FB: Liberty League

[JT]

Not to hit a political stride here -- so let's leave political debate out of any discussion that spawns from this -- but, I don't think I've witnessed such a huge turnaround in such a short time by one candidate in a statewide or national race like the one we're seeing right now in Massachusetts for the Senate seat opened by the passing of Ted Kennedy.

The latest Suffolk University poll puts the race at Brown (R) 50%, Coakley (D) 46%, Kennedy (I) 3%, Undecided 1%.  In November, the race showed a 31-point lead for Coakley, a 35-point turnaround if the poll is correct on its face.  Massachusetts has historically been one of the most liberal states in the Union, although the Governorship has been held by Republicans a fair amount (Weld, Cellucci, Swift, Romney) -- although, you could argue how conservative or liberal each of those Republicans were.  

Do I think Brown will win?  No -- I think polls tend to undercompensate urban areas (and Suffolk County is very pro-Coakley still).  However, this should've never been a horserace.  Yet, Coakley still is making a number of gaffes publicly giving Brown a chance to do the unthinkable.  Massachusetts, a state with universal healthcare, seems to be suggesting they're not in love with their own system if this vote is becoming a vote on the 41st "No" vote in the Senate.  There's a lot to look at here in a seemingly simple statewide election, so you're going to be seeing a lot about it over the next 4 days until voting is over (and maybe more after voting is closed).

I've been watching this and not trying to make this political but 3 things are sticking out to SF as humorous:

1.  Her Campaign misspelled Massachusetts on 1 of her TV ads --- D'oh!
2.  She said " we have reason to believe the terrorists have all left Afghanistan"...
3.  a supporter of hers tackled a newspaper reporter into a fence  when he asked about the Afghanistan question... SF has seen the tape and is concluding the supporter was probably a DB at Williams or something.  Nice form.

Coakley people also put a out negative ad associating Brown with people he doesn't even know.  And mentioning Brown's connection to Wall St fat cats using the World Trade Center (pre 9-11) as the background.  

Proof that you can't cure stupid.

You da man. +K

[Jonny Utah]

Not to hit a political stride here -- so let's leave political debate out of any discussion that spawns from this -- but, I don't think I've witnessed such a huge turnaround in such a short time by one candidate in a statewide or national race like the one we're seeing right now in Massachusetts for the Senate seat opened by the passing of Ted Kennedy.

The latest Suffolk University poll puts the race at Brown (R) 50%, Coakley (D) 46%, Kennedy (I) 3%, Undecided 1%.  In November, the race showed a 31-point lead for Coakley, a 35-point turnaround if the poll is correct on its face.  Massachusetts has historically been one of the most liberal states in the Union, although the Governorship has been held by Republicans a fair amount (Weld, Cellucci, Swift, Romney) -- although, you could argue how conservative or liberal each of those Republicans were.  

Do I think Brown will win?  No -- I think polls tend to undercompensate urban areas (and Suffolk County is very pro-Coakley still).  However, this should've never been a horserace.  Yet, Coakley still is making a number of gaffes publicly giving Brown a chance to do the unthinkable.  Massachusetts, a state with universal healthcare, seems to be suggesting they're not in love with their own system if this vote is becoming a vote on the 41st "No" vote in the Senate.  There's a lot to look at here in a seemingly simple statewide election, so you're going to be seeing a lot about it over the next 4 days until voting is over (and maybe more after voting is closed).

This really has been an interesting race here Frank, and its one that I have been following pretty close.  There there are a few reasons why this race has closed up so much (or appears to have closed up).

Coakley basically didn't campaign until this race got close and people realize that.  She doesn't go around and talk to people in cities and towns like your average politician does, and probably should do.  

Coakley also has run a lot of negative ads recently, and that has also pissed off some people.  And its not the fact that the ads are simply negative, its that the ads simply don't fly with an intelligent voting base.  Comparing Brown to "Bush, Rush Limbaugh, Cheney" and then emphasising the word 'republican' in every add is just not flying with people.

MA also has a very unpopular democratic governor right now.  He has really given democrats a bad name here in local MA politics.

And another bottom like is that coakley comes off as more of an old school boring politician, while Brown is a young engeretic man looking for "change".

Agreed with all of this Utah....Coakley had lost her lead prior to the negative ad campaign though.

You are right.  But it was the recent apathy and inaction on Coakley's part that really swung my vote.  Im a Union guy and Coakley has always backed the real working class in MA.  In fact, she has actually done a lot of good things as AG here in MA.  But you wouldn't know it by the campaign she is running.  If shes going to be that lazy now, god knows what will happen if she is simply given a senate seat.

The other bottom line is that Brown is simply more charasmatic than Coakley. 

