Warren Should Focus on Brown as a Republican to Win, Democrats Say
After three polls released last week showed Elizabeth Warren ahead of Scott Brown, and another showed Brown ahead of Warren, Patch surveyed influential Massachusetts Democrats to get their take on the tight race.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren should focus on Sen. Scott Brown's Republican affiliation and continue to tie him to the national GOP during the final stretch of his campaign: that's the main finding of this week's Blue Commonwealth survey of influential Massachusetts Democrats.
Three polls by three separate polling organizations showing Warren ahead of Brown – but barely – were released early last week.
Further illustrating how tight the race has become, hours after Patch sent the survey out to Massachusetts Republicans, another poll by UMass Lowell and the Boston Herald showed Brown ahead of Warren by 6 points, with a 5.5 percent margin of error, after an UMass Lowell/Herald poll nine months ago had Warren leading by 7.
Almost half of the influential Massachusetts Democrats that Patch surveyed, 48.2 percent, said that Warren's reported rise in the polls is most likely attributable to a post-Democratic National Convention bump that energized Democrats and left-leaning independents, while 29.6 percent attributed it to other factors, such as grassroots strength and voters "learning more about both candidates."
Those surveyed expressed confidence in the efficacy of Warren's get-out-the-vote organization compared to Brown's, with 37 percent saying it's "much better" than Brown's and 40.7 percent saying it's "somewhat better."
Reach Out to All Demographic Groups
The Western New England University (WNEU)'s Polling Institute's poll last week showed Brown leading Warren among male voters 49-44, while Warren led among female voters in the same poll 55-40. Asked which strategy Warren should focus on regarding the gender gap, influential Massachusetts Democrats were split: 37 percent said she should focus on cementing and extending her lead with female voters, 25.9 percent said she should try to make gains among male voters, and 33.3 percent voted "other."
In the "other" responses, some Democrats said Warren shouldn't focus on one demographic or another and go after voters from both groups, with one respondent adding that in focusing on both groups, Warren should be "providing a message that meets the needs of all, not some."
Asked how Warren could win over either male or female voters, some respondents focused on the 'War on Women' theme used by Warren's campaign to cement and extend her lead with female voters.
"Remind women that if Brown wins and the Republicans take back the Senate, it will be bad for women on reproductive issues, women's health, and workplace issues," one respondent wrote. "And that Brown tried to bully Warren during the first debate and obviously feels intimidate by smart, successful women, since he keeps sarcastically referring to her as 'The Professor.'"
Other respondents urged Warren's campaign to focus on economic issues, such as taxes and bills such as the American Jobs Act, and contrast her stances on those issues with Brown's, while connecting Brown to the national GOP's stances on the issues.
Define Scott Brown as Republican, Not Independent
Asked what should be the primary issue that Warren should focus on during the final stretch of the campaign, most of the survey respondents said that Warren should go after Brown for his voting record, which respondents described as "not independent" and "consistently with the Republican right wing."
Some respondents said that in defining Brown as a Republican, the Warren campaign should also emphasize the possibility of Republicans controlling the Senate, while others said Warren should focus on contrasting her views on economic issues with Republicans' views.
"Republican economic policies gave the middle class almost a decade of stagnation, followed by an economic collapse from which we're still recovering," one respondent wrote. "Once again, the GOP 'solution' is more tax cuts for the super-rich. We tried that, and it didn't work. Scott Brown says he's independent, but he only acts that way when it's easy. On the hard votes, on the important votes, Scott Brown toes the party line."
Brown and Warren had their first debate of four last week and most of the respondents leaned towards the debates deciding the race, with 59.3 somewhat agreeing it would be the deciding factor in the race and 18.5 percent strongly agreeing. Another 18.5 percent were neutral on the impact the debates would have on the race.
Red and Blue Commonwealth Survey
Our surveys are not a scientific, random sample of any larger population, but rather an effort to listen to a group of influential local Republican and Democratic activists, party leaders, candidates and elected officials in Massachusetts. All of these individuals have agreed to participate in Massachusetts’ Patch surveys, although not all responded to this story’s questions. Answers have been edited for style, but not for content.
