| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PATRICK: 'EVERYONE IS A TARGETED VOTER' — The first-ever all-virtual Democratic National Convention comes to a close tonight. Nominee Joe Biden will deliver remarks, following a week of speeches from the party's stars including vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, former President Barack Obama and home state Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who delivered her address from a childcare center in Springfield on Wednesday evening. It's been eight years since Deval Patrick delivered his memorable speech at the 2012 convention. I spoke with the former governor and 2020 presidential candidate this week about the convention and the direction of Democratic politics. Patrick is co-chair of a joint effort by the Unite the Country and American Bridge 21st Century super PACs to boost Biden, and he supports Democratic candidates through his TogetherFund PAC, which launched earlier this year. Ahead of the November election, the party has to reject the habit of campaigning to its base and bring people together, Patrick told me. Democrats should be careful to avoid alienating voters who backed President Donald Trump in 2016 but are considering voting for Biden this time around, he added. The convention has made a clear effort to appeal to voters in swing states like Pennsylvania this week, where 2016 nominee Hillary Clinton lost. "Everyone is a targeted voter, if you will, and everybody matters. And I think that's important. You know, we have a bad habit in politics, I think, when people talk to people who already agree with them. And in the case of Donald Trump, he seems to be interested only in governing people who already agree with him," Patrick said. "It is a really important contrast for this convention to show that Democrats are interested, not just in getting these jobs, and that job of the presidency in particular, but actually doing it and that means paying attention to everybody," he continued. NEW: SUPER PAC TO SPEND FOR LYNCH CHALLENGER — A new super PAC is wading into the primary race between Rep. Stephen Lynch and Dr. Robbie Goldstein. Progressives are eyeing the Sept. 1 contest as an opportunity for an upset after victories in other states, like New York and Missouri. The new group is called the Committee for Access to Affordable Healthcare , and it is focusing on distinctions between Lynch and Goldstein on health care issues, like Medicare for All. Lynch voted against the Affordable Care Act and was previously against abortion, the group notes on its website. The longtime congressman is a moderate Democrat, and if the presidential primary is a guide, so are many of his constituents. Joe Biden won every city and town in Lynch's district on Super Tuesday. The Committee for Access to Affordable Healthcare has raised more than $60,000, according to treasurer Dr. Marjory Bravard, and the group plans to spend the cash on digital ads. Bravard is a doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, where Goldstein works as a primary care doctor and infectious disease specialist. Goldstein has had a front-row seat to the pandemic, overseeing two intensive care units for Covid-19 patients at the hospital. The super PAC will provide a financial boost for Goldstein, who has $224,000 to spend in the final days of the primary race. Lynch reported having $1.5 million in his war chest at the end of the last FEC filing period. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III speak at the Boston GreenFest virtual business summit. Markey campaigns in Worcester, Framingham and Ashland. Kennedy begins a 24-hour campaigning blitz around the state. Rep. Seth Moulton hosts a Democratic National Convention watch party. | |
| | PLUG IN WITH PLAYBOOK AT THE DNC : Join POLITICO Playbook Co-authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman from Aug. 18 to 20 for "Plug in with Playbook," our new political show making its virtual debut at this year's conventions. Get the latest developments on presumptive nominee Joe Biden's campaign, analysis of down-ballot races, a look at this cycle’s swing states, along with other election-related updates. Featured guests include DNC chair Tom Perez, convention CEO Joe Solmonese, Biden campaign senior adviser Symone Sanders, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and others. WATCH LIVE. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 28 new COVID deaths, 262 coronavirus cases on Wednesday,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials announced another 28 coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, bringing the statewide death count to 8,645. Officials also confirmed another 262 cases of COVID-19, for a total of 115,048 cases statewide.