Sunday, September 26, 2004
Here today, gone tomorrow: Wow. Tom Finneran’s rapid exit has caught most everyone off guard (or at least moi). Starting with Friday’s news, events culminated quickly with today's news that Rep. Salvatore F. DiMasi has apparently locked up the speakership (stories here and here). ... Quick observations, the first bordering on the banal but sometimes not stressed enough: A.) It’s yet more evidence of the decline of the city’s Irish Guard B.) Not so sure Finneran’s departure foils Republicans’ attempt at winning seats, at least in the long-term; it can be argued the Hack-Progressive Alliance just consolidated its hold on the Statehouse (Finneran was very popular within business circles -- and despised by the Progressive side of the alliance) C.) Going out on a limb here, but I think we may be entering the very early stages of major political divisions between suburbs and the city over the economic spoils of power (social issues are generally not a big deal to young suburbanites) and D.) The Italian Guard of DiMasi-Trav may be a caretaker arrangement, depending on how they handle matters (see point C. and remember the rising clout of minorities).
Update -- To those coming over from Adam’s site: I’m aware of the suburban-city split in past gubernatorial elections. In fact, it’s been evident the past four gubernatorial elections, not to mention referendums. My point, not made at all clear in the above post, referred to a possible legislative split along those lines, something that hasn’t happened in the past to a degree you see in other states.
Update -- To those coming over from Adam’s site: I’m aware of the suburban-city split in past gubernatorial elections. In fact, it’s been evident the past four gubernatorial elections, not to mention referendums. My point, not made at all clear in the above post, referred to a possible legislative split along those lines, something that hasn’t happened in the past to a degree you see in other states.
