This just in, from the governor's press office:

June 1, 2:45 p.m--Governor Mitt Romney will present a gubernatorial citation to Jeffrey Chin and William Small of King Philip Regional High School recognizing them for their admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Really, has there ever been a more shamelessly opportunistic politican?

5/31/2006 3:26:02 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

Sonia Chang-Díaz, a JP resident who 1) used to be an aide to state senator Cheryl Jacques; 2) ran Angus McQuilken's failed campaign to replace Jacques a few years back, 3) currently works at the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, and 4) sits on the board of Mass Vote.

The McQuilken connection won't inspire tons of confidence in anyone who watched that race, but primary blame for McQuilken's defeat probably lies with the candidate himself, who was no great shakes. In contrast, the Barbara Lee connection could be extremely helpful as Chang-Díaz wages her sticker campaign. Lee is a woman who gets shit done; witness her big assist in Andrea Cabral's win over Steve Murphy. If Lee is on board here, Wilkerson should be seriously worried.

You can read Blue Mass. Group's take on Chang-Díaz here.

Finally, don't rule out the possibility of another Democrat jumping into the race. If you live in the Second Suffolk and have the faintest interest in being a state senator, this is one hell of an opportunity.

5/26/2006 7:39:33 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

This just in: upon further review, Boston's election department says state senator Dianne Wilkerson didn't provide the 300 valid signatures necessary to get on this fall's Democratic primary ballot. (The recount--which was prompted by Wilkerson's appeal of the city's initial ruling--put her at 291, compared to 263 on the first tally.)

Now that Wilkerson has to run a sticker campaign to advance to the final, don't be surprised if another Democrat (or two!) decides to launch sticker campaigns of their own. Among those reportedly interested: ex-city council candidate Susan Passoni.

5/26/2006 4:09:55 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

At 6 p.m., Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey will make an "announcement regarding federal flood aid" over at the State House. My first thought was, Hey, good for Governor Romney! He's giving his #2 a chance to get some nice free publicity! But then I realized that Mitt is still hanging with Hamid Karzai, or whatever.

Notwithstanding Romney's Middle East trip, you know the governor would love to be here for this particular event. And you can bet he wouldn't be letting Healey break the news if he were in town.

5/25/2006 5:15:49 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

That's right--we're talking plural here, folks.

Here's the press release the Gabrieli camp put out this afternoon. (I'd draw some sort of comparison between Kristina Saunders' experience and Richard Chacon's, but people would probably get all pissed off.)

GABRIELI CAMPAIGN EXPANDS TEAM

Boston, MA – The Gabrieli for Governor campaign announces the addition of Kristina Saunders and Becky Deusser to the communications team.  Ms. Saunders will serve as the Communications Director and oversee press operations for the campaign.  Ms. Deusser joins Press Secretary Dan Cence in the press shop where she will serve as Deputy Press Secretary. Before joining the Gabrieli campaign, Kristina Saunders served as a regional spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee where she oversaw the press operations in several key battleground states during the 2004 Presidential election, including on the ground management in Florida.  Prior to joining the DNC she worked on the Presidential campaign of Gen. Wes Clark and served as his press secretary in the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire. Becky Deusser comes to the Gabrieli campaign from the Lowell Sun where she covered the State House. Deusser is a life-long resident of Massachusetts where she has worked in journalism for the last five years.

5/25/2006 2:15:34 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [4] |  

Somebody really, really, really likes the senior senator from Massachusetts.

5/25/2006 11:57:46 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [7] |  

In this week's Phoenix, I assess rumors that the Mass Dems might shed a candidate or two at their convention in Worcester, and consider the keeping-Gabrieli-off-the-ballot-would-be-undemocratic argument. (I don't buy it.)

Also, please feel free to offer additional suggestions for this Democratic state convention drinking game.

