Over on Left in Lowell, my fellow Blogger Jack seems to have an issue with an item the Sun and I featured on Sunday in our notes columns, about John MacDonald being viewed has “City Manager Bernie Lynch’s man in the race ” Jack ask,
But, why tie Lynch and MacDonald together?
There is a faction of this city that hates, if not Lynch personally, they hate how he runs the city. Of the roughly 7,500 Strong City Voters in Lowell, I’d say about half cut against Lynch. Connecting Lynch to MacDonald will slap the brakes on any traction that MacDonald is getting with those Lowellians. Someone is scared of MacDonald and they, thinking Lynch is an albatross, are attempting to tie Lynch around his neck . …Later he say’s ….This is dirty pool
Jack, long time Lowellians know that Fred Doyle is a well known BOMB tosser and doesn’t need a who to attack people..he is very capable of attacking on his own. Go to You Tube and type in his name. His rant against the Sun and others from the 1970′s is a thing of beauty and shows Fast Freddy at his best. He stated on City Life earlier this year (before walking off) that he was going after Lynch and so it begins
Why tie MacDonald and Lynch? Because very few Lowellians know MacDonald and because he has among others in his inner circle former Asst. City Manager Matt Coggins, so people figure he’s an insider. Plus a lot of his funding to date has come from outside of the city and people figure it’s Bernie, SAL and their connections. I seriously doubt anyone is scared of MacDonald, unless it’s Rodney Elliot who finished 9th in the last election.
I think you are wrong and I don’t believe it is anywhere near half of the 7,500 voters against Lynch. I’d say it is closer to 5,000 fore and maybe at the high end 2,500 against.
When I asked the Manager about MacDonald he replied the same way he did in public, he has no candidate and will speak with anyone who ask. Seeing he responds to a couple Loud mouths like You and I is proof of that fact. Say what you want about the Manager but HE IS the SMARTEST POLITICIAN IN LOWELL and would never run 1 candidate nor get involved in a city election for 1 person. He can count and the Magic # is always SIX not ONE!
So Jack, On the one hand it is unfair to MacDonald or Lynch to tie them together but it is okay for a clearly Democratic left leaning Blog to state that this man running for office is doing so just to get ready for higher office? That he is a farm team player being groomed for better things? That isn’t demeaning or playing dirty?
It appears to me that YOU and Left in Lowell are doing what you are accusing Fred Doyle and your favorite villain the unknown/unnamed “Them” – (“who” is using Doyle’s mouth to get that message out?) of doing. Attacking and smearing a candidate because of who he is affiliated with.
You’re attacking a Republican but trying to do it while saying some of my best friends are republicans. I was shocked you didn’t mention your love of the Right Side of Lowell BLOG and your membership in the PAC Move Lowell Forward to show that no matter how much this appears to be an attack against the Republicans I am trying my best to NOT make it obvious. I do like your little disclaimer “John MacDonald is a Republican. That doesn’t make him a bad egg. I voted for Joe Mendonca, a Republican, in 2009. Glad to see this isn’t a partisan shot your about to take..Oh wait it is!
” Let’s start at square one. John MacDonald is a Republican…However, for those pulling for the MAGOP, the effort to build a farm team is paramount. Thus, Republican State Committeeman Jeff Wilson is bent on making his play…There are those, me being one, that think John MacDonald is running for City Council with the intent of quickly jumping up the politcal ladder. A quick stint will segway into a run for higher office. Now, you can care little about my opinion, but don’t dare state that it is poorly formed.
MacDonald is running a campaign that is head and shoulders beyond the realm of the typical city council race. He is effectively running the caliber of campaign seen in US Congressional races. I surmise the intent is to demonstrate that “grassroots” folks can be trusted with running effective high level campaigns. Some may remember the rift created when monied GOPers lined up behind Jon Golnik, as opposed to the local activists’ fave, Sam Meas. It sure don’t hurt to prove to the MAGOP that the locals ain’t yokels
Saying the Republicans are setting this guy up to be their poster boy for future higher elected office and they are using a non-partisan city council race to get him name recognition and a starting point for a political career is okay but tying him to the City Manager is somehow wrong?
Should Cliff and the Republicans start attacking Marty Lorrey saying he has been a long time active Democratic foot soldier and the party is behind him to help him launch his political career? Should he be dismissed has just be a part of a farm team the way you paint MacDonald?
So using your Democratic Left Leaning Blog to attack the Republicans isn’t Dirty Pool?
It is Okay to call him a Republican Farm teamer but not okay for someone to say MacDonald is Bernie’s man in the race?
I guess the term Dirty Pool depends on which side your swimming on… the Red or the BLUE.
