September state primary

[Larry Rhodes]

Hank will crush Kerrigan.

Harold Naughton may have the support of the entrenched Clinton democrats but he doesn't have exactly the same level of support in the outlying towns. In fact I see a nice division in the fractured Clinton Democratic Committee. It's healthy to have competition.

I doubt he'll crush Kerrigan, I believe it will be close, too close to call right now. Whoever wins, the people will have had an actual democratic process take place unlike when no one runs and the incumbent just walks in.

Naughton is displaying less than good judgment by not debating. That's the cowards way out!

Larry R.

[Larry Rhodes]

Good day folks,

I was finally able to find where the state hides the campaign contributions online. It is very interesting to see who gave money to to the Naughton campaign. I can see why our favorite postal worker said that "Hank will crush Kerrigan" He put his money where his mouth is! Here's one for you.

Hillary Clinton for President
Po Box 101436 Arlington, VA 22210         $424.50

for individuals I suggest you go to:

www.efs.cpf.state.ma.us/DisplayReport.aspx?reportId=84050&schedule=DisplayScheduleA

[Bugged]

Most of Kerrigan's donor are Dems from Washington D.C. (and a few from Beverly Hills CA). That ought to tell you something.

[Michael Ballway]

Most of Kerrigan's donor are Dems from Washington D.C. (and a few from Beverly Hills CA). That ought to tell you something.

I crunched some numbers tonight from the site Larry Rhodes linked to ... breaking it down by dollar figures, Kerrigan appears to have gotten 45% of his funding, Jan. 1 to Aug. 29, from Massachusetts; and 37% from the Washington area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia). So not quite "most," but nonetheless your point is valid. The corresponding figures for Naughton are 98.5% to 1.2%; for Knuuttila (state Senate), 97.1% to nothing; and for Flanagan (state Senate), 96.5% to 0.6%. Chandler, the state senator who is unopposed, is at 93.6% in-state, nothing from the Washington area. You're right, Joe, huge difference there between Kerrigan and the other local candidates.

I'm not trying to suggest that this puts him at a disadvantage in local supporters, of course. Benjamin Franklin, U.S. Grant, Abe Lincoln and George Washington no longer are eligible to vote.

[Tony Marini]

The money situation in politics is beyond ridiculous. Regardless of the source, money has corrupted the once honorable calling of public servant. It's all about the money..."show me the money." We're not getting the best representation that we deserve...we get the best that money can buy.

There ought to be a law limiting the money that can be collected for political campaigns to the cost of covering lawn signs. This political "war chest" bull crap is nothing but naked greed. And we also should have term limits. Two or three terms and OUT. I find it repulsive for a politician to regard the office that they hold as "their seat." It's OUR seat, and nobody should ever forget it. We don't need professional politicians...we need citizen servants who bring fresh ideas into government and invigorate the process by their presence. In public service there is always room for politics, that's just human nature. But there should be no room and no tolerance of naked greed.

This isn't just a Naughton vs. Kerrigan thing: It's the whole contemptible political system. I bet if we had the grand sum total of all the money spent on politics in the past two election cycles, country-wide, we'd have enough money to buy heating oil for every senior citizen in the country for 500 years! Talk about pissing money away on nothing...compared to what other useful purposes it could serve. Because if you look real closely at the situation, all that money spent hasn't gotten us very far or done much for the country.

And oh yeah, this situation will NEVER change because the very same human nature that brings us politics in the first place also brings us the self-serving preservation of the political status quo.

I guess I rant too much...

[Boomer]

Tony, you make some good points.   These vultures that roost in our political system are largely contemptible refugees from the dreaded private sector.
 
Can you imagine Hank Naughton making an honest living away from the public trough?
 
I would like to see campaigns that focus debate style on REAL issues:
 
Mr/Mrs Candidate:
   How will you address:
 
       The Trade Deficit, Trade Agreements/Policy, Border Control...
 
I want this pom-pom, rah-rah, one sided media out of the process except for lights, camera, action...

