OT - The Globe and the Phoenix endorse Coakley.

[Mass]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x124271

[wisteria]

1. It is about time!! Great news. n/t

[TayTay]

2. The latest ad war in the MA Senate race

Scott Brown was up with his ads for a while before Marhther got her ads up. She had made up for lost time.

Scott Brown is, dun-dun-dun, a Republican. He is evil, hates women, hates anyone poor or middle-class, thinks health care is wrong and eats babies.

Okay, maybe he doesn't actually eat babies, but he is an, OMFG, Republican. Really, he is a Republican. He is in league with the devil and/or Sarah Palin. If we in MA elect him, God will never forgive us. He's not even one of the mildly acceptable Republicans that live on the North Shore and ride horses and are eccentric but you can still invite them out for a beer now and then and still have your friends speak to you. No, he's one of those Republicans, the evil ones that hate brown people and are on Rush Limbaugh's speed dial and think global warming is fake. He is one of them, an alien who is hell-bent on destroying Massachusetts as we know it. How the hell did he get in this state and why haven't we hit the disinfect button already.

And, OMFG! did I mention, in Red Text, highlighted, that he is a godforsaken Republican? God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! Brought to you by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the SEIU COPE Committees and anyone with more than half a friggin brain. He's a Republican people, snap out of it. Hello people, this is not a drill, there are Republicans walking amongst us. Hide the kids!

[Mass]

3. And apparently, he is another Sarah Palin. Today, he said he was not familiar with the Tea Party

movement. Really? In this case, he definitively should not be elected to the US Senate because he is not only a hardcore Republican, but a patented idiot.

That was a good one.

[MH1]

66. either extreme idiot or liar

I would tend to think liar but since you would know better and came up with idiot, maybe he really is that dumb. Wow, that would be completely out of touch dumb!

[whometense]

67. BOTH. n/t

[wisteria]

4. LOL, but people have got to understand-he is not good for Massachusetts or this country.

And, as an outsider who really respects Massachusetts' Democraticness, I find it appalling some people are actually buy into his hokey talk about taxes, taxes, and no more taxes, and think he could really serve the people of your great state. How could Massachusetts be fooled again by a slick,oily,lying Republican.

[MBS]

6. I had the TV news on tonight--

CBS and ABC. . and there were-- I'm not exaggerating -- at least 8 ads in 15 minutes. About 50-50 Brown (boy is he ever a smarm twit) vs Coakley (some from her, some from DSCC, all of them just as Tay described)

[Blaukraut]

5. Finally! That took long enough. But the timing may be perfect

Let's hope this snaps some people's heads back on straight. Even if they think they should cast a protest vote for Brown, it has much larger ramifications that stretch beyond our state. And really, what Tay said: He's a frigging Republican! Of the wingnut variety, too! We would never hear the end of it if that one got elected here.

[TayTay]

7. The nerve of these people, thinking they can walk around in broad daylight

like they were normal people. They aren't normal, they are Republicans! They are the quintessential pod people who look like normal, Red Sox lovin', beer drinking, gay-friendly, lobstah picking Mass-souls, but they are not. They are pod people who only want to get elected and then destroy life as we know it and weekends at the Cape. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Why can't some of our eggheadier academics make a test for Republicanism? Something like the garlic or cross test for a vampire. Reveal these people so we know who they are and we can minimize the threat to public health and intelligence.

Good God, what are we waiting for? Either we meet this menace and destroy it or we all might as well give up and move to, OMFG, New Hampshire where people do elect these creatures now and then. (They can't help it up there, they are cranially-challenged, after all.)

To arms Massachusetts -- The redcoats, the Republicans, are coming. Hide the kids!

(Okay, the ads are way too much fun for me. I am seeing too many of them, but the ads are finally fun.)

[Blaukraut]

8. I know! I had a huge grin on my face earlier

First ad was Martha's. Right at the beginning 'I am Martha Coakley and I approve this message' and then they let 'er rip! Immediately following was the Union ad. Just as deliciously creepy as Martha's.
I think they're hitting the perfect notes. Not too much, but enough to scare us into action.

And thank you for making me laugh out loud for the first time in weeks. This election stuff is stressful!

