Snark-Infested Waters by Mike Bailey

Snark-Infested Waters by Mike Bailey

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The Week In Politics

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Welcome to the extra-scandalous edition of the column. You may want to shower afterwards, ’cause this ain’t pretty. I’ll start with the nastiest stuff and try to bring the tone up from there (good luck, me).

Things are getting seriously ugly between Democrat/Norfolk County DA William R. Keating and State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich), and that’s saying something considering the tone of this race from the get-go was far from cordial.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently unveiled an attack ad that strips down (and in the process, slightly sensationalizes) the Scott Flanagan/Wareham PD scandal. The Massachusetts Democratic party has also launched a “fact-based” anti-Perry website called “The Perry Files,” which links to a ton of media stories about Rep. Perry’s various controversies.

Meanwhile the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee launched a new website, “Bill Keating – Just the Facts,” a blog-style site that picks apart Keating’s political career, and boy, what timing! That launched just as news broke that Mr. Keating was accepting campaign donations from a defense attorney on the other side of a case Mr. Keating’s office is prosecuting.

Keating is dismissing this as no big deal, attorneys donate to him all the time, but the GOP is calling this a conflict of interests.

Then there is the startling new wrinkle in the form of a new endorsement for Rep. Perry from Thomas Joyce, who was the chief of the Wareham Police Department during the Flanagan scandal – a man who has completely avoided the media (and continues to do so) to discuss the matter.

Why he has emerged from hiding has not been revealed, but his endorsement has only served to embolden the converted and provide the Keating folks with more ammo; recent e-mails from the Keating campaign gleefully point out that the former chief was himself a co-defendant in the court cases resulting from the Flanagan incidents.

This is tiresome, guys. Really. This negativity is making both candidates look like a word I can’t print here in a family newspaper.

***

Now, here’s a surprising and related bit of news: last week the five Congressional candidates met in Plymouth and debated (read: Perry and Keating sniped at each other), and the candidate who came out on top in a subsequent straw poll was unenrolled candidate MaryAnne Lewis.

WATD, which sponsored the event, held the poll following a Friday rebroadcast of the debate, and Ms. Lewis – who, as you might have noticed, is profiled this week – came out on top with a whopping 76 percent support. Rep. Perry came in second (16 percent) and Mr. Keating (eight percent).

Ms. Lewis apparently scored major points when, at last Thursday’s debate, she remarked to the two party candidates that people were sick of listening to them slap each other around (I know I am). Whether she can successfully parlay voter irritation at both the current status quo and at Perry and Keating’s carping has yet to be seen, but she has become a much more interesting and potentially dangerous candidate.

***

Back to Scandalville and its growing population. Suzanne M. Bump, Democratic candidate for auditor, is defending (read: rationalizing) her decision to claim two big tax breaks in Great Barrington, which she calls home, and in Boston where she owns a condo.

Ms. Bump — a lawyer, mind you — insisted she was not doing anything illegal, but the Massachusetts Department of Revenue begged to differ: the DOR said residents cannot claim two primary residences in Massachusetts to get two sets of property tax breaks.

Despite her adamant belief she was getting the tax breaks legally, she last week ponied up $5,875 to reimburse the City of Boston for the taxes she didn’t pay. The city then reviewed the situation and confirmed that yes, she was not entitled to both perks.

And this is the woman who wants to be the person who ensures our tax money is used properly. Lovely.

***

From the world of weird endorsements: James A. Sheets, one of the three unenrolled candidates for Congress, recently announced that he’d received an endorsement from Peter Boylston Adams, a descendant of President John Quincy Adams.

And that’s all he’s got: he’s related to someone famous and influential in shaping the United States. Whoop-de-do.

***

And now, a nice endorsement: for Daniel A. Wolf, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, from environmental groups the Sierra Club and Clean Water Action.

***

On Friday, October 29 starting at 6 PM, there will be a multi-candidate Republican rally at the Hemisphere Restaurant in Sandwich. On the roster of attendees: Rep. Perry; Thomas F. Keyes, Republican candidate for State Senator of the Plymouth and Barnstable District; F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative for the Fifth Barnstable District; Michael D. O’Keefe, the Cape and Islands’ district attorney (who is unopposed this year); and James Killion, who is running for the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates.

***

This week’s event reminders:

Rep. Perry is the guest of honor at a reception at the Flying Bridge in Falmouth on Sunday. That runs from 5 to 7 PM.

That same day Mr. Keyes will hold a fundraiser at the Aqua Grille in Sandwich beginning at 4 PM.

Next Friday, October 22, the Committee to Elect Therese Murray and Olive and Dave Chase will host a fundraiser for Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth) at the Sandwich Glass Museum from 6 to 7:30 PM. Suggested donation for both events is $50 per person.

Mr. Hunt is holding his final campaign fundraiser on Saturday, October 23 at the East Sandwich Grange Hall. The Tony Lujan Quintet will perform.