[John Wayne]

ok pilgrims maybe old hammerin hank gets 98 % of his donations from mass but 56 % is from out side the district !

lots of it is from lawers, unions and special intrest lobyists.

[PICCO]

Hank will crush Kerrigan.

  And you have that  correct......

[Bugged]

I guess I rant too much...

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Can you imagine Hank Naughton making an honest living away from the public trough?

He has a private law practice that gets a fair share of clients.

ok pilgrims maybe old hammerin hank gets 98 % of his donations from mass but 56 % is from out side the district !

Kerrigan's percentage is even higher.

[Bugged]

One more thing. The Flanagan/Knuttilla race has not been discussed here. Much like the national race between two dems (Obama/Clinton), thier policy positions are almost identical. However, it is not often enough that I get to vote on a Democrat with a Pro-Life stance , therefore Brian Knuttilla gets the nod from me. He is from Fitchburg, and having been his parent's Letter Carrier for several years, I know the family well. Good stock.

[Boomer]

He has a private law practice that gets a fair share of clients

His specialty is reinstating the privilege of driving for drunks and other alchemists.

[Larry Rhodes]

One more thing. The Flanagan/Knuttilla race has not been discussed here. Much like the national race between two dems (Obama/Clinton), thier policy positions are almost identical. However, it is not often enough that I get to vote on a Democrat with a Pro-Life stance , therefore Brian Knuttilla gets the nod from me. He is from Fitchburg, and having been his parent's Letter Carrier for several years, I know the family well. Good stock.

I would actually agree with you here, Knuttilla is the better candidate but judging from the coffee shop banter and signage in Clinton Flanagan is the favorite here. The democrat core is in her court. I don't think Knuttilla will make it unfortunately. He seems like an intelligent gentleman from what I have observed. That is not to say Flanagan isn't intelligent mind you.

[Larry Rhodes]

Very interesting story in the Worcester Telegram. It seems that Representative Naughton had previously denied that he was a candidate for two Clerk Magistrate positions which if he accepted would trigger a special election.

from the Telegram,

"The Clinton Democrat, a lawyer who will face Stephen J. Kerrigan Tuesday in the Democratic primary for the 12th Worcester District seat, has denied rumors that he was interested in a district court clerk magistrate post".

Mr. Naughton, 47, acknowledged in an interview yesterday that he applied for the courthouse jobs, but said he was told in July 2007 by officials in Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s administration that the positions would not be filled.

“I was told at the time that no action was going to be taken on those,” he said. “My information is those are not going to be filled.”

Becky Deusser, a spokeswoman for the governor, contradicted Mr. Naughton’s interpretation. “We do intend to fill those positions and other judicial positions,” Ms. Deusser said, noting that the administration does not comment on candidates for jobs in the judiciary.

So that leaves us with a conundrum, if we vote were to vote for Representative Naughton and he got an offer for a job that paid $110,220 and also augmented his income by collecting bail fees would he really turn it down? I wouldn't. Then we are stuck in a bad situation where we would need a special election and have another race. Not a good place to be at all.

[Bill Connolly Jr]

So that leaves us with a conundrum, if we vote were to vote for Representative Naughton and he got an offer for a job that paid $110,220 and also augmented his income by collecting bail fees would he really turn it down? I wouldn't. Then we are stuck in a bad situation where we would need a special election and have another race. Not a good place to be at all.

Better place than the alternative!

[Larry Rhodes]

So that leaves us with a conundrum, if we vote were to vote for Representative Naughton and he got an offer for a job that paid $110,220 and also augmented his income by collecting bail fees would he really turn it down? I wouldn't. Then we are stuck in a bad situation where we would need a special election and have another race. Not a good place to be at all.

Better place than the alternative!

Well Bill I'm not really convinced about that. Consider these points before being too enamored by the hometown son.

a. He has had fundraisers at the home of opponents of that shooting range you support, I read that on this forum so I don't know if it's really so bbut think it may be.

b. That special interest group also supports the closing of the boat launch area.

c. He is in the running for a Clerk Magistrate's job and cold leave office no matter what he says now, and I can't say I'd blame him as the pay is better and the hours less.

d. Some of his voting record is really on the liberal side although not all of it. He is socially liberal it seems, even if his opponent is he is as well, whats the main difference in your opinion?

