On Politics: Quotes From Professor Peter Ubertaccio

February 19, 2010

In addition to being Direcor of the Martin Institute, Peter Ubertaccio is a go-to political scientist much in demand with reporters and editors. Below is a sampling of some of his recent media comments:

Future of GOP

"If the GOP wants to regain strength in the Northeast, and it must if it hopes to again become a national party, it must learn these essential facts: most races for public office are nonideological, and organization trumps partisanship."
-"GOP Could Learn From White's Campaign." May 20, 2009, Cape Cod Times, By Peter Ubertaccio

America's Costly Elections

'Our very large nation's upcoming presidential election's estimated cost of $1 billion averages about $3.32 a person. While that might seem like a lot of money, Americans will probably spend more than double that amount on Christmas cards this holiday season."
-"Our Long Presidential Campaigns Make Sense", Peter Ubertaccio, Providence Journal, December 13, 2007

Kennedy Dynasty

"They are all interested in public service, but they define it differently. They are more public-spirited rather than being public servants."
-Quoted in: "Patrick Kennedy: Last of Political Dynasty" February 13,2010, by Andrea Stone, aolNews.com

Election of Senator Scott Brown

"The 2010 special election validated one of former U.S. House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill's rules of politics: People like to be asked for their vote. Scott Brown, via his organization, his pick-up truck, and old-fashioned shoe leather, asked the citizens of Massachusetts for their vote. Martha Coakley didn't until it was far too late."
-GOP Lessons from Scott Brown's Victory, January 22, 2010, By Peter Ubertaccio, Providence Journal

Historic Upset

"It's really stunning. The Democrats seriously misjudged the mood of the electorate. That they would lose Ted Kennedy's seat is just a searing indictment of the state party and the Coakley campaign. This was a winnable race for the Democrats," he said. "They had the infrastructure, the history, the votes, and everything that could go wrong went wrong."
-Quoted in ‘A Major Upset of Historic Proportions', January 20, 2010, By Vicki-Ann Downing and Erik Potter, Enterprise (Brockton)

Election of President Obama

"The symbolism of having the first person of color sworn in the day after the nation celebrates the birth of Martin Luther King is very significant. I'm not sure people who fought for civil rights in the 1960s could have imagined this happening."
-Quoted in "People Awaiting Hope and Change", January 18, 2009, By Gerry Tuoti, Taunton Daily Gazette

Coakley's Democratic Defeat

"This was a sprint. If you didn't have a statewide team at the outset, you didn't have time to get your name out there and mobilize voters to turn out at an odd time."
-Quoted in "Time was on Coakley's Side"December 09, 2009 by Jack Spillane, Standard Times (New Bedford)

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