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, October 8th, 2010

Greetings, readers, and welcome to my extra laugh-filled edition of the column. I figured with how nasty and serious the campaign trail is getting, a little light touch would be appreciated.

To start: What’s the difference between the governor’s council and my appendix? My appendix doesn’t cost taxpayers $400,000 a year.

***

Last week I noted that unenrolled gubernatorial candidate Timothy P. Cahill had lost a key staffer, and remarked that it was no big deal.

It is, however, a very big deal when your  running mate bails out on you.

Paul Loscocco, a former Republican state rep, made what I regard as the utterly gutless move to abandon Mr. Cahill, renounce his lieutenant governor candidacy, and formally endorse Republican Charles D. Baker Jr. for governor.

“I cannot sit idly by as my friends and supporters cast their votes for my ticket, knowing that the best chance to defeat Governor Patrick is with Charlie Baker,” Mr. Loscocco told the media. “I cannot and will not let my ego get in the way of doing what is right for Massachusetts. So while this is a tough decision for me today personally, it is the right decision to put the future of our state ahead of my own self-interest.”

Now, make no mistake: by all measures Mr. Cahill indeed cannot win this race. He’s behind in fundraising, he’s way behind in the polls – there is nothing to suggest that his message has clicked with voters.

For Loscocco to abandon the race because he knows he won’t be part of the winning team is cowardly and absolutely self-serving. For him to pass off his party loyalty as somehow a benevolent act in the name of promoting the greater good for Massachusetts residents is absolutely slimy.

Unfortunately for Mr. Cahill, he’s not making things any better for himself by espousing conspiracy theories that this is all part of the GOP plot to crush his campaign (not that the Republican Party hasn’t been trying really hard to defuse Mr. Cahill’s spoiler potential, but let’s not go all Oliver Stone here).

***

As you may have heard, Daniel A. Wolf has stepped down as president of Cape Air, the company he founded, to focus on his State Senate campaign. He remains the company’s CEO. I know nothing about big business, but I assume this is actually kind of a big deal.

And hey, if the senate thing falls through, I bet Dan knows someone who could get him that president gig back…

***

Knock knock. Who’s there? Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates. Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates who? Oh, you don’t know anything about them either, huh?

***

James P. McKenna may have already bumbled his momentum coming out of his historic write-in victory in the primary race for Massachusetts Attorney General. During a televised debate with incumbent Martha Coakley, Mr. McKenna avoided answering some questions and gave stumbling answers to others.

He’s also not doing great in fundraising; he has about $13,000 on-hand, compared to AG Coakley, who has about $50,000 according to her latest campaign finance report.

***

This week’s event reminders:

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding “Pizza & Politics with Pizzazz” at Two Brothers Pizza & Mexican in Sandwich on Monday at 5:30 PM.

David T. Vieira, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Third Barnstable District, invites the public to a “meet the candidate” at the Pocasset Golf Club on Wednesday. Dutch and Addie Drolette are hosting the event, which runs from 4 to 6 PM. RSVP by calling 508-540-6727.

State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich), candidate for Congress, is the guest of honor at a reception at the Flying Bridge in Falmouth on October 17. That runs from 5 to 7 PM.

That same day Thomas F. Keyes, Republican candidate for State Senator of the Plymouth and Barnstable District, will hold a fundraiser at the Aqua Grille in Sandwich beginning at 4 PM.

On October 22 the Committee to Elect Therese Murray and Olive and Dave Chase will host a fundraiser for Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth) at the Sandwich Glass Museum from 6 to 7:30 PM. Suggested donation for both events is $50 per person.

Also, there are several debates and candidates’ forums coming up, including Tuesday’s Bourne candidates’ night at the First Baptist Church of Pocasset, starting at 7 PM; and Thursday’s debate at Cape Cod Community College, featuring all the Congressional and Cape and Islands State Senator candidates. That begins at 6:30 PM and is open to the public.

***

In closing: How many members of the Tea Party does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just Sarah Palin, and all she does is hold the light bulb up while the world revolves around her.

Thank you, you’ve been a great audience!

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

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An interview with Jennifer Nassour

Friday, October 1st, 2010

(The following feature ran in this week’s Region section and is re-produced here in full.)

When Jennifer A. Nassour, chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, looks into the future to Election Day 2010, she sees the promise of a major change in the complexion of the state Legislature.

“There are plenty of candidates, so if everyone won (their races), we actually turn the tide a lot and change the course” of state government, Ms. Nassour said. “I feel optimistic about everything right now.”

Ms. Nassour was on the Cape Monday to accompany David T. Vieira of Falmouth, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Third Barnstable District, as he met with residents and business owners in Mashpee.

“We’re doing this for candidates here and there,” Ms. Nassour said of her trip to the Cape, part of a statewide effort to give select candidates an extra boost through personal appearances. “I wish I had time to hit everyone.”

Preventing that wish from coming true: a lack of time and, for the first time in several years, an abundance of candidates.

