Fox 25 – Tierney, Tisei clash in Mass. 6th District debate
Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney and his Republican challenger Richard Tisei wrangled in their first debate over who would be more independent if elected to represent Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District.

CBS Boston – Rep. Tierney & Tisei Square Off In First Debate
Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney and his Republican challenger Richard Tisei wrangled in their first debate over who would be more independent if elected to represent Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District.

NECN – Candidates for Mass.’s 6th District clash in debate

Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney and Republican challenger Richard Tisei confronted one another in their first debate in the race to represent the Bay State’s 6th Congressional District.

During the debate, Tierney, Tisei and Libertarian Party candidate Daniel Fishman talked about jobs, the economy and the future of the American Dream. 

WHDH – Tierney, Tisei clash in 6th District debate
Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney and his Republican challenger Richard Tisei wrangled in their first debate over who would be more independent if elected to represent Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District.

WISHTV – Tierney, Tisei clash in Mass. 6th District debate

Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney and his Republican challenger, Richard Tisei, wrangled over who would be more politically independent and a better fighter for the middle class during the first debate in the state’s 6th Congressional District contest.

Tierney said Tisei would be beholden to “extremist” Republican House leaders if elected, pointing in part to support Tisei has received from Republican groups for his campaign.

“He said the tea party is a godsend,” Tierney said.

Republicans consider the 6th District race their best chance of picking up a U.S. House seat in Massachusetts. The National Republican Congressional Committee has made a push for Tisei, identifying him in its Young Gun campaign and making the race a priority.

Wicked Local Saugus – Candidates in 6th District race to debate ‘American Dream’
Democratic Congressman John Tierney, Republican challenger Richard Tisei and independent challenger Daniel Fishman will square off on policy issues related to the “American Dream” in a debate led by CommonWealth magazine and partners in the 6th Congressional District Thursday, Sept. 27, 3 p.m. in the Thomas McGee Building at the Lynn campus of North Shore Community College, 300 Broad St., Lynn. The 60-minute debate will be moderated by CommonWealth editor Bruce Mohl and will focus on national and state economic issues.

CBS Springfield – 1st debate planned in Mass. 6th district race

The candidates in the hotly contested 6th Congressional District race in Massachusetts are preparing for their first debate.

Incumbent Democratic Rep. John Tierney and Republican challenger Richard Tisei will square off Thursday at North Shore Community College. The debate sponsored by Mass Inc. and CommonWealth Magazine is the first of 4 in the race, and will also include Libertarian Party candidate Daniel Fishman.

The Herald News – Bielat, Kennedy agree to Oct. 10 debate at Fall River’s ATMC

As unemployment numbers climb way too high, and families watch as their homes are foreclosed upon, many are watching firsthand as the American dream fades away.

With elected officials needed to play a role in bringing that dream back into focus, the candidates in the 4th Congressional District race will be asked to provide details on their plans to improve job opportunities, the economy and rebuild the country’s middle class.

Republican Sean Bielat and Democrat Joseph Kennedy III have agreed to participate in an Oct. 10 debate hosted by MassINC and Commonwealth Magazine that will focus on “The American Dream: Jobs, the economy and the future of the middle class.”

Salem News – Attack of the TV Ads

Unless you’re very skillful with your Tivo, you were likely introduced this week to just how nasty the congressional race in the Massachusetts 6th District has become.

Both sides recently debuted negative ads on local network television — a tried and true political strategy, local experts say.

A recent poll by WBUR and MassINC Polling Group found that 57 percent have heard at least “a fair amount” about Tierney’s family’s issues.

Miford Patch – Kennedy Agrees to Debate Appearances; Bielat “Disappointed” with Announcement

As the general election race for the Fourth Congressional District heats up, so begins a debate about debates.

Kennedy will face Bielat in the Nov. 6 general election for the Fourth Congressional District seat currently held by Barney Frank. 

According to a press release issued today by the Kennedy campaign, Kennedy agreed to a televised debate on WCVB’s “On the Record” with Janet Wu and Ed Harding. The WCVB debate is scheduled for Sept. 30 at 11 a.m.

Kennedy and Bielat will also take part in MassINC’s “American Dream” debate in Fall River on October 10 at 4 p.m. and the League of Women Voters’ candidate’s night at Wellesley College on October 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Boston Globe – New poll shows Scott Brown leading Elizabeth Warren, after four other polls showed Warren ahead

A new poll shows US Senator Scott Brown with a lead over Elizabeth Warren, a break from a string of four previous polls that showed Warren leading the race.

The new University of Massachusetts Lowell/Boston Herald telephone poll of 524 voters, released Wednesday night, showed Brown leading 49 percent to 45 percent among those deemed likely to vote.

The most recent of the polls showing Warren ahead was conducted over roughly the same period as the UMass poll, from Saturday through Monday, by WBUR/MassINC Polling Group and was released Wednesday morning. It showed Warren leading 45 percent to 40 percent among 507 likely voters.

