POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Primary poll positioning

By Kelly Garrity Presented by  PROGRAMMING NOTE: It’s that time of year: Massachusetts Playbook is taking its annual end-of-summer hiatus starting Monday, Aug. 26. We'll be back Tuesday, Sept. 3, just in time for the primaries. Send all your tips, scoops, birthdays and transitions to kgarrity@politico.com before Friday! POLLS! POLLS! POLLS!  ANTONELLIS is a CRYPTO SCAMMER, support the adjudicated rapist, convicted felon... CAIN is a FLIP-FLOPPER who failed to attend the hearing to raise the QUINCY MAYOR'S SALARY to $285K! CRYPTO SCAMMER CARPETBAGGER John Deaton is an uninformed LIAR who blamed SENATOR WARREN for the failures to replace CAPE COD BRIDGES - it was TRUMP' S FAILURES! Lots of FACT FREE accusations....no FACTS! NEVER EXPECT REPUBLICANS TO TELL THE TRUTH! REPUBLICANS HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER! THEY WOULD RATHER WALLOW IN HATE, THREATS, FEAR, BIGOTRY, RACISM & DIVISIVENESS... "R" VOTERS BLINDLY FOLLOW WITHOUT INFORMING THEMSELVES! SAD!  FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Most Massachusetts GOP voters still don’t know who they’ll vote for in the race to see which Republican will go up against Sen. Elizabeth Warren in November, according to an internal polling memo from the PAC backing attorney and former Marine John Deaton. Fifty-six percent of the 500 likely Massachusetts Republican primary voters surveyed in the poll, which was conducted by the GOP polling and analytics firm Cygnal Aug. 15-16, are still undecided in the three-way primary that’s pitting Deaton against Quincy City Council President Ian Cain and conservative political newcomer Bob Antonellis. The Commonwealth Victory Fund-backed survey does show Deaton with a serious lead over the other candidates: He’s at 33 percent in the poll, which has a margin of error of +/- 4.38 percentage points. Cain came in at 6 percent, and Antonellis at 5 percent. MASS GOP CLOWNS....YET AGAIN! Take the results with a grain of salt. A UMass Amherst/WCVB poll conducted in May showed Antonellis leading the pack among the Republican and independent voters surveyed, with 19 percent saying they’d back the conservative candidate if the primary were held that day. Deaton notched support from 15 percent, and Cain trailed with 5 percent. (Cain officially entered the race just a month before the poll was conducted.) Voters have just a couple weeks before they’ll have to make up their minds. Early voting begins Saturday, which is also the last day to register to vote ahead of the primaries. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Massachusetts may not see an Acting Gov. Diana DiZoglio after all. Secretary of State Bill Galvin is returning to the state early this afternoon and will become acting governor “shortly after his return, upon the departure of [Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll ],” according to a spokesperson for his office. Galvin is expected to serve through Friday afternoon. DiZoglio, however, had already planned to highlight a way the state could increase transparency and accountability across executive agencies during what was expected to be her brief moment leading the state, she said Monday night. But even without the acting governor title, she doesn’t see a reason not to spotlight the issue. So, keep an eye out for an announcement from her office around 11 a.m. today.   A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers now earn at least $32.50 while working on the app, making them some of the highest paid drivers in the country. This new rate sets a high standard for driver pay across the nation. Learn more about what higher pay means for the state.   CONVENTION ZONE From the floor of the United Center in Chicago:  SURPRISE! — Vice President Kamala Harris briefly took the stage Monday night, walking out to Beyonce’s “Freedom” and raucous applause from the National Democratic Convention crowd. ABOUT LAST NIGHT — The cast of speakers that took the stage Monday night ranged from Democratic rising stars like Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett to mainstays like South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn , to labor leaders and actors — even a certain NBA coach got some airtime. But the long list meant the program ended up running overtime, bumping President Joe Biden ’s speech out of primetime on the East Coast. Convention officials blamed the “raucous applause” for halting speeches and delaying the start of the president’s highly anticipated appearance. “Because of the raucous applause interrupting speaker after speaker, we ultimately skipped elements of our program to ensure we could get to President Biden as quickly as possible so that he could speak directly to the American people,” the officials said in a statement . The New York Times’ Peter Baker has the details on the speech Biden never wanted to give . SPOTTED — by my colleague Lisa Kashinsky during the first night of the DNC: House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Rep. Lori Trahan glad-handing with delegates on the convention floor. