Senate Race Heats Up

Posted on January 14, 2010 by billmanzi

The U.S. Senate race has really heated up, with Scott Brown appearing to pick up campaign momentum, with the latest Rasmussen poll showing him pulling within two points of Martha Coakley. The sudden movement in the race has brought in the “top guns” from the national scene, and outside money has come pouring in. The Dems have unleashed a furious barrage of negative ads on Brown, with TV and direct mail linking him to the Bush/Cheney Administration. Brown has responded by bringing out his daughters to rebut a Coakley ad, and has raised a barrell of money himself, enabling him to compete on the airwaves.

The Rasmussen survey seems to reflect all polling in the sense that the race has tightened considerably. And Brown is benefitting from being in the Party that is out of power, and is seen as the insurgent in this race. His backers appear to be the most motivated, which in combination with what appears to be a strong lead amongst the unenrolled, has brought him back into this race. From Rasmussen:

Coakley is supported by 77% of Democrats while Brown picks up the vote from 88% of Republicans. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, Brown leads 71% to 23%. To be clear, this lead is among unaffiliated voters who are likely to participate in the special election.

71 to 23? If that number is anywhere near correct it must give some real pause for thought, regardless of the outcome of this election.

Chris Cillizza over at “The Fix” at the Washington Post, highlighted what appears to be a major Coakley problem. When asked whether her campaign had been too “passive” Coakley responded:

“As opposed to standing outside Fenway Park? In the cold? Shaking hands? This is a special election.”

Yes being cold is a major problem. God forbid it should rain.

Predictably Coakley has been endorsed by the Globe, and Brown by the Herald.
And the bad blood continues to build, with the Michael Meehan flap about getting physical with a reporter trying to question Coakley the latest cause celebre for the Brown partisans.

Much more to come. Here are some of the ads we have seen put up lately. There will be more to come.

Posted in National News, State News, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Michael Norcia Wins January SOAR Award

Posted on January 13, 2010 by billmanzi

In January we had two SOAR Award winners. Congratulations to Michael Norcia for his outstanding student record, and his very substantial academic achievements.

Michael is a member of the National Honor Society, Art Honor Society, and the History Honor Society. Michael also tutors Methuen High math students at the high school on his own time after school. He is a member of the Methuen High School Outdoor and Indoor track teams, and is currently a captain of the Indoor Team. Michael is a member in DECA, and in April of 2009 he participated in the Leadership Development Academy at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California.

Reason(s) for Recognition: At last, but certainly not least, Michael was awarded a full tuition Academic Scholarship at Merrimack College for his winning entry in the Science, Technology, and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition.

Michael Norcia wins January SOAR

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Julia Maguire Wins January SOAR Award

Posted on January 12, 2010 by billmanzi

Congratulations to Julia Maguire, the January SOAR Award winner.

Reason(s) for Recognition: Julia is one of Methuen High School’s Early Education and Care programs outstanding students. She has completed all required coursework and is currently Interning in the program. She helps to organize administrative paperwork, sweatshirt sales, and to help lesson plan and supervise the Ranger land Pre-School. She sets an example for all other students to follow. In addition to the time commitment this responsibility requires, Julia is also a participant in the Senior Olympics and is helping to organize the Relay of Life walk. While all of this activity would seem to be demanding in itself, Julia is maintaining a GPA above 3.0 in honors and Advanced Placement courses here at the high school and is part of our dual enrollment program with Northern Essex Community College. Julia is the type of student we here at Methuen High School would like all of our students to try to emulate and this is why the Family and Consumer Science department proudly names Julia Maguire as our SOAR award winner.

Julia Maguire Wins the January SOAR Award

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Health Care Bill Still Has Hurdles

Posted on January 11, 2010 by billmanzi

With major differences between the House and the Senate on health care still to be ironed out many have assumed that key differences would be papered over and a bill quickly produced for President Obama to sign. Maybe there is an underestimation of how substantial those differences are. The Saturday New York Times highlighted a major difference over funding, with the Senate provision that taxes so called cadillac plans under a major assault by organized labor.

