THE BIT MOMENT in this week’s gubernatorial debate between Governor Charlie Baker and his Democratic opponent Jay Gonzalez was not about being governor at all. It came down to a duel over the Republican candidate for Senate, Geoff Diehl. Diehl was the Massachusetts co-chair for Trump’s presidential campaign, and has closely aligned himself with the […]
Politics
Posted inPolitics
Baker waffles on Diehl during debate
REPUBLICAN GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said during a debate Wednesday night with Democrat Jay Gonzalez that he hadn’t made up his mind whether he would vote for Trump supporter Geoff Diehl for US Senate even though he has publicly endorsed him. After the debate, he said he misspoke and would vote for Diehl. The bizarre debate […]
Posted inEnvironment
Climate change politics is heating up
The tenor of the debate about climate change, like the problem itself, is changing. As the planet warms at what appears to be a faster and faster rate, environmental advocates are becoming more vocal and more pointed. The changing dynamic was on full display at a gubernatorial forum last week hosted by many of the state’s environmental […]
Posted inThe Download
Climate change politics is heating up
The tenor of the debate about climate change, like the problem itself, is changing. As the planet warms at what appears to be a faster and faster rate, environmental advocates are becoming more vocal and more pointed. The changing dynamic was on full display at a gubernatorial forum last week hosted by many of the state’s environmental […]
Posted inPolitics
Bellotti going strong at 95
FRANK BELLOTTI IS 95, the kind of 95 you’d want to be if you live to be 95. Trim, tan, sharp of mind (but perhaps slower of gait), Bellotti joined me recently to record a CommonWealth Codcast. He is, I’m pretty sure, the oldest living former statewide office holder – he was lieutenant governor from […]
Posted inOpinion
Baker, DeLeo need to step up on climate change
TWO WEEKS AGO, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration predicted a 7 degree Fahrenheit (almost 4 degrees Celsius) rise in global temperatures within the century, suggesting that there is no point trying to stop it. Whether it is calling climate change a hoax or concluding climate change is inevitable, the Trump administration is […]
Posted inOpinion
Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act
RIGHT NOW MANY hot button political matters are competing for our collective attention. Let’s move the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to the top of the list because it saves lives. This federal legislation critical to women’s safety is threatened. VAWA institutes protections aiding millions who face domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. […]
Posted inPolitics
From boy wonder mayor to defendant
JASIEL CORREIA was in full performance mode earlier this year when he was interviewed by CommonWealth contributor Ted Seifer for this profile in the magazine’s spring issue. The mayor of Fall River, elected at age 23 with a vow to revitalize the struggling former mill city, was showcasing his vigor and commitment to being a hands-on […]
Posted inThe Download
From boy wonder mayor to defendant
Jasiel Correia was in full performance mode earlier this year when he was interviewed by CommonWealth contributor Ted Seifer for this profile in the magazine’s spring issue. The mayor of Fall River, elected at age 23 with a vow to revitalize the struggling former mill city, was showcasing his vigor and commitment to being a […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
‘I’ve done nothing wrong,’ declares Correia
AN UNSHAVEN JASIEL CORREIA, arrested by FBI agents earlier in the day, was led into a federal courtroom in Boston on Thursday afternoon in leg shackles and handcuffs, dressed in black jeans and a black polo shirt. He walked out of court a little more than an hour later in a dark blue suit and […]