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15Feb
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14Jan
My letter to the editor of the Weston Town Crier appears in the most recent edition of that paper. Here it is:
Scott Brown will be a responsive U.S. senator
To the editor:
Scott Brown has earned my vote for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Jan. 19 for a number of important reasons. He is admirably independent. He is a strong fiscal conservative. He has an outstanding record of accomplishment as a military veteran and public servant.
An additional reason why Scott has earned my vote – he is one of the most responsive elected officials I have ever met. Having had the opportunity to work with Scott’s State House office on a number of occasions during his tenure in the state Senate, I have been consistently impressed with his responsiveness and accessibility.
This attention to responsiveness isn’t always the most glamorous part of holding public office, but it is crucially important. Taxpayers frequently reach out to their elected officials when they need urgent information or assistance, so getting back to them quickly is essential. This is particularly so for our next U.S. senator, who will serve as a point of contact in the federal government for the entire Massachusetts population.
Please join me in voting for Scott Brown for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Eric R. Dahlberg
Candidate for State Senate in Third Middlesex DistrictLink to the letter is here (bottom of the page).
Link to my own blog’s post on this is here.
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13Jan
From zero to hero. It is no exaggeration that Scott Brown has taken the political world by storm. As little as two weeks ago nobody, including Martha Coakley, had the faintest clue who Scott Brown was. Now he’s the great Republican hope.His surge in popularity comes from two critical factors: (1) he represents the magical 41st vote in the Senate which would potentially enable Republicans to put a hold on health care, and (2) he could actually win. Don’t discount the latter factor. After all, this is blue-to-the-bone Massachusetts and this was Kennedy’s seat, so the fact that a conservative even has a chance says something about the national mood.
So how did Brown find himself neck-and-neck with the Democratic machine in the Bay State? A good part of the reason is that ever since the Democratic primary, Coakley has acted as if she had the election locked up. She was so sure of a favorable outcome that she took a six day vacation in the middle of prime campaign season. But with recent polls showing a very close race and Brown’s money bomb becoming an enormous success (more than doubled the original target of 500,000), Coakley has apparently decided to take notice.
A leaked internal memo to Democratic donors shows some cracks in Coakley’s armor. In it she acknowledges that “our internal polling shows the race to be a very tight race that means we must do everything we can to ensure we are victorious.” Moreover she admits that “Republican voters are more energized than Democrats and that we are having trouble moving Independents.” Bottom line she says, “[w]e have a battle on our hands.”
But while she beseeches her followers for more money, urging people to “please max out to the general election” she doesn’t seem to understand that the real problem is the national mood. Massachusetts is merely the most recent example of citizens who are tired of a domestic agenda that is far left of the mainstream. They are tired of pumping money into failed programs. They are tired of big government being the solution to seemingly every problem. And they are tired of Democrats doing nothing to change their course! More than ever, voters are acknowledging that Republicans have different (and saner) ideas to address the underlying problems facing this nation. We only ask for a chance to sit at the table.
Brown is now representative of a movement. Coakley will have her hands full in the coming week, but all Democrats better recognize that throughout 2010 they will all “have a battle on their hands.”
- Brandon Greife, Political Director
Tags: Health care, Martha Coakley, Massachusetts, scott brown, Ted Kennedy
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11Jan
On January 19, Massachusetts citizens will have a unique opportunity to bring real change to Washington, D.C. by electing our next US Senator. State
Senator Scott Brown has been fighting for years on behalf of working families, senior citizens, and small business owners across the state on a variety of issues including job creation, health care reform, and improving our education system. He has also been a leader on issues such as improving public safety and protecting local aid funding all while consistently bringing transparency, accountability and reform to state government.It’s no surprise that just one month ago, down by 30 points in the polls, national pundits had written Brown’s campaign off. With under a week until Election Day, the race is competitive and according to Public Policy Polling, Brown is now leading his opponent by one point. One major aspect that the national media didn’t factor was the independent spirit of the people of Massachusetts. Voters have made it very clear that no political party, family, or special interest can buy or inherit this senate seat.
Senator Brown is an independent minded Republican who has brought energy and passion to this race. Massachusetts will have the opportunity to send a message to the entire nation that the big government failed policies of congress lead by Senator Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are the wrong course for America in the long term. With a deep concern for our country’s economic vitality and national security, Scott Brown’s common sense approach is exactly what Massachusetts and Washington needs right now.