Talking Points Memo – Poll: Warren Up 5 In Mass. Senate Race

Massachusetts Democratic senate candidate Elizabeth Warren claims a lead in another post-convention poll, with a new survey out Wednesday showing her leading Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) by 5 points.

The poll, conducted by MassINC Polling Group on behalf of Boston-based radio station WBUR, shows Warren leading Brown among likely voters, 45 percent to 40 percent.  Three other polls released this week also showed Warren moving ahead of Brown, after the Republican incumbent had seemingly asserted himself as the favorite in August. 

WBUR Senate Poll: Warren Leads Brown By 5

A WBUR poll of 507 likely Massachusetts voters (PDFs — topline, crosstabs) finds Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren leading Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, 45 percent to 40 percent. The survey has a 4.4 percent margin of error.

The WBUR poll, conducted Sept. 15-17 by the MassINC Polling Group, is the fourth released this week to find Warren making gains.

Lowell Sun – Tierney edging out Tisei in 6th District Congressional race

U.S. Rep. John Tierney is leading Republican Richard Tisei by 7 points among likely voters, according to a new poll in the 6th Congressional District.

The poll gives Tierney a 39 percent to 32 percent edge over Tisei. Libertarian Daniel Fishman received 6 percent support.

The poll was commissioned by WBUR and conducted by the MassINC Polling Group.

Marblehead Reporter – Poll: Tierney leads Tisei by 7 points in Congressional race

As Republican Richard Tisei prepares to announce Democrats who are behind his campaign for Congress, a new poll shows his opponent, Rep. John Tierney, leading Tisei by 7 points.

The WBUR poll, conducted by the MassINC Polling Group, showed 22 percent of likely voters are undecided, but 39 percent of the 401 likely voters surveyed were with Tierney compared to 32 percent for Tisei.

Boston Globe – Tierney up seven points on Tisei in race for Congress, new poll says

As Republican Richard ­Tisei prepared to present Democrats who are backing his campaign for Congress, a new poll shows his opponent, US Representative John Tierney, leading Tisei by seven points.

The WBUR poll, conducted by the MassINC Polling Group, showed 22 percent of the 401 likely voters surveyed were undecided, but 39 percent backed Tierney, compared to 32 percent for Tisei.

WBUR – Tierney Leads Tisei, But Electorate Still ‘Soft’

Republicans consider it their best chance of unseating a Democratic congressman in Massachusetts. It’s the 6th Congressional District race between embattled Democratic incumbent Rep. John Tierney and his Republican challenger, former state Sen. Richard Tisei.

A new WBUR poll out this morning shows that Tierney is leading by seven points, a lead that widens when you factor in voters leaning toward Tierney. But the poll also shows potential trouble for Tierney ahead.

Steven Koczela, president of MassINC Polling Group, joined WBUR’s Morning Edition to discuss the results.

WBUR Poll: Tierney Leads Tisei In Tight Race

With as many as 22 percent still undecided, a WBUR poll of voters (PDFs – topline, crosstabs) in the 6th Congressional District finds incumbent Democratic Rep. John Tierney leads his Republican challenger, former state Sen. Richard Tisei, by seven points.

The survey of 401 likely voters, conducted for WBUR by the MassINC Polling Group, had a margin of error of 4.9 percent. (Here’s our conversation with the pollster.)

National Journal – Poll Shows Scandal-Plagued Tierney Ahead

Embattled Rep. John Tierney, D-Mass., leads his Republican challenger in a new poll released early Wednesday, but that survey suggests Tierney’s support is soft, contributing to his vulnerability.

The poll of likely voters in Massachusetts’ 6th District, conducted by the MassINC Polling Group for WBUR-FM, a Boston-based NPR affiliate, shows Tierney leading former state Sen. Richard Tisei, 46 percent to 34 percent. Seven percent of likely voters said they would vote for the Libertarian candidate, Daniel Fishman, while 12 percent chose another candidate or were undecided.

Salem News – Column: Public’s voice must be heard in power transition

As Massachusetts pursues agendas of water innovation and clean, renewable power, one crucial issue joins these twin courses into a single, vital current. Will public voice — the ability of communities to speak concerns and self-determine — be heard in the midst of major redevelopment and remediation projects statewide?

As Paul McMorrow notes in an Aug. 17 Commonwealth Magazine article, market forces are driving coal to extinction.

Marblehead Reporter – Candidates in 6th District race to debate ‘American Dream’

Democratic Congressman John Tierney, Republican challenger Richard Tisei and independent challenger Daniel Fishman will square off on policy issues related to the “American Dream” in a debate led by CommonWealth magazine and partners in the 6th Congressional District Thursday, Sept. 27, 3 p.m. in the Thomas McGee Building at the Lynn campus of North Shore Community College, 300 Broad St., Lynn. The 60-minute debate will be moderated by CommonWealth editor Bruce Mohl and will focus on national and state economic issues.

