May
14
Democrats win in Mississippi?
May 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
A special congressional election in Mississippi’s First Congressional District was won yesterday by Democrat Travis Childers. This district has been considered safe Republican, and the Democratic victory (the third straight Democratic special election victory) set off alarm bells within the Republican Party. From the Washington Post:
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, sounded an alarm for all GOP candidates “to take stock of their campaigns and position themselves for challenging campaigns this fall” while lashing themselves to the presidential candidacy of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). “The political environment is such that voters remain pessimistic about the direction of the country and the Republican Party in general. . . . Time is short,” Cole said in a statement.
The panic should start now for Republicans. Bush won this district by 25 percentage points, and the former Republican Congressman from the District won re-election with 66 percent of the vote in the last cycle. A key component of the Republican strategy here was to link the Democrat Childers to Barack Obama in a conservative district. The Republicans spent about 1.8 million on ads in this area, and they did not appear to gain any traction for their candidate. The Democrats spent about the same, and showed a willingness to back a candidate who is pro-gun and anti abortion. That wave on the horizon is getting bigger, and it appears that many Republicans will be carried out to sea in November.
May
14
Clinton Romps
May 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Senator Hillary Clinton, facing long odds to secure the Democratic nomination, crushed Senator Barack Obama last night in West Virginia. The final tally:
Clinton 239,062 67%
Obama 91,652 26%
Edwards 26,076 7%
The race, with the demographics of West Virginia, heavily favored Clinton, with Obama conceding as much up front. From the Washington Post:
Interviews with West Virginians leaving their polling places suggested Clinton’s victory could be as overwhelming as any she has gained to date, delivered by an electorate that was 95 percent white and was composed of the kinds of voters who favored her in past primaries. Nearly a quarter were 60 or older, and a similar number had no education beyond high school. More than half were in families with incomes of $50,000 or less. The exit polls showed race, education, Obama’s former pastor and a plan for a summertime suspension of federal gas taxes all gave Clinton a huge advantage in the state’s presidential primary.
Despite the overwhelming win by Clinton the drumbeat for withdrawal goes on, with most of the pundits saying the math is set against her. The flow of superdelegates to Obama continues steadily, and while it is not a stampede it is clear that it is trending Obama. From the Post:
He picked up four superdelegates during the day, including Roy Romer, former Democratic Party chairman.
This race, I believe, is over,” Romer told reporters on a conference call. He said only Clinton can decide when to withdraw, but he added: “There is a time we need to end it and direct ourselves to the general election. I think that time is now.”
Clinton is not buying into that theory.
Clinton used her victory speech to again argue that she still had a shot at the nomination. She said the delegates from Michigan and Florida — states that were penalized by the Democratic Party because they held their primaries too early — should be seated at the national convention.
“I believe we should honor the votes cast by 2.3 million people in those states,” Clinton said.
“In light of our overwhelming victory here in West Virginia, I want to send a message to all those who are making up their minds,” she said.
“I am in this race because I believe I am the strongest candidate.”
And on we go. It appears to me that Obama is going to be the nominee, but he clearly has substantial work to do to shore up some major constituencies. The Democratic Party should not have to write off West Virginia in November.
May
11
Who is Barack Obama?Idealist? Pragmatist? Both??
May 11, 2008 | 4 Comments
With Obama now being the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party many have asked, or will ask that question. The New York Times ran a pretty good story on Senator Obama today, with a focus on his evolution from a constituency of “reformers” as he began his political life, to an evolution where his pragmatic side has shown through. The Times shows several strong examples of this “evolution”, including his strong ties to Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago. My sense of the story was that Obama has always been a pragmatist, but simply moved incrementally and cautiously as he learned some important political lessons from the very rough and tumble world of Chicago politics. His evolving position on the Israeli-Palestinian question caused a Palestinian supporter, Rashid Khalidi, to say
“I’m unhappy about the positions he’s taken, but I can’t say I’m terribly disappointed.” He added: “People think he’s a saint. He’s not. He’s a politician.”
A pretty good profile that does more than skim the subject. Read the Times article at this link.
May
9
Sullivan Outed
May 9, 2008 | 8 Comments
As we get closer to the final weigh in for Latitudes “biggest loser” competition it has become obvious that my competition, Mayor Michael Sullivan is begining to crumble under the pressure. As Tom Duggan has reported at www.tommyduggan.com Mayor Sullivan has been spotted by my spies enjoying vast quantities of the delicious treats at Gelato Dolce on Merrimack Street in Methuen. From the Valley Patriot website:
Mayor Manzi also bragged that he has lost “an enormous amount of weight” and is ready to surpass Lawrence Mayor Mike Sullivan in “Latitude’s Sports Club’s Biggest Loser” competition. “When this one is over,” Manzi said “not only will I have lost more wight than Mike Sullivan but I will weight less and I will be much more healthy than he is. I’ve received reports that he has been seen in Methuen at Gelato Dolce on Merrimack St., so I don’t know how seriously he is taking this.”
