MassGOP’s 2020 playbook — TIERNEY eyes comeback — Changing the LOBSTER LAW

May 06, 2019

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

THE MassGOP 2020 PLAYBOOK — The MassGOP gave President Donald Trump a boost last week when it approved its 2020 delegate plan. The Republican candidate who clears more than 50 percent of the vote in the state presidential primary will be awarded all of the party's delegates. The winner-takes-all strategy is a departure from the 2016 primary, when the MassGOP used a proportional method to award delegates to the 17 Republicans running for president.

The delegate plan is the latest example of a shifting Massachusetts Republican Party under chair Jim Lyons, who was elected in January. At a MassGOP meeting last Tuesday, two state committee members spoke against the rule, and more than a dozen spoke in favor of before it was approved, Lyons said.

Critics say the winner-takes-all strategy protects Trump from a primary challenger like William Weld, the former governor of Massachusetts who already faces an uphill climb. But according Lyons, the delegate strategy will push Republicans to focus on gaining ground in local and state-wide elections.

"We want to keep the emphasis on trying to protect all of our elected officials in the State House and to trying to add more seats in the Legislature," Lyons, a former state representative, told me. "Local town committees will be more focused on trying to elect state representatives and state senators."

There's no denying the winner-takes-all distribution will protect the already strong incumbent president, who is leading Weld 72 percent to 17 percent among Republican voters in neighboring New Hampshire, according to a recent poll from Suffolk University and the Boston Globe. And if the rule change is replicated in state parties across the country, it could prevent Weld from making any sort of dent at the Republican National Convention next summer.

"The President's campaign has been actively engaging state parties as they consider rule changes," a Trump campaign spokesperson said. "We were in support of the changes the party's grassroots initiated in Massachusetts and are happy with its passage. As we've stated before, whatever rules are in place, we are confident the President will be overwhelmingly successful."

To Weld campaign adviser Stuart Stevens, the rule change looks like a sign of weakness on Trump's part.

"I've never heard of anybody trying to block an election they were going to win easily," Stevens told me last night. "Parties can change these rules when they want to change them. All you can do is just go forward and offer an alternative."

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TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker holds a roundtable focused on the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative in Haverhill, and attends a naturalization ceremony at the Museum of Fine Arts. Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attend a leadership meeting with state Senate President Karen Spilka and state House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Attorney General Maura Healey speaks at the National Association of Corporate Directors 2019 Director of the Year Awards, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends.

Sen. Ed Markey speaks at Quincy District Court's Law Day event.Walsh speaks at Melanoma Monday Awareness Day in West Roxbury. Walsh also attends the groundbreaking of the Conservatory Lab Charter School's upper campus in Dorchester.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

- "Baker wants to revamp T's pension fund, but his appointees often skip meetings," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker's years-long push to reshape the MBTA's struggling $1.5 billion pension system rests in part on three crucial allies: his administration's own appointees to its seven-person board. Rarely, however, have all three been together in the same boardroom. Over a two-year span, the administration's trustees collectively racked up 15 absences at monthly MBTA Retirement Fund board meetings. One member — Baker's former chief of staff — missed as many meetings as he attended over a year. And after he resigned, the seat sat vacant for months."

- "Crossing party lines, and drawing fire," by Elise Takahama, The Lowell Sun: "Rep. Dave Nangle was born and raised in Lowell. He's spent his whole life as a proud Democrat. And he's been re-elected to office 11 times -- but now some local Democrats are voicing concerns about where his allegiances lie. In 2012, Nangle stood behind Republican Scott Brown, instead of current U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, in the U.S. Senate race. Last year, he hosted a fundraising campaign for Republican candidate Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, embracing bipartisanship over steak and lobster, The Sun reported. Some Lowell Democrats weren't happy."

- "Massachusetts bill would stiffen penalties for harassing hunters," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Jon Green was hunting deer in Shrewsbury when he arrived at his tree stand to find part of it ripped off, bent and thrown several yards away. Green said the vandalism to the tree stand — a type of platform that offers hunters an aerial vantage point — was "very disheartening," and in another circumstance, could have been dangerous. The Gun Owners Action League, where Green is director of education, is pushing for a bill that would strengthen the penalties for harassing hunters."

- "Changes In Lobster Processing Rules On Legislature's Plate," by Bob Salsberg, The Associated Press: "If ever there was a topic that might easily lend itself to bipartisan agreement in Massachusetts it would be lobster, the tasty crustacean that's long been both a staple of New England cuisine and a vital part of the region's economy. Democratic and Republican leaders on Beacon Hill are moving toward consensus on legislation that seeks to expand lobster processing, in turn growing markets and giving consumers a wider selection of lobster products at restaurants and local supermarkets."

- "State Speaker Robert DeLeo discusses Paul McMurtry sexual harassment investigation." Link.

