In this post over at BMG, Tim Murray apparently has raised $136,000 in March. That is a huge number and very impressive.
If he spent no money in March, that would leave him with around 375K. Assuming he kept the same burn rate as prior months (let's say 30K), then he'd have 345K.
Assuming Silbert fundraising continues to slow and she raises 30K and burns 20, she'll be in the 395K range.
As expected, a tightening race that will not only come down to who can afford to be on TV, but rather will be determined by who has the best ads.
Ooh, baby, it's heatin' up!
Friday, March 31, 2006
"Las Vegas of Marriage"
Puh-leeze.
I hope that when Democrats get elected this fall we see the phenomenal tourism opportunity that lies in luring same sex couples to Massachusetts to spend their tourism dollars here.
First, the legislature should repeal the 1913 law that was upheld yesterday. State in it that marriages that are entered into here are valid here only unless recognized elsewhere. That way, people can come here, get married, go home, ask why their marriage isn't valid there. the 1913 law was meant to discriminate against African Americans. Period. Therefore, it's unconstitutional. 6 of the 7 SJC justices are wrong.
Second, invest in expenditures in media targeted to the GLBT community, inviting them to come to our city. We have a ton of hotels bordering on, and in, the South End, which is a wonderful gay-friendly community. From there, trips to all the major American tourist destinations based in our area are easy(ish) to get to.
Third, be poised to offer economic development assistance to the businesses that will sprout up as a result of the needs generated by the increase in GLBT tourists and their families coming here to marry.
I hope that when Democrats get elected this fall we see the phenomenal tourism opportunity that lies in luring same sex couples to Massachusetts to spend their tourism dollars here.
First, the legislature should repeal the 1913 law that was upheld yesterday. State in it that marriages that are entered into here are valid here only unless recognized elsewhere. That way, people can come here, get married, go home, ask why their marriage isn't valid there. the 1913 law was meant to discriminate against African Americans. Period. Therefore, it's unconstitutional. 6 of the 7 SJC justices are wrong.
Second, invest in expenditures in media targeted to the GLBT community, inviting them to come to our city. We have a ton of hotels bordering on, and in, the South End, which is a wonderful gay-friendly community. From there, trips to all the major American tourist destinations based in our area are easy(ish) to get to.
Third, be poised to offer economic development assistance to the businesses that will sprout up as a result of the needs generated by the increase in GLBT tourists and their families coming here to marry.
My Take on Tax Returns
In light of Scott Lehigh's column today on Reilly being more open for releasing his tax returns and the recent Globe excerpt article from NECN's interview with Deval Patrick, here's my 2 cents on this issue.
Quite simply, it's a distraction from real issues. If it's going to be used at all, Democrats should only use it for political reasons against Republicans, but there should be an "11th Commandment" for us Dems that if we have wealthy candidates running, we shouldn't hurl stones because if there are rich Dems in office, that's good because they'll (generally) advocate for better issues than Republicans will. (Example: who cares more about the little guy: Mitt Romney or Chris Gabrieli? Easy answer, I would think.)
That said, Dems won't stop using it against other Dems if they're fearful of a rich (or even well-funded) candidate opposing them in a primary.
Quite simply, it's a distraction from real issues. If it's going to be used at all, Democrats should only use it for political reasons against Republicans, but there should be an "11th Commandment" for us Dems that if we have wealthy candidates running, we shouldn't hurl stones because if there are rich Dems in office, that's good because they'll (generally) advocate for better issues than Republicans will. (Example: who cares more about the little guy: Mitt Romney or Chris Gabrieli? Easy answer, I would think.)
That said, Dems won't stop using it against other Dems if they're fearful of a rich (or even well-funded) candidate opposing them in a primary.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Welcome Ted Kennedy Fans!
In one of the comments I didn't know how to view, Crystal from Ted Kennedy's campaign weighed in and noted that they'd added me to their blogroll! Thanks so much!
Here's a link to TedK's campaign website and here's where to go to help him get his signatures to get on the ballot.
Here's a link to TedK's campaign website and here's where to go to help him get his signatures to get on the ballot.