5/25/2006 8:43:22 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

If it weren't for the AP's Glen Johnson*, nobody** would have noticed the pivotal role of race in Barney Frank's recent endorsement of Deval Patrick. Let's take another look at Frank's race-related commentary, which was excised from Blue Mass. Group's write-up of the endorsement:

Race is important also for us as Democrats. African Americans are an indispensable part of the coalition that Democrats need if we are to be able to win elections and carry out the policies to which we are committed. Excluding any of these important groups from the opportunity to win high office is both unfair and unwise from the political standpoint. No Democrat should be happy at the fact that in America today, so far only the Republican Party has nominated African Americans for statewide office at the highest level – for the Governorship in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and for the Senate in Maryland. In each case, I believe that the Democratic opponents of these men better represent the interests of all people, including African Americans, and I would not support any of the three Republicans. But the contrast between the parties does us no good. Were Deval Patrick lacking in ability, or wrong on the issues, this would not count for anything. But given the impressive qualities and insight he brings to this contest, then as Democrats I believe we should take into account the consequence of continuing a policy in which no African American is ever nominated by us for any office higher than State Senate, as a matter of both fairness and enlightened self-interest.

5/24/2006 10:17:54 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [7] |  

In this week's Phoenix, I offer a pretty critical assessment of Samiyah Diaz, the woman who would replace state senator Dianne Wilkerson. Which is why, when I bumped into Diaz at last night's LG forum at Suffolk Law School, I felt a bit awkward. Plenty of local politicians bristle at even gentle criticism, and my story really whacks Diaz. Also, while it's easy for reporters and commentators to criticize people in print, seeing them afterward is always uncomfortable. (I think there's some kind of aphorism about reporters not being thin-skinned, but having no skin.)

My point, as I come dangerously close to sounding like Larry King? Only that Diaz handled our encounter quite professionally. For that alone I have to give her credit. I also think it's commendable that she's hitting events like this one (sponsored by the Second Suffolk Democrats), where she's sure to be treated skeptically and may even encounter some outright hostility.

Now, if she could just loosen up a bit...

5/23/2006 3:07:50 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

Chalk it up to low name recognition, but Mitt clearly has a lot of work to do before he's a viable national candidate.

5/22/2006 1:42:11 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [3] |  

It's Richard Chacon, the Globe's soon-to-be-former ombudsman. Kudos to my Phoenix colleague Mark Jurkowitz for breaking the story.

I don't know Chacon at all, and he may perform admirably. That said, why would Patrick hire a total greenhorn for this key role--especially this late in the campaign?

5/22/2006 11:45:20 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [6] |  

There's already a ton of good commentary on last night's gov debate at the Kennedy School--I recommend the postings at Blue Mass Group and .08 Acres, as well as this write-up by the Globe's Lisa Wangsness, who nails the weirdness of Christy Mihos's presentation.

That said, in the spirit of Dan Payne and Wayne Woodlief, I'd like to offer everyone but Kerry Healey some unsolicited suggestions for the next time they rumble, heavy on the superficial but with an occasional bit of substance.

Christy Mihos: Expand your range--nobody likes tolls and taxes, but you talk about them way, way too much. Cross your legs. Don't look at the camera when you're talking. Don't praise Mitt Romney's disaster management skills. Skip the tanning booth next time. See Suggestion 2 for Reilly, below.

Tom Reilly: Don't dodge questions so much. Sometimes it's OK not to smile. Don't tell Massachusetts voters we can just build LNG facilities somewhere else in New England. The word "ideas" is pronounced like this: "Eye-DEE-uhs." When the next debate ends, count to three before getting out of your chair.

Deval Patrick: Repeat after me: "I am the only candidate who supports the wind farm in Nantucket Sound." Relax a bit--you're a much better speaker than your stage mates last night, but that didn't come through on TV.

Chris Gabrieli: See Suggestion 1 for Mihos, above. You love stem-cell research! We get it!!! Finally, you're better than any other Democrat at highlighting the downside of the Governor v. Legislature dynamic the GOP keeps running on. Mention it every single chance you get.

5/19/2006 11:03:16 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

Mark your calendars--unlike tomorrow night's scrum, WB-56's May 25 debate will be a strictly Democratic affair.