[Luftmensch067]

9. Tay's making me laugh, too!

I still haven't seen the ads, but a co-worker was saying this morning how much she hates that Brown is saying "it's not Kennedy's seat, it's the people's seat" and we suddenly looked at each other and said: "That's just it -- it IS his seat, that's what it's all about!" I think that point is starting to be made -- and heard! But GOTV is still our number one priority.

[TayTay]

10. I always think of the MA Dem Party when I hear this quote

from Shakespeare in Love

Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?
Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
Hugh Fennyman: How?
Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.

Seriously, it's a mystery. But it will all work out okay. Honest.

[Blaukraut]

11. I really hope so, Tay

I could not stomach the idea of that hairy nude model sitting in Teddy's seat :puke: :scared:

[TayTay]

13. Seriously, he's a REPUBLICAN!!!!!!

He believes in really, really, really weird stuff. And he is running for TEDDY KENNEDY's seat in the US Senate. This is not amateur hour at the State House. This is the freakin' US Senate where Massachusetts has a reputation to uphold. If we sent any Repub to the Senate we would have to rethink what being from Massachusetts means. We send this guy and we all have to wear bags over our heads for the next 3 years. It's that bad.

Seriously, we could flirt with the guy but he's not someone you want to wake up next to after a bender. (Jayzus, Mary & Joseph, what the hell was I drinking last night, lighter fluid? He's a friggin Republican. Now I'm gonna have to get tetanus shots or something.)

Not. Gonna. Happen.

[TayTay]

12. Scott Brown, Genius, is bringing Rudy Guiliani, Yankees fan to town

to campaign for him.

Sheer Genius. Wonder if Rudy will make Red Sox/Yankees comments?

It's all over now people. Scott Brown can't find a Red Sox fan to endorse him. He had to go to New York and get the King of all Yankees fans out here.

Somebody make some coffee, the guy is now toast.

[whometense]

14. That, my dear, is the cherry on top of the

bowl of rancid whipped cream that is the candidacy of Scott Brown. And by that I mean, all past-its-sell-by-date-republican-talking-point fluff.

Giuliani campaigning in MA??? Puh-leeze. It is to laugh.

I watched the last debate the other night, and came away thinking that Scott Brown is a complete dumbass. Thanks to this information, I no longer think he's a dumbass. Now I know he is.

By the way, I actually like Martha Coakley. I personally appreciate a cool cerebral politician - don't need to see her red-faced and screaming to believe she cares about the issues.

[wisteria]

17. The teabaggers are on their way too.

All 4 of them as of right now.


I am not going to post the link.


"We are joining Tea Party groups from all over the east coast to assist the Scott Brown campaign in Massachusetts to ensure a win for Liberty in the special election to fill the senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy.

Scott Brown is the republican candidate and is poling just one point higher than his liberal opposition. Every volunteer matters! You can make the difference"

We'll be going from Albany and Bennington area by caravan, which will allow us to be very flexible and go where we're needed by Brown's campaign. We may also target large malls to distribute Brown info there (certainly warmer!). Our plan is to caravan through Massachusetts towns, starting with Williamstown (a few miles south of our meetup), through Pittsfield, probably to Lee, to Springfield, Worcester, and possibly on to Rt 9, Framingham area (firmer itinerary by meetup time).
The caravan Albany area meetup is the Best Buy parking lot, 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany, NY 12203, at 6:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 18th. Proceed east on Rt 7/Rt 9 (changes at border) to Bennington, VT, take a right on Rt 7 South; at 6.8 miles, you'll pass Pownal View Barn on left, GPS: 3827 Rt. 7, Pownal, VT 05261. Continue south, approx. 3 miles, to meet up with Lynne Roberts, parked on right side of Rt. 7S, near the defunct Green Mountain Race Track. (I have a grayish-green Mazda Tribute with VT plates.)

And Brown never heard of Teabaggers?

[karynnj]

20. Just what Brown needs, out of state tea baggers going around the state

With apologies to Howard Dean, I wonder if this is like all the orange hat out of staters who really seemed to annoy most of Iowa.

[Mass]

21. These people Brown said yesterday he was not familiar with?

(despite several events listed on his website).

[karynnj]

18. Did Guilliani break 5% in the polls in MA when he ran for President?

I think Coakley does way better with Kerry and Clinton. (Though I wonder if Clinton will cancel due to the Haiti crisis - but still send a clip that endorses her - helping Haiti IS more important, but politically a BC clip strongly endorsing her and speaking of what he is doing in Haiti which may have Katrina like problems as where he needs to be - politically helps Coakley and really helps Clinton's reputation.