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Unions say in-person learning plans not a done deal,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have urged all communities with a low prevalence of COVID-19 – marked green or white on a new state color-coded map – to start with some form of in-person learning. When Baker issued that guidance August 11, all but 33 communities were in that low-prevalence category.” – “Flu vaccine now required for all Massachusetts students enrolled in child care, pre-school, K-12 and post-secondary institutions, state says,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday announced that influenza immunization will now be required for all children aged 6 months or older who are attending Massachusetts child care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities, part of a measure to address respiratory illness during the coronavirus pandemic.” – “Governor’s Council members balk at holdover judge,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Members of the Governor’s Council are calling for the removal of an Industrial Accident Board judge still serving in a holdover role and collecting a six-figure salary eight months after they say she withdrew her renomination for the position. Gov. Charlie Baker moved to reappoint Administrative Judge Sabina Herlihy after her six-year year term expired on May 29, 2019, according to the state’s website.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston City Council rejects ZBA nominees, in rift with Walsh administration,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “In a break with Mayor Martin J. Walsh during a time when the city’s Zoning Board of Appeal is facing a backlog of hundreds of cases and has recently struggled to reach a quorum, the Boston City Council Wednesday rejected a trio of ZBA nominees. At Wednesday’s virtual council meeting, City Councilor Michelle Wu, who as chairwoman of the council’s committee on planning, development, and transportation made the recommendation to reject the nominations, said ‘This is not about individuals.’” – “Former Boston police union boss to face charges of raping two more children: source,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Patrick Rose Sr., the former Boston police union boss accused of child rape, now faces further charges of sexually assaulting two more children, according to a law enforcement source with knowledge of the matter. Rose, the 66-year-old former president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, pleaded not guilty in West Roxbury District Court last week.” – “Boston Election Department announces the availability of vote by mail drop boxes throughout the city,” by Douglas Hook, MassLive.com: “Vote by mail drop boxes will be made available for registered voters to vote by mail at Boston City Hall as well as early voting locations around the city for the Sept. 1 Massachusetts primary. The drop boxes will be located and available at each early voting location during the scheduled voting hours.” | | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| – “The content of their character,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “The squabbling and seeming hair-splitting over such votes underscores what’s been true since Kennedy first declared nearly a year ago that he would take on Markey for his seat: The two liberal lawmakers are pretty closely aligned on most major issues. That has contributed hugely to the increasingly personal tone of their attacks, jabs that go much more at what each is made of than how he would vote in office.” – “Are Joe Kennedy’s efforts to define Ed Markey coming too late?” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “Since the moment he announced his challenge to Senator Edward J. Markey in the Democratic primary, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III has faced questions about why he is running and, subsequently, skepticism that he’s offered voters an effective enough rationale for seeking to unseat a longtime, party loyal incumbent. In recent weeks, Kennedy has sharpened his efforts to define Markey as out-of-touch with the struggles of many of his constituents.” | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| – “Baker-linked PAC targets Dem primary,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “A super PAC with close ties to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker paid nearly $15,000 for a mailing supporting a political newcomer competing in the Democratic primary for a Governor’s Council seat representing the Worcester area. The Massachusetts Majority PAC is backing Padraic Rafferty in his Democratic primary race against Paul DePalo.” – “Candidates for Holyoke state rep. seat debate Soldiers’ Home, schools,” by Dennis Hohenberger, MassLive.com: “The three candidates vying to represent Holyoke at the Statehouse differed on remedies to problems at the Soldiers’ Home, schools and other aging infrastructure during an online debate Wednesday. David K. Bartley, Patrick Beaudry and Patricia Duffy are running for the 5th Hampden District state representative seat currently held by Aaron Vega, D-Holyoke, who is not seeking reelection.” – “New Bedford mayor backs Auchincloss as poll shows tight race in 4th District,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “He may not be able to vote in the Sept. 1 primary, but New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is making his feelings known about the race to replace Congressman Joe Kennedy. During a morning event at Pier 3, Mitchell threw his support behind Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss, who is in an eight-way battle for the Democratic nomination in the 4th Congressional District.” – “Rivals hit Jake Auchincloss over marijuana skepticism,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “In the latest progressive broadside aimed at Jake Auchincloss, other candidates in the crowded Fourth Congressional District Democratic primary are criticizing the Newton city councilor and former Marine captain over his shifting views on marijuana and refusal to back national cannabis legalization.” | | THE WILD WEST |