A note from Scott Ferson
This post is cut and pasted from its source over at BlueMassGroup
As I noted in a comment over there, my apologies go out to all for my technical shortcomings here as this thing gets rolling, and I'd like to apologize to Scott for not looking into his background more thoroughly.
A note from Scott Ferson
by: David
[subscribe]
March 29, 2006 at 08:57:04 EST
Scott Ferson, Lt. Gov. candidate Tim Murray's spokesman, sent an email this morning in response to this post and comments, as well as some posts over at MassChange. Here is Mr. Ferson's email, in full.
I find myself the subject of some traffic on your site, and wish to respond. “Hoss” has posted statements questioning my Democratic credentials, and your site has promoted his new blog. I attempted to post my response there, but his site has a filter that responses must be approved by the moderator, presumably “Hoss”. He has chosen not to post my response, but to take a comment out of context and post another attack, so I thought I’d try here.
Christy Mihos was a client of mine, and this should not be breaking news as it has been reported in various publications since 2001. I did not know him when he hired me after he was fired by Jane Swift (Republican). I was asked by a mutual friend who is a Democratic operative if I would be interested in helping, and I agreed. I think he was wrongly fired and the Supreme Court agreed. I wish Democrats at that time had used the opportunity to stand with him in his fight, but that wasn’t the case. He remains a friend, but not a client, and I do not think that his decision to run for Governor as an Independent changes that.
I’ve never been accused of being a Republican. I have been on staff of Senator Kennedy and Chet Atkins, have worked in both presidential campaigns for Dick Gephardt, and Stephen Lynch, John Connolly, and John Rogers have been clients of my firm, as well as Tim Murray. I will confess to voting, and working for, John Anderson in 1980, and I will not apologize for that. I do agree that Tad Devine is a top notch media consultant, as is Steve Murphy whom I know from the Lynch campaign. I will also confirm that the T&G article was not “planted” by the Murray campaign, although I do like the theory that it is part of some grand strategy.
Scott Ferson
David :: A note from Scott Ferson
Tags: Massachusetts, BMG, Vote 9.19.2006, (All Tags) :: Add/Edit Tags on this Post
As I noted in a comment over there, my apologies go out to all for my technical shortcomings here as this thing gets rolling, and I'd like to apologize to Scott for not looking into his background more thoroughly.
A note from Scott Ferson
by: David
[subscribe]
March 29, 2006 at 08:57:04 EST
Scott Ferson, Lt. Gov. candidate Tim Murray's spokesman, sent an email this morning in response to this post and comments, as well as some posts over at MassChange. Here is Mr. Ferson's email, in full.
I find myself the subject of some traffic on your site, and wish to respond. “Hoss” has posted statements questioning my Democratic credentials, and your site has promoted his new blog. I attempted to post my response there, but his site has a filter that responses must be approved by the moderator, presumably “Hoss”. He has chosen not to post my response, but to take a comment out of context and post another attack, so I thought I’d try here.
Christy Mihos was a client of mine, and this should not be breaking news as it has been reported in various publications since 2001. I did not know him when he hired me after he was fired by Jane Swift (Republican). I was asked by a mutual friend who is a Democratic operative if I would be interested in helping, and I agreed. I think he was wrongly fired and the Supreme Court agreed. I wish Democrats at that time had used the opportunity to stand with him in his fight, but that wasn’t the case. He remains a friend, but not a client, and I do not think that his decision to run for Governor as an Independent changes that.
I’ve never been accused of being a Republican. I have been on staff of Senator Kennedy and Chet Atkins, have worked in both presidential campaigns for Dick Gephardt, and Stephen Lynch, John Connolly, and John Rogers have been clients of my firm, as well as Tim Murray. I will confess to voting, and working for, John Anderson in 1980, and I will not apologize for that. I do agree that Tad Devine is a top notch media consultant, as is Steve Murphy whom I know from the Lynch campaign. I will also confirm that the T&G article was not “planted” by the Murray campaign, although I do like the theory that it is part of some grand strategy.
Scott Ferson
David :: A note from Scott Ferson
Tags: Massachusetts, BMG, Vote 9.19.2006, (All Tags) :: Add/Edit Tags on this Post
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
More on Republicans Working for Dems
There has been lively back and forth over at BMG regarding the revelation that Murray's press guy, Scott Ferson, worked for Christy Mihos. Here are my additional 2 cents.
