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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Monday!
HEALEY'S TAKE ON THE PRIMARY — Massachusetts doesn't play an outsize role in the presidential nominating process, but the state's elected officials and activists certainly can. While former Secretary of State and Sen. John Kerry was stumping for Joe Biden in Iowa over the weekend, Attorney General Maura Healey and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu were kicking off events at Sen. Elizabeth Warren's campaign offices in New Hampshire.
There's less than a month to go until the first-in-the-nation primary, so I sat down with Healey, a Granite State native, to talk about about the race during a crowded canvass kickoff in Nashua. Also spotted at Warren's campaign office in Nashua were state Sen. Mike Brady and state Rep. Tommy Vitolo.
"The tenor of the country right now is a little bit different than we've seen in other elections. There are a lot of fears, a lot of trepidation. There's a lot of angst out there and uncertainty. But I think the formula and the feel of a New Hampshire primary remains the same," Healey told me. "It's all about what you see today. People who are willing to get out, knock on doors, talk to their neighbors. It's truly grassroots campaigning at its best."
Even after months of campaigning, polling in Iowa and New Hampshire does not show a clear front runner. Warren typically declines to talk about polls, positive or negative. But the Warren campaign has boarded what it had previously dubbed the "pollercoaster" in recent days, pointing to a "dead heat" in an email to supporters.
"I think the conversation about the enthusiasm factor is real and, you know, people are ... trying to make up their minds based on who they think is best situated to defeat Donald Trump," Healey said. "But I think more people realize that part of defeating Donald Trump is being able to draw out voters, because we know that the Republican Party is going to do everything it can to suppress the vote."
Kerry, who supports Biden, often cautions that the Democratic Party should coalesce around a candidate quickly. Kerry says Democrats should eliminate the party's "circular firing squad" and a long primary slog, which he believes hurt Hillary Clinton's chances in 2016.
"I leave it to pundits. I suppose he has experience I mean, he's run a couple of times," Healey quipped. "But you know ... this all is going to move relatively quickly anyways. It'll be summer before we know it, and it'll be November before we know it. What's important to me is what people are doing, and those who want to see Donald Trump out of the White House, that they're talking to as many people as possible, registering people to vote, and getting them tuned in to the presidential campaign."
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: PRESSLEY IS IN FOR 2020 — It may not surprise you, but now it is official: Rep. Ayanna Pressley is running for reelection to her House seat in 2020. Pressley will share the news with supporters in an email this morning that she is seeking a second term..
Pressley ran as an insurgent candidate in 2018 to unseat longtime Rep. Michael Capuano, and quickly became a Democratic Party star. Right now, Pressley is the only candidate running for her 7th District congressional seat this cycle. She had around $277,000 in cash on hand at the end of September, the most recent total available from the Federal Election Commission. That's not much by congressional standards, but it's more than enough for a member in a safe Democratic seat.
KENNEDY HITS MARKEY ON IRAQ VOTE — Rep. Joe Kennedy III slammed Sen. Ed Markey's vote to authorize military force against Iraq in 2002 as "the worst foreign policy blunder of a generation" during a town hall in Lowell on Saturday. The comments appeared in a report from The Lowell Sun.
The rift is something to watch out for when the lawmakers meet on the debate stage for the first time next month. In light of the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, an audience member asked Kennedy whether he sees Markey's 2002 vote as an issue in his campaign. Congress took the vote when Kennedy was around 22 years old.
"The consequence of that vote did not end in 2002 . The consequence of that vote is playing out as we speak today in Iraq and consequently around the world," Kennedy said. "The decision to go into Iraq was, I think, without debate, the worst foreign policy blunder of a generation and I think for any politician, any public servant, your record is your record and it has to be justified."
Markey hit back, saying he is proud of his record in Congress, and blamed former President George Bush for lying to lawmakers in the run-up to the war in Iraq.
"I am angry to this day about how we were lied to," Markey said in a statement. "I deeply regret that vote and have worked every day since to ensure that there is never again another needless war in the Middle East. And that is why I am working now to prevent Donald Trump from leading us into an illegal war with Iran. I am proud of my record in Congress promoting peace and preventing conflict, and I believe no one in this race can match that record."
Markey was among 81 House Democrats who voted to authorize the use of military force against Iraq in 2002. Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch and former Rep. Marty Meehan also voted for the resolution. When Markey first ran for Senate in 2013 against Lynch, both lawmakers addressed the decision.
Markey has been endorsed by the anti-war nonprofit Massachusetts Peace Action and by the Council for a Livable World, a nonprofit focused on eliminating the U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons that is led by former Bay State Congressman John Tierney.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is a guest on WGBH's "Greater Boston." Walsh presents the Martin J. Walsh Leadership in Recovery Award at The Joseph Nee Collaborative Center's Award Ceremony. Auditor Suzanne Bump testifies on foster care legislation before the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Local schools, state bill focus on 'anti-vaxxers,'" by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: "As the city schools make a push to increase vaccination rates, a new measure before the Legislature could help eliminate a controversial exemption used by families to avoid getting their child inoculated. The bill, which has garnered support from health care officials in the state, specifically would prevent parents from claiming religious objections as a reason to skip vaccinations, which are otherwise a requirement for students to attend school."
