Universal Hub - 2013 elections

Mike Ross staffer sleeps in City Hall to be first to hand in signatures

adamg — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:37:53 +0000

David Bernstein explains why, doesn't say if the staffer at least had a sleeping bag.

The first mayoral race this year

adamg — Sun, 19 May 2013 15:41:23 +0000

Peter Gelzinis explains why first we'll see a race to sew up geographical areas (West Roxbury/Hyde Park/JP vs. Dorchester) and the "progressive minority vote," then, after the preliminary shrinks a field of 10 or 12 down to 2, we can get down to actual issues. Also, Gareth Saunders needs to consider whether he wants to join Althea Garrison and Roy Owens in the League of Perpetual Candidates.

Lawmakers and progressives with Menino ties talk up Richie

adamg — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:42:02 +0000

The Globe reports on support for mayoral candidate Charlotte Golar Richie among people like state Reps. Michael Moran (Allston/Brighton) and Aaron Michlewitz (North End).

Consalvo getting it done

adamg — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:41:11 +0000

Mike Ball comes away impressed from Rob Consalvo's kickoff rally in JP, although he says he needs to flesh out his proposed agenda:

So far, no one in the race has advanced either a brilliant slogan or a revolutionary platform. Rob's catchphrase Making Boston Better is more than adequate. He simply has to convince enough voters that he can pull that off, that he can harden up his kind of spongy goals and achieve each one. Last evening was promising.

Congressman and Boston Mayor Candidate crash cars

Douglas Bennett — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:37 +0000

The Boston Herald reports that U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch and Boston Mayoral Candidate Robert Cappucci, a former Boston School Committee member and police officer, were involved in a car accident yesterday in South Boston.

“I felt the bang and thought, ‘What the heck is that?’ ” Cappucci said. “I looked in the rear-view mirror and I recognized Steve. I thought, ‘That’s unbelievable that he would hit me like that.’ But he probably knew more than I did because I couldn’t see the other cars behind him.”

To read click here.

Dan Conley and the mother on the side of the road in the pouring rain

adamg — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:28:59 +0000

Some people try to visit all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Others vow to eat at every single burger place in Boston. Googiebaba has decided to try to meet all 24 people running for mayor of Boston. She starts with DA Dan Conley, whom she met one rainy Saturday while she and her two kids were on the side of the West Roxbury Parkway, victims of a flat tire:

A black SUV pulled up, and there was a gentleman talking to the police officer. I actually thought I might be in trouble when I saw him. He had that air of authority about him. For those not in Boston, Dan is our District Attorney. He introduced himself, and then asked me if I wanted him to take the kids home. This continues to amuse me. My children are gorgeous. They are bright, shiny stars. But they are also beastly. I keep imagining what would have happened if I had said yes, and put my two kids in the back of his beautiful SUV. ...

Mike Ross's former chief of staff now running Bill Walczak's campaign for mayor

adamg — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:10:06 +0000

Reuben Kantor, who worked for Ross when Ross served as city council president, sent out e-mail today announcing he'll be working as Bill Walczak's campaign manager:

What's a progressive in the big city to do?

adamg — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:50:09 +0000

WBUR reports on progressives fretting about the City Council winding up next year just as white and XYish as "old Boston." Or as 'BUR calls these folks, "self-styled progressives," because God forbid people be allowed to identify their political leanings without a reporter casting some doubt on what they really are by adding some empty phrase like "self-styled." But I guess we could expect no less from self-professed reporter David Scharfenberg.

The judge and his free legal help

adamg — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:46:50 +0000

The Globe reports Boston Municipal Court Judge Raymond Dougan received $550,000 in free legal help in his successful battle to fend off a bias charge brought by Suffolk County DA Dan Conley.

Dan Kennedy explains why his reaction is more or less so?

When Conley filed his complaint, he was in a no-lose situation. Even if Dougan ultimately prevailed, Conley knew that the judge would be ruined financially, and be held up as an object lesson for other judges wary of incurring the wrath of prosecutors. That's outrageous, and tilts the balance in favor of the prosecution even more than it already is.

Dougan found a way around that. And keep in mind that Conley's complaint was ultimately found to be bogus.

Entire city should vote on casino, two candidates for mayor say

adamg — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:45:08 +0000

The Herald talks to Dan Conley and John Barros. Currently, only East Boston is slated to vote on the proposed Suffolk Downs casino.