William Weld

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Scum along the Potomac

The Republicans strike again, aiming to shut down government, but keeping Gitmo alive
As of this writing, a shutdown of the federal government appears to be a serious possibility. Perhaps sensible heads will prevail, but either way the Republicans now leading the US House of Representatives have been exposed as destructive fools with no interest in governing, or in the fates of real people.
By EDITORIAL | April 06, 2011

Trail of jeers

Forget Paul Revere. This summer, treat yourself to a tour of Boston's worst in political corruption.
As summer officially kicks off this weekend, thousands upon thousands of people will be descending on our fair metropolis to get a glimpse of America's most history-drenched city.
By LAWRENCE ''HUGGY'' BERGMAN | June 26, 2010

GOP’s state convention delivers the bland brand

Dull and Duller Dept.
Massachusetts Republican candidates for office this November might be well-advised to legally change their names and appear on the ballot as “Someone Else,” “Another Option,” or “Available Alternative.”
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | April 23, 2010

Brown-nosing and flip-flopping

Scott Brown heeds his boss’s orders; Charlie Baker sides with homophobic party base
Two months ago, when Senator Scott Brown crossed party lines to help pass a jobs bill, the Phoenix noted the political convenience of that supposed show of independence — since other Republican senators were also voting with Democrats, Brown’s vote was unnecessary.
By EDITORIAL | April 23, 2010

The Curse of the Big Dig

Tthe mere mention of the Central Artery Project can derail one's hopes for higher office. Charlie Baker is finding that out now.
Call it the Curse of the Big Dig: virtually every politician with statewide significance who has over the years become intertwined with the Central Artery Project (as it is officially known) has seen his or her dreams of higher office dashed.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | March 17, 2010

Elephant in the Room

Massachusetts Republicans suddenly think this is their year — but if they shoot too high, they might fall hard
Platoons of state Republicans, energized by Scott Brown's stunning victory over Democrat Martha Coakley last week, are setting their sights on November.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 27, 2010

Ready to rumble

As the Senate race comes to an end, the challengers for Deval Patrick's job are sharpening their knives
Last summer, the upcoming race that got most Bay State politicos salivating was the run for governor.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 13, 2010

Chaos Theory

2010 might be the year Massachusetts politics undergoes an unprecedented reshuffling.
In less than two weeks, when Massachusetts voters elect Martha Coakley to the US Senate — let's not pretend that Republican state senator Scott Brown has any chance of pulling off the monumental upset — they will trigger a massive domino effect that has the state's political class buzzing with anticipation.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 08, 2010

Taking sides

The US Senate election is forcing Massachusetts pols to choose their team. Plus, Pagliuca’s plan, and the state GOP tries to get serious.
The stakes are high in the battle for Massachusetts’s first new US senatorship in a quarter-century.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 04, 2009

Giant shadow

Though he won't be on the ballot, Ted Kennedy's influence will be keenly felt in the special election to replace him.
One striking aspect of the Kennedy tributes was the focus on the help he and his office provided for ordinary individuals in Massachusetts — all those things that fall under the category of "constituent services."
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 02, 2009

Ted Kennedy's real record

A note on the 32-year-incumbent's accomplishments
When a 32-year incumbent seeks re-election, there is a long and well-documented record that can be examined. So it's disconcerting to note that admit all the miles of newsprint and videotape that have been expended covering the US Senate campaign, little has been said of what Ted Kennedy has or hasn't accomplished.
By AL GIORDANO | August 26, 2009

Tormenting Teddy

Republicans threaten Kennedy reign
After 32 years in the US Senate, Ted Kennedy remains a force to be reckoned with, both for his legendary family history and his considerable accomplishments.
By BOSTON PHOENIX STAFF | August 26, 2009

Patrick's opponents

A meaningful debate about Massachusetts will take intelligence and courage
Charlie Baker, former head of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and onetime finance chief for governors William Weld and Paul Cellucci, was scheduled to file papers this week to officially open his gubernatorial campaign. With that, he also unofficially kicks off the 2010 Massachusetts election season.
By EDITORIAL | July 29, 2009

Is it Tim time?

