Turnout, Tone Differ In 4th District Rallies

By Deborah Becker
Nov 1, 2010, 6:08 AM
18 Comments

BOSTON — Star power was at work for the candidates in the 4th Congressional District race this weekend, as both incumbent Democratic Rep. Barney Frank and Republican challenger Sean Bielat brought in high-profile political figures.

WBUR’s Deb Becker spent time with both campaigns.

Bob Oakes: Did the stars do what they were supposed to — drive up turnout by supporters? What was it like at these campaign events. Were they different?

Deb Becker: In terms of turnout and tone, they were very different.

The largest draw was a Saturday morning rally in Foxborough where hundreds of people gathered to show support for the GOP ticket. It felt more like a concert than a political rally with Sen. Scott Brown the headliner, wearing his trademark barn jacket and trying to stoke the same anti-establishment spirit that propelled him to victory just 10 months ago. Bielat told the crowd that supporting him Tuesday is a vote for a traditional values.

Individual prosperity, individual liberty, personal responsibility, accountability — these are the things that as Americans we demand from our government and this is the year we can turn it around, change the direction we’re on, and return to those values.

How about Frank?

Much different, much quieter. Frank also campaigned with some high-profile Democrats. On Sunday, he addressed about 60 people at an apartment complex in Dartmouth where he appeared with Vicki Kennedy, the widow of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Throughout the weekend, Frank emphasized the work he’s done for the district on things like fishing regulations, health care and the financial reform bill he worked on with Brown.

When Scott Brown voted for the bill because he thought we had done a good job with a general protection and protecting Massachusetts, Sean Bielat put out a statement attacking him. It’s very unusual for one Republican to attack another but that’s how deeply committed he is to deregulation. I’ve got an opponent who wants to privatize Social Security, raise the retirement age — that’s how he wants to deal with the deficit.

Frank also said he’s the target of some of the meanest people in America and he asked his supporters to cast ballots against nasty campaigns.

The latest polls put Frank at least 10 points ahead of Bielat. What are voters saying about where the race stands, and about how they’re making their decisions?

Teresa Barboza, of Dartmouth, says Frank’s record and experience will win her vote.

I think it’s outrageous it’s a tough race. He just has so much more credentials than his opponent. I really do.

But Bielat supporters bring it all back to Brown’s January election and say this was just the start of a Republican wave in Massachusetts. Tina Casamer is from Sharon:

You know, I was in synagogue the Saturday after Scott Brown got elected and there were thumbs up and high-fives all over the sanctuary — in a synagogue, in Sharon. I was blown away. There was complete happiness.

What both candidates did to was urge people to vote. With more than 51 percent of Massachusetts voters unenrolled, there could be a lot of surprises Tuesday.

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Susan

Sean Bielat has brilliantly with a quiet confidence and persistence stated what values he wants to bring to Washington (individual liberty, individual prosperity, accountability, and transparency) and I believe most responsible citizens agree with bringing our country back to sanity with these values.
Lisa

Sean has the credentials to bring our country back to its core values. Sean did 4 years active duyt in the Marines is in the Marine reserves went to Georgetown University, Wharton School of business and Harvard School of Public Policy. What other credentials does his oppponent have except for 30 years in congress and a record that shows he had a huge impact on our declining economy with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and being chair of The Financial Services Committee.
As far as Social Security goes …this just another scare tactic from his opponent again. Barney did do something about Social Security in his 30 years in congress….he voted yes on raising the age to 67.
Sean did not put out a statement attacking Scott Brown. He criticized aspects of the bill he disagreed with. Scott Brown has endorsed Sean Bielat and also came out to rally for him in Foxborough on Saturday.
Roberta

Teresa, I’m outraged, as well. I’m outraged that Frank’s “credentials” include lieing about his involvement in Fannie and Freddie, lieing about taking money from companies bailed out by TARP and lieing about his support for illegal aliens.
I’m outraged about those “credentials”.
Lon

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them” – Albert Einstein

We all need to critically evaluate from an objective perspective the facts pertaining to why or why not Mr. Frank should not be re- elected or elected.
Washington is broken will and is the status quo acceptable?

30 years in congress has proved enough time to say “you may be part of the business as usual problem” 30 years lacking transparency, accountability and the latest outright cover up of Tarp funding for AIG and GM.. Makes us really ask is this not enough of Mr. Frank and his arrogance?

Remember, this is not nor should it be about partisan politics IT IS NOT about Democrats V. Republicans!
I am proud to be of the Jewish faith and find Mr. Franks disparaging comments below highly disturbing and reason for concern. Counter terrorism ties in the middle-east, National security and US/Israel relations -
In the Boston Globe, Published: June 2, 2010. Hillary Chabot and Marie Szaniszlo “Barney Frank calls for probe of Gaza raid” I quote: Frank, in a wide-ranging interview with the Herald, went on to say that “as a Jew,” Israeli treatment of Arabs around some of the West Bank settlements “makes me ashamed that there would be Jews that would engage in that kind of victimization of a minority.”

Next we all need to seriously consider the push for “rolling the dice” with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Stephen Labaton (Published: September 11, 2003). “New Agency Proposed to Oversee Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae – New York Times” Frank stated, “These two entities…are not facing any kind of financial crisis…. The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”

I am sure that Mr. Frank has provided some benefit during his 30 years service in the congress to the district. That being said the system in Washington is broken and as part of that dysfunctional system for 30 years you need to accept responsibility.