Odd, I don’t recall seeing Curtis LeMay or Marie Sweeney on City Life, laying out a strategy to get Dems elected to higher office; like Jeff Wilson did. That was a blunder on his part. He threw the gauntlet down.
You can call out my political stripes, as you see fit. Then you can prescribe my motivation, once again, as you see fit.
I have said privately, publicly and on blogs; if Cliff Krieger opts to run for any state level office, I will support his candidacy to the utmost. I will support Joe Mendonca in his re-election bid. These gentlemen are serious about their political ideals and their character is beyond reproach.
Knock yourself out in your attempt to portray me as a party idealogue.
Knock yourself out in your attempt to portray me as a party idealogue.
I don’t have to portay you has anything Jack, you do that yourself
Really Jack??? I don’t think that the Dems need a strategy to get people elected to higher office. They appear to have figured that out pretty well. The Republicans are in great need of a strategy. It was at one time a central theme of Mitt Romney’s platform in MA. The entire US House delegation is Democrat. Only Scott Brown breaks the mold. And look at the Statehouse. You could hold the Republican reps meeting in a broom closet. The Republicans need to do this type of outreach. You cannot compare the two. It’s just silly.
Mary, I mostly agree. I’ve had conversations on this very topic. I’d actually like to see a GOPer uptick, just to have better checks and balances, as The Founders intended.
But, Jeff Wilson got cocky. He threw the gauntlet down. I can’t just stand there, miffed.
The problem with the MAGOP is that they are greedy. They want the governorship. They habitually overshoot the lege, reaching for the the top.
Of course, the biggest problem lies with the platform. It’s hard to convince Bay Staters to go along with talking point fabricated in Kentucky.
Jack The Republicans have owned the Governorship in MA until Deval came along for most of my 49 years.
From 1961 through 2010 MOST Govs. of this State were Repulicans (Volpe, Sargent, Weld, Cellecui, Swift, Romney) with the occasional break for a Dem, ( Peabody, King, Dukakis)
Not much of a reach when you have had the office for the Majority of time.
The thing from the post on LiL that struck me was the $500 from the anti-gay PAC that was donated to MacDonald’s. Seems strange that they would be contributing to a city race especially for a challenger. Am I being a conspiracy theorist or does this feel like someone might be trying to stack lower level/non-partisan offices with those who will support a radical right wing agenda?
Give the Mill Girl a see-gar!
And Gerry you’re so against PAC’s why aren’t you crying fowl on MacDonald’s accepting PAC money of any kind? Or is it that you just attack MLF which doesn’t donate ANY money to anyone?
I’m am against any politician accepting PAC Money and have stated so often. Doesn’t mean I have to ATTACK anyone. I don’t CRY over anything a candidate does or doesn’t do Paul…I grew up a long time ago..do you cry often? I actually know Marty Lorrey (he was my boss for a short time when I summered at the Lowell Post Office) and have only met John MacDonald twice since he has announced so if you are trying to somehow paint me has being his friend or supporter you are wrong.
I don’t ATTACK MLF everyday for being a PAC just when they present papaers under the guise of being civic minded instead of Political Minded.
When I last checked the Money NO PAC’s had yet donated, so next time I will mention who has or has not.
Let’s explore this statement: “just when they present papaers under the guise of being civic minded instead of Political Minded.” Fair enough. I don’t agree, but it’s your opinion.
MLF is a PAC focused on issues confronting Lowell. We have an agenda. I think it is a very palatable agenda, but again, an opinion, mine.
Here is MIPAC’s agenda:
Is MIPAC interested in Lowell or beating back the “homosexual lobby?”
No difference to you, Gerry? PAC = Bad?
Jack,
PAC = Special Interest and we elect the politicians to represent US – the avaerage working our ass off people – NOT the PAC’s who by definition are SPECIAL INTEREST (Some Good others NOT SO) committee’s formed by a special-interest group to raise money for their favorite political candidates
No matter how well intended and how many ways you want to spin it, MLF is a Special Interest group pushing YOUR Agenda for a better Lowell even if the majority of Lowellians have no say about your agenda. Yes they could join but most choose not to and that leaves 20 +/ – People submitting Papers and Policy ideas without getting elected and only supporting / endorsing a few of the councilors with Paid Ads and Flyers of Support.
Living up the the definition..special-interest group to raise money (in this case free ads) for their favorite political candidates
20+ members? LMAO!
If MacDonald doesn’t return that donation then he’s put the partisan into this race. This is a story that should run on the first page of the Lowell Sun. Of course ,he’s been buying lost of ad space so we know that won’t happen.
I’m with RIN on the 20+.
What I am confused about is what Gerry thinks MLF’s “special interests” are, which he talks about in a generic way, as though “special interests” were a bad thing.
