Brown sets up tax speech, responds to Ryan pick – Dems hope to link Romney/Ryan/Brown – Nuciforo removes controversial op positions from site – Binienda back on his feet – OMG Taylor Swift, you guys

GOT A LICENSE FOR THOSE?: Sun’s out, guns out for Sen. Scott Brown, even while playing basketball indoors and talking to reporters about new VP hopeful Paul Ryan (who has been known to flash some Wisconsin steel himself.) The Democrats are certainly making an effort to make the two seem similar, but Brown himself is set to deliver a new tax policy address about his own views of the importance of low taxes. DISCHARGED: Rep. John Binienda is out of the hospital after collapsing in the State House during the hectic final day of sessions. AN EVOLUTION: In a tiff about misstated positions on his website, what congressional candidate Andrea Nuciforo called his opponents’ “desperate politics” just last week has quickly turned into Nuciforo taking "full responsibility for the oversight." KENNEDY CANOODLING: Taylor Swift isn’t afraid of sharks or Kennedys and might be buying a house across the street from Ethel in Hyannisport. #TaylorSwiftKennedyIII-2068
MITT MONITOR: Pro-Romney group spends $10M on new ad campaign Dem reps have kind words for Mitt Romney’s pick Dems try to tie Romney to Ryan plan	SENATE RACE: U.S. Sen. Scott Brown talks Mitt Romney’s VP pick Paul Ryan Massachusetts Parties Face off with Post–Paul Ryan Ads Mass. Dems use Ryan pick to target GOP Sen. Brown Scott Brown to lob one back at Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth Warren’s “better roads” platform is paved with deception Scott Brown to deliver address on tax policy
Boston voters and visitors are split on Paul Ryan as a VP choice (Photo: Robert Ray/AP)	BEST OF THE BLOGS: Ryan resets the table MassGOP Video: It’s your money, not hers Voodoo redux Keller @ Large: Democrats Portray Ryan As Liability For Romney
STATE NEWS: Dems’ double standard when it comes to ‘the law’ Last day to register for state primary vote is Friday Keating wants hearing on Logan racial profiling charges Ex-Speaker DiMasi Cites ‘Errors’ In Appeal Will Cafeteria Junk Food Bans in Massachusetts Help Fight Childhood Obesity? – BostInno In Massachusetts, Deval Patrick Targets Doctors’ Earnings – The Weekly Standard	LOCAL HEADLINES: All Seven Third Middlesex Candidates Expected at LWV Forum Fourth Congressional District forum set for Tuesday in Easton Nuciforo takes down website content after criticism Dems’website details Tisei family business deals from ’80s, ’90s Binienda out of hospital and feeling ‘great’ Pop star, Kennedys now neighbors?
AROUND NEW ENGLAND: NH – Kuster releases first television ad NH – NH gov signing oyster license bill NH – President Obama to return to NH this weekend ME – Medical marijuana changes draws crowd in Maine RI – RI dispensary could open in 6 months VT – Vt. trial nears end in same-sex custody case CT – Final Dash To The Primary Finish Line

Post by Mike Deehan

DiMasi appeal challenges judge’s instructions – Lantigua marriage mystery – District and challengers make life hard for Torrisi – Paul Ryan fallout

