BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 12, 2016) — What does THE PLANET need to say about last week’s zombie primary? The election never came to life. “Undead” would be a more apt description.

There were no winners. Two candidates outpolled the others, but no one wins when 80% don’t vote. This particularly has to eat away at Mike Bloomberg, who lost against an entrenched incumbent by 382 votes out about 5,000 cast. Adam Hinds win over Andrea Harrington in the senate race was more convincing — almost 2,500 votes out about 15,000+. Even all Rinaldo Del Gallo’s tallies (1,065) wouldn’t have helped Harrington. The only ones who could have done that were those who did not vote.

Consequently, “nobody” was the only winner — if we are to claim a belief in “democracy.”

The Next Phase: November

This sets up the general election in November. There will be many more voters, principally because of the presidential race. There will also be two “money” questions on the ballot to get people to the polls, including asking voters to voluntarily raise their taxes (1 to 3% hike), otherwise known as the deceptively named “Community Preservation Act” (CPA). The only thing the CPA will preserve are slush funds for the special interests.

CHRIS CONNELL (Photo: iBerkshires)

In November, Pittsfield will choose a new house representative from incumbent Democrat Tricia Farley-Bouvier and independent Chris Connell. For the senate race, Hinds faces Republican Christine Canning.

The early line has TFB and Hinds in walk-away wins. The wise guys reason TFB will get most of Bloomberg’s votes, since the lad endorsed her (and kissed the party Bosses’ rings). This greatly enhances the far-lesser candidate’s return to the house.

Bloomberg’s strategy is as obvious as the innards of The Visible Man. He’s cozying up to his political future by endorsing TFB. Will that be a state office once TFB bails out for future glory (see Peter Larkin, Chris Speranzo, and others)? Will it be for a Pittsfield city council seat next year? A mayoral run two years after? It’s sad to see one so young and promising sell out so soon for the short-end money.

With Bloomberg’s announcement, Connell’s road to victory becomes tougher. How does he find the votes? One answer is offer a stark alternative to TFB’s tired uber-“progressivism.” Connell must attack her vulnerabilities (many) and energize voters. TFB is an incredibly dull campaigner who lacks imagination, spontaneity, and offers utterly predictable positions. Connell brings name recognition and, he says, enough funding for a serious bid.

Canning Needs More ‘Professionalism’

In the senate race, Canning’s battle makes Connell’s task look simple. Hinds comes well-funded with huge organizational support. He patiently worked his way well into the Democrat establishment and has emerged as its new Golden Boy. Moreover, as the primary went along, he found a rhythm — no thanks to his “Committee.”

CHRIS CANNING (Photo: Jim Therrien, The Berkshire Eagle)

That may be Canning’s slim chance, to use “The Committee to Elect Adam Hinds” against themselves. They shot their own candidate with respect to THE PLANET, keeping him away from us until we forced a one-on-one with their guy, who handled himself well. The Committee tends to over-script their man, who’s best when he chucks “the script.” Canning must pray The Committee convinces Hinds put on the straightjacket again.

Canning’s other problem is her political naivete’. If it continues, her campaign will be over before it begins. For example, on election night, Canning set up a photo-op to congratulate Hinds, who, while enjoying a sweet victory, forgot about her. To complicate matters, Canning’s daughter had been rushed to the emergency room. On Facebook, Canning ripped Hinds’, but it was her  mistake to go there in the first place. It looked weak, like she “needed” him to legitimize her.  She compounded the mistake by waiting, cooling her Keds for a conciliatory gesture that did more harm than good.

The second example comes from her assumption she will not need much money to defeat Hinds. She boasted the primary “cost me 1/25 of what he paid for the same campaign. What cost him $55,000 for this basic primary … cost me doing it myself — without building this fake Empire — less than $2950.”

True, but Hinds faced a legitimate challenger. Canning faced no one. She would have advanced to November with one vote on the Republican ballot and spending $1.27. Her “without the money” statement seems to be admitting she’s not going to raise the dough to compete.

If so, she has Zero chance.

Message to Canning: You’re going to need cash and lots of it.

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“Time flies like a thief. Fruit flies like a banana.” — Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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