Martha Coakley Buisness Card

Harwich High School Government Classes Voter Exit Polling Data

Press Release: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 7:00 PM

Harwich High School Exit Poll Predicts Coakley, Brown as Winners

Based on an exit poll of 309 voters conducted by Harwich High School Government students at the Harwich Community Center between 9 AM and 1 PM, we predict that Martha Coakley and Scott Brown will win their respective primary elections.  In the Democratic primary, Coakley obtained 47% support in the poll, Capuano 22%, Khazei 21%, and Pagliuca 9%.  In the Republican primary, Brown received 93% and Robinson 7%.

The poll indicates some reasons for Coakley’s success.  Most prominently, the poll show that Coakley supporters felt more strongly about their candidate than did those of other candidates, Capuano in particular.  Among Coakley voters, 73% reported that they strongly favored their candidate (24% liked her with reservations, 3% did not feel strongly) compared to 43% for Capuano (47% liked, 10% did not feel strongly).  This enthusiasm is an advantage in a low turnout election.

When asked about candidate qualities, experience was most often cited as important – by 33% of Democratic voters, and these voters nearly split between Coakley and Capuano, suggesting that his argument about his experience in Congress has some traction, but among those that reported that trust (22% of voters) and values (20%) were most important, Coakley held a large edge. 

In responding to which issues were most important, voters most often cited health care (49 %), followed by the economy (39%), war (27%), and character (22%).  The war was the least favorable issue for Coakley, possibly because of her lack of foreign policy experience.  Still she received a plurality of those citing all of these issues.

In our survey, gender did not seem to be a large factor – women were only slightly more likely to support Coakley than men, and women did not show the traditional gender gap in being more supportive of democratic candidates.  We also had many more women represented in our survey.  This may be due to the non-competitive Republican race that motivated more Democratic leaners, and possibly more women, to vote. 

By age, older voters (60+) represented nearly 60% of our survey.  This may be due to more consistent voting habits by older voters especially in a low turnout special primary, and our polling during work hours.  Coakley was most preferred by older Democratic voters (44%) though she was even stronger among middle aged (40-59) voters, with 54% support. 

Khazei did unexpectedly well in our poll, with 21% and nearly tied with Capuano for second.  This may have been to the enthusiasm of his supporters (67% strongly supported), and his popularity among registered Democrats (24%) and among those who cited character as an important issue (24%).

Of course, a small poll like this taken at only one polling place cannot be expected to accurately predict the outcome of a statewide race.  But our poll shows some clear trends that may carry across the state.  It also indicates some reasons behind voters’ decisions that can help illuminate the final results.  Most importantly, it gave our students a chance to see democracy in action and to interview voters and see what made them choose different candidates.  We are grateful to Town Clerk Anita Doucette and the Harwich community for supporting this ongoing program. 

For complete results, and results of past exit polls and surveys, visit – http://www.harwich.edu/depts/history/dickson/gov.html

For more information, you can contact Government teacher John Dickson at 508-274-7367 or at jdickson@harwich.edu

A Message from Martha Coakley

A Message from Martha Coakley

The polls have closed, the voters have spoken, and I am so delighted to tell you that tonight, with great honor and humility, I will accept the Democratic Party nomination to the United States Senate.
I am so grateful for your support in this campaign. With focus, grit, hard work, optimism, enthusiasm, commitment, and a sense of humor, you made tonight possible.

Last week at a 1208 Countdown stop in South Hadley, I spoke with a young man in a wheelchair. He asked me why many buildings in Massachusetts didn’t have full access for those with disabilities. My response was, frankly, we haven’t done as well as we should. I told him that it was just one of the reasons I admired Senator Ted Kennedy: because he worked tirelessly to make life as fair as possible for everyone. That young man gave me a mug with some text from Lewis Carroll’s "Through the Looking Glass":

"There is no use trying," said Alice, "one can't believe impossible things."
"I dare say you haven’t had much practice," said the Queen.  "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

From the bottom of my heart, I want to offer a sincere thank you to you, your families, and all those across this great Commonwealth, from the Berkshires to Boston, from Peabody to Provincetown, who worked so hard for these past months to make this victory possible!