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Jim McGovern watching the proceedings from the Massachusetts section alongside delegates including Governor’s Councilor Eileen Duff . Gov. Maura Healey being ushered to a seat moments after entering the arena because Vice President Kamala Harris was taking the main stage for a surprise appearance. Healey, with her partner Joanna Lydgate in tow, then shaking hands with Markey and snapping a selfie with Boston Housing Authority chief Kenzie Bok and City Councilor Sharon Durkan . “The energy isn’t actually anything that you can describe. … The whole mood of this convention is unlike any other convention I’ve been at on Day One,” Trahan told Lisa. Markey took his own stab at it: “It doesn’t get any better than this. On a scale of one to 10, it’s a 13.” Healey played the dutiful surrogate earlier in the day, pumping up the “dream” Harris-Walz ticket at an LGBTQ caucus meeting . Walz, who made a surprise appearance at the top of the event, is “the real deal,” Healey said. WHERE ARE THEY TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey: hosting a reception at Chicago Winery this afternoon. — Rep. Lori Trahan: speaking at an Elect Democratic Women event — Rep. Ayanna Pressley: delivering remarks at the Disability Caucus Meeting; joining a on "Care Can’t Wait" panel — Rep. Seth Moulton: speaking at the Veterans and Military Families Council — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, addressing the New Hampshire delegation during their breakfast this morning alongside California Rep. Ro Khanna , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai ; joining the Mayors’ Hub AANHPI Mayors and Leaders panel this evening — Former Gov. Deval Patrick , speaking at this morning’s MassDems breakfast, along with Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Convention Executive Director Alex Hornbrook Speaking on the mainstage tonight: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg , Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker , a person familiar with convention planning tells my colleague Lauren Egan .  More convention reads:  “Can the meme magic last? DNC aims to charge youth vote with red carpet for creators,” by Anusha Mathur and Christine Mui, POLITICO: “Vice President Kamala Harris has ridden a tsunami of online excitement since claiming the top of the Democratic presidential ticket. Now, the party hopes to supercharge that energy with white-glove treatment of influencers at its convention.” LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION — The Washington Post has a map of which state’s are sitting where (overlaid with their Cook Political Report ratings). The best views went to Harris’ home state of California, Biden’s Delaware, Walz’s Minnesota and battleground Pennsylvania. The worst? Midwestern toss-ups Michigan and Wisconsin. FITCHECK — “The DNC might feature a lot of white pantsuits. It’s not just fashion,” by Tal Kopan, The Boston Globe.    DON’T MISS OUR AI & TECH SUMMIT: Join POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit for exclusive interviews and conversations with senior tech leaders, lawmakers, officials and stakeholders about where the rising energy around global competition — and the sense of potential around AI and restoring American tech knowhow — is driving tech policy and investment. REGISTER HERE .     DATELINE BEACON HILL ****STEWARD***** — “Steward will sue its landlord for interfering with hospital sales, court filings show,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “The Steward Health Care drama unfolding in Massachusetts gained another wrinkle on Monday, when the now-bankrupt company told a federal court that their efforts to sell their hospital properties have been stymied by their landlords. According to court filings, Steward claims Medical Properties Trust, the company that owns the land upon which Steward’s buildings sit, has been standing in the way of their efforts to sell their hospital properties — including several in the Bay State — in clear violation of the bankruptcy rules.” — “Lifespan says it is working to finalize hospital deal announced by Healey,” by David Linton, The Sun Chronicle: “Lifespan, a health care system that owns several hospitals in Rhode Island, is working to finalize the terms of a bid to buy Morton Hospital and Medical Center in Taunton and St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, a spokeswoman said Monday.”   A message from Uber:     FROM THE HUB — “Boston has acting mayor while Michelle Wu is out of town for Democratic National Convention,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “City Clerk Alex Geourntas is acting mayor of Boston this week while Mayor Michelle Wu is out of town as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. Typically, the role of acting mayor would fall to the City Council president during the mayor’s absence from the city, as dictated by the city charter, but since the body’s leader Ruthzee Louijeune is also serving as a delegate at the convention, the position was delegated, as it historically has been in Boston, to the city clerk.” — “Judge dismisses defamation suit by former Boston police commissioner Dennis White,” by Shelley Murphy, The Boston Globe: “A federal judge on Monday dismissed a defamation suit filed by former Boston police commissioner Dennis White against the city and former acting mayor Kim Janey, ruling that none of the statements she made about him ‘were materially false — let alone deliberately so.’ In a 74-page ruling, US District Judge Leo T. Sorokin rejected White’s claim that Janey defamed him when she fired him three years ago, made public remarks about her decision, and released an independent report into the police department’s handling of domestic violence allegations that had surfaced against him decades earlier.” — “Boston police union, city councilors sound alarm ahead of weekend festival after mass shooting,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Concerns about violence at this weekend’s Boston Caribbean Carnival celebration, associated with a mass shooting last year, are rising in the wake of the ‘senseless’ violence that took place at a different festival held in Franklin Park on Sunday. Boston police union officials are sounding the alarm on low staffing levels, saying that although the department will deploy an all hands on deck approach at Saturday’s festival and parades, there aren’t enough available officers to appropriately cover regular citywide patrols and concurrent large-scale events.” MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — “East Boston church offering shelter to migrants amid emergency housing crunch,” by Rachel Umansky-Castro, Travis Andersen and Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, The Boston Globe.   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS MUST READ! MAGA PROPAGANDA & LUNACY IN NEW BEDFORD! BOOK BANNERS & EXTREMISTS!  NO SOLUTIONS, JUST GOP PROPAGANDA! THEY SUPPORT A CONVICTED FELON, ADJUDICATED RAPIST! — “2 Trump backers cite immigration as key issue in GOP runoff for House seat held by Straus,” by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light.  FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Attorney General Andrea Campbell is endorsing Plymouth School Committee Chair Michelle Badger in the race for the open 1st Plymouth District House seat that state Rep. Matt Muratore is vacating to run for state Senate. — State Rep. Dan Cahill is backing Tom Driscoll in his campaign for Essex County Clerk of Courts. — The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 has endorsed state Rep. Bill Driscoll in the race for the open Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol District state Senate seat. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Deputy chiefs to state: Worcester may be breaking law in police chief search,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “Three deputy police chiefs are petitioning the state Civil Service Commission to investigate whether the city is in compliance with state law by not holding a civil service assessment to select the next permanent chief, according to public records obtained by the Telegram & Gazette. Tuesday morning, the three deputy chiefs — Sean J. Fleming, Edward J. McGinn and Carl J. Supernor — are scheduled to appear before the commission via video conference to state their claim for an investigation.” — “New Bedford City Council President Carney sues sheriff, alleges job discrimination,” by Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times: “City Council President Naomi Carney is suing former employer Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux for race, age and gender discrimination in connection with losing her job. The lawsuit, filed in Bristol County Superior Court on June 14, states she was discriminated against by Heroux and the Bristol County Sheriff's Office on the basis of age, race, gender, and national origin, and was retaliated against after raising the issue.” — “Two Fall River police officers cleared of wrongdoing in case of brutality by ex-cop,” by Jo C. Goode, Herald News. — “Housing for fire staff is biggest worry, says retiring Wellfleet chief,” by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times   A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers now receive comprehensive benefits, including health insurance stipends for those working over 15 hours a week, paid sick leave, and occupational accident insurance. These protections ensure drivers have the support they need while maintaining their independence and mark a significant improvement in drivers’ quality of life. See how these benefits are changing gig work.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Jennifer Moore will be GBH’s first statewide and features editor, leading a new collaboration between GBH News, the Cape, Coast and Islands NPR stations and New England Public Media. The collab aims to expand each outlet's reach across the state. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Erin Tiernan, WBUR’s Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Daily Hampshire Gazette photog Carol Lollis, Targeted Victory CEO Zac Moffatt, Tamara Stein 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 .   Follow us on Twitter Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

