Baker-Tisei Takes The Convention

It comes as no surprise that Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei were victorious at the Massachusetts GOP Convention today.

Today at the Massachusetts Republican Party Convention in Worcester, Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei overwhelmingly received the Republican Party endorsement. With over 2800 delegates in attendance, Baker won by an overwhelming margin of 89 – 11 over Christy Mihos.

“No candidate in modern Republican Convention history has trounced his opponent like this,” said Baker-Tisei Convention Chair and House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “It was a wipeout.”

“To receive the endorsement of the Republican Party is truly an honor,” said Baker. “As I have campaigned across Massachusetts, a consistent theme has been apparent, people are extremely worried about out-of-control spending from the insiders running Beacon Hill. Today marks the start of change.”

I do find it odd that only 4 years ago, the Massachusetts Republican Party was begging Christy Mihos to run as a Republican, and spoke often about the benefits of having a Republican Primary. Mihos’ 11% ensures no primary battle, and that is unfortunate. Why didn’t the Party make sure Christy got 15% so we could have a primary? What’s different now than 4 years ago? It’s just as important this year, if not more, than it was last time around…

Well, I suppose there’s no use wasting any words on pondering the issue.

Congratulations to Team Baker-Tisei. Let’s make it happen.

Who Isn’t An Insider?

State Senator Richard Tisei is being labeled an “insider” by critics of his selection to be Charlie Baker’s running mate.

Gubernatorial rivals yesterday pounced on Republican candidate Charles Baker’s choice of Sen. Richard Tisei as his running mate, painting the GOP minority leader as an entrenched insider who has strayed from the party’s anti-tax gospel.

Republican Christy Mihos said Baker’s pick means more of the same for tax-weary Bay State voters. “You can’t paint yourself as an outsider if you’ve worked on Beacon Hill for more than two decades,” Mihos told the Herald.

You know who wasn’t an “insider,” and was supposed to be the savior of the Commonwealth back when he was elected Governor in 2006? Sorry folks, but being an alleged “outsider” isn’t a guarantee of success either.

So what does Lt. Governor Tim Murray, an insider, have to say about it?

Said Democrat Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray: “Sen. Tisei is a 25-year State House insider who typifies the Republican establishment elite that created record levels of debt and deferred maintenance. I was a quarterback on my high school football team when Sen. Tisei started serving in the Legislature.”

Excuse me, Lt. Governor, but who is responsible for the record levels of debt and deferred maintenance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? It isn’t the Republicans…

So if being an “insider” is such a terrible thing, where is legislation for term limits? The State House is running rampant with insiders…

No way am I going to buy the argument that being an “insider” is more of a bad thing than being an outsider. The fact is, the minute you start serving elected office, you are an insider.

Being an outsider is a wonderful campaign slogan, and being an insider is a great label to throw around, but it doesn’t mean a thing. The people of the Commonwealth are repeatedly reelecting insiders that are doing a lousy job…and electing outsiders who are doing lousy jobs.

Insider? Outsider? Who cares? Everyone is an insider.

Baker Picks Tisei

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker has chosen Senator Richard Tisei as his running mate.

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Charlie Baker has picked state Sen. Richard R. Tisei as his running mate, according to his campaign Web site and Facebook page.

An announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the American Civic Center in Tisei’s hometown of Wakefield, State House News is reporting.

Baker’s campaign manager could not be immediately reached for comment.

“Richard has years of experience fighting for the taxpayer on Beacon Hill and I’m thrilled to have him on the team,” Baker said in a statement posted on his campaign Web site.

The Web page contained on CharlieBaker2010.com included a photo of Tisei and an image of Baker-Tisei 2010 bumper sticker.

Baker and the Senate minority leader will take on convenience store magnate Christy Mihos in the Republican primary. The winner is set to face off against state Treasurer Timothy Cahill and incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick in a three-way contest in 2010.

I’m curious why Baker made this announcement now, instead of say, in late January or February. Baker has been trailing in the polls versus Christy Mihos since day one, and to make such an important announcement the week of Thanksgiving seems poorly timed. Baker may have been much better suited to have waited until after the US Senate Special Election. This would have accomplished two things.

First, that election would be over and done with. Right now, the special election is hot to trot, and the election is virtually around the corner; the gubernatorial contest isn’t for another 11+ months. What would the harm of been to wait two more months?

Second, of course, is knowing whether or not Scott Brown would be available as a running mate, should he even want it. Picking Brown, who would have just completed a fast-paced state wide campaign, would offer the campaign someone with some state-wide name recognition; I don’t think Tisei can offer that. There is a reason why Mihos is ahead of Baker in every poll…and it’s not because Mihos is a favorite of the MassGOP establishment. Tisei, the Senate Minority Leader, has served in the state senate for 25 years and is (still) up for reelection next year. If Baker-Tisei wins, that could lead to another lost Republican seat in the state senate. Why give up a seat in the senate held by a Republican for 25 years?

Additionally, by making the pick now, Baker has given Christy Mihos the opportunity to “out do” his choice of Tisei, as well as take advantage of the expected media attention while the gubernatorial race is hot on everyone’s minds. There’s something to be said about getting the last word.

