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August 29, 2005
Bay Windows backs Jehlen
The endorsements in the 2nd Middlesex Senate race are still trickling in - Boston's major gay and lesbian newspaper, Bay Windows, has endorsed Pat Jehlen. They also had kind words for Joe Mackey ("just the sort of person we want in politics"), but concluded that, among other things, Jehlen's vocal support for gay marriage since the Goodridge decision and her appreciation for the special issues facing the GLBT community made her their pick.
I thought Bay Windows' editorial supporting Jehlen was quite good. I will confess to being a tad put off by the pro-Jehlen stuff coming out of MassEquality and others - after reading it, you could be forgiven for thinking that Pat Jehlen was running against a bunch of James Dobson clones. The fact is, of course, that Mackey has come out strongly in favor of gay rights, including marriage, and even Michael Callahan has said that he doesn't favor amending the state Constitution to ban gay marriage - Paul Casey is the only anti-marriage candidate in this race. For that matter, the Globe's endorsement of Mackey suffered from a bit of the same problem by saying nothing about any of the other candidates. Good for Bay Windows to acknowledge the race as it actually exists, lay out their reasons, and make their choice.
Posted by David at 09:07 AM in Massachusetts | Permalink
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Comments
No suprise there.
The choir keeps signing in the mirror. Over and over and over again.
Posted by: The troll | Aug 29, 2005 9:46:20 AM
Jehlen has been a good soldier (puppet) like many hack pols on the "other side" and she deservess their endorsement.
And from what I hear, you are rtight about Jehlen lit from different groups. I am told the volume of it on top of the constant gay rights/teachers union lame issue crap is only hurting her. Plus sounds like panic mode more then week before primary mode
Posted by: The troll | Aug 29, 2005 9:51:00 AM
And Baywindow implicitly says, go ahead and vote for Mackey, you will not be ex-communicated.
Posted by: The troll | Aug 29, 2005 9:52:00 AM
Medford has a daily newspaper, which has no web site and is pretty much impossible to find in Somerville. Does anyone know whom it endorsed?
Posted by: Ron Newman | Aug 29, 2005 10:22:14 AM
Ron, I'll look for it today.
Posted by: Charley on the MTA | Aug 29, 2005 10:34:27 AM
Well, here's the Medford Transcript's exhortation for folks to get out and vote. From the tone of the op-ed, it doesn't seem like they endorsed anyone.
Posted by: Charley on the MTA | Aug 29, 2005 11:03:16 AM
TROLL HANDICAPPING SERVICE
Second Middlesex Senate Primary
August 30, 2005
Post Time 7:00 a.m.
Weather
Scattered downpours predicted. Humid. Will rain storms happen during peak voting times? 7:00 – 9:00 am. And 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. If so, does this hurt Jehlen most? Many Jehlen core supporters don’t have cars. Take the T to work and walk to polls. (What about old lady friends of Callahan you say. They don’t go out in rain, right?) Well they can vote through out the day and get rides from the mayor McGlynn’s Paul Donato’s organizations who will be calling them throughout the day. (Not many people, but enough to get the job done)
Turnout
13,000 – 14,500 (depending on weather)
Highest Turnout % Winchester
2nd Highest Turnout% Medford
3rd Somerville
4th Woburn
Candidates
Jehlen Early favorite with strong core support. On almost cultish, like many candidates of her ilk. Have strong endorsements from gay organizations and teachers union.
Has difficulty pointing to any record of accomplishment other then supporting litmus test issues of progressives. Has no record of bringing forth any new idea or carrying the ball and being the main point person on any issues. Has reputation of not doing enough for her constituents. I.e. meat and potato take care of the people at home stuff.
Has never been seriously tested. Steps up in class here in both opposition and race.
Campaign and supporters are showing signs of panic. Unprecedented amounts of mailings on her behalf went out last week. Unfortunately for her they did not say anything new. Just re-enforced her image.
Mackey stealing votes from her base. Will many Jehlen voters abandon her for Mackey when they get to the polls?
Mackey After being laughed at when he first announced Mackey has become the person to beat. And he did this at the right time. Many support coming his way now because of fact that he can win and his democratic core values. Much better liked than Jehlen in many circles. Both moderates and liberals would not be ashamed to have him as senator. And conservatives would be able to call him and not be made to feel like a second class person. Understands importance of constituent services.
May also steal votes from Callahan and Casey. They too could be getting out many Mackey votes.
Casey Hmmmmmm. Could surprise. Only anti-gay marriage candidate and fiscal conservative. This campaign can be won from behind the scenes. He has been working harder then the perception. Has he gotten to the votes he has in Somerville and Medford. Most people will tell you he is not a bad person. The more you get to know him, the more you like him. And his heart is in the right place. So maybe there is a strong underground Casey machine ready to pounce. Maybe many perceived Callahan votes will be voting for Casey. His rep district is no smaller then Jehlen’s. There are conservatives on the Somerville Board of Alderman and Medford City Council. He has votes there. Has he mined them? And has he done his work in Winchester?
Callahan Can Mayor McGlynn get enough votes in Medford to put Callahan over the top. I do not think so. The more you try to put a shine on Callahan, the more you see he is an old smelly sneaker with holes.
Predictions (depending on weather)
Mackey 4500 - 4900
Casey 3900 - 4100
Jeheln 2500 - 3000
Callahan 2400 - 2600
Note: I wanted a few surprises in my prediction.
Posted by: The troll | Aug 29, 2005 11:25:09 AM
I'm just going to put one prediction in writing for now: Based on what he's written, the troll will be even more surprised by tomorrow's results than he was by the Schofield numbers this March :)
Posted by: Cos | Aug 29, 2005 1:00:08 PM
Turnout <10,500
Jehlen 3305
Mackey 3277
Callahan 2839
Casey 1047
Posted by: the sound of one hand clapping | Aug 29, 2005 2:28:04 PM
If the weather tomorrow is as predicted, I'd be surprised if more than 10,000 people showed up at the polls.
Posted by: sco | Aug 29, 2005 6:14:50 PM
Just to elaborate on what I said in the main post, I just got yet another email from MassEquality which says (and I quote): "The best way to stop an anti-equality candidate from becoming your state senator is to unite behind our friend and ally, Representative Pat Jehlen. The vote will likely be close, so please make sure to go to the polls and bring a friend or family member."
I call bullshit. The only "anti-equality" candidate in this race is Paul Casey (Callahan reiterated his opposition to the pending amendments in the TV debate). I have seen absolutely no indication that Casey is poised to win this race, regardless of whether Jehlen and Mackey split the progressive vote right down the middle. I suppose it could happen, but I think everyone - including Casey - would be stunned. This is cheap scare tactics on MassEquality's part.
Posted by: David | Aug 30, 2005 8:32:14 AM
Casey, Casey, Casey, Casey.
Something wierd may be happening out there today.
I undestand there was piece which attacked Casey directly and cpmpared him to Jehlen. Lit actually got some voteds for casey. Stolen from, mostly Callahan and some Mackey.
But the more Jehlen mail the more Mackey votes.
From wha i've been told
Posted by: The troll | Aug 30, 2005 10:04:31 AM
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