MA-05 special election

[Dan the Roman]

I'm also a MA-07 resident, but I've been following the race. Tierney is not the real republican, that is Ognowski, a former Air Force Colonel whose brother piloted one of the planes on 9/11. He has raised $170,000 compared with Tierney's, well nothing. Despite the district being the 2nd most Republican in the state few people think he can win, so must Republicans are supporting State Rep Barry Finegold of Andover in the Democratic Primary. Type in any prominant Republican right up to Mitt Romney's finance chair and you will the 2300 contributions to Finegold.

The major candidates for the Dems are:

Niki Tsongas - huge name recognition, establishment support, Meehen's pick. Dosen't seem to have much content, or to have held a real job. Was an HMO lobyiest and opposes Universal Healthcare which hurts her in the primary. Has the second most money.

Elaine Donahgue - Former Mayor of Lowell, independently wealthy, and has put a lot of her own money into the campaign. Would be a strong candidate if Tsongas didn't make her redundant. Has consistently polled second.

Barry Finegold - State Rep from Andover. Basically the moderate in the Democratic field. Sponsored the state parental consent law in the legislature, was a Romney ally early on, is aligned with Martha Coakley and Tim Cahill at the state level, and supports Biden's plan to partition Iraq rather than an immediate withdrawal. Was polling third but that was before he went on air, and he has the most money of anyone. Raised 554,000 last quarter.

Jamie Eldridge - State Rep from Acton, the liberal candidate in the race. Strong Patrick ally, and former Dean campaign worker. Has raised only about 113,000, and a lot of that is through the 'netroots". Has a volunteer base, but no establishment support outside the Governor who is himself isolated. Potentially could make this a competitive general if he won the primary, though I think he would still win 53-47. He would be a potential upset in a 2010 Hillary midterm though, assuming he surrived an inevitable primary next year. Basically the Bill Sali of the dem field.

James Miceli - Democratic state rep. The conservative in the field. Pro-life, anti-gay rights, stay the course in Iraq. No money and polls at 5%. His chances are illustrated by all the republicans giving money to Finegold.

The conventional wisdom says this is Tsongas' race to lose. I wouldn't rule out a surprise Finegold victory though. Either one will easily win the general. So will Donaghue if she makes it through. Miceli might lose if by some act of god he made it, and Eldridge would make it close.

[Dan the Roman]

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Yeah they all support it in principle. She was squishy though on single player at the debate and defended HMOs. She was right imo, but a lot of liberals I've spoke with were upset.

As for the surveyusa poll, Tsongas will probably win. She has Meehan's support, and a lot of name recognition. Nonetheless, Finegold and Donoghue are both on the air now, as is Tsongas so we will see where this is in a month.

[Dan the Roman]

My issue is less corruption than competence. Tom Finneran(our former house speaker) was clearly on the less clean side of the spectrum but I thought all in all he had a positive impact on the state. I mean how many politicians would have stood up tot he Patriots when they asked for their new stadium? Most would leap at the opportunity to be photographed with the players opening a new stadium. Finneran stood them down, and we got the stadium and saved 150 million.

My problem with Tsongas is that if that wasn't her last name, she wouldn't even be running. She has done nothing to qualify herself for the job, and her career seems to have piggybacked off her husband's success. She spends a lot of time referring to how she and her husband were "partners" during his career which is a weak attempt to make up for the fact that she hasn't held a job that neither her husband or his friends arranged for her. Beyond that, there is nothing ideologically that sets her apart from the other mediocre MA reps, its just that since we are replacing one of our three semi-decent congressman, I was hoping we might do better than another Tierney.