ACTUALLY INTERESTING RACES: The Eagle Tribune has primers on two interesting local races around the Merrimack valley: Rep. David Torrisi’s race against a young Democratic challenger in a changed district and what it’s like to campaign for the Governor’s Council, even when some candidates openly want to do away with it. SPOUSAL PRIVILEGE: Haven’t heard from Lawrence Mayor Willie Lantigua recently? That might be because he was busy getting married to his long-time “paramour” who happens to also be a key witness in his on-going grand jury investigation. MORE COURT: Sal DiMasi’s appeal documentation says the judge in his corruption trial gave faulty jury instructions and also challenges the definition of bribery for a “part-time citizen legislator” such as the Speaker of the House is commonly known.
MITT MONITOR: Party-crashing bus heading for Romney Romney seeks distance from Ryan’s budget Democrats use Mitt Romney’s vice presidential selection process in tax attacks Congressman Paul Ryan seen as Mitt Romney’s bridge across GOP spectrum Mitt Romney names Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate	SENATE RACE: Liz sets the stage for DNC Brown’s ads mostly silent on senator’s affiliation In Mass. Senate race, small donors could give edge Elizabeth Warren: ‘Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are a demolition team that will wreck our economy’
Romney, Ryan rouse crowds (Photo:Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)	BEST OF THE BLOGS: Videos of Paul Ryan… what a great pick Not even a RINO Democrat Jim Miceli gives passionate plea to vote against "Soviet Style" health payment reform Scott Brown: He’s For Us* (Some restrictions apply. Offer not available to welfare recipients.) Tisei: Paul Ryan Is, Um, You Know…. "A Serious Politician" Trouble in paradise?
STATE NEWS: Massachusetts Dems Say Ryan’s Budget Plans Will Hurt GOP – Patch.com SNAP POLL: Massachusetts Republicans Say Ryan Will Energize Campaign – Patch.com Gov. Deval Patrick says Ryan budget ‘would decimate education funding and end Medicare’ Governor’s Council gets mixed reviews Sales tax holiday weekend wraps up Mass. faces growing public pension burden	LOCAL HEADLINES: Area Republicans cheer Ryan Republican Richard Tisei: ‘I don’t agree with (Paul Ryan) on every single issue’ Lynn pit bull law may be overturned HITCHED?? Mayor says grand jury witness is now his wife New district boundaries could make tight primary for Torrisi Nangle a gracious host for Gail Huff
AROUND NEW ENGLAND: NH – VP speculation a boost for Ayotte CT – Charla Nash And Lawyers Make Case At Capitol

Post by Mike Deehan

Beware: real issues in senate race – Obama and Romney hate all the attacks that are helping them – Evergreen CEO ’s mansion could sell for more than failed factory – Tisei responds to Dem’s attack website

HOUSING MARKET: Sometimes I can’t improve on a story’s original headline. Here’s Jon Chesto’s Former Evergreen Solar CEO’s Hingham mansion could sell for more than company’s Devens factory. It had to be Hingham, didn’t it? MUDSLINGING: Obama and Romney bemoan attack ads, continue releasing attack ads. CAN’T HAVE THAT: Holy cow, real issues in the senate race! Run for your lives, you may have to think. THE SIXTH: After Democrats go to the mattresses and release a new website trashing Richard Tisei and his family, the former Senate minority leader and current congressional candidate calls the move “gutter politics.”
MITT MONITOR: Health care comment by Romney staffer ignites conservative blogs Romney says Obama, allies perpetuating lies in ads Romney, Obama bemoan attacks Romney would do well to accentuate rival’s philosophy President Obama’s campaign repeats call for more Mitt Romney tax returns, citing tax shelter used by Marriott when Romney was on board	SENATE RACE: Brown, Warren Offer Different Deficit-Reduction Approaches Welfare flap underscores differing approaches in Scott Brown-Elizabeth Warren … GOP chair demands to see Patrick, Warren e-mails in welfare vote flap Welfare chief declares Warren ties ‘ridiculous’ Who’s a better leader: Scott Brown or Elizabeth Warren?
Deval Patrick, lame duck gov? (Photo: WWLP)	BEST OF THE BLOGS: Why hasn’t Demos sued New York or other deeply blue states? The Welfare Bogeyman rises again A Tale of Two Senators: Brown and McCain Brown’s (panic) attacks
STATE NEWS: Legislature Sends Prescription Drug Monitoring Bill to Governor Massachusetts hopes sales tax holiday boosts retail sector – Reuters Massachusetts ranks No. 2 in high tech job growth Only Mass. sent out voter registrations after lawsuit	LOCAL HEADLINES: MassDems launch website targeting GOP’s Tisei Richard Tisei trashes ‘gutter politics’ Cyber war rages in 6th District race Gloves may come off at GOP Congress debate U.S. Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts to have increased role in campaigning for President Barack Obama
AROUND NEW ENGLAND: CT – GOP Files Lawsuit Over Which Party Gets Top Line On Ballot VT – Campaign finances under scrutiny NH – Bass celebrates vet funeral law NH – NH gov to Mass: It’s always sales-tax free here ME – Union to LePage: Sign beach lease deal

Post by Mike Deehan

Romney response to cancer ad: Should have moved to insured MA – Everyone agrees Voting Rights lawsuit stinks, but for different reasons – Beacon Hill GOP gets an attaboy – Neal dodges debates

