Seated in a wheelchair, Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry kicked off his bid for a 14th term Tuesday night before a packed house at the Danversport Yacht Club.
His opponent, as the Peabody Democrat quipped, is "Mr. Blank." All kidding aside, Berry is fortunate not to have any opposition this year since, while wife Gayle pointedly noted that the 58-year-old legislator can get around on his own, it's clear recent medical problems have taken their toll on him physically.
Indeed, there was a definite purpose in Berry asking former legislator Marjorie Clapprood who's recovering from a recent bone marrow transplant, to serve as master of ceremonies. They traded quips about their respective health issues and recovery efforts during the short speaking program that also included Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, Senate President Therese Murray and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll.
"I've hit some valleys," Berry said in thanking those in attendance, "but I'm back!"
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It's "just a hunch," Berry told the lieutenant governor as he was departing the stage, but he believes there's a good chance Murray may acquire the top job in the state before too long. The Peabody Democrat talks to a lot of people on and off Beacon Hill and apparently is one of those who believes Deval Patrick will be departing for Washington should Barack Obama win the presidency in November.
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Speaking of which, no doubt many Obama fans on the North Shore who also count themselves as supporters of Congressman John Tierney, are wondering when the local superdelegate is going to finally see the light and endorse their candidate for president.
Easy to understand why the Salem Democrat is having such a hard time with the decision. While he's savvy enough to know the race is over for all practical purposes and may even see himself as closer to Obama in both style and philosophy, Tierney feels a sense of loyalty to Hillary Clinton. Back in 1996 when Tierney was locked in a very tough battle with Republican Peter Torkildsen, the then first lady came to the district twice on his behalf.
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Exacting a measure of vengeance for his hometown, Democratic State Committeeman Arthur Powell of Beverly last weekend bested state Treasurer Tim Cahill in the contest for one of the two seats reserved for unpledged elected officials or party leaders at this summer's Democratic National Convention. Back in 2002, Quincy's Cahill beat out former Beverly state representative Mike Cahill among others, for the party's nomination for treasurer.
The other unpledged delegate is Attorney General Martha Coakley.
Mike Cahill, by the way, is said to be considering a run for mayor in 2009.
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Peabody's Josef Leary, who had hoped to attend the convention as a disabled delegate pledged to Clinton, withdrew his name prior to last weekend's convention after not being included on the official Clinton slate.
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Clinton's strong showing in West Virginia Tuesday was not surprising considering the fact Obama didn't campaign in the state. Most continue to regard Obama's nomination as inevitable, but Tuesday's results continue to raise the electability issue within party circles.
Veteran Democratic strategist Michael Goldman of Marblehead believes party officials will eventually force Clinton to withdraw.
"They hope she does the right thing before they have to," he observed.
A Rasmussen poll released this week shows Obama and presumptive Republican nominee John McCain in a dead heat among voters nationally.
Democrats were no doubt delighted by the fact voters now trust them more than Republicans on all 10 of the key issues, including national security, tracked by Rasmussen.
On the other hand, the poll showed a continued aversion among the public to higher taxes. And asked about the likelihood of the three major candidates raising taxes during their tenure, 54 percent thought Clinton would and 51 percent felt the same way about Obama; while only 33 percent believed taxes would increase in a McCain presidency.
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Nelson Benton's political column appears every Friday in this space.
