I think one of the reasons this race is so tight is because outside money is pouring in to defeat Coakley:Democrat Martha Coakley leads Republican Charlie Baker by a slim 3 points (42-39) in the Massachusetts governor’s race, according to a new WBUR weekly tracking poll.These latest results are consistent with recent WBUR surveys. Last week, the WBUR poll showed Coakley up by 2 points (41-39), and the week before she led by three, 44-41.
“It has been stable, but the way it’s been stable I think is pretty interesting,” said Steve Koczela, president of The MassINC Polling Group, which conducts surveys for WBUR.
Coakley is struggling with the traditional base; currently, it looks like only about two-thirds of registered Democrats are supporting her, but, in an unconventional way, she’s making up that lost ground with unenrolled voters.
The WBUR poll also asked a series of questions about the economy, and they offer some insights into the governor’s race.
“When people hear about the economy or they say the economy in general is a high priority, they mean slightly different things,” Koczela said. “Some people are saying the state economy matters, and other people are saying my neighborhood economy matters.”
The WBUR survey finds economic growth is not the No. 1 priority for everyone. In fact, the idea of economic gains distributed more evenly, even if it means slower economic growth overall, is more popular (49-37) than the idea of achieving as much growth as possible.
And the poll suggests that desire feeds into Coakley’s campaign. Her supporters tend to want gains more equitably distributed, while Baker supporters tend to prioritize economic growth, even if it means some groups gain more than others. - WBUR, 10/15/14
But Coakley has been getting some big name help from this guy:The latest television ad from a well funded pro-Charlie Baker Super PAC strikes paints Baker's gubernatorial opponent, Attorney General Martha Coakley, as a career politician that is out of touch with the average person.
The 30-second spot from the Commonwealth Future Independent Expenditure PAC recalls how Coakley has run for office in Massachusetts for five different offices seven times in 17 years as well as her inability to remember how much the gas tax is.
The ad than quickly jumps to Baker with former Governor William Weld and touts Baker's plan to address welfare fraud and abuse. - The Republican, 10/14/14
And this guy:Gov. Deval L. Patrick said he doesn't support Attorney General Martha Coakley for the state's top job simply because she's a Democrat: He supports her because she will be a powerful advocate for everyone in Massachusetts, regardless of their connections to the political establishment.At a rally for Coakley supporters at the campaign's Springfield headquarters, Patrick said partisanship in the state is not about Democrats vs. Republicans. Instead, it's about "insiders and outsiders."
"There are a handful of people here in the commonwealth, many of them are partners of mine as governor, who frankly don't care who the governor is. They know how to get their phone calls returned," he said. "They know how to get a meeting. They're not bad people. I'm just saying they know how to make it work. They know how to look after their stuff.
"Everybody else depends on who the governor is and whether the governor sees you," he said.
Patrick criticized the Republican nominee for governor, Charlie Baker, saying Baker doesn't care whether children get early education and his big priority is giving tax breaks to companies "who don't need them and haven't asked for them." - The Republican, 10/13/14
http://bostinno.streetwise.co/...
And she's been reaching out to every constituency:As the Massachusetts gubernatorial contest continues to heat up with election day closing in, Democratic contender Martha Coakley landed another big-name endorsement. A week after Michelle Obama was in Boston backing Coakley at the Strand Theater in Dorchester's Uphams Corner, the Coakley campaign announced Bill Clinton will be descending on the Bay State as well.On Thursday, October 18, Clinton will join Coakley and her running mate, Steve Kerrigan, for a rally at Clark University in Worcester. The public is welcome to attend, though tickets are required in advance.
“I'm honored to welcome President Clinton to Massachusetts, and I am thrilled to have his support,” said Coakley in a statement. “President Clinton's work, both during his administration and after, serves as a model for the accomplishments we can achieve in our country, and how we can turn our economy around for all of our families.” - BostInno, 10/12/14
But if Coakley is having trouble with Democratic voters, this could help:Martha Coakley has made several visits to local Latino businesses across the state in her campaign for governor and as election day approaches she is reaching out to Latino voters with a Spanish-language ad.
“Building an economy on our terms means creating an economy that works for everybody, not just those at the top,” said Coakley. “I look forward to continuing my work with the hard working men and women in the Latino community as we create a more fair and prosperous Commonwealth."
In the ad Coakley is seen meeting with Latino business owners, social activists and children while the voice over includes comments from leaders endorsing her for governor. - The Republican, 10/7/14
We can beat Baker, we just have to get voters out to the polls. Click here to donate and get involved with Coakley's campaign:Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Martha Coakley announced Wednesday that if elected, she plans to enlist the services of two fellow Democrats she bested to land the party's nomination this election season.Juliette Kayyem, a former homeland security advisor to President Barack Obama and Don Berwick, a doctor and the former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, would help make up a preparedness council under a Coakley administration to help evaluate the state's various emergency protocols and determine ways things could be improved.
“As a district attorney and attorney general, I have experience working with state and federal partners, local law enforcement, and others in the community to confront the public safety challenges we all face," Coakley said in a statement. "MEMA has done a very good job in Massachusetts, but recent events are further reminders that the threats to our health and security are constantly evolving, and the next governor must be vigilant in making sure we are prepared for any challenge.”
Berwick, who would be in charge of ensuring the state is prepared to handle public health crises like the current Ebola outbreak, said the role is more important than ever.
"As these past weeks have made crystal clear, making sure that our state is prepared for health emergencies must be a major goal for our next governor," Berwick said. "I am honored to join with Attorney General Coakley to ensure that Massachusetts is ready both to prevent and to respond to any of these challenges." - The Republican, 10/15/14
