Red army galvanizing in our bluest towns

www.bostonherald.com ^ | Sunday, February 14, 2010 | Jessica Fargen

[GOPsterinMA]

The state’s loneliest Republicans - those who languish in the navy blue regions from Northampton to Nantucket - are shaking off their years-long malaise and rebuilding a political machine in the land of Birkenstocks and Priuses.

“People are coming out of the woodwork saying, ‘We’ve been Republicans in hiding and now we want to be out and help,’ ” said Jeffrey Hopkins, chairman of the City Republican Committee in the old Democratic union stronghold of Fall River.

In the wake of Scott Brown’s victory in his Senate campaign versus Martha Coakley, a surge in interest in the GOP has come from longtime Republicans, independents, Tea Party activists and even Democrats, dazzling many organizers.

“It was not a team that anybody wanted to join,” said Larry Giunta, 41, chairman of Newburyport Republican City Committee, which grew from zero members to 60 in one year, thanks to organization and Brown’s win. “The days of meeting in the basement of your local library and having two or three people show up are over.”

[GOPsterinMA]

Dr. Jay Fleitman, who is running for Congress against Springfield Democrat Richard Neal, said Republicans in his ultra-liberal hometown of Northampton are finally speaking up.

In the past, he said, “You tend not to talk about your political beliefs very much. You won’t find anyone who agrees with you and you end up getting into fights.” But now, “That’s changing.”

[highlander_UW]

Democrats should be thrilled...aren't they always worried about unrepresented minorities? Can't get much more unrepresented or more minority than a republican in MA.

[GOPsterinMA]

Republican revival in MA PING

[GOPsterinMA]

Great point!!! :)

[rae4palin]

Congrats on the revival. It’s been a long time coming.

[GOPsterinMA]

Let’s see if it lasts and for how long. Scott Brown winning was the catalyst, for sure though!

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

‘We’ve been Republicans in hiding and now we want to be out and help,’ ” said Jeffrey Hopkins, chairman of the City Republican Committee in the old Democratic union stronghold of Fall River

I haven't been a Republican in hiding.

I've been a Republican in disgust.

I gave a NRC fundraiser an ear full on the phone a while back. I told him I have no money...or votes...for Democrat-Lite such as John McLame.

If Republicans want me to support them with my money and time again they're going to have to do better than sell-outs like him.

I'm sick and tired of candidates who talk the talk sometimes but bend over backwards to try and be popular with the Left-dominated media, even though they get stabbed in the back time after time.

There are plenty enough unprincipled career politicians on the Democrat side of the aisle. Let them do a little "reaching across the aisle" for a change...They are the ones who have strayed from American values and principles. Who in their right mind cares about being "dear friends" with them?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Red army ? Keep the Commies and the Orwellian media newsspeak, I’m a nice Blue Republican.

[GOPsterinMA]

That and the “Republicans coming ‘out of the closet’ in wake of Scott Brown’s win” subheading were a touch too much.

[fieldmarshaldj]

And our side laps it up like the submissive little bitches that they are. Somebody calls me a “Red” and they’re gonna have a purple lower lip.

[GOPsterinMA]

Great screen name, BTW. Fantastic post - you are spot on!!!

I toss all NRC/RNC/PCP/LSD mail right into the trash, unopened. I donate my time and my donations directly to the candidates I CHOOSE.

The majority of the media hate any and all Republicans; the sooner they learn that (McCain) the better.

The Rats are the Judases of America - they need to be destroyed, not make friends with.

[GOPsterinMA]

Yep and yep.

Like you said before, Warren Beatty’s movie wasn’t called “Blues”.

[darkangel82]

Red army? I’m sorry, I don’t recall joining the Soviet communist side.

[fieldmarshaldj]

The media made us join in November 2000. Every FReeper that excitedly chirps “Let’s turn (fill-in-the-blank) Red !” needs a serious bitch-slap (right alongside the ones who ALSO call themselves “teabaggers”).

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Frantzie]

I hear you. We need to then support people running against RINOs then hold their feet to the fire.

For example:
Rubio versus Crist - Donate to Rubio
JD Hayworth versus McCain - Donate JD.

We tell them after they win that if they screw us - we will have a replacement lined up.

We still need to figure out how to nuke TV news because they still have too much control. I cancelled TV because TV will keep us as serfs.

[Mears]

Northampton? Good Lord. I remember going to Northampton 25 years ago and there were “Fight gentrification” signs all over the place.

I thought it was funny then,and I still do.

I just want to see the GOP make some changes in Newton.

We can dream,can’t we?

[Clintonfatigued]

This is good news, but the terminology isn’t good. The Red Army once referred to the Soviet Army. Now it’s we who are red?

[Clintonfatigued]

I think a lot of people who have heard the word “teabaggers” don't know what the original term means. (I looked it up, oh my. Perhaps they won't want to know, either. Just telling them it's derogatory ought to be enough).

[Political Junkie Too]

Both the Democratic Party donkey and the Republican Party elephant are split-colored red and blue.

Our flag has red stripes and a blue starry field.

We shouldn't fear the red color, as it is a part of our flag, our party symbols, and our natural heritage.

What we need to do as change the nature of the dialog.

-PJ