http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/02/27/romney_walking_political_tightrope?mode=PF"Romney has put himself between a rock and a hard place because he is trying to pursue two incompatible strategies: To run for reelection in a socially progressive state, and running a national campaign appealing to right-wing social conservatives," said state Democratic Party chairman Philip W. Johnston. "I think it's virtually impossible to do both. Only a political genius could do both, and I don't know anyone who's accused Mitt Romney of being that."
On Friday alone, Romney took heat on four distinct issues. Abortion-rights groups assailed him for amending legislation that sought to expand the use of federal abstinence-education funds. Kerry and his fellow Democrat, US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, wrote a letter to Romney imploring him to fight President Bush's plans to slash federal funding to Massachusetts cities. Gay-rights supporters protested outside his office over his stance on same-sex marriage and civil unions. And a local labor union called him a ''flip-flopper" for vetoing retroactive pay raises for University of Massachusetts workers after giving such raises to senior staff members. Fair or not, the state's Democratic Party chairman said the message to Romney was clear: Choose between the Bay State and the red states.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/02/27/some_top_democrats_tout_moving_primary_to_may?mode=PFLeading Democrats in Massachusetts are lobbying Beacon Hill lawmakers to push the date of the state primary elections from September to May or early June, a move that would not only transform state politics but, party leaders are convinced, could also help them recapture the governor's office in 2006 after a 16-year drought.
A coalition of major Democratic figures, including US Senator John F. Kerry, former governor Michael S. Dukakis, state party chairman Philip W. Johnston, and members of the state's congressional delegation, are calling for a shake-up in the election schedule, a sign that the proposal, which has been kicked around for several years, is gaining momentum.
Party strategists say the earlier date would allow the Democrats' nominee to regroup after what is frequently a tough primary campaign with fellow Democrats. They could use the extra time to raise money and mount a more robust campaign against the GOP nominee, who usually benefits from a more united, well-funded party apparatus.
"An earlier primary allows a longer, healthier, more substantive debate between the two parties' nominees over vision and ideas," Kerry said in a statement released by his office. "A lengthier general-election period serves the voters' best interests by giving them a chance to really get to know the candidates who want to lead the state and tackle the tough issues."
HAhahaha. That's really funny. I can just smell the ads that they are going to start running next year. This should be fun! I really think Kerry hates Romney and is angry at him for running out last year and speaking ill of MA.
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