AmesburyDemocrats.org

Wed. March 24, 7 p.m. @ Town Hall - planning for Breakfast, and future events

Sat. April 10 8:30 3T’s and 2C’s  Breakfast - for tickets call Jane Siebecker

Many of the Democratic candidates for STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS will be at the Breakfast

GOVERNOR:
Deval Patrick (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Grace Ross (D) - Ex-Green Party State Party Co-Chair, Affordable Housing Activist & ‘06 Gov. Candidate
Charlie Baker (R) - Health Care Corporation CEO & Ex-Gubernatorial Aide
Gerry Dembrowski (R) - Chiropractor
Christy Mihos (R) - Businessman, Ex-State Turnpike Authority Member & ‘06 Candidate
Jill Stein (Green) - Physician, Liberal Activist, Author, ‘02 Nominee & ‘06 Secretary of State Nominee
Tim Cahill (Independent) - State Treasurer, Ex-Norfolk County Treasurer, Ex-Quincy City Councilor & Ex-Democrat

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
Tim Murray (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Richard Tisei (R) - State Senate Minority Leader, Ex-State Rep. & Realtor
Paul Loscocco (Independent) - Ex-State Rep., Attorney & Ex-Republican

ATTORNEY GENERAL:
Martha Coakley (D)* - (Campaign Site)
William Keating (D) - Norfolk County District Attorney, Ex-State Sen. & Ex-State Rep.
Eileen Donahue (D) - Ex-Lowell Mayor & Attorney
Bill Galvin (D) - Secretary of State, Ex-State Rep. & Attorney
Sam Sutter (D) - Bristol County District Attorney & Ex-Pro Tennis Player
Karyn Polito (R) - State Rep., Ex-State Lottery Commissioner, Ex-Shrewsbury Town Selectman & Attorney

SECRETARY OF STATE:
Bill Galvin (D)* - (Campaign Site)

STATE TREASURER:
[ Tim Cahill (Independent)* - Candidate for Governor in 2010. ]
Joe Connolly (D) - Norfolk County Treasurer, Ex-Weymouth Town Councilor & Ex-Congressional Aide
Steve Grossman (D) - Ex-Democratic National Chairman, Businessman & ‘02 Governor Candidate
Mark Montigny (D) - State Sen. & Ex-New Bedford City Democratic Chair
Shannon O’Brien (D) - Ex-State Treasurer & ‘02 Gov. Nominee
James Rooney (D) - Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Executive Director
Steven Walsh (D) - State Rep.

STATE AUDITOR:
[ Joe DeNucci (D)* - Retiring in 2010. ]
Suzanne Bump (D) - Ex-State Labor Secretary & Ex-State Representative
Guy Glodis (D) - Worcester County Sheriff, Ex-State Sen. & Ex-State Rep.
Bob LeLievre (D) - Businessman
Scott Lennon (D) - Newton Alderman & State Auditor’s Office Official
Mark Montigny (D) - State Sen.
Stephen Murphy (D) - Executive Councilor-at-Large
Marc Pacheco (D) - State Sen.
Mary Connaughton (R) - Ex-State Turnpike Authority Board Member, Accountant & ‘04 State Rep. Candidate
Earle Stroll (R) - Business Consultant, Ex-Auto Mechanic & ‘94/’06 Candidate
Kamal Jain (Independent) - Technology Executive & ‘02 Libertarian Nominee

District 6:
John Tierney (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Bill Hudak (R) - Attorney & Vending Company Owner
Dave Sukoff (R) - Asset Management Firm Owner & Ex-Hedge Fund Portfolio Manager

From the Governor’s website:

Jobs & Economy Highlights

In September, 2009, the Boston Globe reported that “Massachusetts is poised to recover from the economic downturn sooner and faster than the nation as a whole.” (more)

That is no accident. Governor Patrick is leading Massachusetts out of this recession by:

Expanding our global lead in education , ensuring that Massachusetts students are ready for jobs in a changing world

Investing in our infrastructure to create jobs, expand broadband access and finally fix our roads, bridges and public transportation systems.

Focusing on growth in 21st Century industries that are creating thousands of jobs like biotech, clean energy and information technology and leveling business taxes to attract large, out-of-state businesses.

Expediting and supporting development across the state to create jobs and encourage business relocation and expansion

At the Caucus on February 13, 2010 the following democrats were elected as delegates to the Democratic State Convention on June 4 and 5, 2010, in Worcester, MA:

Female delegates
Rebecca Jordan
Marie Messner
Debra Bibeau
Male delegates
Robert Gaudet
Scott Jordan
Donald Meskie
Benjamin Siebecker
Either gender delegate
Thomas Iacobucci
Male alternates
James Thivierge
Either gender alternate
John Siebecker
Chair (exoff )
Jane Siebecker
Ex-officios
Thatcher Kezer

09/14/09

Hello Democrats,

I attended a meeting to speak about the upcoming breakfast for the 2010 3T &2C Breakfast.  Some issues that were requested for the Amesbury Democrats were : 1.  Have someone video tape the breakfast for cable t.v.  2.  Prepare the breakfast table center pieces.  3.  Bring a podium to the breakfast.

The following is the agenda of what was discussed at the meeting,

14 SEPTEMBER 2009 3T & 2C AGENDA

2010 BREAKFAST

• OPEN DOORS AT 8:30 FOR PRE-BREAKFAST “COFFEE/SOCIAL” TIME

• BREAKFAST AT 9:30

• STRAWPOLL AND PENCILS ON EACH TABLE

• MAKE SURE ALL BALLOTS GET COLLECTED

• EACH COMMITTEE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOME TABLES

• PRE-PRINT NAMETAGS FOR PRE-SOLD TICKETS – DISCUSS

• HALL IS RESERVED FOR 1O APRIL – COST?