I thought I saw some other post on here that said you were a Republican, why are you supporting a Democrat in the primary? Can you do that? I thought you had to be a Democrat or Unenrolled to vote.

[Bill Connolly Jr]

So that leaves us with a conundrum, if we vote were to vote for Representative Naughton and he got an offer for a job that paid $110,220 and also augmented his income by collecting bail fees would he really turn it down? I wouldn't. Then we are stuck in a bad situation where we would need a special election and have another race. Not a good place to be at all.

Better place than the alternative!

Well Bill I'm not really convinced about that. Consider these points before being too enamored by the hometown son.

a. He has had fundraisers at the home of opponents of that shooting range you support, I read that on this forum so I don't know if it's really so bbut think it may be.

b. That special interest group also supports the closing of the boat launch area.

c. He is in the running for a Clerk Magistrate's job and cold leave office no matter what he says now, and I can't say I'd blame him as the pay is better and the hours less.

d. Some of his voting record is really on the liberal side although not all of it. He is socially liberal it seems, even if his opponent is he is as well, whats the main difference in your opinion?

I thought I saw some other post on here that said you were a Republican, why are you supporting a Democrat in the primary? Can you do that? I thought you had to be a Democrat or Unenrolled to vote.

A&B: So what, in spite of what you might think about me I'm not a single issue voter. Also, what role does a State Rep play in the rifle Range issue? How do you think Kerrigan would vote if he had a say on these issues?

C: So what? He has served us well & says he wants to continue doing so. How long do you think the "carpetbagger" will stick around if Obama wins & all those jobs open up down in Washington. Kerrigans bags are already packed, I wouldn't be surprised if he already had a 1 way ticket to DC. Too bad Palins nomination has cancelled those plans!

D: There are degrees to everything. Hank is on the liberal side of me, heck I think most people are. That doesn't mean I won't vote for the best choice out there. If Naughton is too liberal for you, where on the spectrum would you put Kerrigan, a guy who worships at the alter of Ted Kennedy?

Last time I checked, this was a free country & I could support anyone I choose.

[Bugged]

Most of Kerrigan's donor are Dems from Washington D.C. (and a few from Beverly Hills CA). That ought to tell you something.

I crunched some numbers tonight from the site Larry Rhodes linked to ... breaking it down by dollar figures, Kerrigan appears to have gotten 45% of his funding, Jan. 1 to Aug. 29, from Massachusetts; and 37% from the Washington area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia). So not quite "most," but nonetheless your point is valid. The corresponding figures for Naughton are 98.5% to 1.2%; for Knuuttila (state Senate), 97.1% to nothing; and for Flanagan (state Senate), 96.5% to 0.6%. Chandler, the state senator who is unopposed, is at 93.6% in-state, nothing from the Washington area. You're right, Joe, huge difference there between Kerrigan and the other local candidates.

I'm not trying to suggest that this puts him at a disadvantage in local supporters, of course. Benjamin Franklin, U.S. Grant, Abe Lincoln and George Washington no longer are eligible to vote.

Kerrigan reported contributions of $39,640 since last November, of that only 2,405 came from within the district he wants to represent. If you exclude the $500 he donated to himself, only 1,905 came from donors in the district. That's only 5%! Curious why John Weeks gave $5?

[Larry Rhodes]

A&B: So what, in spite of what you might think about me I'm not a single issue voter. Also, what role does a State Rep play in the rifle Range issue? How do you think Kerrigan would vote if he had a say on these issues?

C: So what? He has served us well & says he wants to continue doing so. How long do you think the "carpetbagger" will stick around if Obama wins & all those jobs open up down in Washington. Kerrigans bags are already packed, I wouldn't be surprised if he already had a 1 way ticket to DC. Too bad Palins nomination has cancelled those plans!

