What is Obvious…
I couldn’t help myself. I have to write down some of my speculative thoughts on the “suddenly” open Senate seat before all the chips fall. Because I can.
- First thing I noticed in the announcement from the Sun: it might have started in the “breaking news” section of the website, announced at an odd hour in the evening and all, but it don’t look like it was just broke. Indeed, the Sun tipped its hand in writing a very long, comprehensive piece about Pangiotakos and his background, history, and quotes. They’ve been sitting on this longer than 24 hours, is my guess from reading it. A lot longer.
- We all know, why don’t we say it, that Panagiotakos waited this long to announce his plans because they are hoping fewer people jump in the race to challenge whoever the handpicked successor is. This is awful late in the season to give us this news. A lot of his Senate colleagues not seeking reelection announced weeks ago. I rather resent the fact that we in this district were not accorded a similar courtesy. Especially since the rumors have it that this has been in the works for a while now.
- And let’s just mention that more than a few people have noticed how “out and about” Rep. Golden has been lately. Sure, out of our three Reps, he’s always been the more gregarious one, but that’s not saying much. Except Golden to be the GOB standard bearer. Dear god, let someone of decent stature oppose him in the primary. I do not want a GOB and a conservaDem in the seat.
- Speaking of people with stature, my hands-on most favorite candidate to run would, of course, be Eileen Donoghue. She has the progressive creds (running a close second to Jamie Eldridge in my esteem in the MA-05 race - that’s praise indeed), the district-wide capability, fundraising oomph, and what’s more, I miss her in public life. We wouldn’t lose a good vote on the City Council like we would if one of them ran, and she’d make a hell of a fine state Senator. And on top of this, we need more women leaders in the state house! Basically, it’s all up sides if Eileen runs. I would have waited and expressed my encouragement to her privately maybe, but what the hell? It’s public. That’s how much I’d want her to run.
- Last comment: there are others I’d be good with if they ran and won. Broderick is a top choice but he’d never do it. 
Martin would also be good. We’d lose them on the Council though (well, not technically, they can hold both, but I’d advise against it if they won the Senate seat).
Okay, your turn. Be polite! I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts too as this can ‘o worms is opened.
March 24th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I agree with you that Matt Murphy had this story wrapped up yesterday. He should be congratulated for the exclusive and to the Sun for keeping the story on the low-grade rumor level.
As for the Sun’s waiting until 5:45 to break the news, interesting tactic! It prevents the other local news outlet from reporting it. I understand the Senator’s office sent out an e-mail blast to the Boston media around 6:15 p.m.
Whoever from the 3 is chosen to run, I do not think he will have an easy race. Remember it is the year of the change. None of them have the goodwill that Senator Panagiatakos has built up.
We do live in interesting times, don’t we?
March 24th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
I heard the news at about 7:30pm on WBUR. I’m with you Lynn — a more progressive or at least open and inclusive voice would be fantastic. Excited to see what happens : )
March 24th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
My prediction: Eileen is in and will be hard to be beat. I also figure either Murphy or Golden will be the top challenger to her, I would bet Murphy because he seems to have less interest in staying in the House although I’d prefer Golden. Even though he’s lived in Lowell his whole life and made friends which makes him a GOB to you. I can tell you, from my view, there’s no hand off, unless its to the one you prefer, Eileen Donoghue because she is definitely the one with the best chance, having already won city-wide and carrying Lowell in the race against Niki Tsongas. so why the hostility towards our State Senator? I mean maybe it is late, but he’s also giving up a guaranteed path to the Senate Presidency in a few years. There was no plan B. It was Therese Murray and then Pangy would be next in line. If thats not worth waiting another few weeks to think things over, I dunno what would be?
March 24th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
“Even though he’s lived in Lowell his whole life and made friends which makes him a GOB to you.”
No, that is NOT what makes him a GOB to me. If you actually read my posts, you’d know that. What makes him a GOB is his actions and who he spends him time with and why. Don’t think I didn’t notice that Golden spent every moment at one of the city council forums he attended with former C. Kazanjian. Come on.
