I talked to my Mom (80 yrs. old) in Massachusetts today, about Coakley-Brown.

[freddie mertz]

She said the general mood in the Commonwealth seemed to be hostile to the local, state Dem establishment, especially the governor and the state legislature.

Independents seem to have gone over to Brown, in part because he has campaigned effectively as the "change" candidate, with ads invoking he young JFK.

She also noted that among older voters, there is a strong Republican "base" in the Cape Cod area, where she lives.

As for Coakley, she seems to have been too passive or, at times, awkward in her response to the growing threat from Brown, with the result that the "enthusiasm" has built up on the Brown side, while a certain despondency, even despair, is evident among Democrats.

She is going to get out early to vote for Martha, and thinks it could go either way.

But she did not seem at all optimistic.

End of report. I'm not sure it contains anything new... but it was a sobering discussion.

[msongs]

1. sounds like the pretty boy celebrity pin up has charisma - the american idol candidate nt

[freddie mertz]

3. It may just be THAT superficial.

Never underestimate the stupidity and gullibility of the American voter, even in Mass.

[Tailormyst]

14. Hopefully he will be like his daughter

And not win American Idol.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Patrick has really fallen off the radar screen. nt

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. I wonder how many of the elderly are being freaked out by the "cuts to Medicare" talking point?

I don't really understand the cuts myself except that I guess the cuts are to Medicare Advantage plans and have something to do with eliminating fraud and waste, under exactly what mechanism I am not sure.

[freddie mertz]

7. Good point. They have been the bloc most opposed to HCR is the polls.

And they tend to VOTE, especially in those off-year elections.

I also wonder if the winter break for the universities may be a factor.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Bingo. Your first sentence says it perfectly.

The ongoing arrogance on Beacon Hill has become a big factor in this election.

Your Mom is dead-on correct on all counts.

[FarCenter]

6. The town-by-town 2008 pres results don't indicate a strong Republican base in Cape Cod

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/election_results/ma_president/

The eastern Cape Cod towns voted more heavily for Obama than did Bourne, Sandwich and Barnstable.

[freddie mertz]

9. My mom is on the East Cape, in Falmouth.

It went 60 % for Obama according to your link.

But the (generally Repuke) Cape Cod times has endorsed Brown, she told me.

They endorsed Bush in 2004 and Obama in 2008, or so the internets report.

[cap]

10. it will go town by town on the Cape... Can't imagine P'town or Welfleet

going Brown

[cap]

11. it will go town by town on the Cape... Can't imagine P'town or Welfleet

going Brown

[naaman fletcher]

8. I just wish the Dems had a candidate not invovled with the Amirault witch hunt.

[WilliamPitt]

12. The locals are always upset with the MA Dem establishment

And yet Dems keep getting elected and re-elected by galactic margins. I mean for decades now. We get Republican governors, but basically every other office is filled with Dems

So.

[freddie mertz]

13. Not in governor's races.

Just saying.

[WilliamPitt]

15. Read my post again

P.S. Coakley isn't running for governor.

[freddie mertz]

16. Oh. But that said, being a native and all,,, I am reminded of the election of Ed King.

And later on in 1990, the winning of the Dem governors' primary by John Silber, a true monster of the right.

Mass is a weird state..liberal basically, but with deep strains of reaction and resentment.

Believe me, I come from there.

[leftygolfer]

17. My Mass. connections tell me not to worry

I didn't sleep at all last night - worried about healthcare's future (and how badly I need it). My few friends in Boston say it won't be close...Coakley wins by 10. I don't see it but I have to have faith they are right.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. Welcome to Du, leftygolfer!

Try not to worry...

:hi:

[freddie mertz]

19. I am pulling for you.

But I am a natural pessimist, a legacy of my Boston Irish upbringing, I am sure.

[Raven]

20. I think the urban vote will bring it home for Coakley. The blue

collar/union vote will be out tomorrow.