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August 27, 2005

Second Middlesex candidates debate on Channel 4 tomorrow morning

Channel 4 will carry a debate among the four Democratic candidates for the Second Middlesex Senate seat tomorrow (Sunday) morning, bright and early, at 8:35 a.m.  This according to today's Globe, which also has a brief rundown of the candidates' positions on taxes, health care, and allowing slot machines.  Good to see that the Globe is covering the race in the City/Region section instead of the regional weeklies.

Posted by David at 11:32 AM in Massachusetts | Permalink

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Guess what, no one cares. Family and fewnsupporters wilkl watch other then the same people who watch show every week. Which is very few.
Means nothing, unless something outrageous happens

Posted by: the troll | Aug 27, 2005 1:11:14 PM

Are there any Callahan or Casey supporters out here that can weigh in on their feelings.
Is this blog reaching anyone other then us?

Medford mom is a perfect fir for a demographic she described.

"we fit the relocated progressive tag a la folks who got Sciortino elected"

and she is torn between Mackey and Jehlen. And her friends turned her on to Jehlen early ans she met her. That should be enough. But she hears things. hmmmmmmmmmmm
The mackey drum is beating strong. Will it prevail, or will Jehlen get enough votes to split the progressives and let Callahan win it.
hmmmmmmmmm

Posted by: the troll | Aug 27, 2005 1:18:51 PM

Trying to find a Callahan supporter on-line….unlikely. Most Callahan supporters will be finding their teeth in the jar next to their bed when they wake up tomorrow morning.

Posted by: the sound of one hand clapping | Aug 27, 2005 2:34:24 PM

There are plenty Callahan supporters where I've been canvassing, but I didn't think to mention Blue Mass Group to any of them :)

Posted by: Cos | Aug 27, 2005 10:45:00 PM

Many of our neighbors have planted large "he helps people" signs in their yard. (He helps people who help him?) These Callahan supporters typically have long time family connections in Medford. Many of them have children in grade school, so they're not all the geriatric set.

The mailing we got today from the Callahan campaign provides about as much insight as I have managed to glean about motives and hopes of his supporters.

For your amusement, I've reproduced the text on the mailing below:

On the outside of the flyer:

"WHAT HAS MEDFORD BEEN WAITING 45 YEARS FOR?"

On one page with four photographs of Callahan pictured with other men:

"Mike being endorsed by: From Top Left; George White, Bill Brady, Angelo Marotto, Mike McGlynn, Ron Vining, Bob Maloney, Chickie McDermott, Jack McGlynn and Paul Cavanaugh"

"Mike being endorsed by Paul Donato."

"Mike being endorsed by Paul Camuso."

"Mike being endorsed by Fred Dello Russo."

"A STRONG VOICE IN THE STATE SENATE"
"MIKE IS ONE OF US"

"Dear Medford Resident:

"MIKE is one of us!

"Are you wondering why Mayor McGlynn, Representative Donato (the only Medford resident currently serving in the legislature) and a score of other public officials from the '50's, 60's, 70's, '80's, 90's up to present day are openly endorsing Michael Callahan's candicacy for state Senate. The answer is simple!

"MIKE is one of us!

"Michael Callahan established the Medford Consumer Advisory Commission in 1977 to protect families and senior citizens from unscrupulous business practices. He has Chaired this Commission ever since without pay!

"MIKE is one of us!

"Michael Callahan is one of nine children brought up on a postman's salary on Saunders Street in the Fulton Heights section of Medford. Our country sent him to Vietnam after his graduation from Medford High School. After his tour of duty he returned to Medford-the community he loves and still calls home- to embark on a career of public service.

"MIKE is one of us!

"Michael Callahan has helped thousands of Medford residents during his many years of public service. Whether it was working in the state Senate, the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Legislsature's first Commission on the Handicapped, a community activitist, or neighbor and friend Michael Callahan is known for helping people. [sic]

"MIKE is one of us!

"Michael Callahan's well earned reputation for helping people lifted him to victory in the spirited 1998 Governor's Council race. We could go on and on about Michael Callahan's accomplishments as a Governor's Councilor, but the bottom line is there is only one candidate who is one of us. His name is Michael Callahan.

"MIKE is one of us!

"We are honored to write this letter for our friend Michael J. Callahan. We ask you to help bring the state Senate seat back for Medford for the first time since 1960. Let's show our Medford Pride and vote for Medford's own Michael Callahan Tuesday August 30th.

"Let's give Medford a strong voice in the State Senate. Elect Michael J. Callahan State Senator. MIKE is one of us!"
----------

So there you have it. Y'all in Somerville are "them," I suppose.