I would have thought the Yankees/Red Soxes was overblown, but I do remember the strange reaction of Jeff Beatty to Bridget's seemingly innocuous comment that he had been a Yankee fan.

[whometense]

19. I don't think

the Yankees/Red Sox thing could ever be overblown. It's real, and bone-deep. ;)

[TayTay]

25. The Red Sox/Yankees thing is not just about baseball

A real understanding of that predates baseball in these parts. It is a friction between types of people that finds a mostly acceptable outlet in those baseball terms. New Yorkers and a New Englanders can rub each other the wrong way. (Really, that is it, at it's core.) A lot of the animosity comes from the New England side.

New York is big and brash and full of sharp elbowed players who don't have that streak of severe introspection that New Englanders do. Massachusetts was founded as a Puritan state with rules about conduct and self-promotion that are the opposite of the perception of the big city to our south. As a "for instance," many charities in MA have trouble finding someone to publicly donate money and get something named after them. The old rule in NE was that you walk humbly, and don't over promote yourself. (The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA had trouble getting very generous donors to go on the record as donors. They preferred to do their charitable work anonymously. It is a New England thing, I guess.)

What is the difference between Chuck Schumer and John Kerry, as personalities? Well, blow that up and you have the basis for a pretty good idea of the sides in this rivalry. Senator Kerry gave an interview once reflecting on his voters in MA in which he called them, "so open and yet so closed" in terms of communication. A person up here will tell you a terrible story about hardship and in the next second make a joke and close the door on conversation. Surely there are people all over New York state who are also like that, but New Englanders have a bone-in fear of being seen as weak. We endure, without making too much of ourselves. That is not the image, however reality based, of New Yorkers (city). We can't self-promote, hell we can barely take compliments up here. That all goes into it.

New York is a wonderful city filled with wonderful people. But there are personality differences between the big brash city and the New England region. The history of the Red Sox/Yankees actually does reflect that history pretty well and showcases what New Englanders feel is entitlement on the part of New York (city, btw) and the insecurity the NE region is famous for. It is a recipe for cultural clashes. At it's best "the rivalry" is fun. There are times when it spins out of control and people have died from insult games that went too far.

Being identified as a Yankees fan is really not good up here. It screams, for one thing, that someone is not loyal to local causes. That alone says something in a region with a memory as long as New England.

[Mass]

23. He had already withdrawn his candidacy at this point.

[Mass]

24. But asks that the race remains local with no big names.

Dont ask any consistency from the guy.

http://bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1225456

[Mass]

15. And now, Vennochi writes another editorial blasting Brown.

Two in two days. The good lady has finally seen through the veneer. About time after all these columns against Coakley.

About time!

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2010/01/14/browns_glossy_veneer_conceals_misleading_campaign/

Brown’s glossy veneer conceals misleading campaign

MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS have a serious choice to make.

...
But if voters are truly tired of “politics as usual,’’ why choose artifice over a candidate who isn’t trying to be anything but herself?

She represents change, too. Coakley would make history as the first female senator from Massachusetts.

Brown represents a different kind of change. He wants voters to forget what he stood for in the past and accept him for the positions he now embraces.

Believing him is a risky choice for Massachusetts.

[wisteria]

16. Wow, brutally honest, IMO. n/t

[karynnj]

22. The comments are fascinating

Most of the Brown people have no idea that she is a columnist, even though it says so in her by line - which they read to get her name. They also appear to think she is a left wing Democrat. I really hope that she reads the comments. It would be amusing to get her reaction.

[Blaukraut]

26. Brand new BMG/Research 2000 poll just posted at BMG

Has Coakley at 49% and Brown at 41%

Details in link:
http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/18361/exclusive-bmgresearch-2000-poll-coakley-leads-4941

[wisteria]

27. Is this a reliable poll? Similar to the Globes?

Also, have you seen this layout? Maybe some of those Independant voters need to see exactly who they are voting for.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x122483


If this guy would sell his body for money, can we trust that he will not sell his votes if he made it to the senate?