I am a member of the NRA. The NRA represents a special interest. It is a special interest I don’t see the ACLU representing. On the other hand, the ACLU is a dogged fighter for the First Amendment and I see that as very good. There are “special interests” everywhere. At one time my wife worked for PMAA, the Petroleum Marketeers Association of America. A special interest—the small business gas station owners and home heading oil distributors in this nation; as opposed to the “majors”, the folks like BP and CITGO. Who speaks for the little guy? In the case of gas stations it is PMAA down in DC.
That MLF is a PAC is because we are trying to be careful to operate within the rules laid down, rules laid down because of concerns in DC and on Beacon Hill that politics is awash with money and that the money is corrupting. Thus legislation to push it out into the open and such legislation includes the creation of PACs. Like all legislation, the solution has within it new problems, but that is for another time.
Mr John MacDonald may well be gaining support from people who think he would be a good future candidate for state level office. I can assure you it is not the Lowell Republican City Committee and it is not the Ward 1 Republican Committee here in Lowell. As for Jeff Wilson talking about going out and finding candidates, that is part of his job, as I understand it. If he isn’t I will not be voting for him next time he is up for election.
As for Jack Mitchell, I would value his support very much. With Jack Mitchell and $7,500 dollars I could have a great time running for office. Gerry, can you give me $500 this year and then another $500 next year? RIN?
Regards — Cliff
LOL Sorry Cliff, I’m a little short, you’ll have to settle for Jack’s dough.
Maybe you should go out and meet the owners of Trinity who not only contribute very much to the many City Activities like the Folk Festival and City of Lights parade but seem to support many candidates.
Just don’t tell Jack because he seems to think they are evil for contribution to people other than those that Jack approves of.
Wow. Hopefully John MacDonald gets this much buzz from the voters.
If I could clear up a few things.
First I know John MacDonald and he’s a very good person. Decent. Upstanding modest. I don’t know if he has future ambitions, but he’s acting like he really wants to be a Lowell City councillor.
He is a Republican, and he’s on the Lowell RCC. For all of you Dems the RTC’s and RCC’s in most of the state, including the MV, are pretty clubs and any plots hatched there are pretty mild.
The State GOP doesn’t really venture much past Boston, hence the focus on the governor’s race. Note that Baker was a good fundraiser and raised money for the party- 90% or which went back to supporting Baker. This is the number one issue amongst us (lack of party support on the local level).
I didn’t hear Jeff Wilson speak and I only met him once. I am sure his point in laying out a vision was to let people know we had a vision and planned somehow reduce our minority status.
I think the PAC is more pro-life than anything- Republican candidates will take money wherever they can get it- we don’t have access to the big bucks like the Dems. In this kind of election (off year) you ask everyone (and he obviously as an MV businessman knows people everywhere) and take what comes your way.
To sum it up- he’s a regular guy and will do a great job. He knows a lot of political people and they’re helping him.
Great. So now he’s anti-gay AND anti-choice. Also he’s willing to take money from anyone regardless of their political stance. Thanks for clearing this all up.
MIll Gril- A good guy wants to run for office and the first thing you want to do is smear him. Nice. I think I pointed out that there is no reason to think he is anti-gay. Even if he is personally pro-life (which is his right) that should have no bearing on a council race. Last I knew the Catholic Chruch and every other religious organization was officiially anti-abortion.
As to taking money the Democrats take money from everyone and in buckets. Why do the dentists have a PAC (and a generous one too)? What do they expect for their money? What about the beer distributors? All the unions? Little or none of that money goes to Republicans.
If I am a pro-choice, anti-discrimination voter, why would I vote for a anti-choice, pro-discrimination candidate? He might be a great guy but the point of representative government is to vote for someone to represent you who will vote as you would. There is no smear involved if I’m pointing out that this candidate has taken money from a group that has a radical right wing agenda. If you also hold that agenda then you should vote for him.
Shouldn’t candidates be accountable for accepting donations from groups with a specific agenda?
A lot of those ‘radical right wingers’ are just pro-life/marriage democrats. People may think I’m wrong, but I doubt they think it is based on hate. I have liberal family members who bitch about welfare, while being the conservative will defend it. And I think this why we need to view local elections as non-partisan. In the end you may not vote for John McDonald, he does have ideas he wants to work on. For instance I like a lot of what Jackie Dorherty has to say, but couldn’t support due to other views.
There is probably no way his going to get your vote anyway but “radical right wing agenda is pejorative. In this instance then the Archdiocese of Boston has a radical right wing agenda (and anti-gay and anti-abortion). The trouble is that they have also have a radical left wing agenda because they support full benefits for illegal immigrants. Most labor unions have “radical left wing agendas” for example suppport for single payer health care.