Posted by: Relative newcomer to Medford, here to stay | Aug 28, 2005 12:49:50 AM

Yeah, I got that mailing too. Callahan with a bunch of other middle aged white men saying "he's one of us." Thank you very much, I'm going to be voting for one of THEM!! (And for what it's worth, NOT a middle aged white guy... even though that's pretty much what I am!)

Posted by: Medford Dem | Aug 28, 2005 4:23:30 AM

Hello, I am new to this blog. Found it by typing Jehlen and Mackey together in google, and it popped to the top. I had been leaning toward Jehlen until very, very recently. But...I've turned. I believe I will be going for Mackey. The tv debate this a.m. was going to be, for me, the last part of a considered look. In the debate, he and Jehlen seeemed similar in views, but she was not as articulate. Jehlen seems a very "nice" person, very ethical and considered; Mackey, all that, sure, plus energy, the ability to message, and amazing background on school support. And a lot of what he said was educative. Anyway, my two cents! (By the way, how is Casey a Democrat, exactly? My goodness. Strange views.)

Posted by: medfordite | Aug 28, 2005 9:41:00 AM

Medfordite, if background in school support is important, you should seriously reconsider Jehlen. She spent 16 years on school board, was a history teacher, helped double school funding with the 1993 Education Reform Act, and has been endorsed by the Somerville Teachers Association, Boston Teachers Association, and Mass. Teachers Association.

I agree that Mackey's very polished (though I wasn't awake in time to see this morning's debate), but I still think that Jehlen is the stronger choice for State Senate.

Posted by: eury13 | Aug 28, 2005 12:06:34 PM

Medfordite, I'll generally be pretty happy if either Jehlen or Mackey win. I will *not* be happy if the two of them end up splitting the vote and thereby handing the race to Callahan.

When I met Jehlen, I was a bit disappointed that she wasn't more glib. Still, I think she is more thoughtful than Mackey in both senses of the word; she demonstrates deeper thinking and consideration toward others.

Compare their written surveys on the Progressive Democrats of Somerville site:
http://www.pdsomerville.org/PDS/Mackey.htm
and
http://www.pdsomerville.org/PDS/Jehlen.htm

He may dominate the soundbite world, but she shows her knowledge and command of the issues.

The main difference between Jehlen and Mackey that is evident from the surveys provides one compelling reason why I would never consider voting for Mackey. Jehlen is in favor of instant runoff voting and paper ballots. Mackey is opposed to both.

If we had runoff voting, there would be no worries about Mackey taking away the progressive votes from Jehlen and handing the Senate nomination to Callahan.

I was a little bit peeved about a second progressive candidate entering the race after Jehlen announced. In my mind, she had first dibs. But I am angry that Mackey isn't even interested in providing a solution to this dilemma when it should arise in the future; nor does he think that his disinterest in election reform requires any explanation. I find Mackey terse and dismissive. And so I dismiss him.

Posted by: Relative newcomer to Medford, here to stay | Aug 28, 2005 1:29:53 PM

From you described, the Callahan piece sounds like a very effective piece which is needed to get 'them' out.
Don't knock it. Especially iff those names mentioned and many others sent out a total of 3000 - 5000 dear friend cards in medford and winchester.

Posted by: The troll | Aug 28, 2005 2:32:11 PM

No, no, you've got that wrong; the mailing is for getting *us* out to vote. *Them* are from Somerville.

It is my right to make fun of the goofy flyer even as I fear that it may work.

Posted by: Relative newcomer to Medford, here to stay | Aug 28, 2005 3:08:44 PM

Us and them is beyond geographical lines. It s purely cultural. Anmd that is why this dangerous.
As opposed to Casey uising winchetsre us and them.
More differnt needs then cultural, although obvious income gap.

Posted by: The troll | Aug 28, 2005 3:33:40 PM

Just a few comments:

"Means nothing, unless something outrageous happens"
-- Nothing did.

"Is this blog reaching anyone other then us?"
Well... maybe a few, but not many. We are the hard core. Everyone get used to each other. :)

"By the way, how is Casey a Democrat, exactly?"
I guess in MA, even the Republicans are Democrats. Except for the Gov -- but we're working on that.

Posted by: Charley on the MTA | Aug 28, 2005 4:40:10 PM

Casey is a dem, and there are still many like him left. especially in medford, and winchester

Posted by: The troll | Aug 28, 2005 5:53:01 PM

Charleyy. how many people regularly check in on Bluemassgroup?
i am curious.

Posted by: The troll | Aug 28, 2005 5:59:51 PM

New to posting, read your blog regularly. Anyone know if the debate will be on TV again?

Posted by: mae | Aug 28, 2005 6:48:40 PM

[See David's post re traffic.]

Hi Mae, I'll look into it. I tend to doubt it, though -- not much time between now and Tuesday.

Posted by: Charley on the MTA | Aug 28, 2005 10:09:08 PM

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