Vice President Joe Biden works his magic again for Congressman Ed Markey (D. MA):
http://www.masslive.com/...
"This is going to be the most informed senator in the history of U.S. government," Biden told several hundred supporters during a campaign rally at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
Markey, 66, a Malden Democrat first elected to the U.S. House in 1976, is running against Republican Gabriel E. Gomez, 47, a former Navy SEAL, in Tuesday's special election to fill the unexpired term of Secretary of State John F. Kerry.
Biden attempted to demolish the argument that Markey has been in Washington too long.
Biden said Markey would represent "new leadership" in the Senate, citing Markey's work on clean energy, education and his 2010 vote in favor of President Barack Obama's health care law.
"Ed has always been ahead of the curve his entire career," Biden said.
The rally with Biden helped Markey launch a three-day "get out the vote" tour of the state ahead of Tuesday's special U.S. Senate election.
Markey, his wife, Susan J. Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. William R. Keating, a Bourne Democrat, and Biden often had their speeches interrupted with cheers.
The event in Dartmouth showcased Markey's effort to shore up his strength in Democratic strongholds such as Bristol county in the southeast part of the state.
Biden said Markey's election is important to maintain Democratic control of the Senate. Democrats currently have 54 to 46 lead over Republicans in the Senate.
"It is not hyperbole to say we really need Ed Markey in the U.S. Senate," Biden said. - The Republican, 6/22/13
Biden also took jabs at Markey's opponent, Gabriel Gomez (R. MA) at Ironworkers Local 7 Hall in South Boston:
http://www.boston.com/...
Biden spoke at length about Markey’s opponent, Republican businessman Gabriel E. Gomez, noting that he “calls himself a new kind of Republican,” and questioning why he has gained support from some national Republican figures.
“Why does Newt Gingrich talk about him like he’s the second coming?” Biden said. “Why does Marco Rubio want him so much?
“Look, I know Mitch McConnell pretty well and if he wants Gabriel Gomez in his caucus, it’s not because he thinks he will ever disagree with him,” Biden said, referring to the Senate Republican Leader. “It’s because he wants a Republican majority and he knows he can count on the guy to vote with him on everything he needs.”
Biden said Markey and the other Democrats “have a different vision for this country.”
“Our vision rests on a growing, prosperous middle class, a fair tax code, investing in innovation,” Biden said.
Markey focused his remarks on economic values, saying he supported a higher minimum wage and making sure that the wealthy pay their “fair share.”
“At the top of the list, this race is about jobs, jobs, jobs!” Markey said.
Markey spoke about his family history, recalling his mother saying, “Eddie, your life is going to be different,” and noting that he enjoyed more opportunities than his parents and grandparents had. He credited the opportunities he received to the policies that Democrats put in place.
“I know I’m standing here as the son of someone who grew up on the first floor of a triple-decker in South Lawrence,” Markey said. “I want to go to Washington to fight: fight for Medicare! Fight for Social Security!”
“I’m going to fight for the best jobs in the world,” he said. - Boston Globe, 6/22/13
Classic Biden. Biden spoke to 150 supporters at the event. The event was also attended by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, former Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn, and US Representative Stephen F. Lynch. Menino had some great things to say about Markey as well:
“If you want to talk about working people, Ed Markey’s the guy you want in the US Senate,” Menino said. “If you want to talk about protecting millionaires, the other guy’s your candidate.”
“Ed Markey will have our back in Washington,” Menino said to loud cheers. - Boston Globe, 6/22/13
Markey's been hitting the campaign trail pretty hard making sure voters get out to the polls:
http://www.masslive.com/...
As a campaign stop in Springfield Friday night, Markey told reporters he and his campaign intends to work, and work, and work, and work until polls close Tuesday night.
“Over-confidence breeds complacency,” he said. “We will work 24/7 because we don’t believe the polls.”
Markey said he does not trust polling numbers, and does not know how they are compiled or by whom. All he knows, he said, “is this is a hard-fought race.”
At his Springfield headquarters on Island Pond Road, some 135 supporters packed inside to hear Markey, along with his backers Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr., rally them onward.
The Springfield appearance followed similar appearances at rallies Friday in Quincy and Pittsfield.
Markey said that the campaign has 15,000 volunteers who will be out knocking on doors, making phone calls and holding signs at town commons and city squares.
“We have put together a world-class campaign operation in every city and town," he said. "We are going to get out the vote,"
Markey in his remarks to the audience touched upon familiar themes employed previously to show the differences between his positions and those of Gomez in relation to gun-control legislation, an assault weapons ban, and Wall Street regulation. He also spoke about his upbringing as the child of a family devastated by the 1929 Wall Street collapse that set off the Great Depression, and how it instilled in him a desire to work for and protect the working class.
But he also lobbied for people in the room to go out and get out the vote.
“We are going out for the final four days and turn this city upside down to get the vote out,” he said. “We are going to organize, not agonize.” - The Republican, 6/21/13
Hearing this makes me feel confident about Tuesday. Especially since Gomez is also pushing to get the vote out for him next Tuesday:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/...
The Republican candidate for US Senate continued to push his closing argument -- that he’s asking voters to give him a chance to serve just 17 months in Washington, and that his Democratic competitor, US Representative Edward J. Markey, has had 37 years in Congress to make his case.
“I would get more done in 17 months than he’s done in 37 years,” Gomez said.
The winner of Tuesday’s special election will face a contest for reelection in just 17 months, filling out the rest of the term of former Senator John F. Kerry, who stepped down to become US Secretary of State.
Markey pushed back at that argument in a new TV ad he released late Friday, suggesting that Gomez would vote with Republicans during those 17 months, threatening positions of concern to Massachusetts voters on gun control and abortion rights. - Boston Globe, 6/22/13
By the way, Markey picked up another big newspaper endorsement this morning:
http://www.masslive.com/...
On Tuesday – during the second special election in three years – Massachusetts voters will choose a senator to join Warren and fill out Kerry’s unexpired term.
The contest pits U.S. Rep. Edward Markey against businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez of Cohasset.
Our endorsement goes to Markey.
As a 37-year veteran member of the House of Representatives and dean of the Massachusetts delegation, Markey’s positions on the issues that affect us are well-known. He favors a woman’s right to choose; he’s a strong voice to protect the environment; he’s a supporter of the health care reform bill; he’s a strong advocate of stronger gun control; and a he’s a promoter of rail transportation. Markey has also pledged to open an office in Western Massachusetts if elected.
During the campaign, Gomez has portrayed Markey as the ultimate Washington insider – someone who has stayed too long at the dance.
We, however, agree with President Bill Clinton, who came to Worcester last week to support Markey. In answer to Republican criticism of Markey for staying in Washington for 37 years, Clinton said. “He sure has and he’s done a good job every day he’s been there.” - The Republican, 6/22/13
The Special Election is Tuesday, June 25th. If you would like to sign up and volunteer you can can do so here:
https://docs.google.com/...
Or here:
http://www.edmarkey.com/