But it looks like Obama himself is coming to Massachusetts himself to campaign for coakley now.  It will get interesting.

[dlippiel]

= Honestly the more dlip hears about this ****in scumbag the more he hopes this asshole gets what he deserves. Someone earlier said it best, if I was Tubberville I would literally carry a ****ing recorder with me everyday. The first conversation I had with ************ I would simply say; "blah blah blah listen Craig I am recording every single conversation we have. I have multiple packaging set-ups with postage ready at home waiting to have a recorded tape placed in them and sent to multiple media outlets, including your employer espn. I look forward to working with you and your son."

[JT]

Not to hit a political stride here -- so let's leave political debate out of any discussion that spawns from this -- but, I don't think I've witnessed such a huge turnaround in such a short time by one candidate in a statewide or national race like the one we're seeing right now in Massachusetts for the Senate seat opened by the passing of Ted Kennedy.

The latest Suffolk University poll puts the race at Brown (R) 50%, Coakley (D) 46%, Kennedy (I) 3%, Undecided 1%.  In November, the race showed a 31-point lead for Coakley, a 35-point turnaround if the poll is correct on its face.  Massachusetts has historically been one of the most liberal states in the Union, although the Governorship has been held by Republicans a fair amount (Weld, Cellucci, Swift, Romney) -- although, you could argue how conservative or liberal each of those Republicans were.  

Do I think Brown will win?  No -- I think polls tend to undercompensate urban areas (and Suffolk County is very pro-Coakley still).  However, this should've never been a horserace.  Yet, Coakley still is making a number of gaffes publicly giving Brown a chance to do the unthinkable.  Massachusetts, a state with universal healthcare, seems to be suggesting they're not in love with their own system if this vote is becoming a vote on the 41st "No" vote in the Senate.  There's a lot to look at here in a seemingly simple statewide election, so you're going to be seeing a lot about it over the next 4 days until voting is over (and maybe more after voting is closed).

This really has been an interesting race here Frank, and its one that I have been following pretty close.  There there are a few reasons why this race has closed up so much (or appears to have closed up).

Coakley basically didn't campaign until this race got close and people realize that.  She doesn't go around and talk to people in cities and towns like your average politician does, and probably should do.  

Coakley also has run a lot of negative ads recently, and that has also pissed off some people.  And its not the fact that the ads are simply negative, its that the ads simply don't fly with an intelligent voting base.  Comparing Brown to "Bush, Rush Limbaugh, Cheney" and then emphasising the word 'republican' in every add is just not flying with people.

MA also has a very unpopular democratic governor right now.  He has really given democrats a bad name here in local MA politics.

And another bottom like is that coakley comes off as more of an old school boring politician, while Brown is a young engeretic man looking for "change".

Agreed with all of this Utah....Coakley had lost her lead prior to the negative ad campaign though.

You are right.  But it was the recent apathy and inaction on Coakley's part that really swung my vote.  Im a Union guy and Coakley has always backed the real working class in MA.  In fact, she has actually done a lot of good things as AG here in MA.  But you wouldn't know it by the campaign she is running.  If shes going to be that lazy now, god knows what will happen if she is simply given a senate seat.

The other bottom line is that Brown is simply more charasmatic than Coakley. 

But it looks like Obama himself is coming to Massachusetts himself to campaign for coakley now.  It will get interesting.

Dissing Fenway fans, catholic hospital workers, and now this.... calling Curt Schilling a Yankee fan.  Talk about out of touch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmNpcMHwOa8&feature=player_embedded

[JT]

I've been called a LOT of things...    01.16.10 at 1:06 am ET
By Curt Schilling

But never, and I mean never, could anyone ever make the mistake of calling me a Yankee fan. Well, check that, if you didn't know what the hell is going on in your own state maybe you could....

[union89]

Not to hit a political stride here -- so let's leave political debate out of any discussion that spawns from this -- but, I don't think I've witnessed such a huge turnaround in such a short time by one candidate in a statewide or national race like the one we're seeing right now in Massachusetts for the Senate seat opened by the passing of Ted Kennedy.

The latest Suffolk University poll puts the race at Brown (R) 50%, Coakley (D) 46%, Kennedy (I) 3%, Undecided 1%.  In November, the race showed a 31-point lead for Coakley, a 35-point turnaround if the poll is correct on its face.  Massachusetts has historically been one of the most liberal states in the Union, although the Governorship has been held by Republicans a fair amount (Weld, Cellucci, Swift, Romney) -- although, you could argue how conservative or liberal each of those Republicans were.  