THE 98 PERCENT:Though the title of “most flagrant PAC ad” will most likely change hands several times before election day, the current champion has got to be the pro-Obama “Mitt Romney made my wife die of cancer” ad. The Romney campaign’s response? If she had lived in a state with universal healthcare, she’d be alive today and would probably tell us all how ObamaCare is socialist. (OK, not that last part.) IT STINKS!: The Phoenix’s David Bernstein sniffs and sniffs and sniffs all around the stinky issue of this National Voting Rights Act lawsuit, the Patrick administration’s response of mailing voter registration information to welfare recipients and how it all fits into the senate race. Rep. Winslow wants to know where the press coverage of the initial lawsuit is. Unfortunately, MassterList had to layoff its expansive federal courthouse bureau during the ‘08 downturn and was unable to cover the suit. THE INSIDERS: Prof. Cunningham gives credit where credit is due for legislative Republicans this session. THE FIRST: Richard Neal’s Democratic opponents are calling horsefeathers on the incumbent’s acceptance of only two of six proposed debates.
MITT MONITOR: In search of veep clues at Mitt Romney’s HQ Mitt Romney campaign says President Obama opposed work requirement in 1996 welfare reform law Mitt Romney campaign protests ad by allies of President Obama that focuses on woman’s death	SENATE RACE: Elizabeth Warren’s daughter chairs group that filed welfare vote suit Elizabeth Warren: Nothing fishy about my kid’s role in EBT campaign Brown: Welfare voter enrollment effort aids Warren Elizabeth Warren takes aim at Republican-supported oil subsidies, talks of student loan debt in new TV ad Gonsalves: Thank you, Sen. Brown
Massachusetts construction unions throw support behind Elizabeth Warren’s ‘Rebuild Now’ infrastructure investment plan (Photo: Robert Rizzuto/The Republican)	BEST OF THE BLOGS: Mitt2012: there’s an app for that Deval Rigs Vote For… GOP? Mailing out voter registration cards DGOTV* Elizabeth Warren needs to sever her ties to convicted inside traders
STATE NEWS: Governor’s Council hopefuls square off Patrick announces "Innovation" school funding Members of Massachusetts Gaming Commission leave Springfield with … – MassLive.com	LOCAL HEADLINES: Rep. Richard Neal’s refusal to participate in 4 of 6 proposed debates draws ire of challengers Sun exclusive New state law could maul Lowell’s pit-bull ordinance
AROUND NEW ENGLAND: RI – RI commission to look at voting changes ME – Lobster dispute nears boiling point CT – Back From Prison, Ernie Newton Is Running For His Former Senate Seat NH – Lynch nominates municipal lawyer as consumer advocate

Post by Mike Deehan

Warren backs off on Brown tax demands – Voter reg. activist-backed suit leads to registration letter to welfare recipients – Gaming Commission accepting casino applications

ALL THE HIP CANDIDATES ARE DOING IT: Release more of your tax returns, Scott Brown! Oh, he’s already released 40 percent more tax returns than his Democratic opponent? I’m sorry, I thought demanding tax returns was just something you do this election cycle. SNAIL MAIL: In response to a lawsuit saying Massachusetts wasn’t complying with the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, the Commonwealth mailed registration information to welfare recipients. Did I mention that the lawsuit was brought by former ACORN leaders and that it’s an election year? IT BEGINS: The Gaming Commission is now accepting applications for casino projects.
MITT MONITOR: Romney: End dependency culture Mitt Romney’s criticism of Obama’s emphasis on green jobs carries risks Media perpetuate Romney gaffe myth	SENATE RACE: Campaign: Warren misspoke on tax return demand Sen. Scott Brown highlights military service in new radio ad
With videos, a petition and a game, Sen. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren engaged in digital battle for votes (Associated Press file photos)	BEST OF THE BLOGS: Weekly Scott Brown-d Up, Week of 8/3/12 Amateur hour continues at the Warren Campaign Governor Vetoes Improvements to Estimated Tax Payments Why would Boston want to host the Olympics? The Cheesecake Factory solution for health care? Mitt Romney raises $101.3 million in July, beating President Obama for third straight month Elephant in the room Warren’s daughter funds plan to force state to mail welfare recipients voter registration forms MassGOP in good shape to help legislative candidates
STATE NEWS: Patrick signs jobs bill, vetoes tax credits Massachusetts sales tax holiday approved by Gov. Deval Patrick Welfare voter push has GOP crying foul Group fueling registration doesn’t fall far from ACORN Speaker DeLeo’s conflicting comments Mihos In Court For Alleged Assault On Wife Gambling board ready for applicants – Boston.com Coakley asks agency to impose nearly $10M in fines against NStar Patrick signs Massachusetts storm response bill into law – The Salem News Gov. Deval Patrick signs ‘Right to Repair’ compromise into law Law gives new rights to temp. workers Kerry, Brown appeal anew for disaster aid for fisheries	LOCAL HEADLINES: Tierney, Tisei look forward to fall debates Tisei Speaks Out About Attacks on Family Legal Past Congressional candidate Richard Tisei releases first television … Gov. Patrick appoints Lawrence attorney Calter Calls Legislative Session Successful Nuciforo and Shein fault Neal Molly’s Bill sent to task force State law trumps Worcester pit bull regs
AROUND NEW ENGLAND: VT – Vt. to celebrate recovery on Irene anniversary CT – Capitol Aide, Who Gave Info To Donovan Campaign, Takes Heavy Comp-Time And Vacation CT – Donovan Battles Esty Surge, Roberti Cash RI – Deadline to register for RI primary looms