Ferson and Mihos are more than friends; Mihos asked Ferson to be his spokesperson and Ferson said yes.
There are a wealth of Democratic media consultants out there, and Ferson, without his Mihos past, would be one. However, here's my point: Democrats in Massachusetts don't need unnecessary baggage. Having a guy working as a high profile consultant who is a Republican doesn't help. Is it fatal? Who knows. But at least keep him off payroll and out of the press. It's just not worth it.
Ferson and Mihos are more than friends; Mihos asked Ferson to be his spokesperson and Ferson said yes.
There are a wealth of Democratic media consultants out there, and Ferson, without his Mihos past, would be one. However, here's my point: Democrats in Massachusetts don't need unnecessary baggage. Having a guy working as a high profile consultant who is a Republican doesn't help. Is it fatal? Who knows. But at least keep him off payroll and out of the press. It's just not worth it.
Welcome BlueMassGroup Readers
Thanks to Bob for his post directing people my way! I look forward to the conversations that we will have here. Fear not, I will still post over on BMG. I just wanted to have a bit more flexibility and ability to branch out.
I look forward to reading your comments.
I look forward to reading your comments.
Murray Hires Republicans?
In a post over on BMG this morning, FieldGuy (a clear Silbert fan) suggests that Murray's spokesman is somehow linked with Christy Mihos.
A quick Google search turns up some pretty damning evidence:
Scott Ferson, Tim Murray's spokesman, has been called a friend of Mihos in both the Herald and Globe.
Ferson was apparently hired by Mihos to win his job back when he was fired from the Turnpike Authority.
This is unacceptable. I know people want good help, but please. Is this all that Murray could come up with?
Silbert has hired one of the best Democratic media consultants in Tad Devine.
Deb Goldberg has as well.
As a delegate who was considering Murray as the LG candidate to support, I am quite disappointed that he would add someone who has so clearly worked for people opposed to the values we all espouse. Silbert and Goldberg have moved up a notch in my decision-making tree now.
A quick Google search turns up some pretty damning evidence:
Scott Ferson, Tim Murray's spokesman, has been called a friend of Mihos in both the Herald and Globe.
Ferson was apparently hired by Mihos to win his job back when he was fired from the Turnpike Authority.
This is unacceptable. I know people want good help, but please. Is this all that Murray could come up with?
Silbert has hired one of the best Democratic media consultants in Tad Devine.
Deb Goldberg has as well.
As a delegate who was considering Murray as the LG candidate to support, I am quite disappointed that he would add someone who has so clearly worked for people opposed to the values we all espouse. Silbert and Goldberg have moved up a notch in my decision-making tree now.
Monday, March 27, 2006
LG Rant
So, anyone who has read my posts over on BMG knows that I'm way into the MA LG 06 Race. I should probably pick sides, and I'm most likely gonna soon. Check out my latest rant over there.
Why Competition Is Good, but Not Too Good
Chris Gabrieli. What to think of him. On the one hand, he's smart: he sees that there's a hunger for something new out there, and he has the ability to pay to make himself appear to be that person. But why? Ego? Ambition? Desire to help? I dunno. But what I do know is that he has not learned the lessons all of us Dems should have learned a long time ago: 2-person primaries are good. Any more, then it's bad.
Gore was strengthened by Bradley, but Clinton got the nod because of a crowded field (arguably in the general in 92 too). Deval and Reilly would have been great, and the winner stronger for it. But now comes Chris to muck it all up. I wish he would just stay out of it.
Gore was strengthened by Bradley, but Clinton got the nod because of a crowded field (arguably in the general in 92 too). Deval and Reilly would have been great, and the winner stronger for it. But now comes Chris to muck it all up. I wish he would just stay out of it.
My First Post
Well, I decided to branch out on my own and start my own blog. You probably know me as Hoss from BlueMassGroup, and I'll keep posting there, but I wanted a place where I could espouse some positions as well. Thanks to all the progressive Massachusetts bloggers out there who have inspired me to do this. I'm excited to see where it takes me.
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