Massachusetts Democratic pols launched a Facebook frenzy on everything from campaigning for their jobs to the war with Iran to a legislative audit, a deliberate communications strategy to avoid tough questions by spinning their stories on social media.
Just in the last day, Attorney General Andrea Campbell – facing scrutiny for her decision to take a pass on representing Auditor Diana DiZoglio in court – posted a Facebook video explaining why she hasn’t weighed in yet on the dispute between DiZoglio and lawmakers.
It’s just the latest in a series of self-serving posts by far-left Democratic elected officials on FB and Instagram to get their messages out without any pesky questions from the media or voters.
Candidates used to turn to YouTube and Facebook for major announcements like launching their campaigns, but now they turn to social media for every little pronouncement they make, no matter how inconsequential or minor. Instead of scouring for campaign dollars, they’re scouring for likes.
“Hey everyone, let’s talk about the audit of the Legislature,” Campbell says into the camera as subtitles spew across the screen. “I”m not blocking the audit of the Legislature. In fact, I voted for it.”
“To be clear, my job is not to resolve this legal dispute. That’s the job of the court.” she adds.
As for DiZoglio’s request to have Campbell represent her, the AG says.
“That request is still pending. I have not denied it. There actually still is a pathway forward.”
That might come as news to DiZoglio, who has roasted Campbell for not taking her side and siding with the Legislature instead.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, the political queen of social media, released a video this week of a speech she made marking a year anniversary of her testifying before Congress on the city’s sanctuary city policies.
“Last year March 5, I was in Washington, D.C.” Wu says. “Congress had dragged several mayors down to ask them some tough questions, hoping to embarrass cities that were standing up for everyone in our community and particularly for those who come from an immigrant background.”
Also this week, U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton and Ayanna Pressley, trying to create some drama for their followers, posted videos as they were about to vote in Washington on a War Powers resolution.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the grieving families of the service members killed. I rise on behalf of little girls in Iran killed by bombs raining down on their schools,” Pressley says on the House floor. “Constituents in my district are horrified to see the United States and Israel launch a war with Iran that has already spread to a dozen more countries.”
Pressley then launches into a blistering tirade against President Donald Trump, who she refuses to call president..
“Trump has no plan of how many lives will be sacrificed before it is enough,” she says. “We will not tolerate his callous disregard for human life. End this war now.”
Moulton speaks into the camera as he’s getting out of his car and on his way to the Capitol to vote.
“I”m about to go in to vote yes on the War Powers Resolution,” he says. “Now, let me be clear what that means. Voting yes on war powers means no war with Iran.”
Pressley and Warren in the end failed to muster enough votes to stop the military strikes against Iran, but their marketing ploy to address their constituents at home worked. And without any interruptions or questions from voters.
Even 79-year-old Sen. Ed Markey, who came to Congress when there was no such thing as the Internet, and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, usually relegated to chairing Governor’s Councilor meetings, posted videos to reach their constituents unfiltered.
“Hey everyone, Lt. Gov. KIm Driscoll here, we’ve had four busy caucuses this weekend, finishing up here in Cambridge,” Driscoll says, talking about her re-election campaign with Gov. Maura Healey.
“Great opportunity to see all the energy and enthusiasm in the room.”
Driscoll then goes into a campaign spiel, which no one would pay attention to except for her most devoted followers.
By the way, Driscoll had just 168 likes for her Facebook reel, while Wu had more than 1,600 likes.