As to Panagiotakos, I have made it no secret that I dislike some of his actions. Most of them entail the things he does outside of the state Senate. He is one of the chief architects of GOBism in this city. I doubt very highly that there were zero calculations on how, when, and who would “succeed” him. Rather, quite the opposite.
March 24th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Let’s not nudge Martin or Broderick, too hard. Think about it!
I like Tom Golden, as a person. I am also very happy with his work as a Rep. If he chooses to run, I will likely support him because he is a homeboy. However, IF Cliff decides to have a go at it from the Right-Side-Of-Lowell, I’ll be torn.
March 24th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
I would find room in my absolutely insane schedule to campaign for Eileen. I really hope she is in the running.
March 24th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I just think having connections and friends automatically makes people bad in your book. Because he’s friends with Kazanjian he must be a crook like Kazanjian, right?
That having been said, I’m sure some of what you said is true. Clearly the story wasn’t “broken” when the Sun reported it.
I just think he decided when he decided. The Senate Presidency was his, You dont make the choice to abandon that lightly. If he really wanted to clear the field, he wouldnt give his potential successors as much time as he did, signatures arent due for a few more weeks.
Or lets go the other way, lets say he want Tom Golden as his hand-picked successor, why wait and give him a short window, unless he knew that Eileen wouldnt run? Because I think she will run. She definitely would be the favorite. If he had a handpicked successor, he’d have announced earlier and let his “GOB” pick start making moves.
Just because Tom Golden has been “out and about” isn’t a smoking gun. Hell your blog was one of the places where his would be opponent was repeatedly throwing his name out there as an opponent. He could have been out and about because of that, or any other potential opponent, especially with the “anti-incumbent” feeling everyone is so afraid lately. If this was a week before signatures were due, then I’d buy it. Maybe if it was a few weeks ago to give his guy time to overcome Eileen’s advantage. But as it is, I think its just the time he chose.
But I will say this, your conspiracy theories are a lot better than Glenn Beck’s
At least yours make sense even though I dont think its true. And I do think you are hard on politicians just because they OMG act like poltiicians! But that is all, should be an interesting few months.
March 24th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
You just think. You don’t know, you assume. You know what they say about people who assume? Go google it.
I said *right* in the post it was speculation, BTW. Very specifically, right there in the first sentence. Might want to read more carefully.
I never said he wanted to clear the field. NOW you’re putting words in my mouth (keyboard, whatever). What I *said* was that it is highly likely that he DELAYED his announcement for political GOB reasons. Hey, if I were a GOB that’s what I’d do. But it’s not (little d) democratic to do that. What made him decide to step down, I have no idea, but I suspect it’s personal. Probably tired of having to slice the budget and see the state suffer, I would be.
I think there has been a lot of indication Eileen isn’t a shoe-in for running. Also, I think they think their GOB network can overwhelm Donoghue’s popularity - after all, the MA-05 race, she was running against someone who was the wife of someone who was very popular, but popular a long time (15 years) ago. Pangy can muster up some muscle in this town - he’s done it on behalf of some of our worst councilors and SC members, but he got them in.
March 24th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Jack
Thank you very much.
I just got the word a half hour ago, from my wife, after class let out.
Interesting times.
Regards — Cliff
March 24th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Are you forgetting that Steve supported Eileen in the Congressional Race! I was shocked to hear the news when I got out of work this evening. Given Steve’s position I think it’s a great loss for Lowell, ie Court House not done yet! I’m not sure who Steve would be supporting at this juncture! I think you are all making alot of Assumptions!
March 24th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
That doesn’t mean she’s the one he’d support for state Senate. Again, it’s all speculation, but knowing the system as it’s mapped out, these are my thoughts. Do I have to mention again the word “speculation” which I used?
I do think it’s a loss for Lowell, his seniority and Ways and Means chair did a lot of good for Lowell. When it came to his job in the Senate, I had a few complaints (the biggest one in regards his vote against gay marriage), but by and large he was pretty good, and even fairly progressive at times. It is his interference in local politics for candidates who were NOT the best ones for the job that I object to. Loyalty to one’s friends is commendable, but I would hope an elected official could put democracy and fairness above that. He frequently disappointed me.