- "Mass. plays huge role in presidential fundraising," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "This deep-blue state isn't considered a battleground in the presidential election, but the campaigns still come here to keep their coffers filled. While the first primary ballots have yet to be cast, Massachusetts' politically active set has chipped in more than $9 million for the presidential candidates this election season, according to disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, the most recent period ."
- "State panel rejects dropping cash bail," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "A panel reviewing how bail is set is recommending against major changes in how pre-trial release is determined for those facing criminal charges. A report by the panel of state officials, lawmakers, attorneys and criminal justice advocates calls for more review of existing bail policies and more training for judges on recent reforms. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, a member of the commission, said it concluded that cash bail continues to play an important role."
- "Audit finds Massachusetts inmates not getting timely health care," by Joe DiFazio, The Patriot Ledger: "The state's prison system is not providing health care to inmates in a timely manner, flouting the system's own guidelines, according to a report released by state Auditor Suzanne Bump. In addition to not processing all inmate health care requests within the recommended time frame, the audit said the state Department of Correction could not show detailed records of postrelease plans for inmates, which include scheduling medical appointments."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "MIT Report Details 'Significant Errors In Judgment' With University Ties To Jeffrey Epstein," by Kirk Carapezza and Esteban Bustillos, WGBH News: "Massachusetts Institute of Technology administrators were aware of Jeffrey Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution, yet the university continued to accept donations from him. That's according to a report MIT released late Friday afternoon detailing the university's ties to Epstein. Three vice presidents knew about both the donations and Epstein's conviction as early as 2013."
- "Behind bars: How Massachusetts jails are working to break up Latin Kings, other gangs from on the inside," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Angel Crespo had already been in and out of the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction by the time officers found the sketch in his jail cell. He had drawn a lion donning a crown with the name "King Nuni" across the top. The signs were there. Jail officials believed Crespo was a member of the Latin Kings. When confronted with the sketch, he admitted his affiliation to the national gang ."
- "Roxbury leaders: Northeastern has lost its way," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Northeastern University's relentless expansion is frustrating Roxbury activists and officials who say the inner-city college has lost sight of its working-class roots as it grabs more land in their communities and gives little back. "Northeastern has been a bad actor," said Tito Jackson, a community activist who represented the area on the City Council. The latest community-relations flare-up around Northeastern is the swanky new 26-story, 975-bed dorm proposed for the corner of Tremont Street and Melnea Cass Boulevard."
- MASSACHUSETTS CONNECTION: "The story behind the Mass. native and ex-soldier who purportedly helped former Nissan CEO escape," by Dugan Arnett and Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe: "In his 20s during the Cold War, Michael Taylor was part of a secretive military team tasked with stopping a Soviet invasion of Europe with hand-carried "suitcase nukes." Later in the Middle East, while running his own security company, Taylor stopped "armed criminals who sought to take us hostage," one grateful client said. At home in Harvard, he's a father of three, the neighbor who plows your driveway. But work acquaintances describe the square-jawed Taylor as a real-life action hero, a fearless patriot who decorates his office in American flags and considers the national anthem his favorite song ."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Kennedy stumps in Lowell," by Emma Murphy, The Lowell Sun: "When doors opened at Lowell High School around 11:30 a.m. a crowd of about 40 people had already formed waiting to take their seats. By the time Congressman Joe Kennedy III picked up the mic half an hour later, the audience had grown to around 100 people. On Saturday, Kennedy, 38, stopped in Lowell for a town hall event where he discussed healthcare, addiction and Iran, among other issues. The event was one of 14 town hall events Kennedy is holding across the state this month in his bid for incumbent Sen. Ed Markey's seat."
- "Senator Ed Markey tours western Massachusetts," by Sy Becker, WWLP: "Senator Ed Markey has put western Massachusetts high on his campaign itinerary this weekend. The Senator received a heroes welcome Saturday evening at the Center for Eco-Technology in Springfield. Senator Markey had requested meeting the staff at the environmentally minded company that endorses climate change solutions. He told 22News the impact of climate change grows more threatening by the day."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Mass. Court Rules Patients Don't Have A Right To Physician-Assisted Suicide, But Doctors Can Discuss It," by Martha Bebinger and Carey Goldberg, WBUR: "Terminally ill patients do not have a constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide, a Massachusetts court has ruled, but their doctors may provide advice and information about medical aid in dying. The ruling comes in a civil case brought by Dr. Roger Kligler, a retired Cape Cod physician who has advanced prostate cancer, and Dr. Alan Steinbach, who treats terminally ill patients. "This court has immense compassion for Dr. Kligler's desire to avoid a potentially painful death and for Dr. Steinbach's desire to ease his patients' suffering," the ruling reads."