Mr. Vieira is one of eight Cape Cod Republicans running for legislative seats this year, and according to Ms. Nassour one of 109 Republicans running for the Massachusetts Legislature — “Twice as many as in 2008,” she noted — making this the most active field of GOP candidates since the ill-fated “Romney Reform Team” initiative of 2004.

That effort, which assembled 131 Republicans to challenge Democratic incumbents, ended with the GOP experiencing a net loss of two seats in the Legislature. Critics speculated that the initiative failed because of the aggressively negative tone of many of the races, coupled with the fact that many candidates were not established residents of the districts in which they ran.

Dr. Gail B. Lese and Timothy E. Duncan, Romney Reform Team candidates for the region’s two Senate seats in 2004, were not full-time Cape residents; Dr. Lese moved to the area two months before announcing her candidacy, and Mr. Duncan owned a summer home in Falmouth but claimed Cambridge as his permanent residence.

Ms. Nassour said the Romney Reform Team recruits “might not have had their finger to the pulse” of their adopted districts, while many of this year’s hopefuls “were locally elected officials that now stepped it up and are running for state rep, state senate” in their districts. “They have a base, they know their neighborhoods, they know their districts, they know the people that are in there, they understand the on-the-ground issues.”

Ms. Nassour said she felt extremely confident in this year’s crop of candidates, calling it “the best team that we’ve had in two decades,” and believed that lingering voter dissatisfaction with the status quo of state government would propel many of these legislative hopefuls to wins next month over their incumbent opponents.

“There’s a lot of anger and frustration out there” over the thin job market, the still-weakened economy, and a series of tax hikes championed by the Democratic legislative majority and Governor Deval L. Patrick, Ms. Nassour said. “There are candidates on the ballot that won’t put that they’re incumbents. They don’t want anyone to know they’ve been up there making the wrong decisions.”

She added that there are across the state several open seats – eight in the state Senate, 20 in the House – and she said many of those are due to incumbents who stepped down because “they didn’t want to face challengers.”

“Many Opportunities” On Cape

This year there are two open seats within the Cape delegation, one of them being State Senator of the Cape and Islands District; State Senator Robert A. O’Leary (D – Barnstable) opted not to run for re-election to instead focus on his ultimately unsuccessful Congressional run.

Republican James H. Crocker Jr. of Osterville and Democrat Daniel A. Wolf of Harwich have emerged as the two contenders for that seat, and Ms. Nassour said Mr. Crocker stands an excellent chance of reclaiming a post that, until Sen. O’Leary’s election to the Senate in 2000, had been held by Republicans for 140 years.

“Jim Crocker – amazing candidate,” she said, “and I think that no matter how much money his opponent has, it doesn’t make a difference because at the end of the day voters are looking for someone that they can connect with. They’re not looking for the richest guy on the road to buy an election.”

Ms. Nassour identified F. Randal Hunt of Sandwich as another local candidate in a prime position to win a race for an open seat — in this case the race for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District.

“He has so many opportunities there, I think that’s a great one for us,” she said, noting that Mr. Hunt hails from the same town as State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich), who has served the district since 2002.

She described another Sandwich Republican, Thomas F. Keyes, as “an amazing candidate” and a “very viable alternative” to Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth). “He just kind of understands what people are going through right now in trying to raise a family and trying to make a buck.”

Although Sen. Murray holds one of the most powerful positions in state government and boasts an imposing campaign war chest, Ms. Nassour said Mr. Keyes holds an advantage in that he is not part of the entrenched State House establishment. To overcome Sen. Murray, Ms. Nassour said Mr. Keyes needs to focus on “showing that he’s a viable alternative to someone who has spent way too long on Beacon Hill, who can be very affected by special interests.”

“I think that he has something that voters are actually looking for, and we will see him pick up steam,” she said.

The state GOP is also keeping a very close eye on the hotly contested race for US Representative of the 10th Congressional District. Rep. Perry emerged from this month’s primary as the party’s standard bearer in that race, and will face Democrat William R. Keating, and three unenrolled candidates: Maryanne Lewis, James Sheets, and Joseph van Nes.

Ms. Nassour called that contest “a fantastic opportunity for the Republican Party to pick up a seat again” in the US House of Representatives. “Jeff Perry is a quality candidate. He’s been a great state rep, he’s known and loved down here for all the work that he does and for kind of being the outspoken voice on Beacon Hill, and I’m sure he’ll do the same on Capitol Hill.”

The Massachusetts US House delegation consists entirely of Democrats. Eight of the returning incumbents have Republican challengers.

The other big race for the party is for the Corner Office, as Charles D. Baker Jr. attempts to unseat incumbent Deval L. Patrick, and Ms. Nassour dismissed the idea that Mr. Baker’s campaign has failed to effectively capitalize on Gov. Patrick’s lagging approval ratings.