Here's the full press release. Got to love the concept, and the potshots at other media outlets add some welcome zest:

BOSTON'S WB ANNOUNCES THE PEOPLE'S DEBATE:  DEMOCRATIC DEBATE FOR GOVERNOR
THURSDAY, MAY 25 AT 10:30 P.M.

No Wonky Policy Gibberish.  Real People - Real Questions.

BOSTON, Wed., May 17, 2006 - WLVI-TV (Boston's WB) will air a "People's
Debate" between the Democratic candidates for Governor of Massachusetts on
Thurs., May 25 at 10:30 p.m., with simulcast on 96.9 FM Talk radio.  The
one-hour debate will be taped in the Boston's WB studio on Wed., May 24 at 4
p.m.

"The People's Debate: Democratic Debate for Governor" will be moderated by
Boston's WB Anchor Karen Marinella and will include the three candidates for
the Democratic nomination: Boston businessman Chris Gabrieli, lawyer Deval
Patrick and Attorney General Thomas Reilly. 

Instead of philosophical questions from journalists, Boston's WB reporters
will spend the next week soliciting debate questions directly from
Massachusetts voters who want to know how these candidates' views will
effect their everyday lives.  Boston's WB is sending camera crews across the
state, from gas stations to playgrounds, to gather input on what voters feel
are the important issues they'd like to see addressed. Questions for the
candidates may also be submitted on-line at www.bostonswb.com. 

96.9 FM Talk will have host Margery Eagan field questions for the debate
from listeners during "Eagan and Braude" on Tuesday, May 23 from 12 p.m. - 1
p.m.   Boston's WB will be inside the 96.9 FM Talk studio to videotape the
program for a segment which will appear in the debate.

"The style of this debate will be relaxed and informal, yet the content will
be important and interesting for people who want to hear the candidates talk
about topics that matter," says Pam Johnston, news director, Boston's WB. 

The debate will take place around a table, not at podiums.  Ample
opportunity will be afforded for rebuttal and direct debate among the
candidates in response to all questions.  Candidates will be able to ask one
question to an opponent, and each will provide closing (but no opening)
remarks.  The debate will air at 10:30 p.m., giving viewers a better chance
to fit watching it into their busy schedules.

"We're committed to local political coverage and chose to air our debate at
10:30 p.m. because many working families are not home or available to watch
debates that air in the morning or early evening," said Vinnie Manzi, vice
president / general manager, Boston's WB.

5/17/2006 4:57:10 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

Would I be pissed off if I paid $90 to park by Fenway and the game got canceled? Absolutely. Does this mean city council president Michael Flaherty's plan to have parking lots give vouchers for canceled games is a good idea? Not a chance.

Think about it: parking rates are obscenely high for Sox games, and traffic in the Fenway is nightmarish. What the city should be doing is creating disincentives to drive in--say, by offering subway and commuter rail discounts. This would A) restore some sanity to the neighborhood and B) bring prices down for those who still insist on driving. By mandating vouchers, though, the city would actually be removing one of those disincentives--i.e., the fear that you'll spend a shitload to park for a game that never takes place.

The voucher plan was pretty popular at today's council meeting. No surprise there--it's just the kind of thing that promises to play well come election time. Credit Sam Yoon, though, for drawing a connection between affordable-housing issues and Flaherty's voucher plan. As Yoon correctly noted, Flaherty's proposal is based on a conviction that the city has a right to regulate transactions involving private property. And credit Yoon as well for noting that housing issues should probably be taking priority over protecting boneheads who inexplicably insist on driving to Sox games. (Those are my words, not his; what Sam actually said was, "My heart bleeds more, I guess, for others that are similarly feeling the effects of not having land. The root causes are the same--lack of space.")

5/17/2006 4:45:50 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [5] |  

You knew it was coming, folks...Here's Tom Reilly's take on Deval Patrick's Ameriquest exit.

A question to ponder: if you were Patrick's campaign manager, would you tell him to follow through on his recent promise to disclose his board compensation? Discuss! (I say yes, but I'm no political operative.)

