Left In Lowell

This Sunday Elizabeth Warren will be coming to Lowell for a meeting with people interested in volunteering for her campaign. Her previous stops have all been packed, so I expect this one to be no different. If you think you might want to support her, then you better be there!

I had planned on making a big endorsement announcement, and then some of the major candidates started dropping out (for which I am disappointed, as I like a good primary), so now it would just seem moot and bandwagonish to make a big fuss. But I endorse Warren for Senate, and will be working on her campaign.

The volunteer strategy event is Sunday, November 6th, 1:00 p.m. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. It will take place at the Butler Middle School auditorium, 1140 Gorham Street.

All videos are uploaded, and embedded in the previous post. You should check out the last two videos, as well, or all of them if you have not seen any yet.

And, VOTE ON TUESDAY!

Howie Carr should have been fired a long time ago for his many misdeeds on radio/TV, not the least of which is lying through his teeth, but no respectable outfit ANYwhere should retain this asshole on their staff after he literally blames rape victims for their own rape. I demand that he be fired. Blue Mass Group has the post, but I will embed the despicable audio segment here, as well.

Howie Carr mocks rape victim 11.03.2011 by ScoutSound

I literally could not believe my ears when listening. It’s bad, really bad. Bad enough that if someone gave me a list of his commercial sponsors, I’d call for a boycott. If you want to associate your brand with this piece of shit, then my dollars will go elsewhere.

Call WRKO and tell them to fire this total jerk: (617) 779-3400.

Write to the Boston Herald via this contact form and tell them to stop running anything written by this slimeball. I just called the City Desk and the lady there hadn’t heard the clip, but pulled it up and assured me they would look into it, but we need to see enough call for action to warrant firing a regular columnist. I expressed my heartfelt disgust at anyone who would associate themselves with Carr.

And if you see any other media outlet with this guy spewing his crap on it, let us know in comments. I know he’s often a regular commentator on TV and in other print media.

Mocking and blaming rape victims is so far beyond the pale, it ought to be in the category of using racist terms, and, for most people, it IS.

I was a little late this year with LiL’s contribution to the political discussion vis a vis the local race, so my apologies to the candidates who weren’t able to make it, but I have 8 interviews with incumbents and challengers. Right now they are running on LTC, four episodes of a 1/2 hour each, where two candidates each got 13 minutes (some went shorter) to talk about their candidacy. I stuck with Council candidates due to time constraints (video takes a lot of time to edit and produce). Thanks to fellow blogger Jack for helping out, as well as Cindy, my cameraperson!

The format for the interviews was a lot different this year. Because we had so many good forums, and other candidate venues, I wanted to do something a little looser, a little more freewheeling, and a little more candidate-driven. I’m not the best interviewer in the world and I hate being in front of the camera, but this sit-down style afforded me the ability to guide the conversation without being too specific. There is an introduction section, and four topics - Budget and Finances, Economics and Jobs, Public Services, and Professional City Management. Within each subject I had some suggested topics (which helps when you want to compare candidates) but allowed them to talk about whatever they wanted, unless they were under time, in which case I asked a few questions.

The first two episodes (candidates appear in the order they came to the studio) are uploaded, and I will upload the rest very shortly and will post. Enjoy! (Hopefully I can post these iframes…)

Don’t forget to vote TUESDAY! I will probably post more thoughts over the weekend.

LeftinLowell.com Candidate Interviews - Mayor Jim Milinazzo and challenger Van Pech

LeftinLowell.com Candidate Interviews - Marty Lorrey and Corey Belanger

LeftinLowell.com Candidate Interviews - Mendonca and Belley

LeftinLowell.com Candidate Interviews - Murphy and Nuon

There was a decent buzz around the city, inside the bubble, about the choice of candidates on how to spend their campaign dollars. The crux of it boiled down to campaigns focusing on using radio; via WCAP, or print ads, via The Sun.

The talk hinged on both the blatant editorial bias of The Sun and it’s diminishing relevance in the minds of a wizened electorate. Couple that with an excellent lineup of high profile political guests, live, most mornings on WCAP, thus providing “sweet spots” for campaign ads and you get a legitimate dilemma for campaigns.

WCAP has made it a point to tempt local candidates with ad time nestled in with regularly scheduled guest spots. These weekly guests include US Rep Tsongas, State Sen. Donoghue and CM Lynch. Also, the Saturday morning show, hosted by Warren Shaw, is a favorite of Lowell/Dracut politiphiles. The pitch was made by WCAP ad folks to offer spots worked in and around the political programming.

That made a lot of sense to me. I was convinced WCAP was a better play. But, where DID the campaigns put the dollars they had. (more…)

Two years ago, City Councilor Patrick Murphy pioneered the use of the new media in municipal campaigns. He has continued that practice in this election. Here is his latest video. I like it, not only because I participated in it but because I believe in its message.