Bangor Daily News – Dill says she’s gaining momentum, but the numbers don’t show it

Democrat Cynthia Dill is trying to show she has momentum in the race for Maine’s open U.S. Senate seat. Republicans are pushing that line, too, as they try to piece together a narrative about former independent Gov. Angus King losing steam in his bid to replace departing Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe.

If Dill is picking up some of King’s momentum, it isn’t obvious. The Moore Consulting poll put her support level at 8 percent. In June, two public surveys, by Critical Insights and by the Boston-based MassINC Polling Group, agreed with that poll, finding 7 percent and 9 percent support for Dill respectively.

Lowell Sun – ‘A validation’: Lowell area designated cultural district

Other cities have bus stops, but here, signs announce “busk stops,” where street musicians can perform for passersby.

Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director Anita Walker praised this standing invitation for an artist to attract an audience as one of the elements leading to an establishment of an official state Cultural District downtown.

The designation of the Canalway as an official cultural district follows the release of a report by independent think-tank MassINC and national creative-economic group ArtPlace, recommending investment in the arts as a means of economic revitalization for the state’s Gateway Cities.

Boston Globe – Suffolk Downs releases plans for road fixes if casino bid is successful

The flyover that Suffolk Downs plans to build on Route 1A if the track is granted a ­casino license, along with other road improvements, will ease area traffic and provide access for vehicles coming into the gaming resort, officials said Tuesday.

Former state transportation secretary James Aloisi previously panned the proposed flyover, or elevated road, which would allow northbound motorists to bypass the often difficult intersection on Route 1A at Boardman Street, as “an eyesore and a Band-Aid that will not solve the current congestion on Route 1A from the airport to Bell Circle,” in a CommonWealth Magazine opinion piece.

Sentinel & Enterprise – Report: Arts revitalize economies

A report by the independent think tank MassINC and the national creative economic group ArtPlace recommends investment in the arts as a means of economic revitalization for the state’s 11 Gateway Cities.

Fitchburg is one of the communities designated a Gateway City.

Boston Globe – Sunset the Lawrence district school monopoly

One of two kids in the Lawrence Public School system do not cross the 12th grade finish line. Even that is beyond what the “soft bigotry of low expectations” crowd can explain away on the basis of factors like poverty and family situation.

Another indication of demand comes with a June MassINC Polling Group survey of 400-plus adults in households with Lawrence public students, whether they were in charter public or district public schools.

Boston Globe – Ray Flynn’s pitch to Catholics

With his working-class roots, former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn definitely stands for the average guy. He’s also a pro-life Democrat, who once served as US ambassador to the Vatican.

The combination explains the true value of his television ad endorsing Republican Senator Scott Brown over Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warrren. Flynn describes Brown as “a regular guy . . . honest . . . hardworking . . . an independent voice . . . a person you can work with.” For those who know Flynn’s history, that ad packs a lot of symbolism into a short pitch.

Catholics are not monolithic in their thinking, but they represent a constituency Brown is actively courting — and winning, according to some polling data. In a May blog post on CommonWealthMagazine.org, Steve Koczela, president of Mass Inc. Polling Group, noted that 44 percent of Massachusetts voters identify as Catholic — and that Brown had a seven-point edge with them over Warren. He had a lower level of support among Catholic women, where he was tied with Warren, according to the Mass Inc. data.

South Coast Today – Local projects illustrate the importance of nurturing a cultural economy

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth staff are using more than $100,000 in grants to support what Dr. Matthew Roy calls the “economy of the future” — the creative one.

The creative economy is “not just about manufacturing goods and products, but it’s about manufacturing experiences and images,” said Roy, director of the university’s Leduc Center for Civic Engagement.

A third UMass Dartmouth project that won 26,200 in funding focuses on New Bedford and other “gateway cities,” which MassINC describes as historic industrial cities that face challenges in reaching their potential.

Melrose Patch – How Do Candidates Spend After the Election?

We’ve all read campaign finance reports, but what happens to a candidate’s war chest when the election is all said and done?

Wilder Fleming and Jack Sullivan at Commonwealth Magazine explored that question in an article last July, finding “former officeholders (spent) their unused campaign donations on a wide range of items and services, from cups of coffee and leased espresso machines to paintings, cars, cell phones, political contributions, and even holiday cash bonuses.”

Dorchester Reporter – Labouré College moving to Milton in 2013

Labouré College on Tuesday finalized a deal to purchase the former Aquinas College property in Milton.

Sources confirmed to the Reporter on Monday that officials from the private Catholic college, which is adjacent to Carney Hospital on Dorchester Ave., were in negotiations with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who control the old Aquinas College campus, located next to Fontbonne Academy.

Commonwealth magazine reported in July that Merrimack College expressed interest in taking over Carney Hospital, as well as Labouré College, but a deal never came to fruition.