"He instinctively can find the shining greatness of our American culture and does a good job of highlighting it (although he also does have those rare lapses when he writes about hockey, but that is something caused by impurities in the Eastern waters or something)." Erik Keilholtz
Under the patronage of St. Tammany
Mark C. N. Sullivan is an editor at a Massachusetts university. He is married and the father of three children. Email
Two weeks before the vote Rasmussen has Republican Scott Brown trailing Democrat Martha Coakley by nine points – and by only two points among those who say they definitely plan to vote. Brown holds a big lead among independents.
Both candidates get better than 70% of the vote from members of their respective parties, but Brown leads 65% to 21% among voters not affiliated with either of the major parties. In Massachusetts, however, Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans and it is very difficult for the GOP to compete except in special circumstances.
Special elections are typically decided by who shows up to vote and it is clear from the data that Brown’s supporters are more enthusiastic. In fact, among those who are absolutely certain they will vote, Brown pulls to within two points of Coakley. That suggests a very low turnout will help the Republican and a higher turnout is better for the Democrat.
From now until 01/19, every day is Scott Brown day: donate and volunteer.
So far the national GOP hasn't been much help. Jules Crittenden wonders:
What’s always mystified me is why the national GOP showed so little interest in kicking off the 2010 mid-term elections with a strong showing, if not a win in Kennedy country … especially when that health thing could be riding on it. A revolt in the erstwhile Kennedy satrapy of Massachusetts, home of first-in-the-nation, budget-busting universal health care? That would make national headlines. And a heck of a Kennedy legacy.
If I were a GOP donor looking to put a thumb on the Bay State scales, I’d be inclined to send my check to the national GOP with “FOR SCOTT BROWN, YOU DOLTS” written in the memo line.
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