Yesterday's Wall Street Journal posted an article on what to look for in the special election in Massachusetts
On Sunday, Martha Coakley appeared at a church with Boston's Mayor Menino (known locally as Mumbles Menino) and then appeared later with Barack Obama at Northeastern University. This video at You Tube gives you some indication of the excitement Ms. Coakley was able to generate by her appearance. Scott Brown was on a bus tour of the state, stopping at Worcester in the afternoon.
According to the Wall Street Journal, these are the things to look for:
- Will the independent voters turn out? The article points out, " Most recent party enrollment data for state, as of Oct. 15, 2008, showed Democrats with 37% of registered voters and Republicans accounting for 12%. But 51% were independents."
- Will core supporters turn out? Scott Brown needs to have the support of Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans (he seems to be doing well in that area--people who have never voted Republican are planning to do just that in this election).
- Can a Republican win in Massachusetts? Yes, there have been Republican governors, and Ronald Reagan won the state in 1980 and 1984, but it is essentially a one-party state.
- Will there be a backlash against President Obama and his healthcare proposals? This is Massachusetts--I have no idea!
The weather here in Massachusetts today is cold with snow showers. The weather tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same. New Englanders are a hearty bunch, and I am not sure if the weather will affect the turnout or not.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day!
Leave a comment