Coakley Blasted For Outsider Image Portrayed in First TV Ad
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Coakley’s advertisement painted her as an outsider, battling political insiders, big money superPACs, and the old boys club all in the name of the people of the Commonwealth.
"Over the years Martha Coakley has benefited from campaign cash from scores of Beacon Hill insiders like, Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Murray,” said Emmalee Kalmbach, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Republican Party. “It's false of Coakley to claim that she is anything but another Beacon Hill insider. “
Coakley is currently the Attorney General of Massachusetts, a position she has held since being elected in 2006.
A Risky Move
Coakley may not have the support of the Massachusetts Democratic Party – their chosen nominee is Steve Grossman – but Coakley’s previous time in elected positions and current lead in the polls should not be underestimated.
In addition to being Attorney General for the past six years, Coakley had previously served as the District Attorney of Middlesex County from 1998 to 2006. Coakley had also ran for State Senator in 2010 to replace Ted Kennedy but lost to Scott Brown.
After her previous campaign history, political scientists believe that Coakley has to be careful running her campaign saying that she is an outsider. While it is a strategy that could pay off for Coakley, it isn’t without its risks.
Prosecutor vs. Politicians
While many deny that Coakley is a true outsider in this gubernatorial campaign, there are those who feel that Coakley is an outsider when looking at her competition.
Rather than looking at it as an issue of man vs. woman, longtime Worcester Democratic political activist Paul Giorgio says that the issue boils down to politicians vs. prosecutor. While other candidates have spent more time in offices where they deal with more political actions, Coakley has spent her career prosecuting, something that separates her from the rest of the field.
“I don’t think that anyone has a clear advantage in this Democratic primary,” said Giorgio. “Coakley is always going to be perceived as an outsider against candidates who have spent more time in politics because as Attorney General, her focus is prosecuting people rather than politicking. Some of the issues that have been focused on like gender may separate her from the pack, but ultimately if anything makes her an outsider and separates her from the Democratic establishment, it is her job experience.”
Related Slideshow: MA’s Biggest Political Comebacks in History
Related Articles
- Kayyem Blasts Coakley for Opposing Federal Health Exchange Option
- Planned Parenthood Endorses Martha Coakley for Governor
- NEW: Coakley Calls for Increased SuperPac Transparency in MA Campaigns
- Berwick Responds to MassEquality’s Decision to Endorse Coakley
- New: Baker Blasts Coakley on Gas Tax Gaffe
- Baker Urges Patrick, Coakley to Prevent Fed. Healthcare Takeover
- NEW: Planned Parenthood, Coakley to Announce New Buffer Zone Plans
- NEW: Coakley Launches Women’s Leadership Council for MA
- Planned Parenthood, Coakley Blast Baker for Hobby Lobby Comments
- Is Coakley Using Women’s Issues as a Campaign Crutch?
- Coakley’s First TV Ad Focuses on Standing Up for MA Residents
- Coakley Disavows SuperPAC Ads
- AG Coakley Calls on Legislature to Raise MA Minimum Wage
- Biggest MA Political Comebacks: Baker, Coakley, Fresolo?
- Coakley’s Latest Gaffe Joins Massachusetts Political History
- NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Endorses Coakley for Governor
- Grossman Calls Out Coakley for Lack of Diversity Hiring
- Coakley Campaign Attacks Grossman for SuperPAC Support
- Coakley Urges Grossman to Disavow Illegal SuperPAC-Funded Ads
- Coakley Blasts Baker for Opposition to Earned Sick Time Initiative
- Baker Calls Out Coakley For Lack of Position on Major Issues
- Grossman Calls Out Coakley for Supporting Unlimited Gun Sales
- Coakley Stands By Actions of Market Basket Employees
- NEW: Coakley Calls for New DCF Division for Child Abuse + Neglect
- NEW: Poll Shows 10-Point Lead for Coakley Over Baker in Gov. Race
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It