Enthusiasm gap in Mass. Senate race

Politico ^ | 1/16/2010 | Jonathan Martin

[Saije]

As the two candidates running in the special Senate election here barnstormed across the state Saturday, the enthusiasm gap between the two parties was on vivid display.

Democrat Martha Coakley, Massachusetts’ attorney general, kicked off a series of stops with a morning speech at a Boston union hall, receiving a response more polite than enthusiastic.

Coakley and Vicki Kennedy, the widow of the late senator, both addressed a crowd of about 100 electrical workers but it fell to a state representative from nearby Dorchester to deliver the closing remarks aimed at firing up the Democrats.

“I see there is some excitement in this room but there is not enough excitement in this room,” Martin Walsh said, as the heavily male, Carhartt-and-jeans crowd stood with hands in pockets.

There was no need for such an exhortation on Cape Cod as state Sen. Scott Brown, the Republican nominee, was enveloped by a couple hundred, sign-waving supporters as he attempted to walk into a local pub where another hundred voters waited for an afternoon rally.

“People’s seat, people’s seat!” the Hyannis crowd chanted, aping the retort Brown gave at a debate Monday when asked about “the Kennedy seat.”

With three days until Bay State voters go to the polls to decide whether Democrats will retain their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, the momentum plainly is with the GOP.

He’s drawing crowds rarely seen by Republicans in this state and seems to have more organic support than Coakley, an impression underscored by the imperfect measurement of yard signs spotted for the Republican (many) and the Democrat (none) along the South Shore and on the Cape.

Brown’s message of taking on the state’s entrenched Democratic majority—what he repeatedly calls “the machine”—and addressing a larger discontent among voters here toward Washington has given Republicans an opportunity...

[Saije]

None of it's going to matter unless Brown gets out his vote.

[Prole]

Add in the fact that SEIU, ACORN and other criminal democrat groups have invaded the area.

Hopefully Brown will win, but it's going to be an uphill battle.

[goldstategop]

The Cape is Brown country. There's this huge enthusiasm gap. The Democrats are listless and dispirited. Their rallies have a funereal tone to them.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[NonValueAdded]

Oh, look ... they are playing the gender card.

[The Good Doctor]

Brown enthusiasm in Hyannis. That's particularly sweet. The place were the Kennedy whale regularly beached himself.

[goldstategop]

There isn't a single Coakley sign anywhere up and down the coast and in the working class towns removed from Boston. Boston may be the only place in Massachusetts Coakley can win. It won't be enough.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[arthurus]

If Brown wins after the ACORN effort then one has to conclude that that 53% vote count probably represents 60% or more of the people who legally voted.

[John.Galt2012]

I wonder if someone from Massachusetts could file criminal charges for violation of their civil rights due to voter fraud? That could set a serious precedent to battle ACORN and their ilk in the future.

[Trod Upon]

“Enthusiasm gap”...hmmm...makes me think of...John McCain! Maybe that’s a good sign for Brown.

[Pollster1]

None of it's going to matter unless Brown gets out his vote.

Communist Party worker: If you had two houses, wouldn't you share one with your poor comrades?
Muscovite: Yes of course.
CPW: And if you had two cars, you would share one with the State?
M: Certainly.
CPW: Good! And if you had two shirts, wouldn't you share one with your neighbor?
M: Nyet.
CPW: No? Why not?
M: I actually have two shirts.

Quite a few of the Massachusetts liberals have just discovered that Obama/Pelosi want to tax their health insurance, and they're not quite so generous as when they thought it was only other people's money that the socialists were giving away. Quite a few of their Catholic neighbors have just discovered that it's not just Southern Baptists who are losing their God-given right to the free exercise of religion, and they're not amused. Nope, the libs are not enthusiastic, but Brown's voters are.

[Eaker]

Good post!

[Alistair Stratford IV]

Cullinane, speaking following the Clinton rally Friday, said some of his own members know that Brown opposes their agenda but are telling him, “’I’m not voting for that broad.’

LOL!!!

Classic...

[goldstategop]

Especially blue collar workers. They know Coakley looks down on them and they can't stand her.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[Alistair Stratford IV]

I've lived in Mass. all my life...the one party dem corruption machine...I've never seen a race like this...I got a call today about Coakley being anti-catholic...it was great!!

I told my wife "this is what a real senate race feels like."

Brown will win this by at least 5, bank it.

[q_an_a]

Take a look at a PJTV story about Boston today. SEIU workers with their shirts on and their union buttons/badges telling a Black Reporter - we are voting for Brown becasue our union is out of touch with us.

[danamco]

Send the guy some more dough,

and do it all for Mary Joe!