Party ponders direction - Defeat triggers debate among Mass. Democrats

Boston Globe ^ | November 25, 2002 | Brian C. Mooney

[Cincinatus' Wife]

After a crushing loss Nov. 5, conservative and liberal Democrats in Massachusetts are scrapping over control and direction of their party.

In an ostensibly Democratic state, four consecutive Republican triumphs in gubernatorial elections have set off the new clash. At a Democratic State Committee meeting last Wednesday in Southbridge, the big tent of the party was swaying as activists from both sides engaged in sharp debate over the party's course.

[Media Insurgent]

If John Silber runs again, look for the Green party to get a record amount of the vote. They'd probably garner 50% or more in Cambridge and some other college towns.

Don't see it happening though. Unless Romney completely tanks, their next candidate will be a sacrificial lamb taken from the ranks of the hackmeisters. The decision process will go something like this:

DEM 1: "Romney looks tough to beat. Who we going to run this year?"

DEM 2: "Get Warren Tolman on the line! I don't think he's doing anything these days."

DEM1: "Good idea. And let's dust off that commerical where his wife calls him 'hot'. It'll help us win all those suburban women we thought would vote for O'Brien in '02!

Okay, maybe that's just a flight of fancy, but I can dream, can't I?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Heh... Might go with Robert Reich... "The Socialist with the stature to lead Taxachusetts !"

[Media Insurgent]

The problem with Reich is that he's actually done something outside of Massachusetts. (As dubious of an accomplishment as being in the Clinton administration might be.)

Dems in this state have a soft spot for provincial hacks. They'd take an assistant dog catcher from Lowell or the Barnstable County Cranberry Bog Commissioner over someone with national experience.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Oh, you said "hack." I was thinking of a maniacal midget QUACK. :-)

If they do want to go with a hack, why not go with Stevie "Wonder" Grossman ?

[B Knotts]

I get so tired of having to correct people on this...Bush lost Oregon in 2000 by less than 7,000 votes and the State House is controlled by the GOP. The State Senate was also controlled by the GOP, but is currently split 15-15.

Oregon is about like the nation as a whole. Our congressional (House) delegation is 4-1 RATS because of gerrymandering.