“Charlie has absolutely hit his stride,” she said, adding that Mr. Baker’s poll numbers are following the same track Gov. Patrick’s 2006 campaign followed. “Charlie has actually all along been on pace with where Deval was in 2006 when he was running against Kerry Healey,” at the time the state’s lieutenant governor under W. Mitt Romney. “Same exact numbers.”

She said this week’s Boston Globe poll, which had the governor and Mr. Baker in a virtual dead heat, was “the telling sign…if you take out (unenrolled candidate) Tim Cahill and put those voters where they’re supposed to be, with Baker, Baker is far ahead of where Deval is.”

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The Week In Politics

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Happy October, everyone, and welcome to the special “Who cares?” edition of the column.

First we start out with a bit that was circulating last week, about State Representative (and Congressional candidate) Jeffrey D. “Young Gun” Perry (R – Sandwich) calling Sarah Palin an “entertainer” and stating he would decline any offer of campaign assistance from the former Alaskan governor/former vice-presidential candidate/person whose 15 minutes of fame dried up two hours and 42 minutes ago.

Apparently Rep. Perry caused a bit of a stir by having the audacity to not kiss the feet of the Mighty Palin and state that her version of the Tea Party Movement — a.k.a. the New and Improved Republican Party, now with 15 percent more self-righteous indignation — was not the same as the 10th Congressional District’s version (which has 30 percent less insanity and no high-fructose corn syrup).

While I think the statement was a bit of a calculated move on Rep. Perry’s part, an effort to maintain his Tea Party ties while distancing himself from the national movement’s more radical elements, people are making way too big a deal out of this. So what if he offered, really, a very mild criticism of Sarah Palin? It’s not like he called her the Paris Hilton of national politics.

(I did that. Just now).

***

Next we move on to the race for governor’s council of the first district, which features Oliver P. Cipollini Jr. of Marstons Mills, a Democrat…at least, he is right now, and that is part of the kerfuffle surrounding him.

Apparently, Mr. Cipollini has over the past 14 years or so jumped in and out of the Democratic and Republican parties, sometimes entering and leaving and re-entering the parties within a matter of weeks.

Were he running for a major seat this might be cause to question his motivations, but it’s the governor’s council race — the race no one knows bupkiss about and no one cares about. Bigger fish to fry, people.

The real issue lies with Charles O. Cipollini – Oliver’s brother and the Republican candidate for the post – and his rather lackadaisical attitude toward the race. Charles has made it quite clear he would prefer to see his younger brother win the race: “My brother is more qualified than I am, I must admit…I would still rather see him win.”

Charlie, if you’re not going to work for the job, if you’re not going to make even a token attempt to compare and contrast your positions to those of your brother, spare us all the sham of a non-campaign and go away.

I hate to say that because I think voters should always have a choice, but Charles Cipollini is practically handing the race over to Oliver Cipollini, and that’s just appalling.

***

One more, before I move on to stuff you can give a toss about: Timothy P. Cahill last week lost advisor John Weaver, who left the campaign because he did not believe Mr. Cahill stood a snowball’s chance in the gubernatorial race, and he would rather see voters jump the sinking Cahill ship and get with Team Charlie Baker.

“As much as I like Tim Cahill, I can’t be party to helping elect the most liberal candidate in the race,” Mr. Weaver told the press.

Don’t read into this development too much; campaigns lose people all the time. This isn’t a sign of how badly Mr. Cahill’s campaign is tanking (the poll numbers are doing that), but more a measure of Mr. Weaver’s professionalism; quitting is one thing, kicking dirt on your employer on the way out is another.

***

David T. Vieira, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Third Barnstable District, last weekend opened his Vote Vieira Campaign Headquarters at 699 Teaticket Highway, so drop on in for all your Vieirabilia.

Mr. Vieira has a couple of events coming up. He invites business owners to a “Business Town Meeting” with the candidate on Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 AM. That’s at Landucci on Main Street in Hyannis, and people can register by contacting the campaign via info@votevieira.com or call 508-563-7292.

The general public is invited to attend a “meet the candidate” night with Mr. Vieira at the Pocasset Golf Club on Wednesday, October 13. Dutch and Addie Drolette are hosting the event, which runs from 4 to 6 PM. RSVP by calling 508-540-6727.

***

While this race is not in the Enterprise coverage area, I felt compelled to comment nevertheless. Patrick J. Foran, who is challenging State Representative Cleon H. Turner (D – Dennis), has launched a new radio ad, in which he berates the incumbent for receiving an endorsement from the Democratic Socialists.

You can see where this is going, of course. Yes, Foran is hitting the Socialist Panic Button.

Stay classy, Patrick…stay classy.

So, for the record, what do Democratic Socialists want? This, according to their official website: “Democratic socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few. To achieve a more just society, many structures of our government and economy must be radically transformed through greater economic and social democracy so that ordinary Americans can participate in the many decisions that affect our lives.”