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Bernie Sanders EXPOSED Democratic leadership

 

Even losing abortion rights isn’t enough to stop Democratic leadership from selling out our values to the highest bidder. Instead of supporting progressives who care about our communities, “moderates” like Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn fight against us and work overtime to re-elect corrupt rightwing dinosaurs like Henry Cuellar – the LAST anti-abortion Democrat in the House and Trump’s “favorite Democrat.” Bernie Sanders is telling a necessary truth: by betraying voters time and again and crushing energy in the base, Democrats are on track to forfeit power to a rising fascist movement in November and risk losing our democracy forever. Our Revolution is running progressives against these corrupt corporate Democrats up and down the ballot. We need to win to make sure we have strong candidates and stave off a red wave that could be fatal for fair elections. Can we count on you to rush a donation before our critical end-of-month budget deadline? In solidarity, Our Revolution   Support Our Revolution → Our Revolution is a national grassroots network of local groups dedicated to organizing a political revolution powerful enough to challenge the structural forces that threaten our survival as a society. From city halls to the halls of Congress, our movement is fighting to win progressive issue fights, elect progressive champions, transform the Democratic party and get big money out of politics. Help us achieve these goals by donating today. PAID FOR BY OUR REVOLUTION PO Box 66208 WASHINGTON, DC, 20035 Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Our Revolution is a 501(c)(4) organization. Donations to Our Revolution are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. All donations are made to support Our Revolution’s general mission and are not designated for any specific activity.

#3 Democrat in the house backing Henry Cuellar

 

While the Supreme Court prepares to overturn Roe v. Wade, the number three Democrat in the House, Rep. James Clyburn, is rallying voters on behalf of Henry Cuellar — the only anti-abortion Democrat in the House.

Clyburn has doubled down his support of Cuellar. Just look at what he told voters at a get-out-the-vote rally in San Antonio.

This isn’t the first time that Clyburn has rallied against progressive champions. In 2020, Clyburn went all out in South Carolina to stop Bernie Sanders from securing the Democratic nomination for president. And now, he is bragging about that defeat while rallying for an anti-abortion Democrat.

Jessica Cisneros is running to defeat Henry Cuellar, but she’s going up against powerful forces in the Democratic establishment. Will you make a $10 donation to Justice Democrats so we can fight back and elect someone who will fight for abortion rights in Congress?

House leadership has now doubled down their support for a “Democrat” who voted with Donald Trump 70% of the time. Cuellar is the last anti-abortion Democrat in the House and voted against codifying Roe v. Wade.

Nancy Pelosi, James Clyburn, and other Democratic leaders have made it clear that they back Cuellar 100% and will fight to keep him in Congress. But at this critical moment in our nation’s history, that is not acceptable.

We need Democrats in Congress who will fight for reproductive justice. If you agree, make a contribution to Justice Democrats so we can defeat Henry Cuellar on May 24th.

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RSN: FOCUS: Jack Crosbie | Democrats Respond to Plan to Kill Roe v. Wade by Reaffirming Support for Anti-Abortion House Candidate

 

IMO: JIM CLYBURN IS A DEMOCRATIC DINOSAUR WHO HAS LOST HIS WAY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH OTHERS INCLUDING NANCY PELOSI & STENY HOYER & DIANNE FEINSTEIN WHO CONTINUES TO EMBARRASS HERSELF & SHOULD RETIRE GRACEFULLY. 

