The Globe takes a long look at Tom Menino's political machine, quotes Hizzona's top political aide on how they do opposition research:
"There was a guy in the room that was ours," Kineavy said. "What's wrong with that? It's recon. That's not even negative. It's knowing what your enemy’s doing."
Neighborhoods:
Free tagging:
Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!
Ad:
Comments
Post title has unsubstantiated allegation
By Michael Pahre
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 11:19am
Adam, your post title, "Mayor pays to send operatives to rival fundraisers," is not supported by anything in that article.
The article quotes Kineavy saying that they had someone in the room of an opposition event, not that the person was, at the time, punched in working at a city job, that the person was even a city employee, or even that they paid him as a campaign employee.
The article points out that many city employees volunteer for Menino's campaign during their off-hours -- which is perfectly legal. Critics could very well say that this is in inappropriate blurring of the line between work for the city and work for the campaign, since many of those city employees have night-time job duties attending community meetings; it's hard for a resident to distinguish easily between a city employee attending as part of their official duties or as part of the re-election campaign.
Took out the "paid" part
By adamg
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 12:17pm
But the fact remains that the mayor's chief political operative said he had somebody in the room. Either they paid for a ticket to the event or he was at a nearby table eavesdropping or they've got a waiter who really loves Menino or whatever, the fact remains that the guy could name every single person in the room. And the fact that there were only 14 people suggests it was a rather intimate affair, as opposed to some big rally.
Agreed... mostly
By Michael Pahre
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 1:46pm
Agreed... mostly.
The article was badly-worded regarding the 14 people. It actually said that Kineavy could rattle off that there were 14 people in the room, not that he could rattle off all 14 names. I had to read it twice this morning to make sure I understood it correctly.
People in the neighborhoods regularly talk about this kind of stuff, whether it is being run by the city, a campaign, or by a developer/institution. It's really hard to organize a neighborhood meeting where you are absolutely, 100% positive that there is no spy, city employee, or shill for a developer. Instead, you just have to operate under the assumption that there are people in attendance from all three groups and act accordingly.
More intimidation
By anon
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 12:04pm
This is just more intimidation from the Menino City Hall. This is all about power for him. We need him out of there & we need Term Limits so this doesn't happen again.
Begs the question
By FrancescaFordiani
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 12:29pm
Checking out who's donating to your opponents in a campaign is SOP. So is checking out who's giving to your allies or other candidates similar to you. If nothing else, it makes your own fundraising efforts more efficient. Fine -- it's public information. But sending someone to see who shows up? Not illegal, not corrupt, but sort of creepy, no? Makes me wonder who "the enemies" are: opposing candidates, their supporters, folks who are undecided and want to hear what a candidate has to say? All of the above? Does this post put me on the enemies list?
I agree, nothing illegal
By ShadyMilkMan
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 1:01pm
I agree, nothing illegal here.
It is a little creepy that the mayor has people infiltrating competitors events and fundraisers.
Gotta give points to the mayors people for honesty though lol. They essentially said yeah were spying on them, so what. I also want to point out that the article makes a point of going after the people he has on the streets helping out regular citizens and others. I guess I would ask Flaherty and Yoon if they planned on getting rid of these staff members and if so how will they reach out and answer the questions of local residents looking for help in figuring out how to approach their government.
Yup, it's classic thuggish Boston...
By david_yamada
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 1:44pm
...to refer to them as "enemies."
In a more civil, inclusive town, it would be about "our opponent" or "the other side." Here, someone who has different views or who supports a different candidate is an "enemy."
Of course, the punishment and thuggery will be doled out later, after the election.
David you are soooo right!
By anon
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 12:55am
David you are soooo right! Its not opponents, its enemies... enemies they want to kill, disgrace, crush... this machine must have the power cut.... the system must be shut down...
Globe Story Proves Menino Staffers Work Very Hard
By Ross Levanto
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 6:23pm
I took a moment to collect my thoughts in response to the story. I have posted them on my blog here:
http://tinyurl.com/mrpep6
I am a fan of the Mayor's and am helping is campaign team, but I think it's kind of sad that the Globe chose to investigate a group of 20-somethings whose only fault-- so far as I can tell-- is they work 24 hours a day for their boss.
Ross Levanto
I was at an event the other
By anon
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 11:51pm
I was at an event the other day for one of the candidates opposing menino this year. Everyone went around the room and introduced themselves by saying who they were and how long they had been in the community. The ONLY person who did not was a young lady who I happen to know is the mayor's neighborhood services coordinator for that part of town. From what I know of her she seems to be a decent person, and I would not be surprised to find out that she does indeed work hard for the residents there. BUT, to attend a campaign event for "the opposition" and to not be forthcoming about that kind of information is a bit disingenuous at best. Like I said, nice person, but her clandetine activity seems to be the status quo of that office - and speaks to the blurry line between professional and political duties. Glad you id'd as a menino supporter though, no shadiness on your part!
the fact that you see nothing wrong with this thuggish behavior
By aging cynic
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 11:58pm
is kinda the point. It's the reason people (e.g., me) move out of the city. Believe it or not, there are 22,000 people who get paid to do the things that Menino, in effect, charges for. If I wanted a banana republic, I would find one with better weather.
Come on and wake up!
By John
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 12:37am
The fact that you find nothing wrong with sending spies to other candidates events, methodically deleting e-mails, threatening people, etc. makes you one mixed up person in terms of morals. Are you #$%$^ kidding me that you condone this crap? How would you like it if someone threatened your job for supporting another candidate....this is America right?
I smell cover up....
By Inspector Gadget
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 1:19am
So the Globe reports Kineavy as saying he methodically deletes his e-mail every day, which is against the law since you are suppose to preserve e-mails for two years.
Now Dot Joyce is saying via the Dorchester Reporter that Kineavy didn't do it, that it was a "flaw in the system" when it came to backing up city worker emails, and it was "fixed immediately."
Smell that? Smells like a cover up since both are saying two different things. How much time do people get for this kind of crime?
When I was a kid my parents
By NotWhitey
Sun, 09/13/2009 - 6:27pm
When I was a kid my parents owned a house beside a polling place. When people asked to put signs on the house, my father always refused. He was a Boston cop, and once you put up a sign, you're on the enemies list of the opponents. True in the 1960s, true now.