BLOG: An Open Letter to Joe Kennedy III
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Joe,
Let me start by congratulating you on your recent primary win. You and I have met on a few occasions, and you seem like a good guy, so I want to be clear that this is not intended as a personal attack.
You have said on numerous occasions that you’re not running on your name. There are a number of signs though which indicate that you are in fact running on your name. Most tellingly, you have held almost no events open to the public, done almost no televised interviews, and appeared on no radio shows. I was hoping that you might use debates as a way to introduce yourself to the public for the first time.
I was very disappointed to see your press release today. Apparently, you have deemed that three debates are sufficient. You have insisted that none of the three be a live television or radio debate. You have also insisted that those debates include a third party candidate who qualified for the ballot but has since suspended his campaign. I don’t know how else to read these facts other than to conclude that you are attempting to expose yourself to as little risk as possible and to reduce the amount of time you will have to speak in the debates. All this is extremely disappointing.
I have accepted 16 debate offers to date. While I don’t expect anyone to want that many debates, we wanted to provide maximum flexibility. In 2010, Rep. Barney Frank and I debated or did joint ed-boards 8-10 times. Congressman Frank wasn’t afraid to defend his record, air his views or let voters decide who they agreed with more.
Every election should be about giving voters a choice between two candidates and their respective messages. If you aren’t in fact running on your name, I would hope that you too would want to give voters a chance to compare us and our views, and then make their decisions.
I understand your strategy: build a huge war chest, mobilize Democratic activists, spend a lot on TV and direct mail, and keep your head down and hope that your name is enough to carry you through. That strategy may have a very good chance to succeed, but don’t you think voters deserve a little bit more? If you are a strong candidate and are more than your family name, why not agree to a few TV debates so that you can prove it?
I hope we’ll see more of you publicly soon (and I don’t mean in paid ads).
Thanks,
Sean Bielat
Janet Sroczynski
9:13 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
All excellent points Sean Bielat.
David Nolta
9:27 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
There's just one thing missing from this argument, Mr. Bielat, and that is any acknowledgement that the Kennedy name can be an invitation to prejudgment that cuts both ways. In other words, large numbers of voters will vote against Joe Kennedy for the very same reason that large numbers of voters will vote for him. This is repeatedly confirmed by postings right here on The Patch. Arguably, fewer people will actually listen to someone who is both blessed and burdened with such a name. As far as asking a Kennedy to step up his public exposure--again, that is a somewhat sensitive request; for one thing, as a Kennedy, he is automatically scrutinized more than others, and that, too, can cut both ways... Finally, honestly, aren't three debates plenty?
Ralph
10:02 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Frankly David, I would like to see or hear a debate between the candidates. I am familiar with Mr. Bielat from having watched previous campaign, but I know virtually nothing of Mr. Kennedy. Having a stipulation that the debates not be televised live or be broadcast on radio is a bit strange for someone who seeks public office.
Why such concern for live public exposure in a debate? If it's a lack of experience or not, I'd like to see that for myself.
Although not having yet made a decision on either candidate, I have to agree with Mr. Bielat that it is disappointing that Mr. Kennedy refuses a live TV/Radio feed of the propesed debates.
Ralph
10:03 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
'proposed' debates..... groan
David Nolta
10:11 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
I would like to see or hear a debate, too, Ralph. Or even three debates. But I don't want or need to see more than three. Now, what do you think about the Kennedy name, and how it can be as much an obstacle to open-minded consideration of the bearer of that name, as it can be a guarantor of support?
David Nolta
10:20 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
And just to be clear, I am not antagonistic to Mr. Bielat. When, in a post on The Patch a few days ago, I said that I was interested in hearing him, I was immediately set upon by an anonymous rabid Republican who denied I was interested in hearing him. I am voting for Joe Kennedy because of his priorities: health care, protecting Medicare, his support of teachers, nurses, police officers and firemen (and their consequent endorsement of him), etc.
Ralph
10:34 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
I think the Kennedy name carries great weight in Massachusetts, and New York. Not so much in other regions of the country. I feel the Kennedy name gives the candidate an advantage when running for public office in Mass.
Ed Bertorelli
9:42 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Sean Bielat will host a "Town Hall" type meeting at the Quarry Room of the Milford Town Library (Spruce Street) on Monday October 1, 2012 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This meeting is open to the public.
Rose
4:22 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012
http://joekennedy2012.com/2012/09/19/joe-kennedy-iii-announces-debate-appearances/
Looks like the first debate is televised to me...
Christy Waters
1:55 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
Yes, but it's not televised live. I guess comments such as "Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel" and expressing a desire to end "cheap oil" have made Kennedy a bit gun shy.
David Nolta
10:41 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
So Christy, it won't be live...have you uncovered a conspiracy??? And cheap oil IS over. Or hadn't you heard? It's finite, and it isn't cheap.
don neuwirth
11:35 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
If the Kennedy name is indeed voter neutral, then Mr Kennedy must have an incredible record to gather 90% support in the primary. Your probably right that the Kennedy name and money means little
Shawn Fitzgibbons, NDCC Co-Chairman
2:08 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
"Almost no events that are open to the public" - this charge by Bielat is totally false. Kennedy is incredibly accessible and has done scores of house parties throughout Newton, all of which have been open to anyone who is interested in attending.
Tim L
12:20 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
To Shawn Fitzgibbons, I lean pretty heavy towards the Democrats as people can see from my other comments on this site. But, it does say something that Kennedy has "done scores of house parties throughout Newton" but none in this area. Why hasn't he branched out from the wealthy community of Newton to do house parties? Sorry, fair is fair, I had to ask. Your comment seems to indicate the candidate has a strong focus on a narrow segment of our district.
Shawn Fitzgibbons, NDCC Co-Chairman
2:08 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
@Tim - I spoke about Newton because that is where I live, where I am involved in politics and where I have attended (and hosted) his events.
However I know that he has also done many, many similar events in cities and towns throughout the 4th Congressional district. If you follow his Facebook Page you can see the pictures. Kennedy is amazingly accessible and committed to connecting with all voters in the district.
Tim L
10:01 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
From his upcoming appearance schedule I can see that he visits Attleboro, Taunton, and Fall River a few times. But looking only at his website's posted schedule you have to admit there is a rather high concentration of visits in the Needham, Newton, Brookline area.
Anonymous
3:49 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
The difference between Joe Kennedy and Sean Bielat is stark. Just by looking at their background, careers and how they make a living today.