Ordinary Americans participating in the many decisions that affect our lives? Wait a sec…isn’t that the very same thing the Tea Party movement is promoting?

Take that, fearmongers.

***

Dr. Jill E. Stein got a big boost to her campaign war chest over the past week, passing the $100,000 mark. The drive was sparked in large part by the Boston media’s refusal to allow Dr. Stein to participate in a series of gubernatorial debates due to her (previously) lackluster fundraising efforts.

What she needs to do now is work some similar magic with her exposure level; she’s still trailing in fourth place in every poll out there.

***

Meanwhile, over in the race for Massachusetts Attorney General, the Boston Globe reported that Republican James P. McKenna’s successful attempt to land the GOP nomination via write-in/sticker campaign may not have been strictly legal.

Mr. McKenna formally reported to the state expenses of about $1,600, but has claimed to have spent more than $5,000 in the first leg of his campaign, and has not reported the expense of printing up 100,000 stickers for the primary ballot – an expense he covered on a personal credit card. Nor has he reported the expenses stemming from his campaign website and mailings to voters.

A spokesman for the campaign said Mr. McKenna is fixing the “easily correctable filing error,” but still, this doesn’t reflect well on a guy hoping to be the state’s top legal eagle.

***

This week’s event reminders:

Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth) invites the public to a reception this evening, from 6 to 8 PM, at the Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth. On October 22 the Committee to Elect Therese Murray and Olive and Dave Chase will host a fundraiser at the Sandwich Glass Museum from 6 to 7:30 PM. Suggested donation for both events is $50 per person.

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding a golf tourney fundraiser at Holly Ridge on Sunday 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.

And if you want to see a big ol’ truckload of politicians in one contained area, head over to the Sandwich Town Hall rededication ceremony tomorrow at noon. Lots of candidates are going to be there to grab some face time.

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, September 17th, 2010

One election down, one to go!

Check www.capenews.net for the lowdown on who won what (I put this thing together on Tuesdays, hence the lack of results here), but this week marks the beginning of the election season in earnest, because all those candidates who had no primary opponents have to now wake up and start campaigning.

A precious few get to kick back and relax as they have no opponents whatsoever – Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings, Cape & Islands DA Michael D. O’Keefe, and State Representative Timothy R. Madden (D – Nantucket) – but everyone else has to do at least a little legwork.

There are some solid local races here, but also a few that I’m expecting to be rather uninspiring affairs. I look first to State Representative Susan D. Williams Gifford (R – Wareham), whose Democratic challenger David A. Smith of Wareham is thus far striking me as another in a long line of lackluster opponents for Rep. Gifford.

Turning my gaze northeastward, I see an uphill battle for Thomas F. Keyes, who is challenging Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth). Sen. Murray holds a major power position in the Legislature, has crazy cash in her campaign war chest, and – perhaps most importantly – has successfully spearheaded health care and economic development reforms in the past two years, so one cannot accuse her of having a do-nothing term in her rearview mirror.

***

Governor Deval L. Patrick’s firing up his re-election campaign and has opened several “regional coordinated campaign offices” across the state, including four on Cape Cod. If you’re looking for information on The Guv, check out the local offices at 359 Main Street in Falmouth and 4 Merchants Square in Sandwich.

The governor, by the way, received an endorsement last week from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Mayor Menino called Gov. Patrick “whuh rhl leddeh en Mussashuztz” (translated for those who don’t speak Mumble: “a real leader in Massachusetts”).

***

Dr. Jill E. Stein is hopping mad that she’s being overlooked by the Boston media.

Dr. Stein, the Green-Rainbow Party candidate, was not invited to participate in a radio debate in Boston this week, and she initially was not invited to participate in a televised debate scheduled for Tuesday – in the latter case, because her campaign war chest was about $31,000 short of meeting a minimum $100,000 threshold.

She is now going to participate in next week’s televised debate, but still got shafted from this week’s radio debate on WBZ.

The Boston Herald’s Margery Eagan opined this week that Dr. Stein should not be so catered to, and in fact should not be in the race, citing her inability to raise money on the same level as her rivals and her history of failed campaigns (governor in 2002, state representative in 2004, secretary of the Commonwealth in 2006).

Eagan rationalized that she has a snowball’s chance of winning the election, so why should the media waste time on her when that time could go to Gov. Patrick, Charles D. Baker Jr., and Timothy P. Cahill.

This arrogant attitude – “I don’t think this person can win, so I think he/she should just drop out now” – is part of what’s wrong with contemporary politics. The media adopt their darlings early on, the candidates they determine to be “viable,” and leave all others out in the cold, in the process do the voting public a grave disservice by burying the “weak” candidates under a ton of coverage for the “strong” contenders.

In the gubernatorial race it’s Dr. Stein. In the Congressional race Republicans Raymond Kasperowicz, the first guy to declare his candidacy, and Robert E. Hayden III were largely ignored in favor of State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) and Joseph D. Malone. In 2008 Jeffrey K. Beatty’s challenge to US Senator John F. Kerry (D) was barely acknowledged, even after the media’s chosen sweetheart Jim Ogonowski tanked hard by failing to collect enough signatures to earn a spot on the primary ballot.