STATEMENT FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM REILLY ON DEVAL PATRICK'S RESIGNATION FROM BOARD OF AMERIQUEST
 
"One of the major differences between Deval Patrick and me comes down to one word - Ameriquest.  While I fought them and helped get millions of dollars back for Massachusetts residents who were scammed by this predatory company, he was on their payroll. 

"I find his "mission accomplished" declaration very troubling because there is no evidence that this predatory company has changed.  Today's announcement by Mr. Patrick doesn't end the need for him to disclose fully the specifics of his financial relationship with Ameriquest."

5/15/2006 4:41:30 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

I mean Tom, obviously.

Andy at Mass Revolution says Deval Patrick's resignation from the board of directors of Ameriquest's parent company is a testimony to Patrick's leadership. But I've got to respectfully disagree. This is a victory for Tom Reilly, plain and simple. The AG made Patrick uncomfortable by hammering away at this issue, and now he gets to spin Patrick's exit as proof he was right--i.e., that Patrick's relationship with Ameriquest was sketchy.

Also, let me just acknowledge that unlike David at Blue Mass Group, I'm not much of a prognosticator.

Here's the latest spin from the Patrick camp. As you read it, ask yourself: would Patrick be leaving if Tom Reilly hadn't turned this into a campaign issue?

BOSTON—Monday, May 15, 2006—Deval Patrick, saying “the company is on the right path now” to prevent future lending missteps, today said he would leave the board of Ameriquest’s parent company, ACC Capital Holdings, by July 1^st.

Patrick said he was pleased with the company’s progress in implementing new procedures necessary to prevent future abuses.   A special monitor, Michael Moore, the former Attorney General of Mississippi, is now overseeing compliance with the agreement reached among attorneys general and the company.

In addition, Patrick worked with company officials over the past two weeks to bring a special pilot program to Massachusetts that will help overextended borrowers avoid home foreclosures.  Mayor Thomas Menino last Tuesday announced the start of discussions concerning that program in Boston.

“I said all along I would stay on the board until I was satisfied that reforms to correct past practices and prevent future missteps were in place and underway.  That is now the case.  Ameriquest is on a path to be a better, more responsible company now.  If they keep at it, they will be a model for the industry,” Patrick said.  “I am proud of my role in helping to set a better course.”

“I understood from the outset that my work with Ameriquest would make some people uncomfortable.  Progressives are sometimes uncomfortable in principle with people who work for companies.  Political rivals try to make it an issue.  But I still believe that lasting reform requires the effort of good people both outside and inside.  Whether at Texaco, Coca-Cola or Ameriquest, I have never left my conscience at the door. “

“Unfortunately, that spirit is largely missing from our current political culture.  Many of our political leaders prefer to concentrate on getting and keeping office rather than performing the hard work of devising real solutions to our most difficult challenges.  That's why we need a change,” Patrick added.

Patrick personally worked with Ameriquest to bring credit counseling and foreclosure avoidance programs to Massachusetts that Ameriquest has used successfully elsewhere.  He also helped to arrange placement opportunities with a competing financial services company for all Ameriquest employees who were recently laid off in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

“Leadership is more than grand announcements.  It's more than press conferences and photo ops.  Sometimes leadership is the slow, steady, unglamorous work of making reform real,” Patrick said.

5/15/2006 2:23:56 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [10] |  

"This shows that Romney probably doesn't have what it takes to run the country if he can't even make a decision about this." --Anti-gay activist Brian Camenker, discussing Mitt Romney's flip-flop on abolishing the state's advisory commission on gay and lesbian youth, in today's Globe. Camenker also termed Romney's quick switch "pure cowardice on the governor's part."

Priceless.

Also, when I read that Romney was pissed about a news release for this weekend's Youth Pride parade going out on official gubernatorial stationary, I couldn't help thinking of this (thanks to the good people at Bay Windows):



Quite a chameleon, our governor.

5/12/2006 11:10:29 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

In this week's Phoenix, I argue that emulating JFK won't do the trick for the governor.

For the sake of comparison, here's a write-up of Mitt's recent appearance at an Iowa Christian Alliance house party that suggests I might be wrong.

