Left In Lowell

You Hear That? We’re Fair Weather Liberals

11 Responses to “You Hear That? We’re Fair Weather Liberals”

1. Renee Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 11:33 am

   Website analysis getting out the vote: Patrick vs. Reilly

   I was looking up the caucus information regarding both Patrick and Reilly. Patrick’s site was easier to use. All I had to do was type in my zip code. I’m already at the Patrick site, it assumes I want Patrick and they can get my information later on. The important thing is to get me to the caucus.

   On the other hand, Reilly’s site wanted information about me prior to knowing where I should attend the caucus in my city through their site. I could also find this information through the democratic committee website without giving any information. I thought it was odd, if they wanted to know if I would bring five (5) people with me.

   People still rely on endorsement from friends and family, but now a days people do their own research on the issues. Patrick has information ready and available without a lot of navigation. What would take down a few moments of giving Reilly information and waiting for an email hours later, I had with Patrick within a few seconds.

   It is like when you are shopping on the Internet, a high percentage of people click “buy” but never make it to the check out screen. Patrick makes it very convient to support him.

2. Andy Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 12:55 pm

   Sad that Reilly is so bad at politics he can’t even get his talking points straightened out. Lynne, I don’t know if you saw but I responded to your comment on more budget info by putting up a few websites in my comment.

3. Tim Little Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 2:03 pm

   Hey, Renee…. Nice analysis! There’s one point to consider however:

   I think the difference you describe reflects the very different personalities of the two campaigns:

   Patrick recognizes that a grassroots campaign depends individuals with ready access to information, and an organic network through which that information flows.

   Reilly, on the other hand, still seems to rely on his “Old Bhoy” network where information flows top-down through the machine. As cogs in a machine, individuals are less likely to independently seek out information.

   I think this is supported by what we’ve seen at the caucuses: Patrick had strong grassroots support. Reilly’s machine, on the other hand, seemed a little rusty in spots.

4. Paul@01852 Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 3:48 pm

   Does anyone have Mr. Atsalis’s email? If so I will let Mr. Atsalis know personally that he will be seeing *me* again — a LOT!!!

5. Tim Little Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 4:14 pm

   Ask and you shall receive: Rep.DemetriusAtsalis@hou.state.ma.us

6. K-R-S Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 5:54 pm

   TYPICAL propaganda…Reilly’s people will try to villify the “other end” of the Democratic Party.
   This is precisely, the reason why the Republicans have done so well…the GOP has stayed unified and together.
   The Democratic Party will work to elect one who is an insider, because that’s all they know. They fail to recognize talent.
   They elect folks who are not necessarily in politics for the greater good, but more opportunistic reasons.
   The Dems turn on each other and the GOP sits back and says..
   “Let ‘em kill each other off, we don’t have to do a thing. Just watch & enjoy the show”
   This principle, in fact applies to both parties.
   I have to say, I had previously been an independant. I voted Republican (local delegates) in the last election (mainly out of
   protest) and have always voted for Republican guv’na’s.
   I switched to Democrat on 12/31, because I like Deval Patrick. He is markedly differant from any candidate.
   There are few candidates that come along that spark my interest. I like fire & passion in a candidate. I want a candidate
   who is honestly excited about the propects of serving the greater good. I think many go in w/ this passion and excitement
   and then become apart of the machine and just another cog.
   When a politician loses this fire, they should go..move along..don’t let the door hit ya’..Asta La Vista…Happy Trails…
   Agree or disagree..that’s my opinion and I’m stickin’ to it…
   I think we have to work to expand the INDEPENDANT PARTY.
   Just some thoughts I’ve been kickin’ around…

7. Renee Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 7:01 pm

   Go back to Marty Meehan and his war chest. My biggest beef is the speculation, that he will take Kennedy’s seat in his bio. Like everything, by someone or another (who knows?) has planned the entire thing out.

   Party committees vary from state to state. I volunteered for McCain back in 1999, I left the campaign to go to school full time, before things really began to pick up with the New Hampshire Primary. McCain did well where the process was free flowing, where anyone could open themselves to being a Republican or Democrat. By the time McCain attempted to gain ground in other states, where the process is more controlled by the state committees, ballot and voting requirements were incredibly tedious. It didn’t matter how much he campaigned or spent. It was determined prior to any vote that George Bush was the man.

8. sco Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 7:16 pm

   You should pay Rep. Atsalis a visit. This Friday, everyone will have a chance to prove him wrong. According to the Barnstable Patriot, Rep. Atsalis will have office hours on the 10th. Here’s the fourth item down on that page:

   Rep. Demetrius Atsalis will meet with constituents Feb. 10 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Barnstable Senior Center on Route 28 in Hyannis.

   I’m sure that Rep. Atsalis would be delighted to see you all again.

9. K-R-S Says:
   February 7th, 2006 at 7:40 pm

   Renee~ I agree..these parties/political groups plan their “kings”. I was at a cook out this past Summer, many Cox supporters/family members present and they were freely discussing who was going to take Cox’s place once he leaves and the assention(sp) up the legislative
   ladder by Golden, Pangy and Meehan..I was floored by this personally.
   This type of process essentially takes any percieved choice from the voters and goes back to ugly, torrid back room deals.
   But, once again, this goes back to voter apathy. Machines rely heavily on the fact that folks just don’t get out and vote.
   Sad, but very very true..
   I will always hold the faith that each person makes a differance. My goodness, if you take ALL those folks and put them together..
   what a mighty army indeed!
   I am an ardent optimist at the core..: )
   The only way to combat the backroom, the machine type politics is to be vigilant. NEVER allow them to forget you. Never allow them to forget that you ARE NOT going away. ALways work for transparency, always work on the basic premise of democracy (not party politics).
   That government is BY the people, FOR the people.

10. Paul@01852 Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 4:50 pm

    I won’t be able to “see” Mr. Atsalis at his office on Friday but I did send him the following email:

    ==========================================
    You made this statement which was published on the CapeCodOnline web site: “We’ll never see a lot of these people again,” Atsalis said of the crowd that turned out for the Barnstable caucus. Well Mr Atsalis I promise you you *will* be seeing me and a LOT of people like me because we are fed up with “politics as usual.” I not only “turned out” for my city caucus but I was ELECTED a delegate to the convention. Two other of “these people” were also elected delegates from my ward alone. I suspect you will “see a lot” of them too! Taking the initiative to turn out for a caucus that is poorly publicized (and I believe deliberately so, to keep it an “insider” event) was not done on a whim. I studied the issues and the candidates and made a conscious decision to turn what’s been a democracy in name only into Democracy with a capital “D.” So Mr. Atsalis — be “seeing” you around.

    ===========================================
    Let’s “see” what Rep. Atsalis has to say now

11. K-R-S Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 6:51 pm

    Great post Paul!
    I agree that Caucus(s) (sp)? are not well advertised and I tend to think that events like these deliberately not well advertised.
    Though I have to hand it to Dick Howe, he has really done a great deal to publicize this democratic (not party) process.
    I also tend to think that Rep. Atsalis’ comments were directed at progressives. Being of a progressive mind does not
    necessarily make you a “liberal”.
    I think Progressive as a term may be more broadly applied to all the folks that are
    sick and tired of “party” politics. Our demoocratic process has been hijacked by a very small minority of people.
    I see it as our responsibility to ensure that our Democracy works for everyone whether one is rich, poor, black, white, gay or
    straight..at then end of it all…when we sit at the Pearly Gates..none of those things matter.

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