Post by Mike Deehan

Fate of the Senate could be determined by big-spending Brown/Warren race – Big L Libertarian jumps in against Tierney and Tisei – Conservative radio shakeup

OFF TO THE RACES: In case you haven’t been paying any attention at all (and who would blame you?) ABC News delivers a nice little primer for the Brown vs. Warren race with an emphasis on something we tend to forget around here: the results could determine the majority of the U.S. Senate next session. (Bonus points to ABC’s Elizabeth Hartfield if she meant that headline to be an allusion to Clue.) TOTALLY DIFFERENT: I was hoping for a 24-hour buffet of Geddy, Neil and Alex’s prog rock hits. This will not do at all. THIRD RAIL: A Libertarian gets in the race for John Tierney’s seat, possibly hurting Republican challenger Richard Tisei’s chances. TANGENTIAL: “When you bring a Jon Hamm into a situation, things just happen.” Do you ever get the feeling Hamm just wants to be a part of the comedy boys club? (Hey, it’s August and Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis have a movie about politics, so this is totally relevant.)
MITT MONITOR: 2012 Election: Romney beats Obama in fundraising for third month Omission may be an admission for Kelly Ayotte – BostonHerald.com In the cart? Maybe a hint about Romney’s pick – Boston.com	SENATE RACE: Massachusetts Senate Race Pits the Colonel vs. the Professor
Patrick signs health care cost measure Bill builds on law passed when GOP … (Photo: Dina Rudick/Boston Globe)	BEST OF THE BLOGS: Creating Economic Opportunities for All Massachusetts Residents Rush is back High Profile Massachusetts Dems Disparage Warren Campaign MA has two Lizzy problems MA getting it done AGAIN Jones-Patrick Health Cost Control Law leads to downgrade of hospitals debt ranking
STATE NEWS: Gov. Patrick signs temporary worker bill Patrick signs health care cost measure Bill builds on law passed when GOP … State nursing shortage worsened in 2011, reports says – Boston.com Boston fed chief: Stimulate U.S. – BostonHerald.com Whitey Bulger defense: Lies, lies & lies! – BostonHerald.com	LOCAL HEADLINES: Taunton mom played key role in getting children’s hearing aid bill signed by … Experts: Libertarian’s run likely a boon for Tierney In Westfield, Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren says downtown construction … National Grid denies storm-response errors
AROUND NEW ENGLAND: ME – Maine labor board rejects union’s complaint CT – Obama Comes To Connecticut For Two Big-Ticket Fundraisers NH – Romney shopping trip exposed

Post by Mike Deehan

Whitey wants to testify – Mitt outraises Obama again – Second-guessing VP pick before it happens – Warren in W. Mass. – Puppy photos!

BREAKING: Whitey Bulger wants to testify at his own trial.

MITT’S MILLIONS: Mitt Romney has out-fund raised President Obama for the last three months, raking in $101.3 million in July alone.

BLATHER: WRKO is planning some kind of earth-shattering announcement about which indistinguishable screamer gets to scream in which timeslot. Rumors abound!

TWO WORDS- BEAU BIDEN: Romney pre-VP-pick hysteria will probably be the most interesting thing about whoever he ends up picking. Kimberly Atkins recommends that Mitt go with someone to shake things up.

PUPPIES!: You look like you could use some adorable doggy-bath photos to cheer you up.

SENATE: Elizabeth Warren is touring Western Mass. and the Republican is on it. And on the trail full time for her opponent is Mrs. Scott Brown herself, Gail Huff.

TALK OF THE TOWN: If you like drinking and arguing about film tax credits or whatever, you should stop by MassINC’s little soiree.