5/11/2006 11:07:48 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

It's official--Kathleen O'Toole is off to Ireland.

Nice timing, what with those homicide-friendly summer months just around the corner. Then again, O'Toole's tenure hasn't exactly been dazzling. So maybe her successor will be an upgrade.

As O'Toole rides off into the sunset, it's worth pondering these truly bizarre lines from the Globe's February 2006 profile of the commish:

O'Toole, who is protective of the department's image, starts her days at 6 a.m. at her home in South Boston, where she types three key terms into the search engines on the websites for The Boston Globe and Boston Herald: "Boston Police," "O'Toole," and "Menino," "to determine whether it's safe to leave the house or not," she said, chuckling. She talks to Menino on the phone, and heads to City Hall for meetings.

Midmorning, at police headquarters in Roxbury, she pores over paperwork, such as staff changes and punishments recommended by the internal affairs unit. Occasionally, she sits in on intelligence briefings. She lets others decide which units go where and rarely inquires about investigations, waiting for deputies to provide updates.

I'm all for delegating, but that sounds like borderline neglect.

5/9/2006 6:47:57 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

This just in, courtesy of Bay Windows: House majority leader John Rogers--a former anti-same sex marriage stalwart--will oppose the latest push to ban gay marriage at this year's Constitutional Convention.

As Laura Kiritsy notes, Rogers' shift follows similar moves by Democrat Gene O'Flaherty and Republican Brad Hill.

Signs of the times.

5/9/2006 4:41:26 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [2] |  

He's not Boston's favorite local politician for nothing, folks. At-large city councilor Felix Arroyo just announced that he'll donate half* of his proposed $12,500 pay raise to charity if it goes through.

Personally, I wish he'd just given away the whole thing. Still, this is a commendable and politically savvy move by Arroyo, who was one of just two councilors (Chuck Turner was the other) to oppose the pay-raise package that breezed through City Hall with no public input. It'll be interesting to see if any other councilors follow his lead.

[*NOTE: I initially wrote that Arroyo was donating the full $12,500. That's what I get for reading the headline and nut graf and skimming the rest...Anyway, thanks to Chris Cagle for setting me straight.]

Here's the full press release:

Arroyo announces he will donate salary increase

BOSTON— On Tuesday, May 9^th, at-Large Boston City Councillor Felix D. Arroyo announced that he has decided to donate additional monies received from the recent increase in City Councillor salaries to charity.

Last week, the Boston City Council voted to increase the annual salaries of the Mayor of Boston, top Administration officials, and the City Councillors themselves.  Councillors Arroyo and Turner opposed the increase.  The Ordinance increasing salaries has not yet been officially approved and may need to overcome additional legal obstacles.

If and when the increases occur, Councillor Arroyo has decided to donate additional net salary received for a period of six months.  He will establish a separate charitable account with those amounts and make donations to local organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting peace and/or to improving the lives of Boston’s youth.

“I opposed the recent decision to increase our own salaries, since I felt that there were more urgent needs that should have been fulfilled with those additional monies,” said Arroyo. “I hope that my decision to donate my personal salary increase will encourage other public officials in Boston to do the same.”

5/9/2006 12:23:16 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [13] |  

5/8/2006 4:25:08 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [2] |  

Here's what the Deval Patrick camp has to say about yesterday's CBS4 poll, which shows a dead heat in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and suggests that support for Patrick is ebbing among likely voters.

I'd say they're reaching a bit--even if, as Jon Keller notes, Chris Gabrieli's recent wave of TV ads has something to do with the uptick in his numbers.

(NOTE: Apologies for the funky formatting--I'm currently working at a computer that lacks MS Word.)

BOSTON—Friday, May 5, 2006—The following is a statement from Libby DeVecchi of the Deval Patrick campaign on recent polls, including one released last night.

 

“While it is far too early to take the details of polls seriously, there is one overall aspect that jumps out from recent public polling. These polls clearly show that people are responding to Deval Patrick, a new candidate who is running a different kind of campaign, a campaign about candor and leadership and a campaign that is focused on the grassroots.

