This despite Phil's being the only candidate (unchallenged in his Primary) currently guaranteed a place on November's ballot - since none of the ten Democrats can say as much until the Primary. Also despite the likelihood of an anti-choice Democrat winning the Primary and the necessity of Phil's providing this overwhelmingly liberal district with a pro-choice option. Also despite the Boston Globe editorial two weeks ago decrying the record number of uncontested elections in this state and the weakness of the two-party system here.
If this kind of lazy attack by the media on the two-party system in our state bothers you, phone Channel 5 and make your feelings known. The person to call is Linda Pollach, Exec. Dir. of NewsCenter5 at 781-433-4537. Linda Pollach is the person who said the Herald was "in error" in announcing the debate simply as an 8th Congressional District Debate, even as her own station was still doing the same thing yesterday morning.
And speaking of the Herald, the Boston Herald is the co-sponsor of this Democratic Debate, despite its origins as a Republican newspaper and its current image as a conservative organ. The Herald's phone number is 617-426-3000. People involved are, Joe Battenfeld, the author of the announcement on July 30 of an 8th District Debate; Rochelle Cohen, the boss of political editorializing; Gwen Gage, the VP of Promotions (who better start promoting the two-party system instead of passing the buck to Channel 5 or she'll have no subscribers and no political news); Wayne Woodlieff, a senior reporter in the political area; Joe Sciacca, another senior reporter(?); and Carolyn Ryan, the planned co-moderator for the debate. Pick your favorites to complain to.
So lovers of two-party democracy, get on the phone and let's stop our drift to one-party "democracy"! What are we, a People's "Democratic" Republic like we used to complain about behind the Iron Curtain? Boston Herald 617-426-3000, and Channel 5 WCVB-TV 781-449-0400 (general line).