| – “Retired US Rep. Barney Frank throws support behind Richard Neal in race against Democratic primary challenger Alex Morse,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “Retired U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, the first openly gay member of Congress, has come out in full support of his friend and longtime colleague U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal in his primary race against Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse. Further, the Newton Democrat dismisses allegations that Neal played any part in making a campaign issue of Morse’s sexuality.” | | YOU'VE GOT MAIL |
| – “AG Maura Healey Calls For Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's Resignation, Moves Forward With USPS Lawsuit,” by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Wednesday called for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to resign, saying she's ‘fired up’ about his and the Trump administration's efforts to hinder mail-in voting by changing Postal Service operations during an election season. The USPS announced this week they would defer any changes — including changing operating hours at post offices and removing mail processing equipment and blue collection boxes — until after the election.” – “Congressional candidate sues state, seeks to expand time for voters to submit primary ballots,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “One of the Democrats seeking the Fourth Congressional District seat petitioned the state’s highest court Wednesday to expand the amount of time residents can submit ballots for the Sept. 1 primary, citing fears that delays and changes within the Postal Service could leave swaths of voters disenfranchised.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Legal experts: prosecutors could drop Kraft case,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Prosecutors may drop their prostitution case against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, after an appellate court Wednesday upheld a lower court decision to toss video evidence that allegedly captured him paying for sex inside a Jupiter, Fla. spa last year, legal experts told the Globe.” | | WARREN REPORT |
| – “Here’s what Elizabeth Warren said during her Democratic convention speech,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s speech Wednesday during the virtually held Democratic National Convention touched on some themes that may ring familiar to supporters of her 2020 presidential campaign.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| – “Reps. Lori Trahan, John Joyce draft bipartisan letter urging President Donald Trump to lower flags to half-staff for International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Reps. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts and John Joyce of Pennsylvania led a bipartisan effort this week to urge President Donald Trump to honor substance use disorder victims by lowering American flags to half-staff on Aug. 31, which is International Overdose Awareness Day.” | | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| – “Boston Cannabis Board approves two marijuana retailers, defers action on Patriot Care,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “The Boston Cannabis Board has approved two new marijuana retailers hoping to open in the city, including one run by former city councilor and mayoral candidate Tito Jackson, marking the reboot of a permitting process that had been stalled since October. At a virtual meeting Wednesday, the newly convened five-member agency voted unanimously to issue initial recreational pot permits to Verdant Medical in Mattapan and Massachusetts Citizens for Social Equity in Roxbury.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “MOVING ON!” “SILENT SPREADERS” — Globe: “History within grasp, Democrats unite,“ “Mass. schools to require flu vaccine.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Former Springfield Mayor Robert Markel joins the salute as lifelong friend Joe Biden earns nomination at Democratic National Convention,” by Ron Chimelis, Springfield Republican: “For Robert Markel, an essentially ceremonial moment in presidential election history will allow him a special opportunity afforded very, very few people. The former Springfield mayor will cast a meaningful vote for someone who is not just a name with a party affiliation, but a close friend whose relationship goes back more than 60 years.” REMEMBERING DAN H. FENN JR … from the Boston Globe: “Before the first shovel struck the soil to build the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Dan H. Fenn Jr. knew what he wanted the institution to accomplish. … Mr. Fenn, the library’s founding director and a force behind ensuring that an educational component would become a key part of libraries for presidents and politicians across the country, died Friday. He was 97 and had lived in Lexington for many years, participating in town government for decades.” Link. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Boston.com’s Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Daily Hampshire Gazette photog Carol Lollis, Targeted Victory CEO Zac Moffatt and Rachel Lea Fish. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. | |
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