Gavin Newsom Withdraws

In a post made some time ago I had pointed to the California Governors race as one that was going to be very interesting. It will still be interesting, but maybe a little less so now that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has pulled out of the race for the Democratic nomination. Newsom’s withdrawal leaves the Democratic field to former Governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown. I guess Bill Clinton endorsing Newsom was just a little premature. Newsom’s statement.

It is with great regret I announce today that I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California. With a young family and responsibilities at city hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be — done.

This is not an easy decision. But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats.

When I embarked on this campaign in April, my goal was to engage thousands and thousands of Californians dedicated to reforming our broken system and bringing change to Sacramento.

I would like to thank those supporters, volunteers, and donors who have worked so hard on my behalf. I have been humbled by their support and am indebted to their efforts. They represent the spirit of change and determination essential to putting California back on the right track.

I will continue to fight for change and the causes and issues for which I care deeply — universal health care, a cleaner environment, and a green economy for our families, better education for our children, and, of course, equal rights under the law for all citizens.

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The President on Jobs

The President spends his weekly address talking jobs, after the White House jobs summit and a new unemployment report showed a slight dip in the unemployment rate. The relatively good news on unemployment was a welcome relief from the string of terrible monthly reports of job losses that has created a political impetus in Congress to move a jobs program forward. It was welcome news for the President, who is under increasing pressure to show progress in putting Americans back to work.

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The President Surges in Afghanistan

President Obama spoke tonight to an audience at West Point, detailing plans to add thirty thousand troops in Afghanistan but calling for a finite time frame for the mission of building Afghanistan’s military and governmental infrastructure. He spoke of the need to deal with major problems in Pakistan, and pledged to both countries that the U.S. has no interest in being an occupying power. He also dismissed the talk of nation building in Afganistan:

“That is why our troop commitment in Afghanistan cannot be open-ended, because the nation that I am most interested in building is our own,” the president said.

Is this strategy correct? I have my doubts. The fight is tribal as well as ideological, and getting the country on a different path may well be impossible, especially in a shorter time frame. But I must say that the United States cannot afford the effort required to nation build in Afghanistan. There is not the political will, or the financial ability, to do so. The President was faced with the most difficult of choices and has made the call. Was it the right one?

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Jobs Jobs Jobs

Today’s Globe has an editorial promoting the idea of tax incentives for private industry that would promote job creation. And yesterdays New York Times featured a piece by Paul Krugman calling for further federal spending to promote job creation. With unemployment at ten percent plus, and Wall Street begining to show robust profits and even more robust compensation packages the jobs situation cries out for attention. It will not be possible to call what we are going through a “recovery” until people are able to find work.

As we sift through the many different policy prescriptions that are forthcoming on the jobs situation my own quick observation is that we should start by avoiding tax policies that create a disincentive for employment. Piling further tax increases on employers is exactly the wrong idea at a time when they are not inclined to add employees. And I say that recognizing that many programs funded by payroll based taxes are in difficulty. We need to look at what impacts these payroll based taxes are having, and actually work to create, in the short term, additional tax incentives to aid in job creation. If the federal stimulus had concentrated more of its heft towards job creation I think it would have been a substantially better package. There are no easy answers, but promoting tax policies that penalize employers for adding workers will only make a bad situation worse.

Posted in National News, State News | Tagged | 20 Comments

The Duke Weighs In

Former Governor Michael Dukakis threw his support this weekend behind Congressman Michael Capuano in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate. Michael Dukakis still has a strong following in the Democratic Party, and I believe the Dukakis endorsement will help Capuano. It is the first time in twenty years that Governor Dukakis has endorsed in a Democratic primary. I have endorsed Michael Capuano in this race.

Posted in U.S. Senate Race | Tagged | 4 Comments

Governor's Race Rasmussen Poll

A new Rasmussen survey shows a very tight Governor’s race, with Governor Deval Patrick holding a narrowing lead over Republican Charlie Baker and Independent Tim Cahill. In that three way race Patrick comes in at 33%, with Baker at 28%, Cahill at 25%, and undecided at 14%. With Christy Mihos as the Republican nominee Patrick comes in at 32%, with Cahill at 28% and Mihos at 26% and undecided at 14%. The poll numbers continue to be ominous for the Governor with regards to job performance, with only 34% approving of the Governor’s job performance, and 64% disapproving. In terms of favorability the Governor had 13% who viewed him “very favorably”, while 31% viewed him “very unfavorably”. Those numbers seem consistent across the differing polls, and quite frankly are not good news for the Governor. The positive news for Governor Patrick appears to be that with all of the negatives highlighted he continues to lead. The center right split appears to be aiding him, but the Republicans and Cahill have not started to apply pressure on the Governor either. Still a way to go, but we have not as of yet seen the uptick in polling data that the Governor and his team have been hoping for. Read the Rasmussen findings here.

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Santa Parade Highlights in Methuen

We had the Santa Parade in Methuen Saturday, and we were blessed with great weather and huge crowds. My thanks to Jill Stackelin, Dennis Marcello, and all of the volunteers who made the Parade such a huge success. The Grand Marshals were Scott Yim and Madison Aleska, two Methuen High graduates who led the hugely successful Relay for Life held in Methuen this past year. Their contribution to the fight against cancer was monumental, and it was so great to have them back for the parade. Thank you Scott and Madison! See additional Parade photos here.

Grand Marshal

Santa Parade Reviewing Stand

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Happy Birthday Jules Gordon

Yes I realize he has been kicking the tar out of me but today we recognize and congratulate Jules Gordon on the occasion of his birthday. May he have many more!!!! Now lets keep kicking the stuffing out of those Dems…..

Posted in Methuen | Tagged | 7 Comments

Grand Opening Butlers and Bars

Congratulations to Deborah Ingalls, the owner of Butlers and Bars, who opened a new location at 19 Hampshire Street in Downtown Methuen. Deb had a great kickoff at the new location Saturday evening, and I wish her all the best.

Deb Ingalls of Butlers and Bars

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Reid Hits Sixty

The first major test on the health care bill for Majority Leader Harry Reid occurred Saturday, and he managed to hold his caucus intact, pushing the bill forward with sixty votes. Despite Reid’s victory the bill faces major hurdles in the week ahead, with many of the centrist Democrats holding objections to differing aspects of the bill. Reid’s ability to hold the caucus together for adoption is still very much in question, with at least four members of his own caucus threatening to bolt over inclusion of a “public option” in the bill. Reid has his work cut out for him, but has managed to hold things together so far. Both Senators from Massachusetts voted to advance the bill. Read the Washington Post story on Reid’s continuing challenges here.

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