 

"Deval is encouraged by polls that place him tied with or ahead of Tom Reilly and Chris Gabrieli, politicians who have run for statewide office before. Support for Deval continues to grow as he talks to people about the issues they care about, and connects with citizens at a grassroots level.

 

"While some candidates are spending money on television commercials, Deval Patrick is crossing the state, connecting with people on a personal level. Deval's grassroots base is growing everyday.  To date, he has nearly 12,000 donors and 4,000 volunteers throughout the Commonwealth who have answered Deval Patrick’s call to re-engage in the political process.”

 

OTHER UPDATES

 

• The Deval Patrick campaign also had a very strong fundraising month in April, raising $391,000 and bringing in an additional $45,000 in the form of a contribution from Deval and Diane Patrick to the campaign. Total: $436,000—a new monthly record for our campaign.

• The first Women for Deval event of 2006, was held on Wednesday, May 3^rd, and it was the campaigns’ most successful fundraiser to date.  Over 500 women attended and contributed $125,000 in contributions and climbing.

5/5/2006 10:41:30 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

A few weeks back, I suggested that Kennedy Hatred was a dying cultural phenomenon. Unfortunately, I didn't fully grapple with the ability of the younger members of the Kennedy clan to keep hate alive.

Even if you're not a Howie Carr fan, the contrast he draws between Patrick Kennedy's kid-gloves treatment at the hands of the Capitol Hill cops and Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney's somewhat harsher handling makes today's column a must-read.

If anyone has a chance to watch Patrick explain himself in Rhode Island this afternoon, please pass on any observations.

p.s.--Whoever he or she is, this Lowell Democrat is right: this latest P. Kennedy incident is a gift to the embattled national GOP.

5/5/2006 10:33:28 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

Voters of Boston: come the 2007 city elections, remember your city councilors' decision to give themselves a big fat pay raise without soliciting your input.

Even if you think the councilors deserve to make $87,500 a year--$12,500 more than they made last year, and nearly $32,000 more than state legislators!--signing off on the raise without holding a public hearing is disgusting. 

The council also denied voters a chance to weigh in on a $25,000 jump in Mayor Tom Menino's salary. Menino will make a cool $175,000 annually if the raises go through--which they will, when Menino gives them his imprimatur. Keep this in mind the next time Menino complains that Boston's strapped for cash.

And listen--if anyone who understands the city's convoluted pension system can tell us what Menino's proposed $25,000 raise will do for his pension when he rides off into the sunset, please fill us in. I've tried to get this information before, but they don't make it easy over at City Hall.

Kudos to Felix Arroyo and Chuck Turner for opposing the raises. And extra jeers to District 3 councilor Maureen Feeney, who canceled a scheduled hearing on the issue.

Mass Marrier offers his take on this utterly bogus development here.

5/4/2006 11:23:25 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [7] |  

Take it with a big fat grain of salt, since 1199 SEIU endorsed Tom Reilly last month. But here's a letter the group just sent hammering Patrick for his Ameriquest ties.

Somewhere, Tom Reilly is smiling.

May 3, 2006

Deval Patrick

Democratic Candidate for Governor

The Deval Patrick Committee

56 Roland Street, Suite 100D

Boston, Massachusetts 02129

Dear Deval:

The members and leadership of 1199SEIU were extremely disappointed today to read reports that the direct subsidiary of ACC Capitol Holding Board, Ameriquest, has chosen to fire up to 90 Massachusetts workers and approximately 3,800 employees nationwide.  As one of five board members for ACC Capital Holding Board, the execution of these layoffs certainly fell within your oversight. 

In addition, it’s also troubling to learn that you knew about these layoffs ahead of time, and yet did not take the proper steps to give the workers or the state advance notice as indicated by the spokesman for the Massachusetts Division of Banks in today’s Boston Globe.  Ameriquest was required by law to give the Massachusetts Division of Banks 30 days notice before closing branch offices, and yet it failed to do so.

