Massachusetts Politics News

August 5, 2009 - 04:06 pm
NEWS FEED: Boston Globe

All play, no work for Obamas on Vineyard

President Obama does not plan any public events while vacationing with his family on Martha's Vineyard, the White House said this afternoon. The Obamas plan to arrive on Sunday, Aug. 23, and depart on Sunday, Aug. 30. Those events will...

August 5, 2009 - 03:03 pm
NEWS FEED: Boston Phoenix

At-Large Money Watch

Yes, it's that time again -- the July second-half numbers are in, and I must overanalyze them because that's just how I am. And aren't you grateful for that!

I'll make some comments below, but first here's the data as I put it together, with apologies for any errors on my part. I'm listing them in order of total fundraising for the two-year cycle (which for most of them dates back only a few months, to when they launched their campaigns). The first number is their total reported July contributions; the second is their total raised for the cycle; the third is the cash on hand as of July 31.

August 5, 2009 - 02:01 pm
NEWS FEED: Boston Globe

Obama coming to New Hampshire

President Obama will bring his healthcare-stimulus road tour to New Hampshire next week, the White House just announced. The town hall will be in the Portsmouth area on Tuesday. More details to come. It will be Obama's first foray into...

August 5, 2009 - 01:47 pm
NEWS FEED: Blue Mass Group

Gov: Municipal Partnership Act/GIC are gettin' it done

From press release:

 PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM PLAN ALREADY SAVING MILLIONS FOR CITIES AND TOWNS

Administration urges other communities to join in the savings

...
From 2001 to 2005, health insurance costs for municipalities grew nearly twice as fast as for state government. Since the Governor signed pieces of the MPA into law in July 2007, 17 municipalities, six school districts and three planning councils/commissions/development districts have joined the state Group Insurance Commission (GIC).

 Among the savings realized by communities are:

     * $10 million in the City of Quincy ;
    * $2.6 million in the Town of Watertown ;
    * $2.

August 5, 2009 - 01:40 pm
NEWS FEED: Blue Mass Group

HCAN: Fighting back against the thuggery

From Health Care For America Now, a counter-thug strategy. One might add that we need bodies, people, numbers at these town hall meetings. They wanted a scrap -- let's give 'em a scrap.

  1. Do not debate on their "policy" points. Remember, they are seeking a platform to distort the truth about reform by making health care about abortion, rationing, euthanasia, etc. Rather than try to reply with the truth (which won't move them anyway) we should respond with our message and at every turn re-focus the agenda on communicating with the Member of Congress.
  2. Interrupt them when they get disruptive and refocus the meeting: Line up a number of people who feel comfortable interrupting and prepare them with statements like:
    • "Excuse me, I came today to listen to Representative XXX explain how this bill is going to make health care more affordable for me and my family.
August 5, 2009 - 12:24 pm
NEWS FEED: Boston Globe

Gibbs revises own remark on Iran

It's usually White House spokesman Robert Gibbs who has to clarify remarks by administration officials when they veer off message -- like when two top economic advisers suggested over the weekend that President Obama might raise taxes on the middle...

August 5, 2009 - 10:35 am
NEWS FEED: Blue Mass Group

Gov. Patrick's performance in his 'town hall meetings'

[Posted on behalf of The Fernald League for the Retarded, Inc.]

Having been to two of Governor Deval Patrick's "town hall meetings" that he's currently holding across the state, I think I'm getting some insight into both some of his strengths and some of his weaknesses as a leader and a campaigner for a second term in office.

First of all, I'd say that these meetings further blur the already blurry line between governing and campaigning.  Obviously, Patrick didn't invent them.  Town hall meetings held by politicians have become a ubiquitous feature of the political landscape, from presidential campaigns on down. 

They have the look and feel of both public hearings--in that ordinary citizens are invited to present their concerns and grievances to the governor--and of political campaign stops.

August 5, 2009 - 10:20 am
NEWS FEED: Boston Globe

White House takes pitch on road

The Obama team is fanning out across the country today with a shared message -- the economic stimulus plan is working. Really. President Obama will return to Elkhart, Ind., where he will speak around noon EDT at a recreational vehicle...

August 5, 2009 - 09:50 am
NEWS FEED: Boston Globe

Democrats slam 'mob rule'

The Democratic National Committee today launched a web ad slamming the GOP and allied conservative groups for sending activists to healthcare town halls where they are shouting questions and criticisms. "The right wing extremist Republican base is back," the...

August 5, 2009 - 09:39 am
NEWS FEED: Boston Globe

Clinton, Gore welcome home journalists

Bill Clinton and Al Gore reunited this morning for a happy occasion -- the return of two journalists, whose release was negotiated by the former president and who worked for his former vice president. Gore praised Clinton for "performing so...