The point is that in local races you focus on local issues and what you beleive candidates can do about them.
PS There is probably no politican in the world who will “vote as you would” because even if you yourself were elected you would make choices and sometimes vote different than your beliefs. On our own Beacon Hill the leaders call the shots and the rest of the House and Senate follow.
I think it depends. How often does a member of the City Council vote on issues related to pro-choice/pro-life? I think the question of marriage for gays and lesbians is settled in this Commonwealth and it is now other groups that are coming to the fore asking for the right to marry. The important questions for City Council probably revolve around taxes and how to bring in more businesses to provide a broader tax base and how to sustain the success we are having. I don’t think abortion and gay rights are really on the table at this time.
That said, if you Mill Girl thinks that those who hold different views should not be allowed a seat at the table at any level, at any time, then she should vote her conscience. “Differences of opinion are what make horse races.”
There are other views, one of which is that at the town and small city level the issues are fairly pragmatic and the goal is to do the best job possible and to build a consensus that includes the maximum number of people in this or that decision.
Regards — Cliff
Well said, Cliff. Although I can understand the concern about the accepting of funds from this group, it should not be in play for the city council. But it does raise the issue that the city council is a mere stepping stone to another office and its associated agenda. That is for another campaign to debate.
I’m unclear on what sort of impact a junior City Councilor in the city of Lowell could have on the issue of gay rights. In terms of harm there’s little risk.
However, his acceptance of this donation DOES cast a wary eye on Mr McDonald’s campaign as well as his character in general*. The modus operandi of the McDonald campaign so far seems to suggest a practice run as there’s a lot more effort and professional campaigning (really John: robo calls?) than one would expect for a seat on the city council…almost as if the machine behind him is already gearing up.
*Of course, his association with Sal Lupoli taints him as well. Ask certain people in Lawrence and they’ll cheerfully tell you they look forward to the day when Lupoli is tossed into prison.
Dishing on Sal Lupoli really puts you in a category all it’s own. The guy is a massive job creator in the Merrimack Valley and a self made success story. In Lawrence he took blighted warehouses and made them into a very successful multi-use locaiton, and Sal’s Pizza places are everywhere.
You need to take some serious issues with Governor Patrick as well, as the state has encourage and supported his activities in mulitple ways.
So you are a Communist of some sort? Foe of prviate enterprise?
I get the concept that the City Council doesn’t deal with issues involving some national issues. For that reason I’ve been known to vote for candidates that are across the spectrum (including those who have different views on abortion rights). I draw the line when it comes to issues involving discrimination. Anyone who thinks they have a right to judge the personal life choices of other citizens is unacceptable at any political level in my opinion. All are free to draw their own conclusions of course.
I think it is a reach to suggest that Mill Girl is a Communist. And, given that Communists tend to decay into Fascists, it might be a bit of an insult.
On the other hand, I would like to see Mill Girl define the limits of resisting discrimination. Is it wrong to discriminate against illegal aliens? Is it wrong to discriminate against those who would change our marriage laws to allow multiple partners at one time? Is it discrimination to …?
And then what IS discrimination in such cases? If I refuse to hire illegal immigrants is that discrimination? If I vote no on changing laws to allow a man to have up to four wives is that discrimination?
I am against applying broad brush judgments towards identifiable groups of people. It is unfair. It is immoral. It is also economically inefficient over the long run, and that hurts our City, our Commonwealth, or region and our Nation. But, from time to time we do have to make choices? What criteria do we use for making such choices?
Gerry—should this be a new thread?
Regards — Cliff
It’s not Mill Girl but Bismark who had issues with Sal Lupoli.
I’ve never even heard of Sal Lupoli so I’m assuming it’s Bismark who’s getting viewed as a communist. I hear the slippery slope arguement Cliff but I think there is an important issue to think about…
Your example went from homosexuals to illegal immigrants and polygamist who are violating exisitng laws. A homosexual couple are not violating any laws and should therefore not be placed in the same category.
With the incredibly high rate of suicide for homosexual teens it is a local issue to make sure there is not a culture of intollerance. I’d imagine that the Lowell School anti-bullying policy would take on a different tone if the members of our council were all in agreement that homosexuals were not worthy of receiving the same rights. Just seems like something we as a community should all care about.
OK, I got confused by the commenting format. I don’t even think of Bismarck as a Communist.
Regards — Cliff
We should fight bullying, in all its forms, and other wrong behaviors also. I just find it a stretch from being against homosexual marriage to being for ignoring bullying, including bullying of homosexual teens. And a stretch no one should be making on any side.
Regards — Cliff