When I looked out my window this morning at 5:30 am and saw how cold and frozen everything was, not to mention the four plus feet of snow on the ground, I wondered for a moment if I should just head back to bed. I shook that idea off and instead carried through with my plan of attending the Massachusetts Republican Party Grass Roots Conference in Milford on this cold Saturday in early February. Although I did have a fleeting thought that I and the other five Republicans from my town who were attending would be the only ones there, I ignored it and hoped for the best. I had no need to worry.
It has been just over a year since the election of Scott Brown sent shock waves through the Massachusett's political landscape and it is clear the aftereffects are still being felt. When the Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Jennifer Nassour, opened the conference at just after 9:00 am there were well over 400 enthusiastic Massachusetts Registered Republicans already in attendance. Just a couple of years ago that type of turnout would have been unheard of. Not today. It was not just the numbers of people there, it was the energy they brought with them that made this conference such a huge success. From the first moments when Peter Durant (who won the 6th Worcester representative race by 4 votes, even after three recounts, only to see a Duval Patrick appointed judge declare the race a tie) led the throng in a strong recital of the Pledge of Allegiance until the last speaker left the podium at 5:00 pm the crowd was buzzing. During breaks groups of people could be heard debating the issues of the day. In the training blocks the questions raised were inciteful and thought provoking. Those on hand to answer those questions, many of whom are, or have been, successful as Republican candidates in Massachusetts at all levels, were articulate and well informed. There is no doubt the information, suggestions, and strategies shared will lead to more and more successful Republican camapigns across the state at all levels.
To those people of all political persuasions who believe the Scoltt Brown election was a fluke, or a one time convergence of several different situations that can never be repeated I say this. "You are wrong."
As this conference demonstrated today, the Republican party in Massachusetts has been reborn and re-energized. Infused with a new type of activist who is not afraid to declare themselves as Republican and not afraid to try and win races at any level or in any location, the party is alive and ready to fight the Democrat Machine in Massachusetts in every way in the upcoming election cycles. It was not too long ago many of us thought turning this blue state into a red one was more of a dream than a realistic goal. Not anymore. With hard work, perserverance, and continued energy, we will overcome the machine and shock the world again! After today I am sure of it!
