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College students speak out

College students, known for being an especially liberal fraction of the U.S. population, are eager to voice their opinions about the current political climate in Massachusetts. After several unsuccessful attempts at contacting the Boston University College Republicans and the Boston University College Democrats, I decided to interview five young people between the ages of 20 and 25. Here are their thoughts:

Steve I.

“It most significantly affected the radical healthcare bill. His election showed an example of the structure of our government successfully allowing for radical laws to only be passed after more than a majority of legislatures agree that it would be best for our country. Clearly we as a country are not ready for the radical bills that Obama secretly and discreetly tries to shove down our throats. This is best described by one of the most liberal states voting in Scott Brown, a Republican. Even though health care needs to be adjusted in our country, his election takes the pressure and forceful impulse, created by liberal American press and Obama, to pass a bill immediately. We have an issue in the U.S. in regard to healthcare but it needs to be carefully planned out and analyzed, not rushed through legislature without them fully agreeing it is good for all citizens of the U.S.”

Emily F.

“I believe this was a huge wake up call for both liberals and Republicans. I think once Obama won and it essentially became ‘Obama Nation’, liberals became overconfident and cocky, and Republicans retreated with defeat. I think the liberals saw Coakley as an automatic win especially with it being in Massachusetts, but I think a lot of liberals have become fed up with Obama and all of his broken promises. Coakley was a terrible candidate and I think liberals saw this and either didn't vote or went for Brown. I think this was a huge win for Republicans (whether Brown is really that great or not). The Republicans needed this confidence boost and a bit more power to wake up and start making changes in the Senate and what bills are getting passed. I don't think this election will change Mass much, but I think it will make Liberals rethink their candidates and realize these ‘liberal states’ aren't always an easy win.”

Nicole D.

“He did a really good job before, so I think he'll make a good senator. I think he'll help provide a different perspective especially because Massachusetts is such a liberal state.”

Celeste C.

“I’m shocked it happened just considering Massachusetts is such a liberal state, but I think it shows progress in that politics are no longer rooted in two, separate, unrelated parties. Now, there is a lot more crossing over it seems, where liberals are voting for conservatives and vice versa, depending on the state of the country at the time of the election.

Brian T.

“I believe that the election of Scott Brown to the Massachusetts state senate is an important change to the political atmosphere in Massachusetts. Being a predominantly liberal state for many years, it demonstrates the importance of voting for not necessarily a party, but a belief system. It showed to Americans that the citizens of Massachusetts were unhappy with the way things were going, and the election of Scott Brown showed that they wanted a change. It also showed Americans' disgruntled view towards President Obama's healthcare bill.”

The people have spoken

A rare, interesting look at regular Bostonians speaking out against the liberalism that has reigned supreme in Massachusetts for a long time. It is obvious from the video that a lot of people are searching for change. The footage looks like it was taken on New Years Day outside of Fenway Park during the Winter Classic, featuring the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers, so this is before the January 19 election.

How are columnists reacting?

Several Globe columnists shared their thoughts on Brown's win. There are two separate videos. Find out what columnists think of the failed Democratic campaign and what they anticipate for the future.

Scott Brown's election to Senate sparks confidence in the GOP of Massachusetts

According to a Thursday, January 21 article in The Boston Globe, the Grand Old Party of Massachusetts is feeling a new rush of confidence following Scott Brown’s election to the Senate on Tuesday, January 19. Massachusetts is known to be an especially liberal state, and Brown’s election came as a surprise. Right now, each of the 10 congressional delegates representing Massachusetts is a Democrat. But the Republicans in Massachusetts are hoping to change this lopsided number come the next congressional run, in November of this year.

The Globe, citing several Republican strategists, said that there are three current House of Representatives members who may well face a tough Republican challenge in November. The members, Niki Tsongas of Lowell, James McGovern of Worcester, and William Delahunt of Quincy, are all from districts where the vote count showed an overwhelming support for Brown over democratic nominee Martha Coakley. This discrepancy puts the House seats of Tsongas, McGovern, and Delahunt into question. McGovern and Delahunt ran unopposed in 2008.

Republicans see Brown’s victory as evidence that people are unhappy with the current state of affairs, citing the poor and unimproved economy as well as all of the health care issues that seem to be at a standstill.

“There is no denying we are in a time of real uncertainty and frustration,’’ Tsongas said in a telephone interview with the Globe. “If you think of where we were a year ago, we have averted a real [economic] disaster . . . but we have to do more. That is what the voters are saying. I hear it loud and clear.’’

Candidates must officially announce their intent to run for Congress on May 4.

In late January, Joseph D. Malone voiced his desire to run against Delahunt for the 10th District. Malone served as the treasurer for Massachusetts from 1991 to 1999 and now lives in Scituate.

His confidence is palpable: “I have become more and more inspired to look at this race for Congress, given the new spirit that exists in Massachusetts,’’ he said in an interview with the Globe. “I have had hundreds of conversations with people over the last several weeks, and I have gotten from those conversations a sense that people want major change down in Washington.’’

Republicans, however, should not look forward to a complete Democratic overhaul. As the Globe pointed out, voters registered as independent have always had a presence in Massachusetts and have the power to make the vote go either way, depending. Also, those who are currently in office get more funding and are able to run bigger, more persuasive campaigns.

Reports the Globe:

“Republican Jon Golnik, Tsongas’s challenger, has raised about $50,000 in five weeks. By comparison, Tsongas has raised $413,755 since the beginning of 2009 and has $137,872 in cash in her campaign account, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In 2007, she spent about $2.3 million to win the special election.”

In other words, it will be a long, tough road for Republicans in this state to see any kind of permanent change. What will happen in the coming days as we inch closer and closer to the May 4 deadline, in which potential challengers to congressional incumbents must declare their intention to run for office? Stay tuned.