A big healthcare rally, sponsored by Obama's Organizing for America, was held this afternoon in the city's historic Boston Common, drawing a couple thousand supports, and many prominent politicians. Here's a recap, with photos (plus, quasi-Blue Dog Rep Stephen Lynch gets booed off stage for his less-than-vibrant support for the public option)
As many of you may know, Massachusetts politics is still reeling from the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy. A democratic primary special election is scheduled for December, with the special general in January. And given how rarely senate seats open in this state -- Kennedy held his for nearly a half-century and Kerry for a quarter-century -- Kennedy's death has created a major scramble here.
So, when OfA held a rally for healthcare reform (and in reality, a pro-public option rally), drawing several thousand supporters, the major political players naturally made an appearance.
Boston Mayor Tom Menino made a speech, as did Attorney General Martha Coakley, who's already pulled papers and announced her intention to run for Kennedy's seat. There were some phenomenal speeches by many members of the Mass. delegation, including Reps. Edward Markey, John Tierney. If someone is able to find video of it, Rep. Michael Capuano gave an incredibly powerful speech, saying he's been promised there will be a vote on the House floor for a single-payer bill, but if that fails, he will not accept anything less than a full and robust public option (and not just a bill that uses the phrase 'public option' in its title). Capuano was amazing, blew the crowd away, had them all fired up.
And then Rep. Stephen Lynch approached the microphone to give his speech. And wow.
For those of you not familiar with Rep. Lynch, read this rec'd diary from Kossack JerryE a few days ago. Lynch too has pulled papers for Kennedy's seat, which is a complete insult to the late senator's legacy. Lynch is a spineless, opportunistic Mass Dem in Blue Dog clothing. And everyone in the crowd knew it. The second he got up, he was booed so loudly and constantly, that his voice was completely drowned out and he eventually had to get off the stage (well, technically, step behind his other colleagues sheepishly). It was incredibly embarrassing, and couldn't have happened to a more deserving coward.
It was beautiful.
And now for some local color from the rally:
A view of the crowd, to give a sense of size:
Some of the signs on display (and I missed a lot of the good ones):
Boston Mayoral candidate Kevin McCrea. Mayor Tom Menino addressed the crowd earlier, and mayoral candidate and current City Council Sam Yoon's volunteers were present, though I did not see Yoon or mayoral candidate and City Councilor Michael Flaherty at the event: