“1/18/2010, 1:35pm EST”
Massachusetts voters: Vote for Martha Coakley TODAY
The special election to fill Ted Kennedy’s old seat is tomorrow today, Tuesday, January 19th.
Martha Coakley is running on a progressive Democratic platform to succeed the most iconic and effective progressive Senator of the last 50 years. Her positions on healthcare, the environment, financial reform, education, and just about every other issue are considered and thoughtful. She has a record of working for the public good as a district attorney and the state’s Attorney General. Serious political observers are endorsing her candidacy.
Her opponent, Republican Scott Brown, has shown that he is a better typical political candidate: better at shaking hands, better at avoiding silly gaffes, and better at getting famous Boston athletes to stand on stage with him. But no one should care about that when he’s made clear his intention to shut down the Democratic agenda if elected. Whatever possible progressive change 62% of Massachusetts residents voted for in the last presidential election — yes, there hasn’t been enough, but there’s been a fair amount given unified Republican obstructionism — is dead if he makes it to the Senate.
Aside from his own statements to that effect, anyone familiar with how Washington works these days should know that the GOP will put tremendous pressure on him to tow their destructive, get-power-at-all-costs line. On important legislation, he will bow down to party leaders just as he has done in the Massachusetts State Senate, where he did nothing but vote ‘no’ on Democratic initiatives for ten years.
If Massachusetts voters elect Scott Brown, they will be sending a guy with minimal legislative accomplishments to do nothing for them or the public at large. By strong contrast, Martha Coakley has demonstrated a willingness to work constructively toward real progress.
Never leave home without it.