The decision whether to run for any elected seat – and whether to continue running when “they” say it’s futile – belongs first and foremost to the candidates themselves, and then to the voters, not the media. Ever.

***

State Representative Matthew C. Patrick (D – Falmouth) has added Virginia Ryan to his re-election campaign team. Ms. Ryan recently left her post of several years as the Housing Assistance Corporation’s assistant to the CEO/director of special projects.

***

Upcoming campaign events:

Rep. Gifford is hosting a fundraiser for Rep. Perry on Monday. That’ll be held at the Mezza Luna restaurant in Bourne from 5:30 PM to 7 PM.

Sen. Murray is the guest of honor at a September 26 fundraiser in East Sandwich. Betsy and Bill Lehrer will host that event at their home from 4 to 6 PM. For more information, e-mail Bet6453@aol.com or call 508-888-2016.

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, July 16th, 2010

Governor Deval L. Patrick is going to make a campaign stop on the Cape next month.

The governor will be at the “Hyannis Communities Connecting for Deval” event at the Zion Union Heritage Museum in Hyannis on Thursday, August 5. That event begins at 7:30 PM. For more information, shoot an e-mail to info@devalpatrick.com.

***

Hey, kids! Guess what time it is!

That’s right: it’s time to see how few people will run for the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates!

Nomination papers are available for the county’s most low-profile and, historically speaking, least active race; very rarely does any candidate have an opponent, and there have been a few years when no one returned papers at all and the seat wound up filled by a write-in candidate.

Papers are available at town clerk’s offices now and must be returned by the end of the business day Tuesday, July 20 with at least 20 certifiable voter signatures. Those signatures must be from registered voters in the candidate’s home town (that is to say, someone running for the Falmouth delegate’s seat must collect signatures from Falmouth voters).

***

Daniel A. Wolf, Democratic candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District, is using his candidacy to help draw attention to his participation in the Pan Mass Challenge. Mr. Wolf will be riding from Provincetown to Boston (hopefully not in this killer heat) to raise money for cancer research and treatment. Go to his campaign website at www.danwolfforsenate.com to learn more.

In other Wolfish news, the candidate will be holding a meet-and-greet at Starfish Restaurant in Mashpee Commons on Sunday from 4 to 6 PM. Stop by and say hi.

Also, Mr. Wolf has received a big endorsement from the Massachusetts Teachers Association. MTA President Anne Wass said Mr. Wolf “understands the importance of public education and will fight for our schools and our higher education system.”

This endorsement comes as Mr. Wolf and Democratic rival Sheila R. Lyons have begun a war of words in the media, over a challenge from Ms. Lyons to limit their primary campaign spending to $100,000. Mr. Wolf has rejected this challenge, stating that he doesn’t want to limit himself unnecessarily.

Wolf campaign officials have called this challenge a campaign stunt – which it is, one of the many such tactics politicians employ (along with my favorites, the “I won’t accept special interest donations” and “I won’t raise taxes” pledges). More often than not these challenges are “gotcha” bait; by rejecting self-imposed campaign spending limits, Ms. Lyons could try to portray Mr. Wolf as a high roller who’s out to spend his way to victory while touting her own sense of fiscal responsibility.

I will add that Stefanie Coxe, Mr. Wolf’s campaign head, might be going overboard by calling it an “orchestrated attack” (as she did in a recent letter to the Cape Cod Times). No, it’s just politics as usual…let’s not hyperbolize the matter. Be cool now.

***

Former Republican state reps Shirley Gomes and Thomas George, who together covered the Mid- and Lower Cape, have officially thrown their support behind State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) in his bid for Congress.

Rep. Perry will hold a campaign reception next month, August 3, at the Flying Bridge in Falmouth. Jennifer Bruce hosts the event, which will feature remarks by Michael D. O’Keefe, the Cape and Islands’ district attorney. Go to www.jeffperryforcongress.com for more details.

***

James Sheets, unenrolled candidate for Congress, has launched his official website at www.votejimsheets.com, and for a Johnny-come-lately to the race (and a third-party entry at that) he has a pretty decent site.

Whether Mr. Sheets will actually be on the ballot is still in question; as a non-party candidate he has until August to turn in his nomination papers.

***

James H. Crocker Jr.’s official campaign website is also up and running. Learn more about the Republican candidate for State Senator of the Cape and Islands District at http://crockerforsenate.com.

***

A reminder (and more details) about an event for Mr. Crocker’s opponent in the primaries, Eric R. Steinhilber: Mr. Steinhilber is holding a fundraiser on Thursday at the Nauticus Marina in Osterville, which will run from 5 to 7 PM.