The current Senate bill would provide for an excise tax on plans worth more than $8500 for an individual, or $23,000 for a family. Unions have estimated that the tax could impact one in four union members, and are lobbying furiously for the provision to be dropped, or amended to raise the plan value subject to the tax. Both scenarios cause major headaches, as even a compromise that amends those figures up would blow a multi-billion dollar hole in financing this bill. To drop it entirely would force the Senate to adopt an alternative method of financing, with the House method of imposing a surtax on top wage earners a non-starter in the Senate. The House Democratic caucus has produced a letter opposing the Senate provision signed by 190 House members. In light of the fact that the bill passed the House by a scant five votes Speaker Pelosi has little room to maneuver.

No question about the fact that this will be a difficult road, but it seems clear that both Houses are going to have to give some here. I do not think the Senate provision can remain at its current plan value thresholds, but it cannot be eliminated entirely. A raising of the thresholds, with a much smaller surtax on top wage earners to make up the finance shortfall, would seem to be fertile ground for compromise. Can Reid and Pelosi pull it off. Is it worth pulling off?

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The President on Health Care Benefits:Year One

Posted on January 9, 2010 by billmanzi

The President used his weekly address to talk about the potential benefits of health care reform, including an emphasis on year one benefits. Those year one benefits have real importance, as the Congressional mid-terms will be impacted by the public perception of the benefits associated with the bill coming out shortly. The President sees the political danger dead ahead. Can the Administration hold the political losses by the Dems in the mid-term to a minimum?

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Spring Lacrosse Registration

Posted on January 8, 2010 by billmanzi

Format: Methuen will once again enter teams in the Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League. Games are held on Sundays.

Who Is Eligible: This will be a co-ed program for Methuen residents in grades 3 -8.

Teams: U11, U13 and U 15

Registration: Will take place on Monday Jan. 11 from 6 -9pm at Fuddrucker’s Restaurant -Rte. 28
Methuen, MA

Fee: $140.00 per player DOES NOT include equipment. Equipment information will be available at Registration.

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The Senate Race Tightens Up

Posted on January 7, 2010 by billmanzi

The race for U.S. Senate has tightened, according to the latest Rasmussen survey, with Republican Scott Brown pulling within nine points of A.G. Martha Coakley. Rasmussen had a couple of tidbits that caught my eye.

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. Eight percent (8%) of Democrats remain undecided while just 3% of Republicans are in that category.

The Brown lead amongst independents has to be troubling to Democrats, even if it turns out to be non-fatal in this case.

A second item of note:

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.

Brown is out working, as you might expect from a candidate that is behind. And some of the enthusiasm is to be expected from the Party that is out of power. But some is being generated by Brown’s willingness to work, which stands in contrast to the very laid back approach taken by Coakley.

Coakley’s campaign, or lack thereof, has come in for some withering criticism, as she appears to be playing to run out the clock on Brown. The Globe has highlighted her passive campaign in two critical columns, the first by Brian McGrory titled “Where’s Martha Coakley?” Today’s Globe featured a column by Joan Vennocchi talking about the “coolness” of Martha Coakley helping to put Brown back in this race.

Coakley released her first general election ad this week. I have attached it for your viewing pleasure. The message to Martha from many corners appears to be: step it up a notch. This could be a real race.

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Movement in the U.S. Senate

Posted on January 6, 2010 by billmanzi

U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd from Connecticut will announce today that he is not a candidate for re-election this year. Dodd’s announcement takes away the potential for a Republiucan victory in Democratic Connecticut, as his poll numbers have shown him to be very vulnerable to a challenger. It could clear the way for popular Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to take on the Republican nominee in November.

In North Dakota Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan announced he would not seek re-election, avoiding a potentially bruising battle with popular Republican Governor John Hoeven, who had been undecided about the race. Hoeven will likely now take the plunge with an open seat available. In light of that Democratic prospects for holding that seat are pretty slim.

The Dems are playing defense, with an out all Republican assault on the Obama Administration playing well in red states, making the task of holding those House and Senate seats for incumbent Dems an uphill fight.

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Doing the WCAP Morning Show

Posted on January 4, 2010 by billmanzi

Will be doing the mid-morning show today on WCAP, 980 on the am dial at 10:15. Everybody gets it!

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Methuen Inaugural Ceremony Monday

Posted on January 3, 2010 by billmanzi

Please join us at The Inauguration Ceremony of Mayor
William Manzi, the Methuen City Council, and the Methuen School Committee

On Monday, January 4, 2010, 7:00 pm. At the Searles Building, the Great Hall.

Reception to immediately follow refreshments to be served.

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Methuen Mayor's Race | Tagged | 2 Comments