Andy Card Out; Scott Brown To Make State House Announcement

Last night, the Massachusetts Republican Party was asked to release the following statement from Andy Card:

“After careful consideration, I have decided not to become a candidate for the U. S. Senate. Over the past few days, the encouragement and support from so many friends for me to run has been overwhelming. I am heartened and grateful. But ultimately, the decision is what I believe to be in the best interest of my family. Now is not the right time for me to enter a political race.

In these critical times, I know that Massachusetts would be well served to have Senator Scott Brown as the Commonwealth’s next United States Senator. He has my full support.”

Meanwhile, Rob Willington emails to say that “today at 2:00 PM Senator Scott Brown will be making an announcement at the front of the State House in Boston.”

If you can make it to the State House today, you are welcome to attend.

Mass GOP Won’t Let Kerry Go Unchallenged

With John Kerry out of the 2008 Presidential campaign, the Massachusetts Republican Party is ready to take advantage. While the Party generally sees open seats as having the most potential, John Kerry’s decision to run for reelection offers a unique opportunity.

Kerry is an unpopular politician, and probably at the weakest point of his political career. The Massachusetts Republican Party will have an easier time trying to unseat Kerry than going against another Massachusetts politician who would go for Kerry’s seat.

Bay State Republicans are circling like vultures around a politically weakened John Kerry, vowing to field a strong challenger that may be able to capitalize on his fractured image and snatch his coveted U.S. Senate seat.

One potential GOP challenger, state Sen. Scott Brown, said last night that he “would consider” a run against Kerry in 2008 and that the senator is ripe for the picking.

“I think he’ll get a challenge this time. I don’t think he’ll get a free ride,” Brown (R-Wrentham) said. “His handling of himself during this Iraq situation has been outrageous. He needs to be held accountable. Whether I’m the guy to do it or someone else, I think people are tired of his poor representation.”

Who are potential challengers to Kerry?

In addition to Brown, the pool of possible Republican challengers to Kerry’s Senate re-election bid next year could include Harvard Pilgrim CEO Charles Baker, real estate mogul and powerful GOP fund-raiser Chris Egan, state Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan, former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and President Bush’s former chief of staff, Andy Card.

Final Thoughts On The Massachusetts GOP State Convention

Massachusetts GOP State Convention is now over, and I thought I’d shared some final thoughts on the event now that I’ve had some time to digest the days events.

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Lowell 2006: Thus Ends The Mass GOP State Convention

Well, the convention is over. It’s been quite a day. I have now posted audio of Edward Brooke’s speech and Andy Card’s speech.

Unfortunately, since the convention ran late, we did not get to attend the luncheon with Andy Card as planned.

The convention was very good. The Republicans talked about the issues, and how their positions differed from the Democrats, and remained on a positive tone. A few jokes here and there at the Democrats’ expense, but in this state, Republicans know the key to victory is to stick to the issues and that’s what they did.

Lowell 2006: Andy Card Addresses The Mass GOP Convention

Andy Card speaks. Offers thanks to a number of people. “Our party is poised for victory.”

Calls Edward Brooke a great inspiration. “I’m flattered that I would be recognized with the Edward Brooke Award, so thank you very much.”

Recognizes the speeches given today.

“Kerry Healey is the best person to lead the Commonwealth of Massachusetts into the future.” She knows “how to take the baton and not drop it.”

“I’m proud to stand here and fully embrace Kerry Healey’s candidacy…” Says he will be by her side as she campaigns for the Beacon Hill Corner Office.

Card accidentally calls this city Lawrence, not Lowell. The delegates were quick to correct him.

“The Republican Party in Massachusetts kind of has an inferior complex.. and you shouldn’t.” Says the party has produced great leaders.

Says its good to be home because we understand “pahk the cah in Hahvard Yahd.”

2:07 pm: Talks about the Consitution “because that’s why you are here.” Tells the delegates its their job to find the best candidates to defend that Constitution.

2:08 pm: Talk about his excitement about becoming George W. Bush’s chief of staff. Talks about Inauguration Day “I looked forward to that day for 8 years.” We knew what he meant. Talk about Bush taking the oath, and notes it’s the shortest oath taken by an elected official, and it calls on the President “to preserve and protect the Constitution. … it was a job description that is beyond comprehension, but it is the job description…”

2:11 pm: Talks about 9/11 and whispering into President Bush’s ear that a second plane hit the WTC, and says that’s when President Bush really started to concentrate on the oath. Says we cannot forget 9/11 “because it did change America, and it did change the world…” “The people of the world look to the President of the United States…” Says the President understands about protecting us and the Constitution.

Says we need to remember that we are a nation at war. “Every day I say the president walk into that Oval Office… I watched as he carried the burden of a nation at war.”

Talks about the oath our soldiers take… and that they take an oath to follow orders of the Commander-In-Chief… says there are no clauses in the oath that they cannot defend America if the French don’t approve or the U.N. doesn’t give permission. The audience cheered.

Mentions Bush’s visits to Walter Reed Hospital.

“I am grateful that [President Bush] is the one carrying that burden.”

“It all comes back to the Constitution…”

“We are a nation at war, but we also a nation that is planting the seeds of Democracy and freedom.”

Afghanistan… women are voting. They have a constitution model on ours. Mentions our how democracy progressed, and how democracy doesn’t happen overnight. Mentions Iraq, and how some people say Democracy in Iraq is taking too long…

2:28 pm: This is a celebration of DemocRacy… DemocRacy with a capital ‘R’… Republican.”

2:29 pm: Card concludes. Here is the audio of his speech:

MP3 Download

Incredible speech, as you will hear.