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| THE PRESSLEY PARTY |
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- "Congressional Black Caucus Visits Boston For The First Time," by Quincy Walters, WBUR: "The Bruce C. Boiling Municipal Building in Roxbury was packed Saturday afternoon as people concerned about equal access to economic opportunity for black entrepreneurs waited to hear from Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley and six of her congressional colleagues. Pressley and her colleagues are part of the Congressional Black Caucus. The group aims to visit each member's district to get a sense of the problems facing black communities across the country. While it was founded in 1971, this is the group's first visit to Boston."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Warren 'disappointed' that Bernie 'sending his volunteers out to trash me,'" by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: "Elizabeth Warren hit back at progressive rival Bernie Sanders Sunday, saying she is "disappointed" that he's "sending his volunteers out to trash me" and risks dividing the party with negative attacks against her and others. "We all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016, and we can't have a repeat of that," she said, suggesting that Sanders' campaign against Hillary Clinton hurt her in the general election. "Democrats need to unite our party." "I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction," Warren added."
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| KENNEDY COMPOUND |
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- "Satan, the FBI, the Mob—and the Forgotten Plot to Kill Ted Kennedy," by David Gambacorta, POLITICO Magazine: "Running for president had also awakened a fear that Kennedy had tried to hide even from his closest confidants: that he would be assassinated, just like his brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Anonymous tormentors had been sending Ted Kennedy handwritten threats since the late 1960s. "Teddy has to die," promised a note that was once mailed to his father. The death threats only multiplied when Kennedy was on the campaign trail in 1980."
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| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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- "Recycling is becoming so expensive that some towns don't know what to do," by David Abel, Boston Globe: "On a recent afternoon here, with urgency in the air, local officials huddled to consider what until recently was unthinkable. Should they abandon their popular curbside recycling program? Or spend millions to build a plant to process plastic and paper on their own? With the recycling market across the country mired in crisis, a growing number of cities and towns are facing a painful reckoning: whether they can still afford to collect bottles, cans, plastics, and paper, which have so plummeted in value that in some cases they have become effectively worthless."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "NORTHEASTERN VS. COMMUNITY," — Globe: "Family takes Children's Hospital to court," "Muddled message on threat from Iran." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Pittsfield: A capital city? Not gonna happen, but maybe Boston should share the wealth," by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: "I love this," Pittsfield's mayor, Linda Tyer, told her state senator. She wasn't alone in her reaction to a Boston Herald column. "It's not completely kooky," offered Tricia Farley-Bouvier, the city's representative to the Statehouse. "A good idea that won't happen," John Barrett III chimed in from his car, making what's believed to be a lawmaker's longest commute to Beacon Hill. "I've long talked about that," added William "Smitty" Pignatelli, who represents the 4th Berkshire District."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Officials' hopes high for 2020 charter review," by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: "When the City Council proposed changes to the City Charter 10 years ago, nothing happened. Instead, the changes, proposed after dozens of hours of meetings, debate and compromise, died before getting to the state Legislature and the governor's office for final approval. The failure in 2010 to make substantive changes to the city's governing document is not stopping the current City Council, however."
- "Election trial cost city $100K," by Dustin Luca, The Salem News: "The recent court battle over Salem's Ward 6 election results came with a price — one that cost the two candidates in the race thousands of dollars and has forced City Hall to look for more money to cover its own legal bills. Jerry Ryan, a former city councilor, lost his bid for the seat by one vote in November. After a recount affirmed that outcome, Ryan sued the city."
MAZEL! to Garrett Quinn, MassTech communications manager, and Erin Little, a rheumatologist at Tufts Medical Center, who got engaged over the weekend.
ALSO MAZEL! to Ryan Markham, a Stonehill College student, who begins his internship in Rep. Andy Biggs' office in Washington, D.C. today.
REMEMBERING HAROLD BURSON ... via the Boston Globe: "Mr. Burson, who was hailed by the industry publication PRWeek in 1999 as the most influential PR person of the 20th century, and whose standards gave a luster of respectability to a business often seen as a confraternity of spin doctors, died Friday in Memphis, the city of his birth. He was 98." Link.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Gina Christo, senior consultant creative director at Rivera Consulting, Inc.; and New England Center for Investigative Reporting/WGBH's Paul Singer.
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POLITICO Pro's Top 10 Policy Storylines of 2020. Nothing gets done in an election year, right? NONSENSE! We are preparing to cover an intensive year of market-moving legislation, regulation, court cases and executive orders. Check out POLITICO Pro's top ten storylines for 2020.
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