[Blaukraut]

28. Seems pretty reliable. They interviewed live people

like the Globe. The interviews were done over two days, entirely after the last debate. About Porno Brown's Cosmo spread - I think a lot of people know about it and don't care, or even think it's just wonderful what a 'hot new rightwing rising star' they potentially have here. Karynnj pointed that out in a post out in GDP and made a good point.
Got me thinking that if this guy wins, the GOP might even consider him a viable candidate for president! (a male Palin)

[wisteria]

30. Yeah, but knowing about it and then actually seeing the spread

changed my opinion of the entire eposide.
I tell you what, many in the RW are screwed up if they think something like this shows a good value system and that all that is needed to lead this country are good looks.

[Mass]

29. First poll I see whose internals make sense, so I guess it is reliable.

Also, people know about the centerfold and do not care (for some people, it may even be a plus, as it shows he is not a closed-mind person, or just that he looks good --how many people supported Edwards because he looked good--).

But it is good to see that the media and blog noise is changing from positive to negative on him, and on substantive issues. This is what frustrated me so much last week. Even the Brockton Enterprise endorsed her, saying we needed an experienced senator, even though they said Brown should run again in the future (something I of course disagree totally with)

[wisteria]

31. I am shocked that people would view that centerfold as an asset.

Why sell your body if you have more to offer? This was a sleazy way for him to put himself through school.

[Mass]

32. I'm not offended by the photo. I dont care. But I am offended by the double standard.

If he had been a woman, he would never have made it into politics. And this is what is really scandalous (though, in his case, we would have lost nothing).

[wisteria]

34. You are right about the double standard. But, don't you also think something is wrong

with someone who would pose nude for money?

[TayTay]

33. That actually seems spot-on

All my joking aside, there is a conservative base in MA, as there is in all areas of the country. It is smaller in New England and it is more moderate and without the hangups on social issues that define conservatives in other areas.

Personally, I think the results will mirror the 1996 Senate race. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_history_of_John_Kerry#1984_Senate

52% or so to about 44% or so with some siphoning by 3rd party candidates. And a win is a win is a win.

[wisteria]

35. A win is a win, and I hope you are correct. But, if Coakley doesn't win in double digits,

that will be played up as the voters sending a message to the administration and Democrats.
The very idea that someone like Brown could gain momentum is startling to me.

[Luftmensch067]

36. New endorsement e-mail from Obama, with video

Luftmensch --

I just recorded a special video message for Massachusetts voters like you about Tuesday's special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

I am supporting Martha Coakley. As your attorney general, she's taken on Wall Street schemes, insurance company abuses, and big polluters.

She'll be your voice, and my ally. And she needs your help.

Please watch the video, and sign up to volunteer for Martha Coakley. http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/55c10117/50759ed8/c0bf913a/11886a67/1856197898/VEsH/

Call voters for Martha Coakley http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/55c10117/50759ed8/c0bf913a/11886a67/1856197898/VEsE/

What happens in Tuesday's special election is vitally important for your state and our country -- for the fate of health reform, our fight to curb Wall Street abuses, our efforts to create a new, clean-energy economy, and so much more.

This is a special election being held at an unusual time -- a lot of folks don't even realize when it's happening, let alone its importance.

So I need you to put on your walking shoes again. Knock on doors, call, email, text, and tweet -- do everything we can to spread the word.

Please make sure everyone you know understands the stakes for their families, for Massachusetts, and our country.

Watch my special video message to you here:

http://ma.barackobama.com/CoakleyVol

Let's win this together,

President Barack Obama

[politicasista]

37. From The Bay State Banner

Martha Coakley for U.S. Senate


In the conclusion of his speech at the 1980 Democratic National Convention, Sen. Ted Kennedy said: “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.” Indeed those words still ring true today as the citizens of Massachusetts seek a candidate to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Ted Kennedy’s death.

The benefactors of Sen. Kennedy’s legacy have a solemn obligation to keep that spirit of public service alive. Kennedy’s legislative skills were extraordinary in the history of the U.S. Senate, so there is no expectation to clone him, but there is the possibility to elect someone whose political views are similar and whose intellectual gifts can comprehend the complexities of a changing world.

That candidate is Attorney General Martha Coakley. Just one issue should confirm the decision. As a Democratic senator, Coakley would be part of the bloc that supports public health reform. Her Republican opponent would be all too eager to join with the unanimous republican opposition against efforts to make health care available and affordable to everyone. Case closed!