• CATERER ALSO RESERVED – COST TBD

• BOB ALLISON WILL BE CONTACTED

• UPDATE THE BROCHURE?

• EARLY INVITE TO ELECTED OFFICIALS?

• ADDITIONAL 3T & 2C EVENTS (HOLDOVER FROM LAST MEETING)

• REGIONALIZATION FORUM

• JIMMY TINGLE FUNDRAISER

• CABLE SHOW OF REGIONAL INTEREST

• DEM FORUM IN FEB/MAR – QUIESTIONS – STATEWIDE & CONG CANDIDATES

-John Siebecker

During a visit to an out of the way corner of New Hampshire this past weekend, we found the support for Obama/Biden to be strongly — and sometimes whimsically — expressed. Here are a few vignettes from the Granite State:

Hand-written “Burma Shave” style signs in Rumney, NH. There are four in all:

A newly added feature of the Barack Obama website is a resource center chock full of talking points, details, and fact check information that you can use in your efforts to offer prospective voters a clear understanding about the candidate.

The resource tool includes Obama’s “Blueprint for Change,” and individual white papers on specific issues (in alphabetical order): civil rights, defense, disabilities, economy/taxes, education, energy/environment, ethics, faith, family, fiscal, foreign policy, healthcare, homeland security, immigration, Iraq, poverty, rural, service, seniors/social security, technology, urban policy, veterans, and women.

Now that my two children (ages 19 and 20, both Unenrolled) are preparing to vote in their first Presidential election, they have been asking me a lot of questions: “Why are you a Democrat when you used to be a Republican?” “Why hasn’t anyone called us for a poll?” And most perplexing: “What’s the electoral college?”

Given that Civics isn’t taught in Amesbury schools, my kids are getting the basics from me. But I have to admit that today, I was stumped after my daughter and I saw a news item about the electoral map and current polls. According to CNN, “… if the presidential election were held today, Barack Obama would capture 223 electoral votes to McCain’s 200, leaving 115 electoral votes still up for grabs.”

Tess looked and me and asked, “Mom, I understand that a candidate could win the popular vote but lose the electoral vote, like Al Gore, and I know that a candidate has to receive 270 electoral votes to be declared President. But what happens if neither Obama nor McCain get that many votes?”

Gosh. I had to look up the answer. But not before some back-of-the-envelope ciphering to determine whether such a freakishly horrid thing was mathematically possible. (The answer: Yes, but only if the split of these remaining 115 votes goes 46 for Obama and 69 for McCain. At that point, both candidates would be deadlocked with 269 votes.)

And as to Tess’s question: According to HouseStuffWorks.com, “…If neither candidate wins a majority of electoral votes (i.e., 270), the decision is thrown to the House of Representatives by virtue of the 12th Amendment. The House then selects the president by majority vote with each state delegation receiving one vote to cast for the three candidates who received the most electoral votes.” Given the current make-up of the House, this would most likely spell a win for Obama/Biden.

If for any reason you or a family member does not expect to be in Amesbury on election day, November 4, you may vote by absentee ballot. There are detailed instructions on the Secretary of State’s site, but here are the basics:

There are two types of absentee voting:

Voting early, but in person at Town Hall: This is a convenient option for people whose work schedules or commutes pose the risk that they might not be in town (or home from work) in time to vote during polling hours. It is also helpful for college students who expect to be home for a visit two or three weeks before the election, but not on election day itself. Ballots are usually available in Town Hall approximately three weeks before the election. Call ahead (978-388-8100) to confirm that the ballots are available, and then go to Town Hall and let the Clerk know you wish to vote. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is noon of the day before the election.

NOTE: If you recently registered and have not yet voted in any Amesbury election, be sure to bring identification with you.

Voting by paper ballot: If you know for certain that you will not be in Amesbury at all before the November election, or if you or a relative is physically incapable of going to Town Hall, there are 2 steps you must take: (a) Obtain and submit an absentee ballot application (see below). Submit the application to the Town Clerk immediately; your ballot will be mailed to you as soon as it is available. (b) When your ballot arrives, complete it and mail it (or have a family member hand-deliver it) so that it arrives in Town Hall no later than 8pm on November 4.

Let’s all do our part to ensure that Amesbury voter turnout breaks all records! Download an absentee ballot application here.

Apply for an absentee ballot for yourself

Apply for an absentee ballot for a family member

If you are not yet registered to vote, the deadline is OCTOBER 15. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and children 18+ .

It’s no surprise that the Republican machine jumped all over Obama for using the phrase “lipstick on a pig” yesterday when talking about John McCain’s efforts to conceal his true political leanings. The double-standard talking heads who stepped up to defend McMaverick conveniently forgot that their camp is the one that used the same phrase months ago to malign Hilary Clinton.

What IS a surprise is that one of the first responders from the Republican party was Massachusetts’ very own former temporary Governor, Jane Swift.

Remember her? Jane rode quickly into obscurity when Mitt Romney swaggered into the state with his rootin’ tootin’ millions and forced her off the Republican ticket for Governor.

There weren’t too many tears shed over Jane’s swift demise. In fact, most Bay Staters forgot all about her. Which is why her grab at national headlines in defense of the indefensible would be laughable if it weren’t so pathetic.

On a credibility scale of 0 to 10, we’re talking negative numbers.

This just in from Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell:

The Republicans would make the all time all-star team for spiders the way they can spin.

Read the full story.