Patch will be conducting Red Commonwealth and Blue Commonwealth surveys throughout the 2012 election season in hopes of determining the true sentiment of conservatives and progressives on the ground in Massachusetts. If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in periodic surveys that last just a few minutes, contact Associate Regional Editor Daniel DeMaina at danield@patch.com.
Note: This article is published across multiple Patch sites in the area.
Bob Samson
6:38 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Brown should focus on Warren as a Democrat to win.
David Pelletier
7:31 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Democrats vote like lemmings. Doesn't matter if their candidate is as near a communist as you can get.
Dan Sampson
8:54 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Fascinating commentary. Care to elaborate?
Leonard Nicodemo
9:09 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
The nearer to communist, the better.
Gail
10:31 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
David you are watching too much Fox.
Saber Walsh
7:42 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
If all Warren has is to hang on to the party that Brown is a member of, even though he really has departed from traditional Republican views in many cases, she is SUNK. The only thing she represents is a choice for the elitist Prius-driving Obots who scream their opinions at us through excessive bumper sticker usage (complete with small font). (By the way, do Priuses, Suburus and RAV4s come with your choice of "Obama/Biden 2012" stickers?" Just wondering.)
When it comes to reasons to run, Warren doesn't have any except as leftist revenge against Brown's victory. She really never "Stood up to da big guys" and other stupid rhetoric like that. Anybody who lived through the 1980's knew people who claimed all sorts of ethnic group affiliations, so she didn't fooling anybody with her erstwhile "American Indian" claim as that was all the rage in how Americans found jobs through reverse discrimination practices. I am offended by the fact that she seems to pander to the unions even more than any other politician right now.
Brown is NOT a Republican by his actions, he's a conservative Democrat. I never cared for Brown (some of his votes went against military interests, ironic given he's a JAG officer -- but hey, another lawyer, right?) But when I think of bigger Democratic control, after blowing the chance they had as well as my children's future, makes me sick, so I'll take a conservative Democrat any day as they usually aren't co-opted by the socialist left.
Gail
10:32 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
Wrong. Brown is a Republican. And he votes like a Republican afraid of having to face liberal voters in his liberal state so he throws the left a bone once in a while to keep them from ousting him. He's fake, and he is a Republican.
hammergjh
8:03 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I love reading and hearing the ire and frustration of the right wing when their obstructionist and deleterious views are exposed. Elizabeth Warren will be a fine senator and I look forward to another 6 years of republican bitching. Carry on!
Concerned
8:18 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thats exactly the point hammergjh. Brown is NOT a right wing, blind voting republican. Can you say the same for Pocahontas? She is an extreme leftist that will vote her party line no matter what. Brown votes the issue an has actually raised eyebrows in the republican party because he has not always voted they way the GOP wants him to. Please people, vote the for the person, not the party! Government needs to come to the middle. We need an intependent party that votes with maturity and common sense. Some republican ideas are great. And as tough as it is for me to admit, some democratic ideas are great. VOTE THE ISSUE! NOT THE PARTY LINE!
Chief Sitting Bull
8:20 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Yes, she will be a "fine senator" as long as you believe in abortion, partial birth abortion, and homosexual marriage.
Bill
10:02 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
She will be another version of Tierney - just a do-nothing rubber stamp for the democratic leadership.
hammergjh
9:21 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
All of those CSB, I support every woman's right to choose and the freedom for every human to live as they want. As a matter of fact being a male in society should exclude one from determining how any woman decides her own health issues. It's not our bodies, it's there's.
"Pocahanas"? Really? Nice, that just proves my point of the hate and loathing the right harbors. Keep it up and hopefully the next 6 years will give you plenty more opportunities to stew in your own hate filled juices.