Of course Coakley has numerous other qualifications that make her the superior candidate, but it is best to focus on health care and encourage friends and relatives to go to the polls on Tuesday, January 19. The country needs Coakley in the continuing battle in Washington over health care reform. We owe it to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy to show up at the polls on January 19 to help cement his legacy and assure future health care for all.

http://www.baystatebanner.com/Editorial51-2010-01-14

[Luftmensch067]

38. That is BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks for posting!:dem: :patriot:

[politicasista]

39. No problem

Haven't posted here in ages, so hope everyone is doing well. :hi:

[MBS]

40. this is right on the money--the best editorial I've seen.

Case closed, indeed!

[Blaukraut]

41. Not sure if this is to be believed, but if it is, we're screwed

I'd like to have a source for what this guy claims, though. But if this is accurate I think we're in for a world of hurt in MA.

http://stevekornacki.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-massachusetts.html

I wrote a column last week in which I dismissed the chances of Republican Scott Brown actually winning next Tuesday's Senate special election in Massachusetts. The race would be close, I figured -- 53-47 for Coakley, or something like that -- but the state's blue tint would be just enough to save the Democrats.

I'd now like to qualify that prediction. Coakley's internal poll last night, I've been told, showed her barely ahead, 46 to 44 percent. The momentum clearly favors Brown, and one very smart Massachusetts Democrat I know told me this morning that "this may be too far gone to recover."

So I was wrong: Brown may actually win.

[Mass]

42. There is no way to know. This reminds me the Herald Poll last week-end that did not come.

[wisteria]

43. Since I never heard of this guy and he doesn't name names, I am going

to dismiss what he has to say. Other polling recently shows her ahead including internal Democratic polling. I will give, it may be close, but I think a lot of this is being spun right now to create noise. I find it hard to believe Brown is THAT appealing and voters are that disgusted with Obama and the Democrats.

[wisteria]

44. He seems to be writing this entire piece for Republicans.

"Here's a pre-emptive plea, though: Let's not overreact to a Brown win -- or to a series of Brown-like wins by Republicans this fall. This will probably be a very good year for the GOP. But their "revival" will only last as long as the economy is in the tank."

[Mass]

45. I am not sure what changed today? There was only one poll, positive for her?

But I see many pieces on blogs, including progressives, calling for doom?

It seems that it was generated by the fact Vicky cut this video and that Obama is not coming (even though it was never planned than he came).

I think I am still more worried about November than MA, if this is the way the Democratic netroots and the media react when a candidate is leaning by 2 in a poll? Or did I miss something today?

BTW, Scott Brown opposes the bank tax. So much for his populist fake rethorics.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/01/14/gop-senate-candidate-in-mass-rejects-obamas-bank-tax/

[Blaukraut]

46. I don't even want to contemplate November

It's not going to be pretty, but if we lose this one it will be worse because it is Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states in the union (a reputation we have, deserved or not), and it manages to elect a teabagger, in Ted Kennedy's seat. Brown will become the repubs' new standard bearer. You'd never hear the end of 'Brown for President'.
I suppose I shouldn't react this way and be more confident in a Coakley win and not panic, but I'm sorry - it's not easy to do with all the conflicting info that's out there. It looks bad for her, and there's no denying that.

[Mass]

47. I'm not bothered by you. I am bothered by the conflicting info out there.

Every single source info is, while too close for my taste, still favorable to Coakley.

The rumors everywhere are negative, and generally unsourced. The notion that Obama not going to MA is a doom sign is far-fetched, particularly in this difficult environment. The notion that Vicky Kennedy making a video for Coakley is a sign of desperation is somewhat far-fetched as well. Certainly, she would not have done this video if Coakley was 20 points ahead, but is this really a sign of doom. And having the candidate leaking a 2 point polls (assuming it is a real poll, because earlier this week, some phantom polls like the Herald one were leaked) could as well be a positive or negative sign. So, I dont know what to conclude, but there are nasty games at play here, and I choose to believe info that are sourced, not info that are not sourced.

Conclusion: the race is closer than it needs to be, but the race is far from lost.

BTW, there is a Suffolk poll coming out tomorrow (for your info, though you may want to take it with a grain of salt, as they are not necessarily very reliable).

