact Ray Gottwald, HDTC chairman, at 508-430-1666 or RayGottwald@aol.com.

***

I’ve yet to mention Ms. Bump in this column, so let me rectify that. She’s a former state representative and, more recently, was the executive office of labor and workforce development under Governor Deval L. Patrick. Her official bio says she lives in Great Barrington in the village of Housatonic, which sounds like a sinister New England village in an H.P. Lovecraft story.

Her official website is http://suzannebump.com.

***

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for state representative of the fifth Barnstable district, has his campaign website up and running. Trot on over to www.electrandyhunt.com and poke around.

Mr. Hunt has also scheduled his campaign kick-off/first fundraising event for Tuesday, March 9 at the Sandwich Hollows Golf Course. That runs from 5 PM to 7 PM, with “speeches (and other campaign rhetoric)” – his words, not mine – beginning at 6 PM.

***

And guess what? Mr. Hunt already has an opponent, and he’s a blast from the not-too-distant past: Lance W. Lambros of Sandwich announced this week he’s taking out nomination papers and plans to run for state rep.

Those familiar with county government will recognize Mr. Lambros as a former county commissioner and member of the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates.

***

The governor’s race continues to heat up. Democrat-turned-independent candidate Timothy P. Cahill formally launched his campaign last week, and in an odd bit of turnabout, a former third party candidate has announced she plans to run against Deval L. Patrick in the primary.

Grace Ross, who ran for governor as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party in 2006 (and collected only two percent of the vote in the four-way race), is challenging Gov. Patrick for the Democratic nomination. I don’t expect her to receive much, if any backing from the party, so enjoy her candidacy while you can, folks.

***

Another note on the gubernatorial race. In case you were in doubt, Republican Christy P. Mihos is “in it to win it.”

Mr. Mihos last week issued a statement to dispel rumors that his wobbly campaign was perhaps about to end – rumors spurred on by recent stores about disgruntled former campaign staff, back-owed business expenses resulting in property liens, and the fact his campaign account is on the thin side.

He’s currently got about $17,000 in the bank, which is better than a few weeks ago when he was down to $2,000 or so, but still WAY behind Charles D. Baker Jr. ($1.6 million), Mr. Cahill (approximately $920,000), and Gov. Patrick ($657,000 and change), and not too far ahead of Jill E. Stein, the Green-Rainbow candidate ($11,425).

“It’s time that the privileged few stop profiting from the rest of us,” he wrote. “If you’re for a candidate who’s stood up to big government and big business before, who’s really for lowering taxes, cutting the size of government, returning rights and money to the people, and getting Massachusetts working again for you, then I’m your candidate for governor of Massachusetts 2010.”

Still, things are not looking promising for Mihos at this time. He has enthusiasm to spare, but he needs a lot more than that if he’s to survive even to the primary race (which I hope he does; a solid primary race is good for the process and for voters).

Political news and announcements may be sent to Michael Bailey, Region editor and senior political reporter, at bailey@capenews.net

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