News: Five takeaways from the Senate debate

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Five takeaways from the Senate debate

Oct 16, 2024

Presented by Mass General Brigham

DEBATABLE — Elizabeth Warren and John Deaton clashed over immigration, abortion and cryptocurrency regulation in a spirited debate, their first of two before Bay Staters can head to the polls for early voting this weekend. Both got some lashes in and came away with some memorable moments.

Here are five takeaways from the face-off hosted by WBZ and The Boston Globe:

WHO’S EXTREME — Both candidates looked to tie each other to the far ideological elements of their party. Deaton accused Warren of being “extreme” on immigration, highlighting her vote against the bipartisan border bill that would’ve sent much-needed money to states like Massachusetts dealing with an overwhelming influx of migrants.

Warren parried by reminding viewers that former President Donald Trump had a hand in killing the bill in the House, and emphasizing the role Republicans played in stymying immigration reform. The only way to address the immigration crisis, Warren said, is “by cutting off extremist Republicans and actually coming together and fixing it.”

Often Warren didn’t directly accuse Deaton — a moderate who’s distanced himself from the party — of holding extreme views himself. Instead, she pointed to other members of the GOP and warned that sending even a moderate Republican to Congress would empower those corners of the party.

TRUMP CARD — Warren did her best to yoke her opponent to Trump, describing his stance on immigration as taking "a page of the Donald Trump playbook.”

Deaton has no love for Trump. He’s criticized the former president even before he started running for office, has said he won’t vote for him this cycle and last night claimed he has been “even more critical of President Trump than she has been.”

But with the former president at the top of the ticket, Warren’s warnings about a Republican White House combined with GOP majorities in Congress may be enough to keep voters looking for fresh representation from wavering.

THE CRYPTO CANDIDATE — Deaton, whose campaign has been bolstered by a PAC funded by a few crypto executives, used a question about the topic to highlight his background, growing up poor and facing predatory banking fees. Crypto could “help unbanked people like my mom,” who he said struggled to have enough money for food for her kids.

And he slammed Warren, one of the industry’s loudest critics, for focusing on building an “anti-crypto army” over issues like immigration and inflation.

But Warren warned that the crypto executives supporting Deaton would be looking for a “return on their investment” if they helped lift him into office.

TESTING TIES THAT BIND — One area where Deaton is more aligned with Democratic Gov. Maura Healey than Warren is: keeping the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement for highschoolers.

Warren, a former professor, panned the requirement, saying that “one test is not a great measure for every kid” and attributing the quality of Massachusetts’ schools to its teachers.

2020 VISION — At points throughout the night, we got a glimpse of 2020 presidential primary Warren. The incumbent reprised a line she coined on the campaign trail when asked a question about combating high housing costs submitted by Hunter, a student raised in Massachusetts looking to move back after completing their education.

“Hunter, I have a plan for you,” Warren said. “And I actually also have a way to pay for it.”

And she got a few licks in against Trump. “I appreciate that Mr. Deaton has three daughters,” Warren said after Deaton explained his stance on abortion (he’s said he would vote to codify Roe into law, in part citing a desire to protect his daughters’ rights).

“The justices that set Roe vs. Wade on fire and burned it to the ground, collectively have 10 daughters, and Donald Trump has two daughters — that we know of,” Warren quipped.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Here’s another way to look at last night’s arguments:

“I got news for you, Senator Warren: All of you suck in Congress. All of you,” Deaton said in an unscripted moment that captured the essence of his claims that Warren is too partisan and has been in Washington for too long.

Warren is banking on Bay State voters believing Democrats suck a little less.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey speaks at John Hancock’s Longer.Healthier.Better Symposium at 9 a.m. in Boston and is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 1 p.m. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at the Massachusetts Emerging Adult Summit at 9 a.m. in Norwood and chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon at the State House. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a town hall on her property tax shift proposal at 7 p.m. in West Roxbury. Rep. Lori Trahan highlights federal funding to preserve the historic Wright Tavern at noon in Concord. Sen. Ed Markey highlights federal funding at a Springfield Water and Sewer Commission Water Treatment Plant groundbreaking at 11 a.m. in Westfield, speaks at the Holyoke Health Center at 1 p.m. in Holyoke and gives remarks at the opening night of the the Climate Beacon Conference at 5:30 p.m. in Boston.

Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

SHEDDING THE TAXACHUSETTS TROPE? — The libertarian Cato Institute gave Healey a B in its “Fiscal Policy Report Card” for 2024, one of only two Democrats to score above a C in the think-tank’s rating that grades governors based on their taxing and spending policies. The other Democrat: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Healey was tied for the highest score among New Englanders (Vermont Gov. Phil Scott also earned a B). More from the Eagle-Tribune.