Concerned
9:48 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Is that all you care to comment on is my "Pocahantas" joking jab? I could actually care less about her checking that Native American box. How about you explain away Warrens extreme, yes extreme leftist opinions and views. Brown is not a right wing extremist. Warren is. Extremism is NEVER healthy and your candidate will never vote any where near the middle because she is blinded by her party. Comments? I'd love to hear you explain that away. Brown is not perfect but none of them are.
Bill
10:14 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Here is what dem/liberals don't get - it does not matter who wins for the vast majority of people. Losers won't suddenly become winners and successful people will keep on being success. The only people who stew in their juices are angry disappointed liberals who base everything on envy and resentment. They are driven by the bitterness in their own disappointments and failed expectations.
Even if Obama win and the Dems win back the Congress and taxes go for up people making over 250K - nothing will change. They will come up with ways to avoid it and/or cut back spending and if they run companies (which many do) they will cut back on hiring and salaries so they can pay themselves more to make up for the taxes. Who runs the government has never made a dime's worth of difference in my life and never will. I built it on my own, and will continue to be successful on my own. So you agonize over your body, the environment or whatever causes you care about. I don't care, never have, never will
Candy Sweets
5:49 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
brown goes after the indian thing because he wants the racist voters to vote for him
Gail
10:33 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
The whole thing was horrible and Brown should apologize to the whole state for that mess. Good to know he employs racists who can't control themselves.
Parson Weems
9:48 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Beefcake Brownie is really a "Conservative Democrat"? Well really he's not. He has been a republican his whole public life, he's chosen that, he could've run as an Independent or anything else but he caucuses with the Republicans and he has to answer for them now. Which of course he won't do, and hasn't done because he's spineless and now he's scared he's going to LOSE too. Hence his decent into racism. What a dope. He's a well funded tool of the mega wealthy and that's it. Here's a fun game though; check and see how many time he says the word "Romney" in public between now and the election. If the over/under is 10 I'm taking under.
Concerned
9:56 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Beefcake Brownie? Spineless? Dope? Tool? Racist?
Well I guess we can check Parson Weems off the list of people to take seriously in this debate. The quinitsential Libral extremest. Keep up the good work.
Bonnie H.
10:34 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
For those of us living in such a Liberal State... we who are not Liberal... where is our fair and balanced representation here and in DC? All things Kennedy, Tierney and Kerry? Career politicians....
Gail
10:34 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
You can move.
Parson Weems
11:16 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
O where or where has my "fair and balanced" candidate gone ?? O where o where can he be?
But hark! Look yonder, near the tomahawk choppin' staffers, there he is! Its Scott "War Whoop " Brown!! And He's On the March!!!
He's a nice looking fella isn't he, and he seems very nice too but you need to know how you can be sure he's the fair and balanced choice. That's eazee peezie! You just see how he VOTED! Some highlights:
Here's a bill to hire more firefighters, cops, and teachers and here comes Sen. Brown tomahawk CHOPPIN' that one down. NO way!
And now here's a bill to reduce the oil depletion allowance/ money grab by Big Oil, maybe they could get along on the billions they make without the tax break??? NO SIR! Not on Scott's watch!
And lets not assume Sen. Brown is just against stuff, he's FOR stuff too because here's a bill to grant a "moral choice exception" to insurance companies, letting them override physican and patient decisions on personal and private women's health issues. Hmmm, maybe its a really good idea to make it legal for insurance companies to refuse to pay claims based on their view of MORALITY. That's a great idea!!! A big thumbs up on that one from Sen. Brown. So no need to worry, your non-Librul choice is clear....and if the unthinkable happens and the fair and balanced diktat from K Rove et. al. fails, you'll get a chance to vote against Sen. Warren in 2018.
Bob Samson
12:11 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
You people walk around Cambridge lately. Yikes, and I am not talking about the students.
Candy Sweets
5:48 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
cambridge is nice
pcd
1:21 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
She doesn't give a rat's a*s about the people of Massachusetts. All she cares about is bettering herself and voting the party line on the national stage. All she has been saying is that Roe vs Wade will be overturned...there is no way in hell that that will ever happen and it doesn't matter who is running the government...that will never happen in today's world! Like Concern wrote..."VOTE THE ISSUE! NOT THE PARTY LINE!"