[Blaukraut]

48. That's just it! All that info out there is making me crazy!

That's exactly the problem. One one hand I'm glad the race has finally gone from sleeper status to national attention, but on the other hand, so many opinions, so much worry, and it's contagious. Yes, it would be better to just tune out until Tuesday, but that's easier said than done.
We are going to phonebank Sunday and Monday, though, so I'm actually doing something productive for Coakley and not just worry online. lol

[wisteria]

49. Yes, it is interesting to note where all of this doom and gloom is coming from.

As for November, I have hope the economy will improve enough that our loses will be minimal. We will lose some seats, but that is to be expenses.

[Blaukraut]

73. Same guy as yesterday, with the latest internals for Coakley

Has her trailing Brown 44 to 47.

http://stevekornacki.blogspot.com/2010/01/coakley-internal-brown-3.html

[Mass]

50. No surprise. Suffolk has Brown by 4. However, they are such a bad track record, including

Corzine by 9.

http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/20580.html#anchor38935

[TayTay]

51. And they have a lousy record in MA

http://www.suffolk.edu/26798.html

Same internals as that race that Clinton won by 18 or more points.

[Mass]

52. Thanks, I had forgotten this one.

[TayTay]

53. Actual results, btw

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleres/dempri08.htm

Suffolk: 2/4/2008

Barack Obama (46 percent) leads Hillary Clinton (44 percent) by a razor-thin margin among likely Democratic voters, according to a poll released today by 7NEWS/Suffolk University.


Actual, per Sec of State's office:
HILLARY CLINTON 53.864%
BARACK OBAMA 42.837%

[Blaukraut]

54. What about all this stuff about

Special election/low turnout, voters dissatisfaction with Dems and/or Obama, Coakley's lack of a campaign, etc etc. that the media is going on about?

I know we're supposed to be liberals and not vote for a republican, but I have to admit, I definitely underestimated the teabaggers' motivation and Porno Brown's appeal to the 'independents' (who I personally think are secretly repub but too cowardly to admit it).

[TayTay]

55. Anti-incumbency fever

And this is not a marquee race. 2010 is also a gubernatorial race and the Dems are not enthusiastic about having Deval heading the ticket.

Plus, Martha's campaign staff has too many leaders/thinkers in it and not enough communicators. That was a known problem. Legitimate criticism of her race would include not putting her out in the field enough. She has been running hard for the Senate since 2004, but not with "the people."

In general, Dems in Ma have been sort of mailing it in for a while. We are ripe for some slaps from voters, it is that time in the eternal voters cycle. That said, Martha will still win.

Jobs, jobs, jobs. If we don't focus on jobs, then we risk becoming eggheady and distant to voters who are truly suffering right now. We can't just talk policy and who is right and wrong with people. We have to talk from the heart and from the gut. Right now, we don't do that. It is not considered necessary. Well, I contend it is.

[Blaukraut]

56. All good points, especially the jobs

What I don't get is this: Are people really that retarded that they blame Dems for the unemployment rate? After 8 years of Bush et al systematically enabling corporations and banks and dismantling the middle class, all of a sudden the Dems had to fix it in less than a year? And that they're all ready to put those back in office that got them into the shithole in the first place?
Sometimes I wonder if we're surrounded by idiots. Sigh

[wisteria]

61. I agree. I want health care passed quickly and Obama to focus on jobs

and of course, Kerry focused on climate change and foreign policy. But, bread and butter issues are signature Democratic issues and we had better get cracken on them or Repubs are going to lie and pull the rug out from under us.

[wisteria]

60. They have thrown every variable into this race except the kitchen sink.

The one thing I think Dem's need to concentrate on is getting our voters out to the polls. There are reasons for them not to go, but they need to be convinced that it is important they do so.
And, I think you are right about some of those Independents. Why they would consider porno Brown a better choice then Coakley is beyond me.
One other thing I was thinking about, a Brown win would actually not benefit the people of Mass. at all. He would oppose much of what Kerry would push for,for the people of Mass. being he would be the Repub golden boy. He would have to vote no on everything. Republicans don't serve the people, they serve their party.

[MonteLukast]

79. "Why they would consider porno Brown a better choice then Coakley is beyond me"

Here's a good link from TrueBlueMajority at Daily Kos:

Basically, too many independents and DINOs, who are susceptible to Republican propaganda even though they can't bear to call themselves Republicans.