This is the latest in a long line of anti-worker and anti-consumer practices in which  Ameriquest has engaged.  These layoffs come in the wake of Ameriquest's $325 million settlement with Attorneys General in 49 states, including Massachusetts. The settlement included a $12 million penalty for Massachusetts consumers who were taken advantage of by the deceptive tactics of Ameriquest, threatening their most valuable asset - their homes.

The Attorneys General also alleged Ameriquest falsified loan documents, inflated borrowers' earnings to tie them into costlier loans, and used high-pressure tactics to force them into bad loans. All the while, Ameriquest was spending millions on high-impact advertising campaigns, including Super Bowl sponsorships and backing the massive Rolling Stones tour of North America.

You have defended Ameriquest's practices, calling it a "good" company and defending its owner, Roland Arnall, even encouraging the United States Senate to reward him with an ambassadorship to the Netherlands. Arnall and his wife were significant donors to President Bush's campaign and helped fund attack ads against Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry.

You have also refused to disclose how much money you are being paid to sit on this board of directors. Did you propose to reduce the compensation of executives and board members to offset the amount of layoffs of workers? We believe you should make clear how many hundreds of thousands of dollars you are making while at the same time consenting to fire dozens of Massachusetts workers.

You have a choice to make - either you are on the side of Massachusetts residents or you are on the side of one of the worst examples of corporate greed. With Ameriquest's massive firings of workers and long history of preying on consumers in Massachusetts, you should immediately resign your position on the board of ACC Capitol Holding Board, the parent company of Ameriquest.

We appreciate in advance your immediate response.

Sincerely,
Mike Fadel

Executive Vice President

1199SEIU United Health Care Workers East

5/3/2006 4:29:51 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |  

In the wake of today's report that subprime lender Ameriquest is closing shop here in Massachusetts, Blue Mass Group's David Kravitz makes a strong argument for Deval Patrick's resignation from the board of ACC Capital Holdings, Ameriquest's parent company. Most compelling, to my mind, is the third point David brings up--i.e., the political liability represented by Patrick's ties to the company.

Here's my prediction: it's not going to happen. Patrick seems genuinely loyal to Ameriquest founder Roland Arnall, your new ambassador to the Netherlands, who asked Patrick to join ACC's board. (Hard to say why, if this is the way Arnall does business.) In addition, Tom Reilly would inevitably spin Patrick's resignation as proof positive that his involvement with Ameriquest was tawdry: instead of having to explain why he's on the board, Patrick would have to explain why he quit. Finally, Patrick hasn't been farsighted in his handling of this issue to date--why do we know that he makes more than $100,000 annually for serving on ACC's board, but not the actual amount?--and there's no reason to expect him to change now.

To be clear, I think David's right. I just don't think Patrick will take his advice.

5/3/2006 4:05:32 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

Earlier today, our governor's official schedule included a 2 p.m. meeting with Israel's ambassador to the U.S. and a Tax Freedom Day event with LG Kerry Healey and anti-tax stalwart Barbara Anderson.

That was then. A few minutes ago, Romney's press office put out a revised schedule for today which included just one item--a "personal dinner" in New York City at 7:30 p.m.

Exciting! But what can it be? Here's my prediction: we'll read in tomorrow's papers that Romney dined with--wait for it--none other than Rudy Giuliani this evening.

Any other ideas?

5/2/2006 4:10:28 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [4] |  

Here's the explanation from Nate Little, a campaign spokesman for Kerry Healey, on why the Massachusetts lieutenant governor is taking a pass on next month's live debate: "Two of the three Democrats won't even be in the race after the primaries. We sent out a debate challenge last week, for four debates between primary and election day. So once the candidates for the final are established, we'll be happy to debate anytime and anywhere."

I guess the idea is to let the Dems beat up on each other, instead of ganging up on the LG. Still, you've got to wonder if Healey is making the right choice here. Participating in pre-primary debates would toughen her up for the general-election campaign, and let her hammer home the differences between her and her opponents early and often. But this just makes Healey look timid.