— “iLottery off to a very slow start,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “The state’s online lottery is getting off to a much slower start than lawmakers forecasted, which is creating some budgetary headaches. When the Legislature passed a $58 billion state budget in July ... top lawmakers touted the iLottery as a new funding source for child care providers, with sales estimated at $100 million in fiscal year 2025, which ends next June 30. Treasurer Deb Goldberg announced a new timeline for the online lottery on Tuesday, saying the initiative will not launch until April 2026, near the end of fiscal 2026.”

— “Moderna, Vertex receive over $5 million each in Massachusetts tax breaks for job creation,” by Jonathan Saltzman, The Boston Globe.

— “Poll identifies housing as most important political issue in Massachusetts,” by Phil Tenser, WCVB.

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “Some families run out of time in Massachusetts' emergency assistance shelters,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “Hundreds of migrants who were issued notices back in July and August that they would have to leave Massachusetts’ shelter system in 90 days have now reached that limit. The move was part of a new legislation requiring emergency assistance shelter stays be capped at nine months. Thousands of families had already been in the system for many months when the time limit was implemented.”

FROM THE HUB

— “Hasbro eyes buildings in downtown and Dorchester for potential Boston headquarters,” by Shirley Leung, The Boston Globe: “Hasbro Inc. appears to have narrowed its headquarters search to roughly a half dozen locations in Boston as it considers relocating from Pawtucket, R.I., according to multiple people briefed on the matter. While no decisions have been made, the maker of Monopoly, My Little Pony, and Nerf is focusing its search on office buildings near South Station and the Southline complex on Morrissey Blvd. in Dorchester, according to sources in the real estate industry.”

TAX SHIFT ON THE TRAIL — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu wasn’t looking for a fight when she said Boston residents would know the Legislature would be to blame for a jump in their tax bills, but she’s making good on the promise.

Wu is kicking off a series of town halls, starting with one tonight in West Roxbury, to talk about her property shift proposal with residents across the city. A similar event is on tap for tomorrow in Charlestown.

WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET

— “No details on when clergy abuse report might become public, or who objects to releasing it,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “A report into clergy abuse across multiple dioceses in Massachusetts, based on investigations that took place years ago under then-Attorney General Maura Healey, is still not available to the public. Andrea Campbell, who’s been the state’s attorney general since January 2023, said Tuesday that it’s out of her hands when or whether to release the findings.”

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger has endorsed former Methuen City Councilor Eunice Zeigler in her bid for the District 5 Governor’s Council seat, according to her campaign.

— “Bristol County commissioner candidates face a basic question: What do you do, anyway?,” by Arthur Hirsch, The New Bedford Light.

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WARREN REPORT

— “‘The best thing I can do for the people of Massachusetts:’ Up for reelection, Elizabeth Warren works to beat Trump,” by Emma Platoff, The Boston Globe.

— “Sen. Elizabeth Warren hopes to serve Massachusetts for another six years,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Salem launches guaranteed-income program for 100 residents living in poverty,” by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: “Salem is the latest Massachusetts city to try to stabilize the lives of some of its lowest income residents by providing monthly cash payments, with no strings attached. The city announced Tuesday that it is launching a guaranteed income pilot program, which will give $500 a month over the next year to 100 residents living at or below the federal poverty line.”

— “Fall River teachers have gone a month without a contract. Now they're hitting the streets,” by Emily Scherny, The Herald News: “Educators across the public school district have been working for over 31 days without a new contract. Now they’re taking a stand: on sidewalks, at Government Center and during City Council meetings. A compilation of signatures has graced Mayor Paul Coogan’s and city councilors’ desks, demanding fair compensation, an inclusive parental leave policy and ‘language that respects the expert judgment of Fall River public school educators,’ reads a statement in a Fall River Educators’ Association press release.”

— “Fall River City Council ramps up homelessness efforts after being ‘ambushed’ by outcry,” by Emily Scherny, The Herald News: “City councilors are grappling with the issues of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing before temperatures drop below freezing and wintertime resources become scarce. With their passage of an ordinance barring homeless encampments coupled with particularly combative public comments heard during a three-hour City Council meeting on Sept. 10, attempts are being made to take corrective action.”

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— “New Hampshire candidate has long opposed same-sex marriage rights,” by Brooke Migdon, The Hill: “New Hampshire Republican congressional candidate Russell Prescott has long advocated against marriage rights for same-sex couples and once criticized a political opponent for believing ‘avowed homosexuals’ should be allowed to become adoptive or foster parents, The Hill has learned. Prescott, a former state senator and executive councilor, is challenging Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) for one of the state’s two House seats.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Jason Wingard has joined the Social Finance Institute as a senior advisor.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. David Linsky, Steve Roche, Daily Hampshire Gazette alum Mike Connors, Andrew Zimbalist and Ron Jordan. Happy belated to former state Rep. and GOP LG candidate Leah Cole Allen, who celebrated Tuesday.

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