And really... what's with voters falling for the pretty words, the slick communication job, and NOT matching up the actions and the record? Mass. is supposed to be one of the smartest states in the country; why, then, do so many voters forget they're voting for a U.S. Senator and their own future-- NOT high school class president?

[wisteria]

59. Heres hoping their poll stinks. n/t

[Mass]

62. They have the SE over represented by 10 compared to the two other polls I've seen (The Globe and

RS2000) Cant find Rasmussen geographical datas and PPP did not have any.

[karynnj]

63. That is a very interesting poll - as the problem may well have been

their likely voter model. The Obama people may have reported more enthusiasm. Many of the polls that show Brown ahead are already building in that the Republicans will have a great turn out and the Democrats won't. What I wonder is whether all "not enthusiastic" people are the same. I suspect that there are in both parties in any place, those people who feel their duty to vote - even if they are not excited by either. Now, there likely are people very excited to vote for Coakley, just as there were for Clinton, but I wonder if among the MA voters in each election, if more of the people voting because they should weren't for Clinton (whose turn it was) and now for Coakley.

In the Kerry race in 2008, Suffolk showed a huge undecided block even in late October. They did show it as a blow out. What is clear is that these results did NOT use a likely voter model. It would have been silly to do so given the raw results here - there was no doubt as to the results - Kerry would win easily.

"A poll released last week by Suffolk University and WHDH-TV found Kerry holding a 56 to 19 percent lead over Beatty. Libertarian Robert Underwood trailed with just 6 percent and 18 percent of those polled saying they were still undecided.

The poll of 400 registered voters was conducted Oct. 20 through Oct. 22 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. "
http://www.suffolk.edu/26798.html

It also seems that the Boston Globe has changed in the last week. Before that they were often as infuriating as they were in the EOR/Kerry race. I still can't believe the huge attention given to his National Guard service. It was shown as 100% positive, unlike the service of a genuine war hero. He does deserve credit for his service there just as he and Coakley deserve credit for their service to the state in their official jobs,

[Mass]

65. Their model of likely voter is to be able to say the date of the election.

either by date, next Tuesday, or next week.

It is clear the race is very close, but I have a basic objection to Suffolk polling. It tends to be very wrong.

[Mass]

57. At this point, I distrust all polls, positive and negative. They differ by the choice who their

independent voters are: some polls show Brown ahead by 3 to 1. Those are the polls who have Brown very close or ahead. Some show a much more balanced ratio. Those show Coakley ahead.

My guess is that the election will depend of which independents will show up, and it is everybody's guess.


Statewide Totals enrolment: Democrats 36.95% Republicans 11.62% Independents 50.75%

I wonder how this compares to all these polls. Here is for "39 percent Democrat, 15 percent Republican and 45 percent unenrolled." This does not seem too loaded toward Republicans (I've seen polls with 19 % of Republicans), but the question is of course which independents.

[ObamaKerryDem]

71. Plus the fact that..

..from what I saw of it earlier on MSNBC, the poll doesn't even account for the Independent in the race and even if it was meant to, would apparently have all of the 3-4 pts he was polling before taken from Coakley, even though ideologically (from what I saw in the debate at least), his leanings seem much closer to Brown's. Sure, he theoretically could pull some from Coakely, but ALL? I don't buy that either.

Plus didn't Suffolk get a lot of things really wrong during the '08 primaries as well? I think I rememeber hearing that.

[ladym55]

58. I needed to check in with you all tonight

I've been working lots and lots lately, so haven't been on DU much at all. Here in Ohio nothing has been said about the Coakley-Brown race until today when I started hearing that things didn't look good for Coakley ... so here I am looking to you all for what is going on. I feel a little better after having read this thread, but I'll be holding my breath until next Wednesday.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all the good folks in Massachusetts will remember that a vote for a Rethuglican is a vote to bring the federal government to a screeching halt, thanks to the obstructionists who have a "R" after their name.

I hope Ghouliani comes into Boston in a Yankees cap and alienates independents who might be foolish enough to vote for Brown for some reason known only to God.

