New In The Phoenix -- Progressives Vs Party?

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- in print tomorrow, online now -- I look at the rift between progressive outsiders and establishment insiders brewing in Massachusetts Democratic Party primaries this year. Exhibit A, of course, is the Peter Smulowitz victory over Lida Harkins in the special-election primary for state senate.

I suggest that Massachusetts Democrats used to be divided between liberals and conservatives; now that liberals safely dominate (we'll have no more Speaker Finnerans anytime soon), this new outside/establishment division (or reform/status quo, depending on your point of view) is blossoming.

Oh -- and I compare these crash-the-gates progressives to the Tea Party.

Check it out, and let me know what you think:

Tea Party Progressives? Outsiders are trying to crash the gates of the state’s Democratic establishment — and are starting to succeed

Also in the new issue: a two-part editorial, on Boston Public Library funding, and on Arizona's new immigration law.