Forgotten city
While no one can say yet with any authority who will emerge victorious from the special-election Democratic primary in December, most experts agree that that contest will completely overwhelm the Boston city elections of November 3.
The Senate race will dominate media coverage from here on. Turnout for the city elections will almost certainly be low, as will contributions to city candidates. Plus, veteran political observers say that the very lifeblood of campaigns — the people who work or volunteer for the candidates — will be siphoned away from city elections.
All of this figures to aid Tom Menino, rather than his attention-starved challengers in the mayoral race.
It should also help incumbent city councilors, most notably at-large councilors Stephen Murphy and John Connolly. One City Hall insider, who is a loyalist of one of those incumbents, says that his reaction to learning of the December 8 primary date was, "Thank you, Ted Kennedy, for protecting your Irish brothers."
To read the "Talking Politics" blog, go to thePhoenix.com/talkingpolitics. David S. Bernstein can be reached at dbernstein[a]phx.com.
Related:
Chaos Theory, The X factor, After Ted, More 
- Chaos Theory
In less than two weeks, when Massachusetts voters elect Martha Coakley to the US Senate — let's not pretend that Republican state senator Scott Brown has any chance of pulling off the monumental upset — they will trigger a massive domino effect that has the state's political class buzzing with anticipation.
- The X factor
Martha Coakley should be plenty thankful for the holiday weekend. The polls suggest that, if nothing significant changes between now and the December 8 primary, she should handily claim the Democratic nomination for US Senate.
- After Ted
The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy early Wednesday morning brings to a close the life and legendary career of one of Massachusetts's greatest political figures.
- How Brown won
As the Massachusetts US Senate election unfolded yesterday, all that the pols and pundits wanted to talk about was how Martha Coakley managed to lose the race. And there is plenty there to dissect. But there is another part of the story, and that is how Scott Brown managed to win it.
- Taking sides
The stakes are high in the battle for Massachusetts’s first new US senatorship in a quarter-century.
- Ready to rumble
Last summer, the upcoming race that got most Bay State politicos salivating was the run for governor.
- Brown-nosing and flip-flopping
Two months ago, when Senator Scott Brown crossed party lines to help pass a jobs bill, the Phoenix noted the political convenience of that supposed show of independence — since other Republican senators were also voting with Democrats, Brown’s vote was unnecessary.
- Does Scott Brown’s victory mean doom for RI Democrats?
Republican Scott Brown's stunning victory this week in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts has created something approaching panic in the ranks of Congressional Democrats.
- Massachusetts: You might be living in a red state if
Scott Brown’s Senatorial victory is merely the latest sign that red tides are creeping upon our once-progressive Commonwealth. Don’t believe us? Consider that Kenny Chesney sells out Gillette Stadium every summer, and, of course, that wealthy Republican presidential hopeful with the fantastic hair was recently our Governor.
- Murph’s Last Grasp?
The ever-restless Stephen Murphy is at it again, running anew for state treasurer — just a few months after voters re-elected him to the Boston City Council.
- Tea Party Progressives?
When Democrat Peter Smulowitz celebrated his victory in the special-election primary for State Senate earlier this month in the back room of Masala Art restaurant in Needham, no bigwigs from his party were in attendance.
- Less
Topics:
Talking Politics
, Deval Patrick, Mike Sullivan (Hockey), Michael Capuano, More
, Deval Patrick, Mike Sullivan (Hockey), Michael Capuano, Massachusetts Republican Party, Peter Torkildsen, Martha Coakley, Martha Coakley, Steve Lynch, Steve Lynch, Joe Kennedy, Less