THERE ARE OTHERS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AS WELL. 

IT'S TIME FOR YOUNG PROGRESSIVES TO LEAD THE NATION! 

LET'S NOT PRETEND THAT OLD WHITE PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO LEAD THE NATION. 

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MEDIA BEFORE THE RIGHT WING DESTROYS IT! 

 

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FOCUS: Jack Crosbie | Democrats Respond to Plan to Kill Roe v. Wade by Reaffirming Support for Anti-Abortion House Candidate
Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone
Crosbie writes: "House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn was in Texas on Wednesday, stumping for centrist, anti-choice incumbent Henry Cuellar."

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn was in Texas on Wednesday, stumping for centrist, anti-choice incumbent Henry Cuellar

Representing a safe district in Congress is one of the cushiest jobs in America. Both parties normally consider incumbents untouchable, and let politicians get away with just about anything so long as they continue to kowtow to party bosses. Rep. Henry Cuellar is a master of the craft, holding court over Texas’ 28th Congressional district for 17 years with few challenges despite his centrist politics, anti-abortion stance, and his recent implication in a bizarre political scandal involving Azerbaijan. This hasn’t been an issue for the Democratic Party, which has never made serious moves to codify Roe v. Wade into law, or even really recognized the issue exists outside of the occasional election year where it can be used as a cudgel to compel votes.

Cuellar is now facing a challenge from Jessica Cisneros, a progressive who is strongly pro-choice and would almost certainly join the “Squad” of left-wing Democrats in the House. She’s not a long-shot, either: Cuellar beat her by just three percent in the 2020 primary, and by less than two percent in the first round of the 2022 primary, sending the race to a runoff on May 24.

Democrats now have a choice as they stare down the best-case scenario of a razor-thin majority where they have to scramble for every vote in both houses. They could A) switch out a massive liability for a fresh-faced progressive, or B) double down on the anti-choice establishment incumbent at a time when abortion rights are on life support.

Guess which option they chose…

“When people tell you you need to agree on everything, I do not agree with Henry Cuellar on everything,” Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), one of the most powerful lawmakers in the House, said at a Cuellar campaign event on Wednesday. “We need to sit down with people who we do not agree with and try to find common ground, to do what is necessary to move this country forward.”

Clyburn didn’t mention Cuellar’s abortion stance specifically, but given the current tenor around the leaked draft opinion that shows the Supreme Court is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer, it’s pretty clear what he’s talking about. Clyburn and the rest of the party’s leadership — including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who have both endorsed Cueller — is making the same choice they’ve made with Joe Manchin for years. They’re trusting the devil they know over the challenger who makes them uncomfortable. The strategy, as both Manchin’s entire career and the brief centrist revolt in the House over Biden’s social spending bill shows, has brought the party nothing but hell.

Cisneros, for her part, has been urging the party leadership to correct course in light of the leaked Supreme Court draft.

“I am calling on Democratic Party leadership to withdraw their support of Henry Cuellar who is the last anti-choice Democrat in the House,” Cisneros said in a statement on Wednesday, per Politico. “With the House majority on the line, he could very much be the deciding vote on the future of our reproductive rights and we cannot afford to take that risk.”

The establishment may be taking that risk, but Cisneros is not without allies. She has the outspoken support of not just AOC — who stumped for her in San Antonio in February — but top progressive senators like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Cisneros’ and Cuellar’s endorsements lists are about as divided as they come: Cisneros dominates with labor unions and progressive nonprofits, as well as the party’s highest-ranking left-leaning figures, while Cuellar has a murderer’s row of party careerists and groups like the Pro-Israel America PAC.

The battle between the two, then, isn’t ideologically new. But with a rapidly shrinking margin of error, the Democratic establishment is still putting its money behind candidates who can’t be trusted to vote with the bloc on some of the biggest issues that matter. That’s not a coincidence or a mistake — it’s a choice. The outcome could mean that millions of other Americans lose their right to decide on something far greater.

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