Steve Grossman is officially a

"wet ink democrat", because said ink was not yet dry on State Treasurer Tim Cahill's renunciation of the democratic party before the DSC chair piled into the 2010 race for the treasurer's office.
The above article notes that Grossman did not consult with Cahill before announcing, at the rate he was going, I think Grossman must've bowled over the milkman in a headlong flight to file his candidacy papers first with the Secretary of State.
And this mah frenz is only the beginning...everyone will wanna piece of this sumbitch, it is the only other wide open state wide race in 2010, a notable and rare prize indeed here in the Commonwealth.
I can see a dozen names on both sides of the ballot and maybe one in the middle...some of these poor jittery sonsabitches have been fundraising for decades waiting for that one clear shot at glory.
Over at the Blue Mass Group all sorts of names are being aired....including a joshing reference to Menotomy's own State Representative Sean Garballey.
It will be interesting to see who BMG coalesces behind as this process unfolds, they are after all a rising constituency in the party.
As for me, I'm wondering if Cameron Kerry (Senator Kerry's brother)will take a look at the race, he badly wanted to run for Secretary of State in 2006 and it is well known he'd love to grab off something nice in Massachusetts. The man has some potential in public life but if he want's Humble Elias' advice then puh-leez skip this one...fake a respiratory disorder if you have too or shooting pains in the legs!
It is a thankless job wherein your worst troubles will be caused by your best friends.
Nope I say wait out Martha Coakley (who'd KILL to be a US Senator, I mean fuh real kids!) or Billy Galvin...the state treasurer's office is nothing but grief.

Long Odds...

is what State Treasurer Tim Cahill faces if he wants to run for Governor next year as an independent. Unlike Vermont, Connecticut and Maine, independent candidacies for high office don't seem to get much traction here in the Commonwealth. Crazy Christy Mihos for all his money and bonhomie was good for only 6% of the in the 2006 Governor's race. For that fact, anyone else recall Chris Lydon's third party run for mayor of Boston?
Of course not, Lydon lost despite name recognition and some fundraising ability.
Still as long as the odds are for a third party candidate they aren't as daunting as they'd be if Cahill opted to run in the primary as a democrat against Governor Patrick.
Seems to me that barring an out of state affair with a sheep, Patrick is assured renomination, his grip on the party machinery extends waa-ay down to the precinct level so far as I can see.
And a three way race may just be Governor Patrick's easiest path to re-election...maybe by only a bare plurality but re-election all the same.
On the other hand, Cahill has to recall that Jesse "The Body" Ventura won as an independent with 33% of the vote in Minnesota, the tighter the race the better it is for both him and da Governor.
You have to wonder though, where is Tim gonna get the scratch to run for Governor on a third party ticket? Those dealios don't come cheap and he has to find a convincing candidate for Lieutenant Governor...that can be a real chore, just as former Attorney General Tom Reilly if'n yuh don't believe me.

The week is off to a slow start...

Even Sarah Palin, the drama queen of the Alaskan tundra cannot dent the late Michael Jackson's death grip on the news cycle.

Nuthin' left to do but watch the late Paul Newman impersonate the late Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long.

Oh NOW I understand...

Sarah Palin is chickening out, she can't take the puny criticism and the few sharp elbows that have been thrown her way since the election so she is resigning the Alaskan Governorship and running away like one of King Arthur's knights in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".
There is a word for this and it is cowardice.
Thass right Sarah Palin is desperate for attention is a crude adolescent fashion but she is also gutless...and that wins out every time lemme tellyuh.
This semi-quote from today's Globe is particularly suggestive:
"Palin, who has widely been seen as a leading 2012 presidential contender, said she had tired of “superficial, wasteful political blood sport.’’ She did not specify what she will do next."
Oh my lord this woman is clueless as well as gutless, she hasn't come in for ONE TENTH of the kind of criticism she'd collect after one month of campaigning in Iowa/New Hampshire. If these are her true colors (variations on yellow) then Romney will undoubtedly compel her to flee the country and campaign via shortwave from Thunder Bay before Christmas 2011.
That is if she reall wants to make the race at all, maybe her real plan is to barnstorm the lower 48 collecting Ann Coulter class speaking fees on the Campus Conservative Bundist Circuit...those dumbasses still have money to waste so I am told.

Cheap tawdry and cowardly....

Sarah Palin finally does right by Alaska...

chiefly by resigning....I guess she ran out of stupid things to say and wingnut nostrums to inflict on the citizenry.

This quote is unintentionally hilarious:
"It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success..."

Leaving is a great way to protect one's state isn't it?

Well what can II say, this is great news, Alaska is out one vengeful dingbat as Governor and the 2012 race for the White House starts all the earlier...Can't wait for her first foray into New Hampshire which will be what...Next week at the rate she is going?
Ghod her and Romney with nothing but time on their hands to start slagging each other....It makes me twitch with raw anticipation.

Joanie Vennochi...

Has this to say about the Governor's eloquence or lack thereof:
Communication is Obama’s great strength and Patrick’s great weakness. The Massachusetts governor is effective one-on-one. But, unlike Obama, he has trouble driving a cohesive political message and doesn’t seem to enjoy the mission.

Untrue in my humble opinion, I've seen enough up close to decide that Governor Patrick is a very effective communicator, not only one on one but amidst diverse audiences with disparate agendas. And his message this year at least has been appallingly simple reform before revenue...and pretty much as of last week he got it lock stock and barrel.
No, the Governor's problem isn't bad rhetoric, it is bad news. Nobody wants to listen to bad speeches or unwelcome tidings...and right now the only thing Governor Patrick has to offer is blood, toil, sweat and tears.
Things may pick up by next summer...but until then the Governor's fabled gift of gab will be mostly deployed explaining the sales tax et al.

Congrats to Senator Franken

good things come to them what waits and all like dat.
With Franken in finally some of that centrist drift in the senate might move leftwards just a tad.
And I'm also hoping against hope for a funny quotable Senator finally....the US House has Barney Frank...until now the Senate has had to get by with Robert Byrd's rustic witticisms.
And let us not forget, Franken is a former radio talk show host, Limbaugh, Hannity and Ingraham must be freakin' livid!