Media impact on the special election

[A. Joseph Ross]

On 23 Jan 2010 at 14:13, Bob Nelson wrote:

> And some hosts like Carr and McPhee have been using this a launching
> point to discuss the possibility of candidates running against the
> incumbents in each district; for example, if Brown did well in the
> 10th District, would a Republican challenger to Delahunt (Joe Malone
> is thinking about it) have a chance?

I think people have been making too much of this election result.  
Massachusetts has a long history, going back to the 1960s at least, 
of electing attractive Republicans to statewide office.  We've just 
had 16 years of Republican governors.  Scott Brown fits the pattern 
of the typical successful Republican:  Someone who runs as a moderate 
and independent of his party.  Scott Brown hardly ever mentioned that 
he was a Republican.  John Volpe capaigned in 1960 with the slogan 
"Vote the man, vote Volpe."  Mitt Romney claimed to be pro-choice 
back in 2002.  Such Republicans typically win when there is either a 
weak Democratic candidate or a split in Democratic ranks.  

I can understand national media not getting this point, but the local 
media really ought to know better.

Joe Malone, on the other hand, has a past record as a state treasurer 
whose administration ended in major scandal.  He may try to run, but 
I think Delahunt, provided he doesn't get to complacent, will win 
easily.

-- 
A. Joseph Ross, J.D.                           617.367.0468
 92 State Street, Suite 700                   Fax 617.507.7856
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