Gomez, Markey Grapple in Final Senate Debate
Gabriel Gomez and Edward Markey spent their final debate before next week’s U.S. Senate special election clashing over their records and who has the better vision for both their commonwealth and their country. The debate, taped in Boston, broadcast on several local networks and moderated by veteran city newsman and Boston University professor R.D. Sahl, was the last of three contests before voters head to the polls to fill U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s former seat. No matter the issue, be it taxes, gun control, abortion, national security and their own personal and professional histories, the two men found disagreements at every turn. Each candidate could agree on one thing: they believe the other candidate’s ideas are “old and stale.” Markey, a Democratic congressman from Malden since 1976, went after Gomez, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and businessman from Cohasset, about not disclosing his clients from his time working at private equity firm Advent International. “We don’t know who he worked for,” Markey said. “We have to know who’s side he’s going to be on.” Gomez corrected Markey, saying his firm didn’t have clients but actually had investors. Among his investors: President Barack Obama, among many other public sector employees. “President Obama would not be an investor if we weren’t $ 17 trillion in debt,” said Gomez, who mentioned several times that the nation debt has swelled from $ 670 billion to $ 17 trillion since Markey took office. Gomez has been a champion of term limits for members of Congress, but was challenged by Markey, who asserted that Gomez surely didn’t tell Arizona Sen. John McCain he shouldn’t run for his seat again when the former presidential candidate came to campaign for him recently. Gomez said he had, in fact, told McCain that he should be term-limited. Markey simply could not believe that was true. “Are you calling him a liar?” Sahl asked. “I’m saying that did not happen,” Markey said. Within that exchange, Gomez listed a number of areas where he believes his party is wrong right now, including immigration, gay marriage, expanded background checks for firearms sales, the environment and global warming. “Nothing’s going to change if Mr. Markey wins this election,” Gomez said. “We’re going to have the same D.C. down there and we’re going to have the same dysfunction.” On gun control, Markey asked Gomez why he opposed a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and where a civilian would “need a weapon where they could shoot a gun with 100 bullets in under 2 minutes.” Gomez said Markey was “completely misrepresenting my position” on gun control and claimed […]
Gomez, Markey Set For Final Senate Debate
Another U.S. Senate election for Massachusetts is drawing to a close, with the two combatants set to square off one final time before voters head to the polls June 25. Democratic Congressman Edward Markey of Malden and Republican businessman and former U.S. Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez will hold the last of three debates Tuesday evening in the race to fill the seat formerly held by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The debate will air live from 7 to 8 p.m. on WCVB (Channel 5). The debate will be moderated by R.D. Sahl of Boston University. The two previous debates for the candidates were held in Boston and Springfield. Recent polling has suggested an edge for Markey in the race. Both candidates have received visits from high-profile supporters with Gomez welcoming former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani while Markey had both President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton stumping for him last week. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Gomez, Markey Spar in First Senate Debate
Gabriel Gomez and Edward Markey engaged Wednesday in their first debate before the U.S. Senate special election this month, and the tone was markedly similar to the tone of the overall campaign thus far. Gomez, the Republican Cohasset businessman and former U.S. Navy SEAL, and Markey, the Democratic Malden congressman since his election in 1976, jabbed at each other during the hour-long debate at WBZ-TV’s studios and sponsored by the news station and the Boston Globe. Topics for the evening included gun control, health care, the economy, foreign policy, recent national political scandals, immigration and abortion. Time and again, Gomez pounded Markey for his years in Washington, painting the congressman as out of touch with Bay State citizens. “You are the poster boy for term limits,” Gomez said to Markey, claiming Markey hasn’t authored any legislation in 20 years. “In the private sector if you don’t do your job you don’t get a pay raise.” Markey said Gomez was espousing “the same old stale Republican ideas” and tried listing his own legislative accomplishments when attacked by Gomez. “I can go on, and on, and on with the number of laws that I am the author of, that I am the principle author of,” said Markey, calling Gomez’s line of attack “mythology.” Early on the candidates went back and forth on gun control, with Markey hitting Gomez for not supporting bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. “Massachusetts is the leader, not the laggard on the issue of gun control,” Markey said. Gomez stated support for increased background checks but slammed Markey for invoking the shootings last year at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. for “political gain,” calling it “beyond disgusting.” When discussing the impacts of the Affordable Care Act, Gomez said small business owners in Massachusetts are worried about its costs. Gomez said Markey didn’t support rolling back the tax in the bill on medical devices that impacts over 25,000 employees in the state. Markey said he would support taking out the tax if there was an offset somewhere else, saying he would reduce tax breaks received by oil companies to do so. “That’s the way you have to legislate,” he said. When discussing the recent scandals that have rocked Washington in recent weeks, Gomez called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to resign for the “chilling” seizing of records for reporters. On the topic of Internal Revenue Service employees targeting conservative groups, Markey said “anyone who did anything wrong at IRS should be found and fired immediately.” But on the investigation into the September 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Markey […]