March 24th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Or need I remind people of the delegation’s little full page ad for Kazanjian?
March 24th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
“Steve supported Eileen in the Congressional Race!”
Pangy v Tsongas? When is the filing deadline? May 4th?
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/schedule_10.pdf
March 24th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Who’s this Kazanjian person? The tow truck/dumpster guy?
He didn’t vote for health care reform, did he?
Dude, you so suffer from insider-itis. Grasp the electorate, Lynne. You keep tripping on your values.
March 24th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
I did have a major problem with him on the same-sex marriage issue.
March 25th, 2010 at 6:01 am
It’s not Pangy vs. Tsongas, but maybe Pangy vs. Brown in 2012.
March 25th, 2010 at 6:06 am
My gut churns over Pangy.
-He has “Mitt Romney” hair.
-He is walking away from a foregone conclusion
-He is Stevie Lynch with better….well, better eveything
-Folks are sacred of the Brown Brigade
If he doesn’t primary Niki, I’d be surprised. The table is set.
Whatever he is doing, it is a move up. He won’t just fade away.
March 25th, 2010 at 7:00 am
I don’t see Pangy going into a state wide race. He may have the chits, but voters are immune, to a degree, to those sorts of things. Paul Tsongas redux? Maybe, but not likely.
Where are we at with Meehan going to Suffolk? That could move the pieces around? Meehan redux? Better odds.
March 25th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Am I the only one who thinks there might be a major ethics issue coming down the pike and Pangy is looking to escape before it hits? I guess I’m the cynical type…
March 25th, 2010 at 7:55 am
wilson is retiring—marty moves to head up UMASS
Pangy becomes chancellor at u mass LOWELL–Eileen
runs i hope for senator– end of discussion.
have agood week folks.
March 25th, 2010 at 8:11 am
LOL I admit the thought occurred to me, Mill Girl, which must make me as cynical as you are…but I doubt it. I am guessing there’d be a whisper of that by now, and anyway, Panagiotakos is too smooth to get caught, if there was a there there. IMHO.
Which made his little stunt endorsing Kaz just really puzzling. I thought he was smarter than that. I really did! The other three, I could see doing it, but why would Panagiotakos risk his good graces in the eyes of the voters tying his reputation to that sinking ship? Like I said, the personal loyalty goes above everything else with that crowd - including whether or not your friend is ethical or is good for the city in the position you want to elevate him to.
Then again, I pick my friends for their good ethics, maybe I am just going about it the wrong way.
March 25th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Meet your next City Manager.
March 25th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Eileen running
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_14757246
March 25th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Nangle out, Eileen in, Golden out, Murphy in? Maybe my predictions will be clean sweep!
March 25th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
“I did have a major problem with him on the same-sex marriage issue.”
I can respect people who disagree with me on marriage equality.
What I cannot respect is a Massachusetts state senator adding his name as a co-plaintiff to a lawsuit by a bunch of right-wing nuts from Texas, going into federal court and arguing that Massachusetts’ judges shouldn’t be allowed to interpret the Massachusetts constitution.
That’s disloyal to your state.
March 26th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Thank God Murphy is out! If I hear him say how he ’serves’ one more time, I’m gonna gag. He’s the epitome of GOB.
March 26th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
But if you don’t like Murphy why are you happy that Murphy isn’t running for the seat? He’d then have had to give up his seat in the House.
March 26th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Lowell Resident has a point…sort of why I am disappointed Golden didn’t run…as much as I personally like the guy on some level (despite how condescending he was to me the first time I met him in person), I HATE his voting record. Democrat? Really??
And Murphy, well, Murphy who? Where is this guy? I never see him. Nangle does more in his district than he (Murphy) seems to, and that’s not saying much.
I’m kinda tired of arrogant incumbents who think they sort of just own a seat til they feel like leaving it (once they get their pension sewn up).