DA O’Keefe is hosting that event, which will feature special guests Charles D. Baker Jr., Republican candidate for governor, and the aforementioned Ms. Gomes and Mr. George, who recently endorsed Mr. Steinhilber’s candidacy.

E-mail events@electeric2010.com or call 508-957-2676 to RSVP.

***

F. Randal Hunt, Republican candidate for State Representative of the Fifth Barnstable District, is holding a barbecue fundraiser at the end of the month – Saturday, July 31, to be precise, at the West Barnstable Deer Club from 3 to 7 PM. Go to www.electrandyhunt.com for further details.

While you’re there you can also participate in his online survey to let him know your thoughts on what the most pressing issues of the day are.

Here are a few other campaign events to mark on your calendar: Tuesday, August 17, 5 PM: a meet-and-greet at Lakewood Hills; Sunday, October 3, 8:20 AM: golf tournament fundraiser at Holly Ridge (registration required); Monday, October 11 (time TBA): “Pizza & Politics with Pizzazz” at Two Brothers Pizza in Sandwich.

***

I’ve been remiss in listing this for some time now: Senate President Therese M. Murray’s (D – Plymouth) official campaign website: www.electterrymurray.com.

This site is not to be confused with her official legislative website, which is there to promote and discuss things directly pertaining to her job; Sen. Murray the Senate President is a different entity than Therese Murray, candidate for State Senate.

***

Sen. Murray’s opponent, Republican Thomas F. Keyes, will be making a couple of appearances in Falmouth. He’ll be at the Falmouth Republican Town Committee meeting at the Gus Canty Community Center on Tuesday (7:30 PM start time), and will be holding a meet-and-greet in front of Shaw’s Market in Falmouth next Friday stating at 9:30 AM.

To show what a bipartisan kinda guy he is, he’ll be doing a second supermarket meet-and-greet that same day, starting at noon, at the Falmouth Super Stop & Shop.

***

Mary Z. Connaughton, Republican candidate for state auditor, will be in Centerville next week for a reception at the home of Jennifer and John Williams. That’s scheduled for 7 to 8:30 PM on Friday, July 23. Contact Mary Sharkey at 781-492-1728 or marys@maryforauditor.com if you’d like to attend.

***

Finally, a respectful “rest in peace” to John Henning, WBZ’s veteran political reporter, who died last week at the age of 73. He’d been covering state elections literally since before I was born, and you don’t often see that kind of die-hard dedication in any field, much less such a headache-inducing one as politics.

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, May 14th, 2010

Welcome to a very special — by which I mean I expect to see a lot angry of e-mails come Monday – edition of the column.

Over the past few weeks a person writing under the pseudonym “Mercy Otis” for CapeCodToday.com has posted several challenges to State Representative Jeffrey D. Perry (R – Sandwich) to “come clean” about an incident from his past – specifically from his time as a Wareham police officer.

These challenges have come with only vague allusions to the incident in question and, it seems, the writer wants Rep. Perry to fill in all the details himself. He has thus far declined.

Well, here’s the story, as (I say immodestly) I first reported on it in 2002, back when Rep. Perry was first running for the Legislature. The information is taken from extensive court documents provided to me in October 2002 by – guess what? – an anonymous source and enhanced by Rep. Perry’s own recollections as told to me in an in-person interview.

(This is the super-condensed version, so if you want to check out the original full story, go show your library some love and check out the October 22, 2002 issue of the Sandwich Enterprise on microfilm. And no, I won’t send you a copy.)

On New Year’s Eve 2002, a Wareham PD patrolman named Scott Flanagan approached then 16-year-old Heather Adams as she was preparing to light a joint in front of a Wareham convenience store. He took her behind the store and ordered her to drop her pants and lift up her shirt. A neighbor interrupted this, and Flanagan made a veiled threat against Adams to keep her quiet.

Flanagan called then-Sergeant Perry, the shift supervisor on duty, to the scene and gave him a different account of what happened.

Flanagan was fired following a rapid internal investigation. Criminal charges were later filed, and in November 1993 he was convicted on multiple offenses (including indecent assault and battery on a child over 14) and went to jail for four years. The family won a subsequent civil suit against the town.

Then-Sgt. Perry was not, according to court documents, present during the incident, he was never charged with any crime himself, nor was he ever disciplined for anything. He was originally named in the civil suit, but later dropped from it. He left the department in July 1993 in good standing and opened a convenience store.

How and why is this relevant now? Is it relevant? Some would say yes, it’s absolutely relevant; Rep. Perry is running for Congress now and should be held to very high standards of character and conduct. If he has done anything wrong in the past, it should be brought to light.

Others would say no, that the past is in the past, and to now dredge up a closed chapter in his life, which ended with no clearly damning proof of complicity, is nothing more than cheap mudslinging by those who don’t want to see a Republican — or at the very least, Rep. Perry specifically – claim the seat currently held by the retiring William D. Delahunt (D).