As Deval Patrick flails, Tim Cahill is positioning himself to run. And that's a-okay with the Patrick team.
Whereas a few months ago it seemed that no one could pose a serious threat to any re-election campaign mounted by Governor Deval Patrick, a recent string of missteps has suddenly made him very vulnerable.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | April 01, 2009

Free for all

Is Mayor Menino getting White-washed? Plus, Sam Yoon's not-so-friendly skies
Striking parallels emerge between the upcoming mayor's race and the historic race of 1983.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 12, 2008

Rise of the political bogeyman

Impotent on the issues, the GOP turns to scare tactics. Be afraid!
The Republicans appear headed to a second straight national pummeling, which will leave it marginalized in the federal government and an increasing number of state houses. Many party faithful are already noting the need for the GOP to move back toward the moderate center to survive. But the conservatives with microphones are heading down a very different path — and their followers, who now dominate the Republican Party, are going right with them.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 03, 2008

Financial fallout

The devastating wall street crisis has a potential silver lining — if you’re a Massachusetts politician looking for a foothold
The current US financial disaster will roil Massachusetts residents in myriad ways.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | October 08, 2008

Leggo my ego!

The GOP is smearing Obama as a narcissist. So why is the press playing along?
If Barack Obama loses the presidency this November, it won’t be because of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, or “Bitter-gate,” or sundry other vulnerabilities.
By ADAM REILLY | July 30, 2008

The trolley Svengali

Why Dan Grabauskas might actually fix the T — if he can keep his job
When the T works, we usually don’t notice. But when it doesn’t, our reaction is swift and severe.
By ADAM REILLY | April 30, 2008

Whither the GOP?

With Democrats in total control of state government, the Massachusetts GOP should be a rising voice of dissent. Instead, it seems more impotent than ever.
Ask people to name the leading voice of opposition on Beacon Hill these days, and you’re likely to be told House Speaker Sal DiMasi.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | March 19, 2008

Old Mitt of the Mountain

How the Romney campaign crumbled and fell in the Granite State primary
Mitt Romney had a golden opportunity a week ago to do something about his inauthenticity problem, the one that even his most ardent supporters in New Hampshire recognize.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 28, 2010

Cambridge vs. Anthony Galluccio

Will Brattle Street torpedo him again?
Cambridge city councilor Anthony Galluccio is still working to fulfill the promise he showed 10 years ago.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | August 29, 2007

The mess at UMass

Picking up the pieces in the wake of a destructive power play. Plus, the immigration debate.
Before he terminated his do-little term as governor to kick off his presidential campaign, Mitt Romney planted a ticking time bomb at the University of Massachusetts.
By EDITORIAL | June 13, 2007

Leftward ho!

How liberal can the Herald’s editorial page get?
The Daily Worker has nothing to fear — yet.
By ADAM REILLY | June 06, 2007

Sweeping up

Deval Patrick’s late appointments show a surer hand at the wheel
Whether by design or dumb luck, Governor Deval Patrick has managed to depoliticize the news coming from Beacon Hill.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | May 30, 2007

The green governor?

Few on Deval Patrick's ‘fresh blood’ staff have been seasoned in the State-house hallways
Governor Deval Patrick promised to bring new faces and fresh perspectives to his administration, and he certainly has done that.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | March 07, 2007

Cicione remains odds-on favorite as new GOP chair

Talking politics
Giovanni Cicione says he has not learned of any rivals since recently winning the support of Governor Donald L. Carcieri.
By IAN DONNIS | February 21, 2007

Good Deval, bad Deval

How will Governor Patrick work the press?
There are a few ways to interpret Deval Patrick’s weeklong million-dollar inaugural bash, which includes festivities throughout Massachusetts and concludes with Patrick’s swearing-in outside the State House on January 4.
By ADAM REILLY | January 08, 2007

Deval’s dance with labor

Unions spent more to help get Deval Patrick elected than he did. But does that mean he’s in their pocket?
One of the most revealing currents political observers will soon be watching is how Governor Deval Patrick deals with organized labor.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 13, 2006

Can Bush be beaten?

It won’t be easy, but here’s one scenario for a Democratic victory
This article originally appeared in the November 15, 1991 issue of the Boston Phoenix.
By JOHN KELLER | November 14, 2006