Do I think Brown will win?  No -- I think polls tend to undercompensate urban areas (and Suffolk County is very pro-Coakley still).  However, this should've never been a horserace.  Yet, Coakley still is making a number of gaffes publicly giving Brown a chance to do the unthinkable.  Massachusetts, a state with universal healthcare, seems to be suggesting they're not in love with their own system if this vote is becoming a vote on the 41st "No" vote in the Senate.  There's a lot to look at here in a seemingly simple statewide election, so you're going to be seeing a lot about it over the next 4 days until voting is over (and maybe more after voting is closed).

This really has been an interesting race here Frank, and its one that I have been following pretty close.  There there are a few reasons why this race has closed up so much (or appears to have closed up).

Coakley basically didn't campaign until this race got close and people realize that.  She doesn't go around and talk to people in cities and towns like your average politician does, and probably should do.  

Coakley also has run a lot of negative ads recently, and that has also pissed off some people.  And its not the fact that the ads are simply negative, its that the ads simply don't fly with an intelligent voting base.  Comparing Brown to "Bush, Rush Limbaugh, Cheney" and then emphasising the word 'republican' in every add is just not flying with people.

MA also has a very unpopular democratic governor right now.  He has really given democrats a bad name here in local MA politics.

And another bottom like is that coakley comes off as more of an old school boring politician, while Brown is a young engeretic man looking for "change".

Agreed with all of this Utah....Coakley had lost her lead prior to the negative ad campaign though.

You are right.  But it was the recent apathy and inaction on Coakley's part that really swung my vote.  Im a Union guy and Coakley has always backed the real working class in MA.  In fact, she has actually done a lot of good things as AG here in MA.  But you wouldn't know it by the campaign she is running.  If shes going to be that lazy now, god knows what will happen if she is simply given a senate seat.

The other bottom line is that Brown is simply more charasmatic than Coakley. 

But it looks like Obama himself is coming to Massachusetts himself to campaign for coakley now.  It will get interesting.

The police & fire Unions in Worcester have thrown their support to Brown.

[Jonny Utah]

I've been called a LOT of things...    01.16.10 at 1:06 am ET
By Curt Schilling

But never, and I mean never, could anyone ever make the mistake of calling me a Yankee fan. Well, check that, if you didn't know what the hell is going on in your own state maybe you could....

Now its clear to me that she mispoke and really wasn't paying attention to the question, but I really think she simply heard the name "Curt Schilling" and associated it with the word "republican" and then associated that with something else she probably thinks people hate, so she used the word "yankees".

Thats exactly the kind of amateur stuff she has been doing to dlip up her campaign the past few months.

[Frank Rossi]

= Honestly the more dlip hears about this ****in scumbag the more he hopes this asshole gets what he deserves. Someone earlier said it best, if I was Tubberville I would literally carry a ****ing recorder with me everyday. The first conversation I had with ************ I would simply say; "blah blah blah listen Craig I am recording every single conversation we have. I have multiple packaging set-ups with postage ready at home waiting to have a recorded tape placed in them and sent to multiple media outlets, including your employer espn. I look forward to working with you and your son."

Playing devil's advocate here, though... Why have we not heard really any players corroborating these meddling allegations?  I'm sure Craig James would have been known and visible to any player who's been there long enough to know these personalities.  The players have pretty much supported Adam James during this whole thing -- My point is that we're pretty much trusting the allegations of a wrong-doer without looking for much to corroborate those allegations.  There's a lot more supporting evidence in the other direction presently -- and that's why I'm not really comfortable crucifying James yet.  Of course, that could change.

[JT]

I've been called a LOT of things...    01.16.10 at 1:06 am ET
By Curt Schilling

But never, and I mean never, could anyone ever make the mistake of calling me a Yankee fan. Well, check that, if you didn't know what the hell is going on in your own state maybe you could....

Now its clear to me that she mispoke and really wasn't paying attention to the question, but I really think she simply heard the name "Curt Schilling" and associated it with the word "republican" and then associated that with something else she probably thinks people hate, so she used the word "yankees".

Thats exactly the kind of amateur stuff she has been doing to dlip up her campaign the past few months.

Nah... she has no idea who he is. She tried to cover by saying he's not on the team anymore.  Even Gro knows about the bloody sock and 2004.  She makes no effort to understand the things that are important to her potential constituents.  Even John Kerry couldn't name ONE Red Sox in 2004.  It seems to be a common theme among the political elite in Massachusetts

[union89]

I've been called a LOT of things...    01.16.10 at 1:06 am ET
By Curt Schilling

But never, and I mean never, could anyone ever make the mistake of calling me a Yankee fan. Well, check that, if you didn't know what the hell is going on in your own state maybe you could....

Now its clear to me that she mispoke and really wasn't paying attention to the question, but I really think she simply heard the name "Curt Schilling" and associated it with the word "republican" and then associated that with something else she probably thinks people hate, so she used the word "yankees".

