Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?

Friday, April 19, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Politics Team

Every Friday, GoLocalWorcester takes a look at who's rising and falling in the Massachusetts political world. This week will always be remembered for the bombings at the Boston Marathon and that event represented both the best and worst of humanity.

HOT:

First Responders: The bravery and unselfishness of the first responders should be celebrated and marvelled at. While most appropriately ran away from danger, these men and women ran to the danger. The result was the saving of many wounded victims from joining the three who lost their lives.

President Obama: Give credit for getting to Boston in just two days of the attack - while a federal courthouse was under threat on Wednesday, the White House found a security plan to make sure both the President and the First Lady both made important appearances and a firm statement about terrorism and the American Spirit.

Filibusters: There has to be a better way to manage issues of public policy in the United States Senate than consistently allowing a small group to block the majority. Regardless of the issue of gun control or budget amendments or trade treaties - the Senate needs to reform its parlimentary rules to become more effective.

Boston and the Rest of Professional Sports: From the Bruins to Terry Francona to the Chicago Tribune's Sport Section - sports joined together to help the healing process. Sports can be a wonderful diversion, but in this instance the tone was appropriate and healing.

Councilwoman Sarai Rivera District 4: Rivera joins Konnie Lukes in taking a stance on the proposed casino in Worcester. Lukes and Rivera deserve credit for taking a stance - any stance - for one of the most impactful economic development proposals in the history of the City (See Not Hot).

NOT HOT:

CNN, AP, and GoLocalWorcester - On Thursday afternoon, CNN's John King reported that suspects were in custody for the bombing; the Associated Press and GoLocalWorcester all picked up the story. Unfortunately, it wasn't true.

Mayor Petty - Is it really possible for the Mayor of the City to be MIA on the proposed slot parlor. He has advocated for hearings - yawn, but has yet to articulate a viewpoint. Would any real Mayor be silent - Menino, Koch, Guiliani, Cianci, or Bloomberg. Like them or not, they took leadership positions.

Boston.com - collapsed under the traffic of users trying to get information on Monday. Thankfully, CBS Boston was able to handle the traffic and WBZ TV and WBZ radio were the real pros.