Gomez, Markey to Square Off in First Debate
The Republican and Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate special election later this month are set to conduct their first of three scheduled debates Wednesday night. According to an Associated Press article printed in the Boston Herald Monday, Republican businessman Gabriel Gomez of Cohasset and Democratic Congressman Edward Markey of Malden will debate at the WBZ-TV studios Wednesday in a debate sponsored by the TV station and the Boston Globe. WBZ previously reported the debate will take place and air live from 7 to 8 p.m. WBZ political analyst Jon Keller will moderate. According to the Herald, subsequent debates will take place on June 11 in western Massachusetts and June 18 back in Boston. The campaigns reportedly spent weeks “wrangling” over the time and number for the debates. The election will be held June 25 to fill the seat vacated by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 23: ‘Informal’ City Councilor Debate
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a mostly cloudy day, with a high near 75 degrees, and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. The afternoon will be windy with gusts up to 20 mph. 2. ‘Impromtu’ Candidates Night: At-large candidate Shaun Ivers will be hosting an “impromptu candidates forum and open debate” at Slades Bar and Grill (958 Tremont St.) tonight. The idea is to have an informal “debate” where people can come and talk about issues that currently face Boston. See here for more information. 3. South End Elections: Two candidates are officially in the race for the District 2 City Council seat, which includes the South End neighborhood. Find out more about Suzanne Lee and Bill Linehan, who will be seeking election and re-election this year. 4. Lt. Governor to Resign: In case you missed yesterday’s breaking news, Lt. Governor Tim Murray officially announced that he would be resigning from office as of June 2nd. The next day he will take over as president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. Read more here. 5. Marathon Bombing Update: In other breaking news yesterday, the FBI disclosed that an agent shot and killed a man who reportedly had ties to marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnev, after the man attacked the agent with a knife during questioning. See here for more details. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Lynch, Markey to Debate Tonight in Lowell
The combatants for the Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate special election will square off Monday night in Lowell for their second debate leading up to the April 30 primary. Congressmen Edward Markey (D-Malden) and Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) will participate in the debate being held at 7:30 p.m. at Durgin Hall on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The debate is being sponsored by UMass Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion and the Boston Herald. Questions for the debate will be posed by UMass Lowell students while the moderator will be reporter Jaclyn Cashman, according to the university. Markey and Lynch previously met for their first debate March 27 at the Channel 5 studios in Needham. The two candidates agreed to six total debates before the primary. The winner of the April 30 primary will be the Democratic nominee to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The general election in June 25. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Democrats, Republicans Square Off in First Debate
It was a big week in the race for U.S. Senate, with both Republican and Democratic candidates facing off for the first time in a debate Wednesday night. Candidates running in the April primary faced each other in two 30-minute debates in an event sponsored by the Boston Media Consortium and held at the WCVB-TV, Channel 5 studios in Needham. Congressmen Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) and Edward Markey (D-Malden) went several rounds on the topic of health care reform in the first debate between the two Democrats. The two also sparred over bank bailouts. Write-in Democratic candidate Brett Rhyne was not at the debate. Republicans also faced each other for the first time in their own debate immediately following Lynch and Markey. Candidates Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk), former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez and former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan leaned on their diverse backgrounds to explain positions on issues ranging from the economy and debt reduction to gay marriage. The candidates are scheduled to meet up again Monday night in the second set of debates at UMass Lowell. Markey, Sullivan lead in the polls This week a WBUR Poll found Markey and Sullivan leading in their respective Democratic and Republican primary fields. The results of the poll showed Markey had an 11-point edge (35 percent to 24 percent) over Lynch. Sullivan, of Abington, leads the Republican candidates with 28 percent, followed by Winslow at 10 percent and Gomez with 8 percent. April 10 deadline for voter registration, party affiliation changes The last day to register to vote, change a voting address or change party affiliation for the April 30 primary is Wednesday, April 10. Not sure where or how to register to vote or change party affiliation? Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Secretary of State William Galvin’s office. The primary election is slated for April 30, with the general election to take place June 25. South End Patch
U.S. Senate Candidates Face Off in Debate Wednesday Night
