Health & Fitness
The Seven U.S. Senate Candidates From Massachusetts
The seven US Senate candidates from Massachusetts — who are they, what did they say to me and why you should care.
Being in the Waltham American Legion Band (WALB) and being the 2010-2011 Chairwoman of the 3rd Middlesex Area Democrats (which currently covers the towns of Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford. Concord, Lexington (part), Lincoln, Sudbury (part), Weston, and the city of Waltham), I have had the great fortune of speaking to both current state Senator Scott Brown, R-MA and the six Democratic hopefuls vying for his seat in the fall. First, you're thinking, “it's too early for politics. But, it's not. These men and women are fighting for their hopes, dreams and aspirations and have been for months so that in the September primary and November election day, you will vote for them.
I'm going to give you my personal perspective on my personal observations and not the opinions of the Patch Web site, or the 3rd MAD. First, Senator Brown. I am a Democrat who did not vote for Senator Brown and am not currently working for his re-election. That being said, the stories that he is full of himself and doesn't shake hands or talk to the people is pure horse manure. I obviously have a giant D stamped on my forehead and Senator Brown has taken pictures with me, my son, my family and others at the Newton Memorial Day parade, on the 4th of July in Franklin and has introduced us all to both his wife Gail (who is a Waltham High School graduate who graduated with the WALB Color Guard Captain and Trolley Driver Paul Nichols) and their dog Koda. Senator Brown talked to the WALB about our upcoming travels to Washington, D.C. Sorry to have to say it, but, he's a nice guy who was very respectful to the veterans who shook his hand. He's our Senator so let's give him the respect the job deserves.
But, I have been speaking to all of the candidates for U.S. Senate on the democratic side (all of their Web sites are listed for review of their ideas, qualifications, etc., and I will tell you my abbreviated tales in alphabetical order for fairness.
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Tom is literally walking the walk. He is walking through our 351 community state to meet people and get involved, to see exactly what the people of Massachusetts are suffering through. He is talking directly to constituents learning what the state of the Commonwealth is with his own eyes. He is terrifically friendly, intelligent, motivated and obviously energetic. He has met the strategists, the activists and the grassroots organizers. Now he's hitting each and every section of the state and talking to Mayors, DPW workers, volunteers, business-people, parents, etc. in each town to find out what works and what doesn't. I'm not privy to the data collected, but I think Tom has a great track record and is using a great method to get people to know and support him. My Godmother is supporting Tom - and if anyone knows her personally, her record of candidates supported to candidates winning is excellent. I may end up in the familie’s political doghouse (which is never good) on this one.
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
If there is one person in this race that I think can surprise me, it is spitfire immigration lawyer Maria DeFranco. Marisa is savvy, smart, energized and focused on people, their differences, our commonality, and breaking down how issues affect all of us. She wants to "put government back in the hands of the people." Her job as a lawyer is to fight for the rights of people and win. Marisa supports single-payer healthcare, unions, and insists that politicians stop using women as "political footballs." Marisa has repeatedly spoken to me by phone, Twitter, e-mail, Facebook, in person. She knows that I am supporting another candidate, but is determined to include me in her vision. Marisa discussed the idea of high-speed rail and mag-lev trains with my 8-year-old, weighed his opinion and asked questions about the math and science of his idea. That speaks very clearly of her belief in the intrinsic value of weighing all ideas and it resonates with me.
I try to be as balanced as possible in my writing, which is why all seven of the current declared Senate candidates on both sides are listed in this blog. I can say nothing about Khazei is because despite the many, many events to which we have both been invited, he has never appeared. All of the activists and pols that I know feel he spends too much time out of state fundraising, and that does not build trust and support here.
Mr. Massie is a minister, activist, candidate and non-profit executive. Bob has an amazing track record of positive-change accomplished in several arenas. He was at the Cafe on the Common in Waltham in January to have a town hall meeting with Walthamites, and he has come back several times to meet more of us. I have spoken to Bob in person in Waltham, Watertown, Newton, Franklin, Concord, and Carlisle, by e-mail, by Facebook and Twitter. He works hard keeping in contact with constituents, not just voters. He is conversant in details of issues and solutions/ideas about casinos, unions, healthcare, economy, climate, homeownership, etc. He's personable, dynamic and smart. Bob spoke of what he will do, what his grassroots activists will do, and he listens when people speak to him; really listens and means it. Bob stood in Carlisle, and spoke of the time in our history when a bell-ringing in the town square meant that the community must come together to defeat some problem. There is no hidden agenda with Bob, you get what you see. I like this candidate and I think he will win. (Disclaimer: I'm volunteering for Massie's campaign.)
Mr. Robinson, of Newton, is a fiscally conservative engineer who is in this race to fix the energy problem and to create jobs. He wants to say goodbye to big government without saying goodbye to humanity. He knows he has little chance of winning but does not want to give in because the chance is small. My belief after speaking to Herb is that he wants the government for run as a business, but since businesses get to pick and choose whom they work with, a government can lean to a more business-like model but can not be run a profitable business can be run. Government must accept those with bad credit, are security risks, and those in need of asylum with no assets to back them up. His model can't sustain the humanity of what government is bound to do by unwritten moral contract. I do like that Herb wants to mandate a balanced budget. The state of Massachusetts manages to do this annually, and have for centuries. The federal government should try it. They might like it.
Newton Mayor Setti Warren is a Navy veteran, fiscally responsible Democrat who has saved Newton over $8 million thus far, and he has held 24 town halls thus far. When he speaks, he speaks mainly of what Senator Brown is doing or not doing, of his family and names the issues we are all concerned about. When he spoke at the 3rd MAD barbecue in July, it was the first time in many meetings that he spoke directly about what he wanted to do to fix the problems that he was listing. I know now that he intends to invest in renewable energy, invest in rail projects, fix the economy, engage in fair trade deals and vote the way that the population of Massachusetts asks. When my 8-year-old discussed the topic of job creation with him, candidate Warren patted him on the head and walked away. I think how a person talks to children and senior citizens is indicative of what's inside them deep down. I have heard Warren speak on many occasions and his vision just does not resonate with me, nor of any of the activists or lay-people of whom I discuss this topic.
Get involved, speak up, do something — No matter which political party you belong to, because the more people who participate, the stronger this country becomes. We are all in this together, win or lose, so let's make it the best. May the best candidate win!