- "Latest state spending plan to be unveiled by Senate panel," Associated Press: "Less than two weeks after the House signed off on a nearly $43 billion state budget, a key Senate panel is ready to weigh in on plans for spending in the next fiscal year. The Senate Ways and Means Committee is expected to release its version of the budget on Tuesday, with full Senate debate scheduled for May 21. It remains to be seen whether the Senate's fiscal blueprint differs significantly from the one that emerged from the House."

FROM THE HUB

- "Women allege discrimination, retaliation on male-dominated Boston police force," by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: "Donna Gavin, the Boston Police Department's lone female lieutenant detective, describes being retaliated against and undermined by her former captain because she is a woman. Pamela Besold, a sergeant detective who has spent 22 years on the force, says she has been treated with hostility because she is a lesbian. And two female civilians in the department say they were discriminated against because of their race and ethnicity."

- "Pelosi shocked by Trump's attack on Mass. DAs," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "US REPS. KATHERINE CLARK AND AYANNA PRESSLEY voiced support Friday for state prosecutors suing to block authorities from making immigration arrests at courthouses, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed shock at how President Donald Trump reacted to the situation. Speaking after an event at Tufts University, Pelosi declined to comment on the suit brought by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins seeking to bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from arresting undocumented immigrants who show up at state courthouses."

- "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backs prosecutors' lawsuit against ICE," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "New York U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the federal lawsuit filed by two Massachusetts district attorneys seeking to bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from state courthouses is "a fabulous development." Ocasio-Cortez, the Boston University graduate who vowed to abolish ICE while running for Congress last year, told reporters in a visit to Brookline on Saturday, "When it comes to ICE showing up in courtrooms, what we're seeing right now is just a disturbing and consistent expansion with the way the current administration is using ICE to target folks that ideally should not be targeted.'"

- "Boston Uber Drivers To Join Employees In Major Cities Across The Country In Strike About Wages," WBUR: "Uber drivers in Boston announced Sunday they will be joining drivers in major cities across the country in a strike about wages on Wednesday, the day before the ride-hailing company is scheduled to go public. The Boston Independent Drivers Guild said its action is meant as a show of solidarity with striking drivers in cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and others. The guild is asking drivers and passengers not to use ride-hailing apps for 24 hours."

- "Boston Officials Condemn "Concerning" Video Shot at Eastie School," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "A high school in East Boston is updating security and reaffirming support for its diverse student body after the spread of a disturbing video filmed inside its lobby last month. The video, posted online April 24, was critical of a display at the Excel Academy Charter High School recognizing Arab American Heritage Month, and has since drawn condemnation from city and state officials. Boston Police also say the incident is under investigation and has been referred to the department's Civil Rights Unit."

ON THE STUMP

- "Just Who Does Bill Weld Think He's Talking To?" by Erick Trickey, POLITICO Magazine: "Bill Weld leans back in a chair, hand on his hip, and talks about the Republican Party like someone who's been away for a while and is trying to get used to all the new development. "I know a lot of the Republicans in Washington, and they're good people," says the sandy-haired, ruddy-faced primary challenger to President Trump. "They're just cowed by this president somehow." This was three days into his long-shot bid for president, and the former Massachusetts governor is talking in a Hilton Garden Inn lounge that looks out on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats' minor league baseball field."

DAY IN COURT

- "Mass. district attorneys criticize sentencing guidelines," by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "Seven Massachusetts district attorneys are attacking the state's top judges, saying they're violating state law. The prosecutors say they are furious that court administrators are deploying, without the approval of the Legislature, sentencing guidelines developed by a judge-led panel. Prosecutors insist legislative approval was explicitly required when the Sentencing Commission, which drew up the guidelines, was created."

WARREN REPORT

- "How 'I got a plan' became a thing: Warren nerds out and the crowds go crazy," by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: "The Twitter exchange played out over several hours on April 11: "Many profitable companies pay nothing in corporate income tax. Elizabeth Warren has a plan to stop that," Vox wrote, linking to one of its wonky explainers. "You bet I do," Warren tweeted back. Then a woman named Keely Murphy — a self-described bookworm, space enthusiast, and feminist — replied back to the Massachusetts senator: "I would certainly buy a shirt that said 'Elizabeth Warren: She's Got a Plan for That.'" Within days, the tweet — along with many others the campaign had been noticing expressing unbridled enthusiasm for Warren's policy-heavy approach to her presidential candidacy — prompted the campaign to embrace the nerdtastic meme."

- Weekend Update: Senator Elizabeth Warren on College Debt Forgiveness - SNL. Link.