Seeing as Baker has not seen a lead in the polls, ever, I’d say this was poorly played. Mihos still has the upper hand here…let’s see what he does with it.

[Editors Note: This post has been updated. It was previously stated that Scott Brown was not seeking reelection. To clarify, Scott Brown has said he will serve one more term in the State Senate, but is not seeking reelection in 2012.]

Tisei Leading The Charge To Nix Hack Holidays

If ever there was a time to get rid of these ridiculous holidays, it’s now. Thankfully, there is one party on Beacon Hill willing to get it done.

A Senate push to repeal two controversial Suffolk County holidays – which went down to defeat in a close vote last month – could get new life thanks to a top Republican who has vowed to refile the bill, the Herald has learned.

A budget amendment to eliminate Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day drew widespread support from Senate Republicans and liberal Democrats alike – including Hub state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz – but the measure ultimately fell short by a 21-17 vote.

“We got more support than ever this year,” Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei said yesterday. “We’re picking up a lot of momentum and, given the fact that this has so much support, I’ll be filing it as a piece of legislation.”

That’ll give lawmakers such as Sen. Michael Knapik another chance to skewer the much-maligned holidays, which the Westfield Republican says cost the state more than $5 million at a time of likely steep tax hikes and deep budget cuts.

“It’s hard to justify these days off any more,” Knapik said. “I’m heartened by the 17 votes. Hopefully they’ll bring some sanity to everyone else.”

All schools and other nonemergency government agencies are closed in Suffolk County on Bunker Hill Day on June 17 and Evacuation Day on March 17. State employees also are allowed to take the days off or use them as floating holidays.

Outside of Suffolk County, these holidays are a joke. Let’s face it, government agencies don’t need two more days a year to be earning holiday pay when most of these people are serving positions that have little to no purpose.

Senators took the first vote on a Republican budget amendment aimed at axing the holidays two weeks ago, sparking a roughly 15-minute debate laced with sarcasm and old-fashioned Boston tribalism.

“If they want to debate the merits of the Suffolk County holidays I’m happy to defend them,” said Sen. Jack Hart (D-Dorchester). “It’s not a frivolous tradition. We hold it to be important, and I wonder if we get rid of it does that open the Pandora’s box to perhaps over time get rid of other holidays.”

Senator Jack Hart, you are a fool. Yeah, can you imagine nixing holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving? Of course not. It is absolutely a frivolous tradition. In a day and age where I’d be willing to be most children attending public school can’t tell you the real meaning of “religious” holidays like Easter or Christmas (besides the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus), an even smaller percentage are likely to be able to tell you what Bunker Hill Day or Evacuation Day are. How many of the hacks who take those days off know what those days are all about?

You know that in the private sector, employees are being treated to less paid holidays now than they were even just last year–it’s a sign of the times. When the rest of us are being forced to make sacrifices, we expect the government to do the same–especially considering it’s our money they are flushing down the toilet so a bunch of do-nothing hacks can go enjoy a spring or summer day while the rest of us work to pay for their days off.

Patrick Still Wants To Give Looters Free Wheels

These days, being poor is like winning the lottery. That’s what welfare is. But to what end? Why is that in this current economic crisis, Governor Deval Patrick still wants to give welfare recipients free cars?

Gov. Deval Patrick’s free wheels for welfare recipients program is revving up despite the stalled economy, as the keys to donated cars loaded with state-funded insurance, repairs and even AAA membership are handed out to get them to work.

But the program – fueled by a funding boost despite the state’s fiscal crash – allows those who end up back on welfare to keep the cars anyway.

“It’s mind-boggling. You’ve got people out there saying, ‘I just lost my job. Hey, can I get a free car, too?’ ” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

The Patrick administration decided last month to funnel an additional $30,000 to the nearly $400,000 annual car ownership program.

The program, which is provided by the State Department of Transitional Assistance, gives out about 65 cars a year, said DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe.

The state pays for the car’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for one year at a total cost of roughly $6,000 per car.

The program, which started in 2006, distributes cars donated by non-profit charities such as Good News Garage, a Lutheran charity, which also does the repair work on the car and bills the state.

Kehoe defended the program, saying the state breaks even by cutting welfare payments to the family – about $6,000 a year.

“If you look at the overall picture, this helps make sure people aren’t staying on cash assistance. It’s a relatively short payment for a long-term benefit,” Kehoe said.

But Kehoe admitted about 20 percent of those who received a car ended up back on welfare, and while they lose the insurance and other benefits, they don’t have to return the car.

“Given the state’s fiscal condition, paying for AAA and auto inspection costs is outrageous,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield). “There are so many families out there trying to deal with layoffs and pay cuts. You have to wonder what the state’s priorities are at this point.”

This is unacceptable. How do Governor Patrick and Commissioner Kehoe defend this when people who actually aren’t society’s slugs are struggling? How can you let someone keep a free car to drive to work when they aren’t working? And on top of it all, how can you expect people who work hard everyday to pay for their own cars to just sit back and let this go? It just doesn’t make sense.