Elizabeth is a dream candidate for the Middle Class, but, she is still missing connections with some voters.

This video came like a breath of fresh air, especially in light of the knowledge the current Senator Brown who replaced Senator Kennedy, was accepting huge contributions from Wall Street firms, during a time when the Middle Class was struggling and jobless.  There was actually someone who understood public policy and how it impacted the people of the electorate. 


Elizabeth is doing well in the polls, especially considering she is still running against others for the nomination.  What bothers me is she is being painted by her Democratic opponent, Marisa DeFranco, (click here) as a bit of a coward in not attending public forums to compare Democratic candidates for the nomination.  I think Marisa's strategy is somewhat like Brown's in 2010, grassroots and involved while her opponent for the nomination is mostly unavailable as Massachusetts Attorney General Margaret Coakley was perceived.  I suppose Ms. DeFranco and her advocacy position may have an impact, but, it might not be in favor of a good outcome for Massachusetts come November.


There are some interesting polls as well that reflects weaknesses within the electorate regarding Elizabeth.  If I may?

Selected WBUR Poll Data Points: (click title to entry - thank you)

Scott Brown Vs. Elizabeth Warren:
- Warren leads Brown, 46-43 (within 4.4% margin)
- 11% of those polled don’t know/are undecided
- Warren is +28 with 18-29-year-olds
- Brown is +24 with 30-44-year-olds
- Brown is +2 with 45-59-year-olds
- Warren is +23 with 60-and-over respondents

Brown/Warren Favorability Ratings: 
- Brown’s rating is 50/29 favorability/unfavorability
- Warren’s rating is 39/29 favorability/unfavorability
- 14% hadn’t heard of Warren (versus 6% for Brown)
- With unenrolled/other voters, Brown is 56/21
- With unenrolled/other voters, Warren is 28/35

Candidate Comparison:
- Largely a toss-up for “will stand up for regular people,” “understands the needs of middle-class” and “agrees with you on issues that matter to you”
- Brown is +9 on “knows how to get the economy moving again”
- 62% said they might change mind based on debates

Elizabeth's name recognition isn't what one might expect.  If she isn't recognized by the electorate how can they connect with her positions and the fact she is the most astute candidate to RETURN support for the Middle Class.

One of the selling points by Ms.DeFranco is that she actually has a plan when no one else does.  It might be wise for Elizabeth to wade into the idea she has to present a plan for Massachusetts citizens, as if the Financial Consumer Protection Agency wasn't enough, to claim she “knows how to get the economy moving again”.  Money back in the pockets of consumers rather than Wall Street is a good beginning, but, I think she has to say it and expand on job creation.

I have no doubt Elizabeth will do well in the debates, but, she might exercise that option with Ms. DeFranco in public forums and stop the attacks on Elizabeth's credibility as a candidate.

PROBE IF RESPONDENT SAYS “DON’T KNOW” (click here)

Have you heard of READ NAME and are undecidedabout (him/her)? Or have you never heard of (him/her)?

It is a foregone conclusion Senator John Kerry sailed through his re-election bid in 2008.  Perhaps Elizabeth needs a few pointers as most citizens of Massachusetts believe he and his spouse are good for Massachusetts.


The only problem I see with Brown's 'image' is the bait and switch he is attempting with "The STOCK Bill."  He is a co-sponsor attempting to hide his love of Wall Street money with a new REFORMED image.  Convenient, but, hardly timely.  I would think Elizabeth needs to make herself better known as a person that never needed the STOCK Act or even thought she would need it.  I think word is integrity.

The past few weeks have seen a flurry of activity around The STOCK Act. It passed both the House and Senate but in two different versions. They have to be reconciled. There is an amendment which basically warns Congressmen if they are being tracked for investigation.

The“Come again?” amendment (click here)Included in the list of passed amendments is one that should put Fools on alert, as it circumvents the reporting requirements of the STOCK Act and potentially leaves the possibility of day-trading on non-public information using ETFs. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) proposed an amendment that would remove mutual funds from the STOCK Act requirements. Says Dan Head, a spokesperson for Enzi, “Widely held funds cannot be influenced by members or staffers, so those funds have ‘excepted’ status for purposes of financial disclosures.”

And then there is the voting record of Senator Brown which can somewhat speak for itself.  It would seem as though Senator Brown voted the measure down in a Filibuster Session with a vote of 51 - 49.  Senator Brown was one of the 49 NAYS.

S1917 – Extends Payroll Tax Cut and Establishes Tax on Income Over$1 Million (click here)

-Reduces the payroll tax rate from 4.2 percent to 3.1 percent for both employers and employees for the 2012 calendar year (Sec. 101).

-Specifies that the payroll tax rate of 3.1 percent for employers shall only apply to the first $5 million in compensation paid by an employer (Sec. 101).

-Establishes a 3.25 percent tax on modified adjusted gross income in excess of $1 million for non-corporate taxpayers, or in excess of $500,000 for married individuals filing separate tax returns, for all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012 (Sec. 201).

-Reduces the payroll tax rate on earnings from self-employment for taxable years beginning after 2012 as follows (Sec. 101):

-From 10.4 percent to 6.2 percent for the first $5 million in net earnings; and -From 10.4 percent to 9.3 percent on net earnings in excess of $5 million.

-Appropriates to the Social Security trust funds amounts equal to the loss in revenue resulting from the payroll tax rate reductions (Sec. 101).

Have a better day, Elizabeth.  I sincerely believe Massachusetts has a genuine, well qualified person that will protect it's citizens.  I wish you well.


So much for Brown's pledge to refuse outside donations.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Pawlenty is using his political action committee (click here) to raise campaign cash for a Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Massachusetts.

The Republican governor’s Freedom First PAC sent out a plea Monday asking supporters to donate to Scott Brown’s campaign. He’s in a tight race against Democrat Martha Coakley in a special election to fill the seat of the late Ted Kennedy, with Republicans hoping to dent the Democrats’ 60-vote bloc in the U.S. Senate.

It’s the first plea on behalf of a specific candidate from Pawlenty’s PAC, which he established last fall....


When it came to having a good voter turnout, Senator Edward Kennedy always said, "It is best to ask.  They won't necessarily turn out to vote if one does not ask them to."