Belmont DTC endorses Barrios and Murray

[paineinthearse]

http://www.bluemassgroup.com/frontPage.do

Middlesex DA: Barrios picks up first town committee endorsement
by: David

January 20, 2006 at 13:43:59 EST

We are reliably informed that the Belmont Democratic town committee has endorsed Jarrett Barrios for Middlesex DA. The vote was 18 for Barrios, 6 for Gerry Leone, and 2 for Mike Festa.

Belmont is apparently the first town committee in Middlesex county to endorse in this race.

UPDATE: Alert commenter melbourne notes below that the Belmont DTC also endorsed Tim Murray for Lt. Gov., and also by a wide margin.

[TaleWgnDg]

1. Gerald Leone? Leone's a good man . . .

Gerald Leone? Leone's a good man. Leone has an excellent record as a state and federal prosecutor. Leone has been voted by his peers (other lawyers and prosecutors) as attorney-of-the-year:

"Drawing focus on his extensive qualifications and experience, Democratic Middlesex District Attorney candidate Gerry Leone Jr. addressed members of the Winchester Democratic Town Committee last month at Town Hall as Leone continued his campaign across the county to garner support for his candidacy.

In a phone interview after the appearance, Leone said that he has spent much, if not all of his career preparing for the position, and wanted to get that message out to towns like Winchester who may not be as familiar with his record.

"I've managed the offices, I've run the programs and I've prosecuted the cases at every level," said Leone of his legal experience.

In the past, Leone has served in the Suffolk District Attorney's office and the Middlesex District Attorney's office. Leone also served alongside Attorney General Tom Reilly as Chief of the Criminal Bureau in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, and was the Anti-Terrorism Coordinator for the state and First Assistant United States Attorney, where Leone prosecuted and earned the conviction of the infamous "Shoebomber" Richard Reid. Massachusetts residents may remember Leone's role in some high profile cases while at the Middlesex D.A.'s office, most notably, perhaps, the prosecution of nanny Louise Woodward."

(http://www.gerryleone.com/winchester_0106.htm . . . quoting "Leone hosted in Winchester," by Owen McDonald, Lexington-Winchester Star, January 5, 2006)

Barrios is going to have one hell of a time up against Leone who is an experienced and successful prosecutor! Leone has worked for Martha Coakley in the Middlesex D.A.'s office, for Tom Reilly in the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, and as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Boston Office. What credentials does Barrios have? That being said, I haven't a clue as to where Leone is on other issues. But what issues -- other than prosecutorial/legal issues -- is relevant when voting for a county District Attorney? None. It's not a popularity contest nor is it a beauty contest nor is it who's social programs or voting record is better. No, instead, it's who would make a good prosecutor for the county. Leone has already proven that.

Frankly, I am perplexed as to why Massachusetts state Senator Barrios is giving up his seat on Beacon Hill to run in the crowded field of Middlesex District Attorney?! Why?! Does Barrios believe that Mdsx DA is a better steppingstone to higher office than is a state Senator's seat? It's understandable why Leone quit his job as Assistant U.S. Attorney (for Boston) because he could not have run for Mdsx DA (a position Leone has waited patiently until Martha Coakley has moved on) while an Asst U.S. Atty. Ahhh, "the payment of dues" as these folks move up the ladder. Politics. Indeed.
.

[paineinthearse]

2. I'm not sold on Murray

Yes, he was a key player in Jim McGovern's capturing the 3cd seat, but last Monday I asked Tim about his support for the referendum to take authorization for use of the national guard away from the governor and place in the hands of the general court. He said he was NOT in favor of that. No elaboration, so I did not bother asking the hypothetical, "what if you were governor, Massachusetts national guard troops were not federalized and deployed to an illegal action, would you recall them?".

[welshTerrier2]

3. i have met and spoken to all of the DA candidates

tonight, at our local DTC meeting, i spent some time talking with Mike Festa ... he won my support by a mile ... maybe a mile and a half ...

i'll be posting more on him in the future ... i think he combines a stellar legal career with a deep understanding of public policy more than the other two remaining candidates ... Festa is a die-hard progressive ... Barrios is great but i believe he's more a dabbler in the DA area than Festa is ... i also met Leone about 6 months ago ... he has an impressive record as a prosecutor but i think he's a bit more monolithic than his two opponents ...

more on this race later ...

Barrios may have the big name but i think Festa will do a better job ...

[TayTay]

4. Ahm, for what it's worth.

I love Mike. I've known him for a long time and he is an excellent candidate. (That race brims with talent, btw. We are lucky to have such good people in that DA race.)

Mike needs some financial love, if you can spare it. He worked as a prosecutor for years and has the experience. (BTW, he's with Deval Patrick as well.)

[JasonFromWaltham]

5. Spoke in Waltham in January

He impressed me there too. I know Barrios, but do not know the other guy still in the race. Since Koutoujian offically dropped out, I am taking a serious look at Festa.