Five candidates seeking the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by John Kerry will debate for the first time in one place Wednesday night in Needham. The two Democrats and three Republicans vying for the vacated position will face each other in two separate, 30-minute debates in an event sponsored by the Boston Media Consortium and held at the Channel 5 studios. The debate will air live from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be moderated by R.D. Sahl. Patch will be among the media organizations covering the event. The primary election is April 30. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Malden) will square off against U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston). In the latest UMass Lowell poll, Markey leads Lynch 50 percent to 29.5 percent, according to the Boston Globe. WBUR/Mass Inc. puts them significantly closer, with Markey up by just seven points. The three Republican contenders are state Rep. Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk), former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez. Needham resident Brett Rhyne, a write-in Democratic candidate, was not confirmed to participate, according to WCVB, nor was Independent Jack E. Robinson. The last day to register to vote, change a voting address or change party affiliation for the April 30 primary is Wednesday, April 10. Not sure where or how to register to vote or change party affiliation? Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Secretary of State Galvin’s office. South End Patch
GOP Candidates Meet Face to Face, Dems Ready to Debate
Over the past week, Republican candidates in the race for U.S. Senate met face to face for the first time to talk issues and make themselves known in the race for U.S. Senate, while their Democratic counterparts launched their first TV ads. State Rep. Dan Winslow of Norfolk, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez took part in the first GOP debate last Tuesday night at Stonehill College in Easton. In the hour-long debate, the candidates discussed a wide-range of issues including: Roe vs. Wade, gun control, immigration, social security and issues affecting the economy. Unlike their Democratic counterparts, the three candidates disagreed on little, with a common theme centered on the need to fix the dysfunctionality in Washington. Democratic debates on tap While a full debate schedule has yet to be agreed upon – the candidates are set for their first and last debates before the April 30 primary. Markey and Lynch are set to debate for the first time on March 27 at the WCVB-TV studios in Needham at 7 p.m. The last debate before the primary will be April 22 at the WBZ-TV studios, in conjunction with the Boston Globe and with moderator John Keller, also at 7 p.m. Also in the news over the past week: Lynch, Markey launch TV ads Both Democratic candidates launched their television ad campaign. Markey focused on his support for gun control, while Lynch used his first ad to introduce himself to voters not familiar with the seven-term congressman from South Boston, reported CBS Boston. Gomez resigns from job to focus on campaign The Boston Globe recently reported Gomez resigned from his position as a principal at Advent International to pursue his campaign for U.S. Senate. A company spokesman told the Globe he resigned on March 2. Rhyne joins race as write-in candidate Brett Rhyne, former editor of the Medfield Press, is running for Senate. The Needham resident announced last week via his website Rhyne4Senate.com that he is running as a Write-In candidate for U.S. Senate. Lynch calls for raising cap on Social Security contributions Lynch called for raising the cap on Social Security contributions at an accelerated rate. Lynch, in a statement, said he believes the cap should be increased at a more accelerated pace in order to better fund the Social Security system. South End Patch
GOP Senate Candidates Discuss Economy, Social Security, Immigration in First Debate
The quest to become the “Washington outsider” representing the Republican Party in this year’s Massachusetts special senate election was underway at Stonehill College Tuesday night when GOP candidates met in their first primary debate. “Electing either of the Democratic nominees would be a sign of ‘surrender’ that we have given up,” State Representative Daniel B. Winslow (R-Norfolk) said in his closing statement referring U.S. Congressmen Ed Markey (D-Malden) and Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston). Winslow, former US attorney Michael J. Sullivan, and former Navy SEAL Gabriel E. Gomez discussed a wide-range of issues in the hour-long debate, including Roe vs. Wade, gun control, immigration, social security, and the economy. The debate was sponsored by WickedLocal, WGBH and WCVB and a journalist panel of WGBH’s Adam Reilly, Janet Wu of WCVB, and Chris Burrell of the Patriot Ledger delivered questions. Stonehill professor Peter Ubertaccio moderated The three candidates disagreed on little, with a common theme centering around Washington’s dis-functionality and it’s need to be fixed. The theme rose to the surface when discussing the economy and the recently-enacted sequester, which seemingly had little immediate impact on job growth. “I think sticking with the status-quo is a complete failure on the part of our government,” Sullivan said. “I think we’re far to high too celebrate,” he added, referring to the nation’s 7.7 unemployment rate. Gomez, who criticized “career politicians” and lobbyists during his closing remarks, said little was getting done in Washington because of the “lack of courage.” “We don’t have a lack of ideas down in DC right now, what we have is a lack of courage,” he said while discussing social security. Gomez said it was “sad that Scott Brown lost because he’s the kind of person that we need down in DC recommending the commonwealth of Massachusetts.” All three candidates agreed that Brown’s loss to Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the 2012 election was evident that Republicans weren’t reaching the right people. “We have to be what we are, which is the great opportunity party and have that message – that message of hope – be the message that we reach out to American voters,” Winslow said. In regards to social security, the three candidates believed raising the age of retirement might contribute to the problem surrounding social security, while emphasizing that current seniors should remain unaffected. Winslow, Sullivan and Gomez also put strong emphasis on mental health background checks when discussing gun control. Gomez said an assault weapons ban was ineffective in 1994 and would still be ineffective while Sullivan said any all-out ban would be “completely ineffective.” Winslow said he would consider three things […]
Categories: Arrests Tags: Candidates, Debate, Discuss, Economy, First, Immigration, Security, Senate, Social