[Inuca]

64. I am in the same boat

of an outsider that has not been paying too much attention but now I am getting SCARED. It just CANNOT happen. Can it? The last thing I saw is a title on Kos " Nate Silver declared MA Sen a tossup" (did not have the time to click on it yet). I just hope that all the recent brouhaha and dire predictions will wake up all the dems in MA and that everybody will be heading to the polls this Tuesday. Please, good MA people, don't let this happen, it would be an outrage on so many levels...

[whometense]

68. Obama coming to campaign on Sunday

Just up on Salon: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/01/15/obama_coakley/index.html

Obama headed to Massachusetts to stump for Coakley
President will reportedly campaign for the senatorial candidate on Sunday
By Alex Koppelman

Massachusetts Democrat Martha Coakley will get some big-name help in the final days of her campaign to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. President Obama will reportedly travel to the state in order to campaign on Coakley's behalf Sunday.

Given the surprisingly close nature of Coakley's race against Republican Scott Brown, there are a couple ways to look at this: The White House may have decided that Coakley will win -- even given Brown's surge, this still seems like the likeliest option, given Massachusetts' political leanings -- and that it wants to get Obama some credit for the win. Or perhaps Coakley's doing so badly that they've decided it's worth the risk of tainting Obama with a loss, since he'd likely get a decent share of the blame for it anyway, and the defeat would mean a serious setback for, if not the outright death of, healthcare reform.

[Blaukraut]

69. I hope this helps raise awareness for apathetic voters

People do still like Obama here, despite what some polls would have us believe. We cannot allow that lying teabagger scum to get anywhere near the US Senate representing MA.

[whometense]

70. I agree.

The Suffolk pollster they interviewed on NECN this morning said that last Monday's debate was Brown's turning point. REALLY? I watched that with my husband and my son, and we were laughing at him all the way through it. I find it difficult to believe that that debate boosted his credibility as a candidate in any way. He reminds me of Mittens, only stupid. In fact he's horrifying.

[Inuca]

72. Good!

At least I hope so. I am getting really scared. I sent Coakley a few bucks, though in my view bucks do not matter that much so late in the game (am I worng?). I might try to use the tool on Obama's site and make some phone calls this week-end, though I absolutely HATE making phone calls. I would much rather knock on 2o doors than make one phone call, but the doors are not exactly in my neighborhood. Anyway... hoping it works out.

[Blaukraut]

74. ARG poll out now, too. 48 brown 45 coakley

http://americanresearchgroup.com/

details inside the link.

[Mass]

76. Another poll, another mix of people.

Not a better result, but it is amusing that nobody knows who goes to vote. This one is light on independent, high on both Dems and GOPers.

Also, a good news as they were very restrictive in likely voters (9 and 10 in a line between 1 and 10). Once again, Confirms that it is about turnout.

[Noisy Democrat]

75. Sent in my absentee ballot today

This whole thing is freaking me out, so it was a huge relief when it came today. I didn't realize til Luftmensch prodded me Monday that I still had time to get an absentee ballot; I overnighted the request and included a pre-paid overnight envelope back to me, and that way I got it today. I sent the ballot by overnight again to make sure it's in by Tuesday. *whew* I'm intending to do phonebanking this weekend, though I was out of it so much (wrapped up in family medical drama in California) that I feel I know nothing at all except "Democrat Good! Republican Bad!" I wonder if they have a good cheat sheet for phonebankers.

I'm glad Obama is showing up, but when the President of the United States has to come to rescue the campaign of a Democrat in Massachusetts -- definitely not a well-run campaign. This is a real nail-biter. The BMG poll is heartening, though. And who knows how many people like me may be out there -- Democrats who were sleeping through the whole thing, but spring into action when they hear that things are bad.

[Mass]

77. The most frightening thing in all that is that the Patriot Ledger endorsed Coakley.

(reluctantly, but they did)

http://www.patriotledger.com/opinions/editorials/x1530318857/OUR-OPINION-Martha-Coakley-for-Senate

Can we really imagine they would have done that if Brown was even close to being competent?

[Blaukraut]

78. Holy cow! Then Brown must be worse than we know.

I was tossing around until three this morning, keeping hubby awake while I was ranting to him about how horrible it will be if somehow this guy gets in. All the consequences, that go far beyond healthcare. I have such a bad feeling about this election. It'll be interesting to see how our phonebanking will go. That's always a good way to gauge voter sentiment.