Jacob Ventura
Dartmouth
Tags: Senate
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05Jan
A Historic Opportunity in Massachusetts
There is something brewing in America. This past November brought about a round of change which showed the ever-increasing strength of the Republican brand. Nevertheless, Democrats explained away our successes. In Virginia they claimed that the state historically votes for the party not occupying the White House. In New Jersey they argued that the public sentiment was against Corzine, not for Republicans. But, let’s see them try and explain what is happening in Massachusetts.In case you haven’t heard, state Senator Scott Brown is making a serious run in the Massachusetts special Senate election. The importance of the seat is hard to put in words. First off, it is Ted Kennedy’s old seat. The “Liberal Lion” of the Senate was one of the most recognizable and influential members of the Democratic Party. He also bears the Kennedy mantel which has dominated Massachusetts (and national) politics for more than half a century. Put simply, the Kennedy brand name still carries enormous weight and if Republicans can make a strong showing while swimming against the Kennedy current it would be an ominous sign for Democrats in the midterms.
Second, in 2008 Gallup listed Massachusetts as the most Democratic state in the nation. This is a place Obama won by 26% over Republican John McCain. A state of Kennedy’s and Kerry’s. A state where they passed a government run health care plan long before Barack Obama made it a national issue again. This is a place thought to be so unwinnable that the Cook Political Report wrote of the race: “the Democratic primary is the de facto election, rendering the January 19 general election a mere formality.” To be within striking distance is simply incredible.
Third, the battle for this seat is for all intents and purposes a battle for control of the Senate. As shown throughout the health care debate, divisive party-line issues require a 60 vote majority to overcome a filibuster. This seat represents that crucial 60th seat. If Republican Scott Brown wins the election a Republican filibuster turns from threat to reality – an especially crucial point in the upcoming year as many Democratic issues such as card-check and cap-and-trade come up for vote.
Fourth, and perhaps most important, if Brown wins it may lead to the death of the Democratic health care experiment. The Massachusetts special election is scheduled for January 19th – the same day that the Senate is set to come back from its winter break. A Republican victory would give them 41 votes in the Senate, enough to break the filibuster proof Democratic majority and thus preventing them from any further vote for cloture on the health care bill.
Conservatives need to get excited about this race. It really is a historic opportunity for the Republican Party to show its strength in a state covered in a thick coat of blue paint. If Scott Brown can pull this out the tone will be set for 2010 and beyond, but he needs our help…
- Brandon Greife, Political Director
Tags: 2010 elections, 41st republican vote, scott brown, Senate
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30Dec
MACR Friends – I posted this on my own blog on Monday and wanted to share it with you. Incentivizing economic development – to revive the economy and create jobs – will be a top priority of my State Senate campaign. The great work being done in Chelmsford can be a model for other communities to follow. My own blog’s post on this topic is here: Chelmsford’s Economic Development Committee off to a great start.
![[Chelmsford+-+the+choice+for+commerce.bmp]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z_5s2gqZDv4/SzlMQvHjsVI/AAAAAAAAAak/V_kqSLQf5dc/s1600/Chelmsford%2B-%2Bthe%2Bchoice%2Bfor%2Bcommerce.bmp)
The lead story in today’s Lowell Sun covers the impressive early work of Chelmsford’s Economic Development Committee. Appointed by Town Manager Paul Cohen and approved by the Board of Selectmen just weeks ago, the Committee members have really hit the ground running:
Officials working on a branding plan for Chelmsford are banking on theirs to draw more revenue and people into town. As the recession wallops cities and towns across the country, members of Chelmsford’s Economic Development Committee are looking toward an image makeover to help attract business investment, tourists and new residents.
The Committee is a group of highly motivated, professional, energetic citizen-volunteers with some fantastic ideas to attract new businesses and retain those that are already here. This is exactly the pro-active approach that we need to get the attention of businesses that may be interested in relocating to Chelmsford.
The full Sun cover story is here: BRAND NEW: Chelmsford’s out to sell itself.
The Boston Business Journal did a “Mass Roundup” blurb on today’s Sun piece – it is available here: Chelmsford on PR mission.