Let us remember the words of Albert Einstein when we vote tomorrow – Good Luck Sean!
Heather

Sean Bielat’s Credentials:
Intelligence (Georgetown, Harvard, Wharton), Bravery (taking on a liberal legend & the Democratic machine in MA), Businessman (Mckinsey&IRobot), Integrity (Husband, father, patriot who worked way through college & grad school), Discipline (Marine), Fresh Ideas (fiscal responsibility and smaller govt)

Barney Frank’s RECORD:
Arrogance, Corruption, Entrenched Incumbency, Bailouts to friends in high places and special interests with taxpayer dollars, Conflicts of Interest, Member of Socialist Party USA, $1Trillion Govt Healthcare Takeover, Pot Bust, Prostitution Ring, $800 Billion Stimulus, FNMA, FreddieMac, Housing Meltdown, 9.4% Unemployment, 17% Underemployment, Stagnating Economy

There will be no pork to bring home to the district when the county is drowning in debts it can no longer pay thanks to the policies that Barney Frank has advocated for over the last thirty years.

Please take advantage of the good fortune we in District 4 have been granted and VOTE FOR SEAN BIELAT.
BFoley

Barney Frank is in a race where his own record has him backed into a corner.

Lashing out at the “mean people” sounds like the desperation of a very nervous man.

Had you served your constituents honorably and honestly, you would have no reason to feel so desperate Barney.

Now we have a chance to vote a man into office who possesses that honor and honesty you lack.

You’ve had your 30 years Mr Frank. It’s time for a changing of the guard. Sean Bielat will serve the people of the 4th congressional district with the honor and distinction emblematic of his personal character.

I’m voting for Sean Bielat

God Bless America
Pat

I am an independent and I have never been involved in politics before. I met Sean about 5 or 6 months ago, long before any national media attention. I shook his hand, asked him why he was running. He looked right at me and told me he “felt obligated to run, given everything that is going on in DC.” Since then I have watched Sean run circles around Barney Frank in their debates. There is a reason why congressmen have two year terms, the House is not for career politicians. The is supposed to be new blood, to represent the people.

So I’m voting for Sean Bielat – and I sincerely hope you do too. I can’t make your decision for you, but I urge you to check out Sean at

http://www.seanforcongress.com/

and make an informed choice.
toms184

You know, Barney Frank represents everything that is wrong with Washington DC, so he needs to go, along with the rest of them. Fortunately, Sean Bielat is a great choice to take over that seat. In order to begin to turn this country back to the vision of our founding fathers, we simply must vote out every incumbent this year.

Please vote for Sean Bielat tomorrow.
Suzanne Rourke

Good job by Deborah Becker contrasting the two campaigns! I understand why some support Rep. Frank. For me, however, Frank must go because of his legislative policies.

He recently voted for ObamaCare,the stimulus, and Cap and Trade. He supported Fannie/Freddie. His financial regulation will further choke our economy.

Sean Bielat would do none of that; he’s got my vote!
Ken

“Tina Casamer is from Sharon:

You know, I was in synagogue the Saturday after Scott Brown got elected and there were thumbs up and high-fives all over the sanctuary — in a synagogue, in Sharon. I was blown away. There was complete happiness.”

I was in the same synagogue and did not experience the “complete happiness” described here. Happiness and high fives may indeed have been the experience of one active partisan politicker but to describe the community response as one of “complete happiness” is a misrepresentation of the diversity of the community. With several hundred member families this Sharon faith community is probably broadly reflective of Sharon generally where Coakley beat Brown by double digits.
Ken

“You know, I was in synagogue the Saturday after Scott Brown got elected and there were thumbs up and high-fives all over the sanctuary — in a synagogue, in Sharon. I was blown away. There was complete happiness.”

Another comment, as well–the speaker’s surprise bespeaks an assumption that Jews are monolithically liberal. With that assumption, the speaker is surprised to discover that there were Scott Brown voters in the synagogue. Who would have thought?! But this, too, is a perpetuation of a stereotype and a misunderstanding of the diversity of the Jewish community. It would seem to me to go without saying, though apparently it doesn’t, that the Jewish community–in this synagogue as well as more broadly–holds within its ranks members with the full range of diverse political views and opinions and this should really come as great surprise to no one.
Pam

Well, based on all the comment boards today, I’m surprised that Barney Frank (and Patrick and others) remained ahead in the polls for so long. We’re all voting Republican now, it seems!

Anyway, I trust Barney Frank to represent me. In the end, Bielat is a Republican who is both extremely socially and politically conservative, trying to present himself as a fiscally responsible “independent”. I think that Mass voters will be shocked how he would vote on other issues besides money.
Andrew

Wow. Looks like the campaign volunteers are out in force this morning.
Tina

There were a lot of fellow congregants talking up Sean at the polls this morning Ken. Maybe you were just sitting on the left side of the synagogue on that great morning in January.

We Jews have not reflected the political diversity that we should, until now. Active partisan politicker? How about Jew and patriot- you know, the kind of person Obama calls his enemy.
Ken

“There were a lot of fellow congregants talking up Sean at the polls this morning Ken.”

Of course there were. It is incorrect to portray the synagogue as anything other than a place with a diverse membership. After just about any election there will be those who are happy with the outcome and those who are not. It will be true this Shabbat, also. Sharon went for Coakley by 12%. I assume our membership reflected that. Bielat got 30% of the vote overall and I assume roughly 30% of our congregation give or take will be unhappy that he lost. Why should it be any other?
Ken

Excuse me–43%.
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