Tue 20 May 2008
Massachusetts Attorney General and notable Eph Martha Coakley ‘75 has just put herself out there in support of Hillary Clinton (she is a Dem super). She is the only super of the week for Clinton so far. She said:
Regardless of the outcome of the primary, Mrs. Clinton’s energy, stamina, and resolve have changed the course of history for women seeking office, including the presidency, and I dare say, have changed the course of history of Presidential politics in the United States. It is for these reasons that I will vote for Hillary Clinton in August at the Nominating Convention.
A nice thing to say, but has a rather defeatist ring to it - “regardless of the outcome” telegraphs her prediction of how this will ultimately end up, no?
Even though I probably won’t stay up late enough out here in the east, I want to send a shout out to my fellow Oregonians (some of whom read this blog) who are voting, well at least having their mail-in ballots counted, today. It is pretty exciting that my home state matters this year!
May 20th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Martha is no dummy. She knows that Massachusetts voted overwhelmingly for Clinton in the primary and that elected officials who go against the wishes of the voters can expect to pay a price.
She may be eying a Senate or Governor’s run at some point and the Democratic women voters of this state are going to have long memories.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
55-41 is not an overwhelming vote, hwc, and I doubt that any Massachusetts state politician will pay a price for supporting a popular, inspirational, liberal President who received the backing of the Kennedys, Kerry, and Patrick.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
The backing of the Kennedys, Kerry, and Patrick must not have meant that much to Massachusetts voters.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I think you’re projecting, hwc. Not everyone in Massachusetts is a bitter and vindictive loser.
(EDIT: Just to clarify, I don’t mean “loser” in a pejorative sense, of course, but rather in the “Hillary Clinton is the loser of the nomination contest” sense.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:59 am
JG,
Yes, Oregon has been the epicenter of the American political world recently. Here in Portland, it seems as if Bill and Chelsea pitched a tent in Pioneer Place and fanned out to shake the hand of anybody who was vertical, which must have made the Obama love-in down on the Willamette especially disheartening. Bill and Chelsea went to brunch at the bistro of a woman I know. I hope they had reservations, because that place can be a bear to get in on Sunday.
Also, Portlanders rejoice in the fact that the mayoral race is over. In the next few days, you may read that we elected our first gay mayor, Sam Adams. One of the best parts of the campaign is that no one seemed to care that Sam was gay: he’s been out for so long you’d have to have lived under a rock not to know it. We rejoice not because of his victory, but because the campaign between Sam and Sho Dozano was one of the most boring wonkfests I’ve ever been around, with Sam being a policy wonk of Clintonian stature.
Still, it’s over now, and we can all go back to our microbrews and pinot noirs while we bicker over the cost of fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market and dodge cyclists who have a very shaky grasp on traffic laws.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:40 am
Gondo -
I have a feeling Mothers was willing to find a table for the famous family, even on a busy weekend.
As far as
I think that might be one of the best summaries of “elitist” Portland I’ve ever heard. Aw, I miss home ;)
May 21st, 2008 at 11:50 am
JG,
Thanks for the props, but to really go over the top for elitist Portland, I should have mentioned:
Stumptown Coffee (which is supposed to be opening a branch in NYC)
Toyota Prius/Zipcar
The new Deschutes Brewpub in the Pearl
Yes, I’m pretty sure Lisa S. (Mother of Mother’s fame) found a table for Bill and Chelsea. My wife and I stumbled into Mamma Mia’s one Sunday in 2006 just as she was gearing up for a Al Franken brunch. She let us stay even though we were registered Republicans, as long as we minded our manners, stayed at the bar and didn’t speak to the progressives. Lisa is the best.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
When campaigning for Attorney General, Martha asked for–and got–a lot of support from women’s groups. I expect she doesn’t want to lose that constituency.
Also, this way she supports both–she gets credit from the Clinton side for getting behind Clinton and then when Obama wins the nomination she gets behind Obama in the name of party unity. Both sides figure she’s supported them. That’s the only reason I can think of as to why she came out so late for Clinton.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 am
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/13/snl-boss-sees-prohillary_n_91323.html
“I am a sore loser”
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 am
This time, with the proper link.
This skit, says it all in the minds of many who are watching this play out.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/11/saturday-night-lives-mess_n_101177.html