And so the countdown begins and the only sweat that Mayor Sullivan is working up is from lifting the heavy plates of food he is consuming at Salvatores in Lawrence. Mike is pictured above with restaurant owner Sal Lupoli just before a vigourous workout with several plates of delicious Italian cuisine. (Photo courtesy Valley Patriot)
May
8
Rep Campbell Delivers for Methuen
May 8, 2008 | 5 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
May 5, 2008 Linda Campbell
978-989-0722
Campbell Achieves Success for Methuen in House Budget
The House of Representatives completed their work on the Fiscal Year 2009 budget, with Representative Linda Dean Campbell of Methuen achieving some notable success for her community during that process.
Campbell had laid out her budget priorities early, and worked diligently through the process to secure some vital funding for Methuen. Campbell budget amendments that were adopted included $200,000 (two hundred thousand) for environmental cleanup of Methuen’s Appleyard site, a critical piece for Methuen’s downtown area, as well as $150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) for Methuen parks and recreation. Campbell successfully included budget amendments that funded the Adult Learning Center in Methuen, the Methuen Y.M.C.A, and the Methuen Senior Center. Campbell, who helped to bring funding for the new community center in Methuen’s Arlington Neighborhood, secured additional funding for ongoing operations there for neighborhood after school programs. Campbell noted that “despite budget difficulties we have produced a balanced budget that meets some critical local needs, including an increase in Chapter 70 education aid monies for Methuen that total over one million dollars. I remain committed to doing our best to meet local needs while maintaining the fiscal stability that is vital for our Commonwealth.” Campbell also secured fifteen thousand dollars for the Merrimack River Watershed Council for water testing along the Merrimack.
Campbell pointed to some important features in the budget for cities and towns. The House budget made up the shortfall in the lottery account, adding $124 million dollars to ensure that this local account remained level funded and not cut. Additionally Campbell cited a two million dollar increase in the circuit breaker account that will help some districts with the cost of transportation in the special needs area, as well as two million dollars in increased Shannon Grant monies. Methuen was a recipient of such money in the last fiscal cycle. Campbell was also successful in securing police grant money that currently funds four full time police officers in Methuen. Campbell said “public safety for Methuen continues to be a top priority for me, and the successful inclusion of monies to directly put more police officers on our streets will promote that value.” Campbell indicated that one of the pleasant surprises in the overall house budget which she strongly advocated through co-sponsorship of amendments both in last year’s budget and in this budget was the additional spending for Massachusetts Firefighters. Campbell noted that for several budget cycles MA firefighters have received the short end of the stick. In this year’s budget they received much need increases for equipment upgrades and training. Campbell said, “This increase was absolutely essential for residents and for basic protection for our firefighters who put their lives on line each and every day.”
May
8
Statement on Termination of Police Chief
May 8, 2008 | 2 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
May 7, 2008 Matt Kraunelis
978-983-8508
Mayor Manzi Discharges Police Chief
Today, I have informed Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon that, effective immediately, he is discharged from his position as Chief of Police. This follows as seven day long disciplinary hearing which commenced on February 19, 2008 and concluded on April 14, 2008. I made this decision after reviewing the record of the hearing and the report of the hearing officer, Attorney Michael Marks, which recommended termination. The Methuen Police Department will continue to be led by Acting Chief Katherine Lavigne until a permanent replacement is named.
May
6
Obama wins North Carolina
May 6, 2008 | 14 Comments
Barack Obama cruised to victory in the North Carolina primary tonight, inching closer to the Democratic nomination. With 72% of the precincts reporting the totals were:
Obama 56%
Clinton 42%
Other 2%
Obama was expected to win this primary, but the Clinton team hoped that her momentum might blunt the margin or actually stop the train. That train just kept rolling tonight.
May
6
A Rich analysis
May 6, 2008 | 3 Comments
New York Times columnist Frank Rich wrote an interesting piece on Sunday that discussed the so called “pastor problem”. Rich talked about the endorsement of John McCain by Pastor John Hagee, and some of the clips available on you tube that show Hagee engaging in some viscious Catholic bashing. From the Rich column.
What you’ll find is a white televangelist, the Rev. John Hagee, lecturing in front of an enormous diorama. Wielding a pointer, he pokes at the image of a woman with Pamela Anderson-sized breasts, her hand raising a golden chalice. The woman is “the Great Whore,” Mr. Hagee explains, and she is drinking “the blood of the Jewish people.” That’s because the Great Whore represents “the Roman Church,” which, in his view, has thirsted for Jewish blood throughout history, from the Crusades to the Holocaust.