The Chelmsford Independent also recently did a story on the Economic Development Committee’s work – it is available here: Committee focuses on marketing Chelmsford.
Finally, the Town recently put together a snazzy brochure on the many advantages we offer to business – it is available here: Chelmsford: The Choice for Commerce. (Note that it’s a very large document and may take a while to open. Also note that the graphic above is taken from the cover of the brochure.)
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30Dec
To kick off 2010, we are hosting an Open House for college students who want to be a part of the effort to bring Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei to the Corner Office in November.
If you think you or your college student might be interested in getting involved in the nonstop, exciting world of a statewide political race, the campaign wants to talk to you!
Please join us at Baker/Tisei Headquarters:
Thursday, January 7th
1:00 – 2:30 PM
70 Fargo Street, Suite 202
South Boston, MA 02210You’ll tour campaign headquarters, meet our staff, learn about volunteer opportunities and how to apply for spring and summer 2010 internship opportunities.
Please RSVP to this email (ddrinkwater@charliebaker2010.com) or call (617) 423-2010 x257. Feel free to forward this email to your friends.
Make sure to sign up for Team Baker at www.CharlieBaker2010.com. You’ll be showing your support and will receive the latest news and information from the campaign trail!
Directions: http://www.seaportcenterboston.com/location_gettingto.html
Parking is available in the lot across the street from our building – just buzz in to let them know you are here with the campaign.
Looking forward to meeting you!
The Baker/Tisei Campaign
Tags: Charlie Baker, Governor, Internships, Volunteer
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29Nov
Saturday’s Boston Globe carried a concerning – but not unexpected – piece of news: Massachusetts residents are doing a lot of their Christmas shopping in New Hampshire this year. One Mass resident quoted by the Globe made the reason for this phenomenon pretty clear: “Taxachusetts is getting to be a bit overbearing and intrusive toward my wallet… I just went up there [to New Hampshire] to buy a pair of running shoes last week because I just wasn’t willing to pay the taxes.’’
Gone unsaid, of course, is the fact that New Hampshire’s gain is Massachusetts’ loss – in business, in consumer spending, in revenue, in jobs and in taxpayers’ confidence.
Our elected officials in Boston should revisit their stunningly unwise decision to raise the state sales tax by 25 percent.
The Globe article is available here: Shoppers head north for deals.
Original blog post is here: Christmas shopping 2009: “The New Hampshire malls have definitely benefited from the sales tax increase in Massachusetts…”
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23Nov
Thank you to all the CRs out there for your continued support! I wanted to let you know that an early version of my State Senate campaign site is up at www.DahlbergforSenate.com. Let me know what you think!
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14Nov
A recent Boston Globe article highlights the cut-throat competition in which states are engaging to attract new green-tech businesses. No surprises here – states, like cities and towns, want to see job-growing, revenue-generating firms open up shop inside their borders. What’s alarming is that Massachusetts-based businesses aren’t being targeted by the usual suspects – California, North Carolina, New Jersey, etc – but by Michigan, a severely economically-depressed state that I wouldn’t have imagined could come close to matching what Massachusetts has to offer.
It seems Michigan’s leaders have seen the writing on the wall and are offering businesses extremely generous incentives and tax breaks to relocate there. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm is quoted in the Globe article as saying that she’s doing “what you’ve got to do’’ in order to close the deals her state so desperately needs.
The Globe article paints a stark picture:
Michigan is emerging as one of Massachusetts’ fiercest competitors in the race to become a hub for clean technology companies. And Massachusetts, despite being the birthplace of many of these technologies and the companies they spawn, is losing ground to Michigan’s money and determination.Our elected leaders on Beacon Hill must improve the climate for business here in Massachusetts, or we’ll continue to lose out to other states. For starters, we need to reform our ridiculously expensive unemployment insurance system and repeal the recently imposed sales tax increase. We shouldn’t be giving Massachusetts-based businesses a reason to pack up and move to Michigan… or any other state.
Globe article is available here: Michigan luring Bay State business.
Original blog post on this topic is here: Losing our economic edge… to Michigan!?
Tags: business, Massachusetts, Michigan, taxes
![[Chelmsford+-+the+choice+for+commerce.bmp]](http://www.macr.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Chelmsford-the-choice-for-commerce1.bmp)
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