It also renders Healey's aforementioned debate challenge wholly unimpressive. According to MassINC president Ian Bowles, the various candidates were informed of the date of the live-broadcast debate on April 7, and mailed written invitations on April 14. Healey issued her challenge on Tuesday, April 25--which suggests it was simply a bit of damage control aimed at making the LG's decision to abstain from the May debate look a little less lame.

Mission not accomplished, I'd say.

5/1/2006 4:57:52 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [1] |  

Good news--some of Boston's civic heavy hitters (the Globe, NECN, Harvard's Kennedy School, MassINC, and WBUR) are teaming up to sponsor a live gubernatorial debate on the economy. It's scheduled for May 18, at the eminently reasonable hour of 7 p.m.; the full press release follows.

Here's the bizarre part: lieutenant governor Kerry Healey isn't participating. That'd be a questionable move under any circumstances, but given the Republican nominee's recent call for four debates, it's especially strange.

When I asked NECN's* Doreen Vigue why Healey wasn't taking part, she sounded baffled. "We have no idea," Vigue said. "...You'll have to ask her people the reason behind it. They just declined."

I'll try to get an explanation from the Healey camp this afternoon. Stay tuned. In the meantime, here's what we have to look forward to later this month:

Gubernatorial candidates to meet for first live broadcast debate

Debate on the economy sponsored by The Boston Globe, the Kennedy School of Government, MassINC, NECN, and WBUR set for May 18

Boston, May 1, 2006 – Four of the five major candidates for Governor – Chris Gabrieli, Christy Mihos, Deval Patrick and Attorney General Tom Reilly – will meet at 7 PM. on the evening of May 18 th for a debate focused on jobs, the economy and cost of living in Massachusetts. The debate, which will be held at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, will air live on New England Cable News and WBUR 90.9 and will be moderated by NECN’s R.D. Sahl. This debate marks the first live broadcast debate of the campaign season. Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey declined to participate.

The debate consortium includes The Boston Globe, the Kennedy School of Government, The Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC), New England Cable News and WBUR. The panel of journalists will be: Ken Cooper of the Kennedy School, Scott Helman of The Boston Globe, Robert Keough, editor of CommonWealth magazine, Alison King of NECN, and Bob Oakes of WBUR 90.9.

“We are honored to host the candidates here at the Kennedy School,” said David T. Ellwood, Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government. “This promises to be a major event in the 2006 political season.”

“Cost of living has emerged as a central challenge for the Commonwealth. It is impacting our ability to attract and retain the most skilled workforce in the nation. We thought it was important to hear from the candidates about this critical set of issues early in the political season,” said Ian Bowles, President of MassINC, a nonpartisan think tank that publishes CommonWealth magazine.

“In depth political coverage is a calling card of NECN. We are proud to offer a live substantive debate at a time when viewers can actually see it,” said Charles Kravetz, NECN's Vice President of News and Programming. “The Commonwealth faces many important issues and this year's campaign and election deserve our commitment to thoughtful political discourse.”

“This is an opportunity to get beyond sound bites and engage the candidates on the issues – among the most important ones facing our state,” said Martin Baron, editor of The Boston Globe. “We are pleased to work with the candidates and our outstanding partners in making this debate possible.”

Because no candidates are officially on the ballot at this stage, the consortium used criteria of political viability – defined as name recognition, evidence of electoral support, and ability to raise funds – to determine which candidates to invite to the May 18 th debate.

*NOTE: I originally--and incorrectly--identified Vigue as a Globe employee.

5/1/2006 4:27:01 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [4] |  

Wherein the Man from Lousiburg Square proposes making college savings-tax deductible, investing in stem-cell research, and investing in renewable energy.

Since #3 looks a lot like #1 and #2, I'll refrain from offering a letter grade. But I will admit that the gentle guitar music in the background made me kind of melancholy.

NOTE: Astute Phoenix readers will note that my promise to blog from the Mass GOP convention was not kept. Not to overdo the excuses or anything, but here's the scoop: turns out penicillin and I aren't a good match, which led to an unplanned hospital visit early Saturday morning.

Please send all cards and gifts to me, c/o the Boston Phoenix, 126 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215.

5/1/2006 2:35:43 PM by Adam Reilly | Comments [0] |