And what of the media and its fixation on Rev. Wright? Is the focus on Wright’s rantings and the demands made on Obama matched by a demand that McCain disavow Hagee?
That defense implies, incorrectly, that Mr. McCain was a passive recipient of this bigot’s endorsement. In fact, by his own account, Mr. McCain sought out Mr. Hagee, who is perhaps best known for trying to drum up a pre-emptive “holy war” with Iran. (This preacher’s rantings may tell us more about Mr. McCain’s policy views than Mr. Wright’s tell us about Mr. Obama’s.) Even after Mr. Hagee’s Catholic bashing bubbled up in the mainstream media, Mr. McCain still did not reject and denounce him, as Mr. Obama did an unsolicited endorser, Louis Farrakhan, at the urging of Tim Russert and Hillary Clinton. Mr. McCain instead told George Stephanopoulos two Sundays ago that while he condemns any “anti-anything” remarks by Mr. Hagee, he is still “glad to have his endorsement.”
I wonder if Mr. McCain would have given the same answer had Mr. Stephanopoulos confronted him with the graphic video of the pastor in full “Great Whore” glory. But Mr. McCain didn’t have to fear so rude a transgression. Mr. Hagee’s videos have never had the same circulation on television as Mr. Wright’s. A sonorous white preacher spouting venom just doesn’t have the telegenic zing of a theatrical black man.
Yes, I guess the Republican’s have a pastor problem as well. On top of Tom Tancredo’s Pope bashing it appears that Republican’s are insensitive to Catholic bashing. And speaking of Rev. Wright one of the most outrageous comments he made was the “chickens coming home to roost comments” about 9/11. But was he alone in making that statement. Rich correctly points to comments by the Reverends Falwell and Robertson over 9/11.
Perhaps that’s why virtually no one has rebroadcast the highly relevant prototype for Mr. Wright’s fiery claim that 9/11 was America’s chickens “coming home to roost.” That would be the Sept. 13, 2001, televised exchange between Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, who blamed the attacks on America’s abortionists, feminists, gays and A.C.L.U. lawyers. (Mr. Wright blamed the attacks on America’s foreign policy.) Had that video re-emerged in the frenzied cable-news rotation, Mr. McCain might have been asked to explain why he no longer calls these preachers “agents of intolerance” and chose to cozy up to Mr. Falwell by speaking at his Liberty University in 2006.
Pretty “rich” analysis in the Sunday Times. If Obama is the nominee I expect he will not be the only candidate in the race with a “pastor” problem. Read the Rich column here.
May
6
Post Office Blues
May 6, 2008 | 1 Comment
The Tribune recently wrote an editorial supporting a new postal facility for Methuen, and it really was right on the mark. I have had a good meeting with the head honcho’s over at the U.S. Postal Service, and I appreciate the efforts of Congresswoman Tsongas and Senator John Kerry to be helpful. We have identified two prospective downtown sites that might be a fit for the Post Office, and we are facilitating talks between those prospective landlords and the Postal Service. The real problem that we have bumped into is that the Post Office is satisfied and content to stay in the existing facility. With that lease coming up in 2009 the Post Office was preparing to sign a renewal that would leave them in the same spot, and leave us with a substandard facility. We will continue to work to get Methuen a facility that it deserves as well as a West End contract station. It will not be easy, and frankly the odds are against us, but it is worth the effort.
Link to the Tribune editorial here.
May
5
A progressive water rate at last
May 5, 2008 | 2 Comments
The Methuen City Council has set a “tiered” or progressive water rate to replace the “flat” rate they had voted in earlier this year. In passing the first increase in many years the Council, in moving to a tiered system, recognized that most of our water users fall into a use category that will see some major savings percentage wise over a flat system. I have posted a spreadsheet that shows how the newly adopted City Council rates will save money for about eighty percent of our ratepayers. My spreadsheet shows that an elderly ratepayer stands to save 35 percent by implementing the tiered proposal as opposed to the flat rate. A similar non-elderly user will save about nineteen percent by the new rate structure. I have had some questions about the new commercial rate, and my comments that the low end of the commercial spectrum would be impacted in a greater fashion. To clarify, my comments reflect the fact that unlike the prior five tier structure this structure imposes a flat rate on commercial ratepayers. So for low commercial water users the jump in rate will be greater than for the larger commercial users. In the prior five tier structure (in existence before the flat rate was imposed) commercial ratepayers paid based on flows, the same as residential. The City Council has moved all commercial accounts to a flat $3.25 rate regardless of usage. The City Council should be congratulated for moving the residential rate to a progressive structure, and protecting the interests of the vast majority of ratepayers.