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Grumpy Lida Harkins

Mike Ball notes state Rep. Lida Harkins seems content to let a Republican keep Scott Brown's old seat in the state Senate now that she's not the Democratic nominee:

... Now, after losing the primary, Harkins certainly knew the expected and right and civilized thing to do was to congratulate the winner and endorse him in the final. Instead, she says, "I'm staying out of the race altogether." Low brow and low class...

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Comments

I agree that Lida Harkins should have taken the high road, but I understand her anger. After what I observed in the primary between Lida Harkins and Peter Smulowitz, I just don't trust Smulowitz's judgement. This letter to the editor of the Needham Times does a great job of describing what many Needham Democrats are feeling:

http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x932353387...

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I think you and other Lida supporters are really missing the point, including Mr. Larkin. The point is not that Smulowitz ran a tough, negative campaign (though Larkin goes *way* to far in calling Smulowitz a liar); the point is that Lida Harkins is now betraying the Democratic Party --- and I don't use the word "betraying" lightly.

I can understand long-time Harkins supporters being upset; I can understand Harkins being upset, too, but now is not the time to throw a tantrum and undermine the Democratic Party. If Harkins's longtime supporters support the democratic party and its policy goals, they should get behind Smulowitz. If they don't want to help Smulowitz out of bitterness, which is ultimately their prerogative, but want to still pretend to be democrats, they need to shut up for 22 days and remember there's another election for this seat in 6 months and every two years. If they don't like Smulowitz, that's fine, but for Democrats in that district, especially those with party links (those on the town committee, etc.), there's always the next election... but being a spoil sport and doing their best to put Ross into the Senate will do *nothing* to help the people of this state, Needham or the district. There are bigger things at stake here and, like him or not, Smulowitz is great on democratic issues and will not be beholden to leadership.

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I am a Lida Harkins supporter and worker who believes that Democrats need to unite and move on RIGHT NOW to replace Scott Brown with a Democrat. We don't have the luxury to do anything else.

Don't you believe for a second that the Republicans would self-destruct over hurt feelings. Remember, Republicans Betty Poirier of North Attleboro and Richard Ross of Wrentham both wanted to run as Republicans. They and party leaders had a pow-wow and Poirier stepped aside. Clear sailing for him. Party first for the Republicans--as always. How amused they must be at our internal bickering.

There are 21 days until the election and the focus still seems to be on the Smulowitz smear of Lida. Let's put our Democratic program first. This election will be covered nationally. Picture Scott Brown and the Republicans crowing about how the Democrats are on the ropes in the run-up to the mid-term elections for Congress. A Ross victory will help the Republicans to build momentum we just can't afford.

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Excellently put. You cover the key issues. THX

Mike

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