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Keller at Large
Ken Burns is a terrific documentary filmmaker. But as a political pundit? Not so much.
Witness his recent letter to the Democratic National Committee lobbying for New Hampshire, where he maintains a home and studio, to have its first-in-the-nation presidential primary status restored because it is “indispensable for this…perilous moment.” Translation: look to us for guidance in ridding the nation of Trumpism.
But from a guy who fancies himself a historian, this is a notably fact-free assertion.
If New Hampshire Democrats had their way, Bernie Sanders would have been the party’s nominee in 2020. No matter what’s happened since, it’s tough to argue he was a better choice than Joe Biden that year.
But the geniuses in New Hampshire placed Biden 5th, just five points ahead of Tulsi Gabbard, last spotted overseeing federal agents seizing ballots in Georgia in service to a Trump fever-swamp fantasy.
New Hampshire Republicans? They’re the original Trump enablers, launching his 2016 victory after Iowans gagged on him.
Despite this recent display of poor voter judgment, Burns insists the state is a sterling exception from a political culture where “celebrity is king, not character, the dollars of donors speak louder than the voices of voters, and sensational extremism is a cheap ticket to electoral success.” Celebrity trumps character these days, no doubt, and New Hampshire GOP primary voters, overwhelmingly Trump loyalists, can’t get enough of it. (Pro tip: sensational extremism sells!)
You say money talks loudly in electoral politics? Yes, even in simon-pure New Hampshire. TV ads cost money. Photo-op town halls don’t make a dent unless they’re really photogenic and the celebrity you bought with your filthy dough is driving media interest. It’s been a long time since earnest door-knocking and meaningful diner drop-ins alone can get you out of Dean Phillips territory.
“In New Hampshire we do things differently,” concludes Burns. Tell it to Scott Brown.
Join us for Keller @ Large LIVE in conversation with House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka on Wednesday, February 25, at the MCLE. Register!
HAPPENING TODAY
11:00 | Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden and Peace Institute CEO Clementina Chery hold a conversation about "how Boston's nationally recognized, survivor-centered model of justice is advancing healing, safety, and community-led change," according to organizers. | UU Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St., Roxbury | Livestream
12:00 | Sen. Ed Markey of the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship holds a field hearing titled “The Role of Entrepreneurship in Reducing the Racial Wealth Gap.” | Roxbury Community College, Building 3 Academic Building, 1st Floor Student Commons, 1234 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury | Livestream
2:30 | Deadline to file amendments to three redrafted consumer protection bills advanced by the Senate Ways and Means Committee and scheduled for floor deliberations on Thursday. One of the bills (S 2945) updates the state law that protects automobile buyers in cases where substantial defects affect safety, use or value. Another (S 2946) is a version of a petition from Sen. John Cronin that updates educational requirements to obtain certification as a CPA by allowing a mix of college education and work experience. Fair Housing Law training would be required for real estate agent applicants by “training them on how to avoid discrimination against potential buyers or renters based on demographics like race, national origin, religion, disability, or age," according to a committee summary of the third bill (S 2947).
6:00 | Educators from across the Merrimack Valley, including teachers, paraprofessionals and higher education unions, rally against Gov. Maura Healey’s proposals to trim spending and alter coverage at the Group Insurance Commission, including eliminating coverage GLP-1 weight loss drugs, raising ER and urgent care copays, and reducing hearing aid benefits. Ralliers will urge all GIC commissioners to vote no on these measures at their Feb. 12 meeting. | North Andover Town Hall, 120 Main St., North Andover
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Procurement Support Analyst — NEW!, Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General |
President & CEO, FamilyAid Boston |
Division Chief, Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General |
Special Assistant, Office of Congressman Seth Moulton |
Select Board Executive Assistant, Town of Southborough |
Administrative & Operations Associate, Providers’ Council |
Comptroller, Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools |
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FROM BEACON HILL
RENT CONTROL FIGHT: A real estate-backed coalition filed a suit Friday asking the Supreme Judicial Court to stop a ballot question bringing back rent control to Massachusetts. – CommonWealth Beacon
WORK VISA SUIT: A Venezuelan woman who works for Gov. Maura Healey is suing the Trump administration in federal court. She and her husband argue that the administration is holding up their application to make her a permanent resident, and she will lose her job at the end of the month if her work visa is not renewed. – Universal Hub
OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND: The six-year-old Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund has pulled in $219 million from settlements, including roughly $40 million in the last fiscal year, according to new data from state officials. – Eagle-Tribune
LOST BET: A judge has ordered prediction-market company Kalshi to shut down its operations in Massachusetts in the next 30 days, after Attorney General Andrea Campbell won an injunction against the company. – Boston Business Journal
GALVIN ON RUNNING AGAIN: “I’m not going to walk away in the middle of the battle,” Secretary of State Bill Galvin says in an interview, rattling off the Census and a legal battle over voter information as among the reasons for seeking a ninth term. – MassLive
NEWS NEXT DOOR
RETIRED FIREFIGHTER CHARGED: A retired Holyoke firefighter has been charged as part of a case involving illegal gambling and illicit drug sales. – MassLive
WHITE STADIUM: The cost to taxpayers for the rebuilding of Boston’s White Stadium has nearly tripled from the original estimate two years ago. The Supreme Judicial Court is weighing an appeal by opponents of the project. – WBUR
HAMPDEN RACE: Air Force veteran Jason Perron is running as an independent for the Third Hampden District seat in the House, currently held by Republican Rep. Nick Boldyga. – MassLive
SCHOOL COMMITTEE VS. COUNCIL: Lowell’s school committee, which is an elected body, is pushing back against a draft home rule petition that would shift powers to Lowell’s city council. – Lowell Sun
MORE HEADLINES
JOB BOARD
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Training Program Coordinator: MA Legal Aid and Community Education Project (LACE), Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Executive Director, Center for Health Information and Analysis, Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General
Controller, Commonwealth Corporation
Director of Administration & Finance, Pioneer Institute
Senior Investigator, ISAU, Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General
Controller, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Director of Preliminary Investigations, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
Chief Planner, City of Newton
Director of Policy and Program Operations, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health