Candy Sweets
5:47 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
scott brown voted against middle class programs and voted for big oil companies to profit so if we are voting on issue then that's a bad argument
gene
10:21 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Brown voted with the Tea Party 8 times in denying extension of unemplyment, he voted with the millionaires 6 times for tax breaks, he voted against workers when he voted against 3 jobs bills - need I say more. Scott Brown will be worse when he doesn't have to worry about an election in 2 years. He's a light weight - time to elect someone with some brains!
WhereTheHeckRWe
9:35 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Is Professor Warren really an American Indian? My grandparents came to the US from Sicily. I am sure somewhere in my lineage there is African blood given the proximity of Africa to Sicily. Maybe I can get a free scholarship to college if I put myself down as a mixed race. Or how about preferential treatment when I apply for a job. Warren should be ashamed of herself.
Gail
10:34 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
She didn't get benefits or preferential treatment. So you are wrong.
Parson Weems
11:51 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
Let's be clear here: Elizabeth Warren obtained no benefit of any kind from any of her employers based on her heritage. All have made clear statements to that effect, including Harvard Law Prof. Charles Fried a well know republican and conservative who was has direct knowledge of the Harvard Law hiring decision. All of this has been clear for months now. I guess you missed it. But what's not very clear is why Sen. Brown decided to make a racially incendiary remnark at the debate about how Warren doesn't "look" like a native american. He is the one who should be ashamed.
Mickey D
7:08 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
This election is about expanding opportunity for the middle class. It is about leveling the playing filed for the middle class. It is about stopping the obstructionism that has paralyzed the legislative process. I am middle class by definition and I can tell you it is tough out there today. But Scott Brown who claims he is one of us, doesn't really vote like one of us, he votes how he is allowed to vote by his Republican keepers. I don't really care where Professor Warren comes from or her motivations for that matter (like that matters, really???). What I know is that she FIGHTS for the middle class...and I am middle class! It's about time someone fought for us again!
Gail
10:35 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
Yes!
gene
12:20 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Well said!
Gail
2:44 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Scott Brown has only been in office 2 years and he already has a horrible voting record on middle class issues. Why would we give him another 6 years to make an even worse voting record on middle class issues?
Lawrence Johnson
4:52 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Scott Brown is a great US Senator. Fauxchahontas will just raise taxes and increase government regulation. She's anti-capitalist to boot.
Mickey D
5:20 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Scott Brown is a stuffed shirt. He has no capacity for original thought. He will do what he is told by his tea party handlers. Sharing responsibility and raising on those individuals who can afford it, (those making more that $250K), protecting the middle class from the banking predators and the rest of those misguided corporate types who believe they should be allowed to do whatever they please regardless of how it impacts the economy or the citizenry is exactly what this country needs. Professor Warren is exactly what the middle class needs!
Bob Samson
7:19 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Warren is more trouble than she is worth.
Gail
11:17 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
He can't even name a single supreme court judge he likes without backtracking and naming a bunch more. He won't explain why he will vote no to middle class tax cuts and then starts saying how we need to stand up for the middle class. Very shady!
Chloe
8:58 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Scott Brown is a breath of fresh air in a Senate full of partisans! If only there were more like him who actually read the bills and worked to do the right thing instead of voting in lock step with their party! Unfortunately, some people would vote for Hitler if he were a Democrat.
Gail
11:17 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Scott Brown is very partisan. He only votes for a few Democratic bills here and there to appease this state but on major issues he votes with his party.
Jim Smith
12:27 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
This is an easy choice ?
You vote for a Liar who has manipulated her race to her advantage. If you or I wrote Indian on our resume and we were only indian based upon what our parents told us and had not proof of our native american ancestry. We would be passed over in an instant. Why does this lady still linger on and be allowed to speak when clearly she is a bold faced liar. Even Massachusetts indians and their tribes have turned against her.