TRUMPACHUSETTS

- "Alex Cora decides not to attend White House celebration of 2018 team," by Michael Silverman, Boston Herald: "Manager Alex Cora will not join his team when the Red Sox visit the White House this Thursday in recognition of their 2018 world championship. Discontent over the extent of the federal government's aid and assistance in the Hurricane Maria recovery effort back in Cora's native Puerto Rico is the reason. "The government has done some things back home that are great, but as the report (in Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia, which broke the story) said, we still have a long ways to go," said Cora after the Red Sox' 9-2 win over the White Sox."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

- "Senators renew push to ban offshore drilling off New England," Associated Press: "All 10 U.S. senators in coastal New England reintroduced a proposal Friday to bar oil and gas drilling from the region's shores. The group said President Donald Trump's administration was stalling on the release of a new draft of its five-year offshore leasing plan. The group of senators, led by Rhode Island Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, said that means the Atlantic continental shelf off of New England is still at risk of being opened up to drilling. The senators said drilling off New England would be bad for the economy, tourism, wildlife and the environment. New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan said the region's coast needs to be 'off limits.'"

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

- "Uxbridge entrepreneur dreams of selling legal marijuana at a drive-through pot shop," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "You can buy a Big Mac and do your banking from the comfort of your car, but pick up your marijuana? No way — not in Massachusetts. But that could change if state regulators approve an Uxbridge town official's proposal for a "drive-in" pot shop. Under Barry Desruisseaux's plan, customers would drive into a bay of a converted car wash to buy marijuana, without ever having to leave their cars."

MOULTON MATTERS

- "Past and present of North Shore politics could clash again," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: North Shore voters got a look at Democratic politics past, present, and future Sunday, as they heard from presidential candidate and US Representative Seth Moulton and from the man he replaced in Congress nearly five years ago, John Tierney. The two could soon find themselves facing off directly, as Tierney considers a run to reclaim his former seat in the state's Sixth Congressional District. As Moulton addressed a crowd of more than 100 at the Newburyport Senior Community Center on Sunday afternoon, he stressed that the town hall meeting was part of his outreach to constituents as a congressman and not officially a campaign event, but his remarks several times turned to his bid for the Democratic nomination."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "STORM WARNING," — Globe: "Cora to skip White House event for Sox," "Women allege bias in police lawsuits."

FROM THE 413

- "The legend of 'Lesbianville': Looking back at a city nickname and claim to fame," by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette:"The legend of "Lesbianville" can be traced back to two local women, an engagement announcement in this newspaper, and a sensationalist article in a supermarket tabloid. In 1991, Karen Bellavance and Beth Grace were engaged and wanted it known and celebrated. So, they submitted their announcement to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, before fusing their last names. It took a while, Beth Bellavance-Grace said recently, but eventually, the notice was published as what is believed to be the first same-sex engagement announcement in the history of the paper."

- "Pro-Palestine event at UMass draws 2,000 attendees, 10 protestors," by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: "Just 10 people were outside protesting the Palestine solidarity event Saturday night at the University of Massachusetts that opponents failed to block via court action. About 2,000 attendees passed through security check-points before entering the packed Fine Arts Center auditorium -- many more had to be turned away — where speakers denounced Israeli treatment of the Arab population in that country."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

- "Amid low unemployment rate, some struggle to find meaningful jobs," by Eli Sherman, Patriot Ledger: "The story may sound like an anomaly in Massachusetts, where the March unemployment rate of 3 percent was well below the national level of 3.8 percent, and nearing its lowest point in nearly two decades. But 113,800 people are counted as unemployed in the Bay State, and some people - including John Dorrer, a New England labor economist - said the number should be roughly double after accounting for people who have fallen out of the labor force altogether. This group, Dorrer said, is too often overlooked, especially during good economic times."

MEDIA MATTERS

- Michael Crowley joins the New York Times as a White House correspondent. Crowley comes to the Times from POLITICO and is a Boston Globe alum. Link.

REMEMBERING NATALIE ADELMAN TAUB, from the Boston Globe: "What Natalie Adelman Taub faced as a pioneering woman in Boston's construction field was clear from the cover of New England Construction magazine's January 1953 issue. A 23-year-old civil engineering graduate of MIT, she was photographed at a construction site, leaning over blueprints spread atop a table, ready to see the project to completion. But the headline in the lower corner, which also ran atop the feature inside, reflected the industry's attitude toward women in supervisory roles: "They've Got a Dame Running the Job!" Mrs. Taub, who was 89 and living in Waltham when she died March 23, didn't stop with overseeing projects." Link.

TRANSITIONS - former MA-3 candidate Alexandra Chandler joins the Voter Choice MA advisory board. Link.

SPOTTED: at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday ... Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Linda Holliday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. Pic.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY — to Stat's Erin Mershon and Natalie Akers, who celebrated Saturday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Paul Clark, who is 68; Daniel Jick, who is 62, David Rogers and the Berkshire Eagle's Amanda Drane.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Micaela Preskill, a MassPIRG alum who is now Midwest advocate at Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), and Abe Scarr , director of Illinois PIRG, on Thursday welcomed Inez Scarr Preskill.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the White Sox 9-2.

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