Democrats Not Excited About Coakley

January 7, 2010

HEADLINE: Sluggish Coakley effort irks Dems
BYLINE: Jim Hand, Sun Chronicle Staff

Dennis Naughton was standing out in the cold at 7:15 Wednesday morning waving to passing motorists in Foxboro and holding a sign for U.S. Senate candidate Martha Coakley.

So when he hears reports that Democrats are not excited about supporting Coakley, he wonders who they are talking about.
"I think people are pretty motivated," he said of his party's faithful.

But, a poll out Tuesday and interviews with local Democrats tell another story.

The Democrats said Coakley has been too passive, and a Rasmussen poll found that state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, had closed Coakley's once commanding lead to a mere 9 points.

"I'm not happy with the level of campaign effort I've seen," state Rep. Bill Bowles, D-Attleboro, said of Coakley. "I think the campaign needs to step it up a notch."

Furthermore, the Rasmussen poll said Republicans supporting Brown were much more motivated to vote in a special election Jan. 19 than Democrats because of their dislike of health care reform.

"Special elections are typically decided by who shows up to vote, and it is clear from the data that Brown's supporters are more enthusiastic," the poll said.

"In fact, among those who are absolutely certain they will vote, Brown pulls to within two points of Coakley. That suggests a very low turnout will help the Republican and a higher turnout is better for the Democrat."

Coakley supporters have expressed fears that her sleepy campaign style and aversion to confronting Brown will drag down Democratic turnout in the election to fill the seat once held by the late Edward Kennedy.

One local Democratic activist who asked not to be named said there is a great deal of frustration with Coakley's inactivity.

The activist wants to rev up the local effort for Coakley, but the campaign keeps saying there is nothing to worry about because Coakley is going to win.

"This is the worst campaign I've ever seen in my life. I don't get it. I just don't get it," the activist said.

Naughton, a member of the Democratic State Committee, said if there truly was a lack of motivation among his party, the poll might be just the shot in the arm Coakley's backers need.

Nothing gets Democrats worked up like the prospect of another Republican going to Washington to obstruct work on important problems, he said.

"Actually, I was glad to see that poll. I think it will motivate people. Some people were worried voters would stay home" because they thought Coakley will win easily, he said.

Naughton said he intends to cite the poll in the telephone calls he makes for Coakley's campaign.

The poll is also a boon to Brown. National Republican groups have been slow to come to his aid, not wanting to spend money on a race if the GOP is unlikely to win.

Now Brown has an independent poll on his side to show the race could be winnable.

Even before the evidence was in, Brown had repeatedly said his campaign was surging because it had energy on its side.

He contrasts his frenetic campaign pace with what he calls Coakley's "bunker mentality" a reference to her rare public appearances.