Thats exactly the kind of amateur stuff she has been doing to dlip up her campaign the past few months.

Nah... she has no idea who he is. She tried to cover by saying he's not on the team anymore.  Even Gro knows about the bloody sock and 2004.  She makes no effort to understand the things that are important to her potential constituents.  Even John Kerry couldn't name ONE Red Sox in 2004.  It seems to be a comment theme among the political elite in Massachusetts

Wait a minute.....democrats in MA know their sports.  The man who's seat this belongs to gave a shout out to 'Mike Mcgwire & Sammy Suuusar' during the big home run chase a couple years ago. 

[Doid23]

Why have we not heard really any players corroborating these meddling allegations?  I'm sure Craig James would have been known and visible to any player who's been there long enough to know these personalities.  The players have pretty much supported Adam James during this whole thing -- My point is that we're pretty much trusting the allegations of a wrong-doer without looking for much to corroborate those allegations.  There's a lot more supporting evidence in the other direction presently -- and that's why I'm not really comfortable crucifying James yet.  Of course, that could change.

First of, it's ALLEGED wrong doer as it relates to Leach. And what crime are we talking about? Did he hit a kid? Was any harm done to the kid? The only offense he has been accused of is bad judgement and immature behavior.

As to the players, how exactly would they be aware of phone calls between Craig James and the staff? Also, there are a lot of kids on a football team, and everyone has their group. And I'm sure Adam Jones has some good friends on the team. And there are a lot of kids who don't get the playing time they think they deserve.

[Frank Rossi]

Why have we not heard really any players corroborating these meddling allegations?  I'm sure Craig James would have been known and visible to any player who's been there long enough to know these personalities.  The players have pretty much supported Adam James during this whole thing -- My point is that we're pretty much trusting the allegations of a wrong-doer without looking for much to corroborate those allegations.  There's a lot more supporting evidence in the other direction presently -- and that's why I'm not really comfortable crucifying James yet.  Of course, that could change.

First of, it's ALLEGED wrong doer as it relates to Leach. And what crime are we talking about? Did he hit a kid? Was any harm done to the kid? The only offense he has been accused of is bad judgement and immature behavior.

As to the players, how exactly would they be aware of phone calls between Craig James and the staff? Also, there are a lot of kids on a football team, and everyone has their group. And I'm sure Adam Jones has some good friends on the team. And there are a lot of kids who don't get the playing time they think they deserve.

So that automatically means that Craig James is to blame for all of this?  That's my point -- these things are not mutually exclusive.  And let's face it -- Leach would've told somebody about all of this meddling if it reached the level that he's now claiming it reached.  That's the problem here -- his allegations are lacking proof currently.  As I said, this could change, but I'm not seeing much support of them yet.

As for Leach's "crime" -- obviously it was bad enough for his own trainer to disobey his order to lock the kid in the electrical closet.  So draw your own conclusions about what that all means.  My point above is that James may not have crossed any lines, not that Leach is/isn't a saint.

[mattvsmith]

[Being completely out of touch with their constituents] seems to be a common theme among the political elite in Massachusetts

Only in Massachusetts?

[Knightstalker]

I've been called a LOT of things...    01.16.10 at 1:06 am ET
By Curt Schilling

But never, and I mean never, could anyone ever make the mistake of calling me a Yankee fan. Well, check that, if you didn't know what the hell is going on in your own state maybe you could....

Now its clear to me that she mispoke and really wasn't paying attention to the question, but I really think she simply heard the name "Curt Schilling" and associated it with the word "republican" and then associated that with something else she probably thinks people hate, so she used the word "yankees".

Thats exactly the kind of amateur stuff she has been doing to dlip up her campaign the past few months.

Nah... she has no idea who he is. She tried to cover by saying he's not on the team anymore.  Even Gro knows about the bloody sock and 2004.  She makes no effort to understand the things that are important to her potential constituents.  Even John Kerry couldn't name ONE Red Sox in 2004.  It seems to be a comment theme among the political elite in Massachusetts

Wait a minute.....democrats in MA know their sports.  The man who's seat this belongs to gave a shout out to 'Mike Mcgwire & Sammy Suuusar' during the big home run chase a couple years ago. 

Yeah but he was sober at the time and you know Teddy couldn't function sober.

[JT]

[Being completely out of touch with their constituents] seems to be a common theme among the political elite in Massachusetts

Only in Massachusetts?

NJ politicians suck too, but they get the little things like sports teams and heroes right.  Neither she nor Kerry could put in the 5 minutes to read (the little sheet the advance team gives them) about what working people care about.  I believe that attitude translates when they get to DC.