D: There are degrees to everything. Hank is on the liberal side of me, heck I think most people are. That doesn't mean I won't vote for the best choice out there. If Naughton is too liberal for you, where on the spectrum would you put Kerrigan, a guy who worships at the alter of Ted Kennedy?

Last time I checked, this was a free country & I could support anyone I choose.

A/B I'm glad to hear you're not a one issue voter, everything should be considered and in my opinion it is a close race if you look at where each stands on a broad spectrum of issues. I'm not sure how Kerrigan would vote on these issues but an educated guess would be to shut down the shooting area and maybe work with the state on the boat launch.

C If Naughton is offered a Clerk Magistrates job he won't let the door hit his posterior on the way out!  I'm not sure why you call Kerrigan a carpetbagger, He grew up in Lancaster and went where his job took him. He then moved back when those jobs were over and he lives here again. He was on boards in Lancaster, whats the point? Is he less capable because he ventured out in the world and got experience other than living in his hometown all his life. I think the national experience he got would make him a more well rounded candidate than someone who never left the nest! For the record I'm voting for McCain and Palin myself!

D I'm middle of the roadway but lean conservative, an independent  I vote the person who I think would best serve the district in this case. Yes I do think Steve Kerrigan is a bit on the liberal side but not much different than Harold Naughton at all. I'm not convinced he's a total Teddie K. liberal.

You misunderstood my question, or I phrased it wrong, of course you can vote for whoever you want. I just thought if you were a registered republican you couldn't vote in the democratic primary, I believe I'm correct on that.

[PICCO]

A&B: So what, in spite of what you might think about me I'm not a single issue voter. Also, what role does a State Rep play in the rifle Range issue? How do you think Kerrigan would vote if he had a say on these issues?

C: So what? He has served us well & says he wants to continue doing so. How long do you think the "carpetbagger" will stick around if Obama wins & all those jobs open up down in Washington. Kerrigans bags are already packed, I wouldn't be surprised if he already had a 1 way ticket to DC. Too bad Palins nomination has cancelled those plans!

D: There are degrees to everything. Hank is on the liberal side of me, heck I think most people are. That doesn't mean I won't vote for the best choice out there. If Naughton is too liberal for you, where on the spectrum would you put Kerrigan, a guy who worships at the alter of Ted Kennedy?

Last time I checked, this was a free country & I could support anyone I choose.

A/B I'm glad to hear you're not a one issue voter, everything should be considered and in my opinion it is a close race if you look at where each stands on a broad spectrum of issues. I'm not sure how Kerrigan would vote on these issues but an educated guess would be to shut down the shooting area and maybe work with the state on the boat launch.

C If Naughton is offered a Clerk Magistrates job he won't let the door hit his posterior on the way out!  I'm not sure why you call Kerrigan a carpetbagger, He grew up in Lancaster and went where his job took him. He then moved back when those jobs were over and he lives here again. He was on boards in Lancaster, whats the point? Is he less capable because he ventured out in the world and got experience other than living in his hometown all his life. I think the national experience he got would make him a more well rounded candidate than someone who never left the nest! For the record I'm voting for McCain and Palin myself!

D I'm middle of the roadway but lean conservative, an independent  I vote the person who I think would best serve the district in this case. Yes I do think Steve Kerrigan is a bit on the liberal side but not much different than Harold Naughton at all. I'm not convinced he's a total Teddie K. liberal.

You misunderstood my question, or I phrased it wrong, of course you can vote for whoever you want. I just thought if you were a registered republican you couldn't vote in the democratic primary, I believe I'm correct on that.

Granted Harold has lived all his life here, but isn't IRAQ considered leaving the state/town...

[Boomer]

I am the first to admit in this forum as critical as I have been to Naugton, he's accomplished a lot for himself.   As much as it bothers me, I am in agreement with Bill C regarding Naugton the candidate.
The first problem is he's a Massachusetts democrat.   He starts with two strikes right there.   Then he voted with the Sexually Perverse crowd to deny our vote.
 
I did hear a story about how he laughed so loudly and mercilessly at someone who fell in public.   I wish I had been there...