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DAVID S. BERNSTEIN

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Reading is fundamentalist

Conservative screeds dominated the book charts this year. Will future election results follow the bestseller lists?
In 2009, liberals held firm control of the presidency, the US Senate, and the US House of Representatives. But there was one realm where conservatives dominated: the New York Times bestseller list.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 22, 2009

Brown Bagging

Even GOP insiders don't expect Scott Brown to beat Martha Coakley. But they care how he loses.
If you are finding it hard to get enthused about the seemingly preordained drubbing that Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley will give to the GOP nominee, State Senator Scott Brown, in the special election for US Senate, you are not alone.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 16, 2009

State of flux

Inside the Massachusetts State House, a forecast of political chaos for 2010 promises extreme gridlock
A few weeks ago, the state legislature headed into its winter break with what might be called a flurry of inactivity.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 11, 2009

Coakley cashes in at the bar

Lawyering Up
It's no surprise that Martha Coakley has raised much of her money for her US Senate campaign from lawyers — that has been her professional and social circle for pretty much her entire adult life.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 04, 2009

The X factor

Come Monday, it's a one-week spring to the primary — and to capture the hearts of undecided voters.
Martha Coakley should be plenty thankful for the holiday weekend. The polls suggest that, if nothing significant changes between now and the December 8 primary, she should handily claim the Democratic nomination for US Senate.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 24, 2009

Ladies' man

In his race for US Senate, Michael Capuano is using well-known women to battle the race's female front-runner.
Early last week, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government announced suddenly that Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, would speak at a forum that Friday afternoon.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 18, 2009

Has Obama peaked? No, he hasn't

Obama’s days of greatest power and popularity lie before him. But be warned: he might not do what you want with it.
Barack Obama's popularity should not be judged by the day-to-day, media-driven vagaries of politics — nor by the wishful thinking of his opponents.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 12, 2009

The Quiet Storm

In this desperate downtime, is Deval Patrick regrouping, or cluelessly steering a sinking ship?
In recent weeks, Governor Deval Patrick has been receiving some of his best press in a long time — which is to say, he’s gotten very little coverage at all.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 04, 2009

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

Holding his punches

The pundits think a desperate Michael Flaherty needs to throw haymakers at the mayor, but he insists steady pressure will win the fight
All year, Boston’s political observers have been watching for signs of an anti-Menino tipping point in the mayoral race.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | October 21, 2009

Khazei, Like a Fox?

Insiders don’t think Alan Khazei has a chance in the US Senate race. But progressive activists could make him an underdog with bite.
If there is to be a candidate in the Massachusetts US Senate race who inspires the sort of grassroots, progressive following that propelled Governor Deval Patrick into office three years ago — an insurgent candidacy, if you will — it figures to be idealistic public-service advocate Alan Khazei, co-founder of City Year and founder of Be the Change, Inc.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | October 16, 2009

Final four?

The City Council preliminary is seldom a preview of the finish. But this time, it just might be.
Some of Boston's savviest political insiders were confident of one thing going into last week's preliminary election: the top four finishers in the at-large City Council race would not be the same quartet to actually win those four seats in November.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 30, 2009

Can Flaherty woo Yoon?

Don't call it a victory just yet; Michael Flaherty's work has only begun. Will Sam Yoon come to his aid?
Michael Flaherty, having earned a spot Tuesday on the November ballot, starts his six-week push to the Boston mayoral final with a big problem. He needs Sam Yoon's voters, and to get them he needs Sam Yoon.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 28, 2009

Six for the seat

After a tumultuous week, these half dozen are still in the mix for Kennedy's seat.
Over the next few months, as candidates for the US Senate travel the state, you're likely to hear them say again and again that nobody can ever truly replace Ted Kennedy. That's the truth. But what does the state want next, after such a legendary, larger-than-life figure?

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 16, 2009

Menino's 50-Percent Solution

The incumbent mayor is going to cruise through the upcoming preliminary. So why does his campaign seem to be taking it so seriously?
For years, many in Boston (including here at the Phoenix ) have lamented the absence of a vigorous campaign that would force the long-time incumbent to defend his record and discuss the issues.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 11, 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

After Ted

Kennedy’s death came amid renewed speculation about his succession, his family, and potential candidates for his job
The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy early Wednesday morning brings to a close the life and legendary career of one of Massachusetts's greatest political figures.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | August 26, 2009

Yoon or Flaherty

Who will win the chance to challenge Menino?
Boston voters will go to the polls in less than seven weeks to choose two candidates, out of the four now running, to face off against each other in November's mayoral election.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | August 20, 2009

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Hopes of big Boston Election Day turnout fade. Good news for Menino?
Nine months ago, on the heels of the Obama-assisted deluge at the polls, political observers anticipated mayoral fever triggering huge voter turnout in the Hub this fall. Now, as the race has so far been a bust, they are downgrading their expectations.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | July 29, 2009

Sarah Palin, Inc.

The biggest brand name in conservative politics is about to enter the burgeoning right-wing marketplace — and she's perfect for it. Ka-ching!
Confused commenters have no clue as to the opportunities that await Palin — because few understand the extraordinary, multi-billion-dollar marketplace that has developed for movement conservatives.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | July 17, 2009

From Jester to Esther

Sarah Palin sees self as a religious legend, not a political football
During the presidential campaign last fall, the Phoenix took note of a curious undercurrent in the annals of Sarah Palin fandom: the notion of Palin as a modern-day Queen Esther.

By: DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | July 15, 2009

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