The Other McCain

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Sean Bielat: On A MA-4 Mission

Posted on | August 23, 2012 | 10 Comments

by Smitty

Sean Bielat is running for the Republican nomination for Congress for the 4th District in Massachusetts and will be running against Joe Kennedy III, who, other than looking like he fell out of an LL Bean catalog, has precious little to recommend him.

Bielat ran an insurgent campaign in 2010 against the risible Barney Frank, who, faced with a serious challenge, had his stuff packed, and retired.
Sean campaigns on three major points:

  • The economy
  • Fiscal responsibility
  • The role of government

He backs up his arguments with significant private sector and academic credentials. In other words, he’s not running on his last name, as though from some ersatz noble family with a hereditary claim to public office. JoeK has exhibited reclusive tendencies thus far, communicating at scripted media events,  or though his communications director. Perhaps this is because he has an enviable war chest.

Bielat’s latest campaign video:

Highlights from a 23 August blogger conference call:

Thoughts on the Paul Ryan plan:
It is a fantastic tool for focusing debate. It triggered a firestorm of criticism, followed by a vacuum. Oddly, there has been no opposing plan. The plan is in its third iteration. Overall, Sean likes the thrust of Ryan’s effort, overall.

The prospect of debates, after the GOP primary on 06 September:
Joe Kennedy doesn’t appear eager to engage. One student-led debate has apparently been accepted by the Kennedy campaign. But Joe is no fan of unscripted appearances.

With respect to the 2010 gerrymandering, how did the newly-formed MA-4 district break for McCain in 2008?
The district did really well against the Mass. average for John McCain.

Elizabeth Warren has tried to tie Scott Brown to Todd Akin. Has there been any tricke-down?
Social issues are a largely a distraction from economic issues. Maybe 3 towns in the district raise social issue questions, and those are in the north end. The Scott Brown campaign will not be doing endorsements until later, post primary.

What drives you, Sean?
Sean got into politics in 2010. He looked around, and saw no on running against Barney Frank. He thought he could do better. He thought he could focus on core economic issues, a Constitutional view of government restraint. He wants a better future for his two children. He does not want to see the U.S. become Greece. He’s not a careerist, and is willing to take the tough votes and the consequences.

Sean Bielat for Congress

Mass. needs another Kennedy victory about as badly as a lift from Joe.

Update: Ace of Spades had Slublog on the call, as well.

Update II: I guess Soopermexican didn’t buy off on my LL Bean gag.

Update III: Linked at Da Tech Guy’s place. When’s the interview, Pete?

Category: Massachusetts, Sean Bielat

Comments

10 Responses to “Sean Bielat: On A MA-4 Mission”

  1. Christy Waters
    August 23rd, 2012 @ 10:32 pm

    Washington DC needs another Kennedy like Patrick Kennedy needs an Ambien and a set of car keys. Dynasty was a bad soap opera from the 1980s and the Kennedy Dynasty has been a bad soap opera since the early days of television… And speaking of Howdy Doody, Joe Kennedy III will be nothing more than a puppet for the liberal special interest groups, especially with such a flimsy resume. Let’s end the insanity once and for all, and get Sean Bielat elected!

  2. John LaRosa
    August 23rd, 2012 @ 10:39 pm

    If this Kennedy kid gets in now, he might stay in politics for 50 years! We can’t, as a nation, let that happen. This isn’t just about a House seat (you KNOW, he’ll try for the Senate if he wins) or even about Massachusetts. Tonight, he packed Hyannisport with progressive “1%-ers” who dropped $35K to dine and take photos with Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi and a whole gaggle of his relatives. Most of that money will not go to Kennedy directly, however. It will go to the DCCC trolls, who will try to take down conservatives across the nation. The so-called “Kennedy Dynasty” is on life support…let’s not revive it, because, if we do, it will negatively impact every tight election in the country for decades to come.

  3. Suzanne Rourke
    August 23rd, 2012 @ 11:03 pm

    And let’s not forget Sean’s military experience. If JKIII resembles Barney Frank, JKIII will oppose military spending and will defer to the U.N. In contrast, Sean will keep America safe.

  4. TANSTAF1
    August 24th, 2012 @ 8:35 am

    If you do not want the Kennedy dynasty for another 30 years, the time to act is now. If Joe Kennedy III wins he will be the heir apparent to “Kerry’s seat” when Kerry retires. Joe III is a weak candidate with virtually no experience and no credentials. If he wins he will be impossible to stop him from taking Kerry’s seat. We need to stop the Kennedys. And the time to stop Kennedys is now when they have a very weak candidate.

    The only one who can do this is Sean Bielat. Last time Sean ran and gave the powerful Barney Frank the scare of his life. Barney even donated money to his own campaign, and now has decided to retire. The fourth was redistricted and is now much more GOP friendly.

    Sean has extensive private sector experience from building his to advising others how to build theirs and from managing the huge Packbot program for the military at iRobot. He has leadership skills from serving 8 years in the Marines as an officer. He is a family man with two young kids. Sean put his political ambitions on hold to support his wife and temporarily returned to PA so she could be with her family and long time doctors during what was expected to be a difficult pregnancy. Sean has a BA from Georgetown, a masters from Harvard, and an MBA from the Wharton School. With this business and military experince, Sean is uniquely qualified to serve the voters. This race affects all of you and will do so for the rest of your lives. We have a great candidate that needs your finacial support. Please be as generous as you can. https://secure.piryx.com/donate/oGhlNSk5/Sean-Bielat-for-Congress/morejobs

  5. jranft
    August 24th, 2012 @ 8:51 am

    Bielat and Kennedy have nearly the same experience, with the exception of Bielat’s brief private sector employment, and his secret startup job for which he is being paid $250k per year and which he refused to disclose until forced to. He’s a mini-Romney wannabe.

  6. Why is Ginger Voldemort Running for Congress?! | SOOPERMEXICAN
    August 24th, 2012 @ 10:09 am

    […] The Other McCain also has a great, short rundown of Bielat’s positions. This entry was posted on Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 at 11:26 pmand is filed under Politics. […]

  7. I was unavailable for Sean Bielat's latest conference call... » Datechguy's Blog
    August 24th, 2012 @ 2:00 pm

    […] Datechguy | August 24th, 2012 …lucky for everyone else Smitty was able to make it an excerpt: The prospect of debates, after the GOP primary on 06 September: Joe Kennedy doesn’t appear eager […]

  8. John LaRosa
    August 24th, 2012 @ 2:16 pm

    False…and you are a notorious troll. Go away, and tell Joe we all said hi.

  9. jranft
    August 24th, 2012 @ 3:40 pm

    Really? Why did Sean Bielat keep his job secret? What kind of a startup pays its only employee $250k a year?

    I’m a troll for what? Disagreeing with you? Do you care to argue with facts or insults?

  10. bobbymike
    August 24th, 2012 @ 6:40 pm

    I sit just me or does each following Kennedy generation look more and more inbred…….is that a banjo playing in the background.

    But seriously can’t these people get a real job?