Neither “Mercy Otis” nor Rep. Perry are entirely in the right here. “Mercy” should have laid out specific accusations rather than engaging in rumor and innuendo, which makes his/her motivations feel shady, even cowardly; and instead of being evasive, Rep. Perry should have presented this info himself and cut the rumor mill off at the knees, lest he give people a reason to think he is hiding something.

As for the question of relevancy? Well, that’s why I present this information here now: to let the voters decide if it’s relevant – just as this paper did in 2002, when the voters considered the facts and made up their own minds.

Need I point out that with all this in mind, voters chose to support Rep. Perry’s candidacy and voted him into office, and over a three-term incumbent?

We now return to your regularly scheduled parade of dumb jokes and obscure pop-culture references.

***

Two key deadlines have passed for candidates: April 27 for candidates for district and county-level offices to submit their completed nomination papers, May 4 for federal and statewide offices.

This means we can officially declare that five people of note are running unopposed in 2010, barring a last-minute write-in candidacy: James M. Cummings, Barnstable County sheriff; Michael D. O’Keefe, Cape and Islands district attorney; William Doherty, Barnstable County commissioner; State Representative Timothy R. Madden (D – Nantucket), and – and this is the stunner – Martha Coakley, Massachusetts’ attorney general.

Over the next two weeks, as registrars of voters certify signatures, we’ll know if anyone else gets a free pass due to their opponent failing to collect enough valid signatures. The person most likely to go bye-bye: Grace C. Ross, Democratic candidate for governor.

Ms. Ross, who jumped ship from the Green-Rainbow Party to challenge Deval L. Patrick for the Democratic nomination, was uncertain whether she’d collected enough signatures to make it onto the primary ballot. Don’t be surprise if she falls short and drops out of the running.

***

Speaking of Mr. O’Keefe, he is holding in Falmouth on Monday a spring reception as part of his re-election campaign. That’ll be at the Nobska House from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, and campaign donations will be accepted.

***

Senate President Therese M. Murray (D – Plymouth), who stopped by the Enterprise this week to chat with the editorial board, will officially launch her re-election campaign next Thursday, May 20 with two events. The local kick-off event will be held at The Brookside Club in Bourne from 7 to 9 PM, and it’s open to the public.

***

State Representative Demetrius J. Atsalis (D – Barnstable) launches his re-election campaign next week – Monday, to be precise – at Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub. That event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. For more information call 508-771-5422.

Also, Rep. Atsalis’s new website is now up and running at www.electatsalis.org. It’s kind of “meh” at present but I’m told by Rep. Atsalis more content will be coming soon.

***

This is an interesting fundraiser: State Representative Susan D. William Gifford (R – Wareham) is combining her 10th wedding anniversary with her re-election campaign at an event at the Bay Pointe Country Club in Onset.

Anyway, the event is Wednesday, May 26 from 6 to 8:30 PM, and you can attend for a suggested donation of $25. RSVP by next Friday by calling 508-295-5999.

***

Back to the Congressional race for a minute. Joseph D. Malone continues to add to his really unimpressive list of endorsements with the announcement that Robert Kraus, a Kingston state rep. between 1989 and 1996, is supporting his campaign.

Joe. Baby. How about getting a nod from someone who hasn’t been out of politics as long as you’ve been?

Ah, but credit where it’s due: Mr. Malone chose Falmouth to launch his “Joe’s on the Job Tour” of locally owned businesses across the state. He hit Fucillo Ready Mix and The Clam Man to make his first stops, which marks the first time he’s visited the region since starting up his campaign. It’ll be interesting to see how he tries to counter Rep. Perry’s hometown advantage.

***

James Henderson, unenrolled candidate for Secretary of the Commonwealth, has launched his official campaign website at www.jimforsoc.com. It’s a starter site so there’s not much on it, but it’s there.

***

And Finally, Charles D. Baker Jr., Republican candidate for governor, was down on the Cape last week, marking his – and this is a rough guess – 99th visit to the region since January. One more and he earns a free pizza from Paul’s and a “Cape Cod Canal Tunnel Permit” bumper sticker.

I mention this because, so far, Mr. Baker is the only gubernatorial candidate to make any appreciable effort to get down here and do some serious campaigning. Gov. Patrick has popped up once or twice for official purposes, Green-Rainbow candidate Jill E. Stein has visited once, and Timothy P. Cahill has been a total no-show.

Granted, these other three folks have jobs while Baker’s only job right now appears to be campaigning full-time, but Cape Cod often gets overlooked by candidates in statewide races, so it’s nice that someone is putting in some face time.

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, March 12th, 2010

As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Congressman William D. Delahunt (D) is not running for re-election this year.

This means the race is officially a free-for-all and it’s anyone’s game. Rep. Delahunt, had he run, would have had the incumbent’s advantage — a combination of money, familiarity, influence in government, and a track record even his critics would agree was generally positive (I won’t say perfect, because perfection doesn’t exist in life, much less in politics).

(more…)

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