You helped me convince the voters to send a different kind of leader to Washington, one who can see all the possibilities and who will get to work on those problems that have seemed impossible to change.
I also want to thank each of my fellow candidates – Mike, Steve and Alan – for running a vigorous, civil, and positive campaign. I look forward to working with all of them not just towards victory on January 19th - but after that to working together to show this Commonwealth that the solutions we seek are within reach.

I entered this race because I believe that Massachusetts needs a Senator who will work to restore a healthy economy, to reform our health care system, to protect our environment and seek energy solutions, to make our communities and our nation safer, and to protect and defend our civil rights. If we roll up our sleeves and work together, all of these are quite simply, possible.
And I know that with YOUR help and support we can defy the impossible and we will be successful in moving this Commonwealth and this country into a brighter future.
Thank you again.

Tonight, we celebrate, and then let’s get ready for a victory on January 19th!
With personal gratitude,

Martha Coakley

Together - Yes We Did It Cape Cod!

Here is a Martha Coakley Signs and Peace Sign Martha does not support sending additional troops to Afghanistan!

Thanks to Martha Coakley supporter Debra Mc Cullough, a Cape Cod Hospital RN from the ER in the Town of Truro! 

Here is Ed Mc Manus who along with the shadowed photographer John Bangert manned the Harwich Pools from Sun up, to Sun Set in Harwich with plenty of signs.

Morning at the Harwich Community Center Polls, Right to left State Representative Sarah K. Peake, Harwich Democrats John Bangert, Ed Mc Manus, and Mark ?

Here is Cape Codders for Martha Coakley, getting the results and reporting them back to Coakley headquarters with Victory at 47% of the vote. In Harwich Martha received 835 votes. 

 Here is our campaigning staff in Brewster. Paul Hush, Ross & Ben Berry, Joe Bangert, and Frank?

Coffee Break On Primary Election Day in Harwich December 8th 2009

(Left to Right) State Representative Sarah K Peake,  Harwich Democrats and Campaign Supporters  John Bangert, Harwich Chairman of Selectman Ed Mc Manus , standing and holding signs for Martha Coakley at Harwich Community Center December 8th, 2009

Election Day Tuesday, December 8th- V O T E !

On Election Day- vote for a new leadership, not someone trying to fill the shoes of past history, but rather someone with a standpoint looking ahead towards the future. I believe that person, who I will be voting for is Martha Coakley. Please Join Us.

Our "real grassroots" organization is waiting, willing and able to embrace you - no matter who you have been supporting or campaigning for. We will win together. We welcome you today or tomorrow. We value you and your vote.

John Bangert
Field Organizer for Cape Codders for Martha Coakley.
CapeCodDemocrat@gmail.com

Martha Comes Back to Cape Cod for Primary Election Eve Visit.

Martha Coakley's campaign started out by a handful of supporters gathering signatures for her nomination papers in the front of Harwich's Stop & Shop Supermarket.

Campaign Kick-off Co-Sponsored with an "Open House" at Chairman of the Town of Harwich Selectman's house, Edward Mc Manus and our beloved State Representative Sarah K. Peake.  

Over 140 folks attended. Next Tuesday, We need to GOTV and get to the polls in all Cape Cod towns to get Martha on the Democratic ticket. Then with continuing your support we will come from our "Open House" to and "Open and Transparent Senate" . 

Seen here is Abigail Hynes-Houston a senior from Harwich High School and now first time registered voter vowing to cast her first vote for Martha Coakley for her choice for US Senate!

Martha Coakley Will Be in Hyannis, on Saturday Dec. 5th 1-2pm

Hello fellow Martha supporters:

We have only one week left- we need your help.  It is vitally important that you sign up for volunteer shifts during GOTV and for one on election day. 

Martha Coakley has planned a stop in Hyannis- please come out and hear her speak to her supporters.

Martha Coakley Cape Cod Rally
Saturday, December 5^th from 1230-2pm
Hyannis VFW; 455 Iyannough Rd
RSVP: kyli@votecoakley.com

There is a change from the last schedule- we are not canvassing the area anymore, we are instead going to be phone banking from SEIU before and after the event.  We feel that we can reach a lot of extra people by calling instead of canvassing.  And with 90% of the people not knowing when the election day is, the more supporters we reach the better off we will be.  

Also- please volunteer for a shift on election day at the polls.  Also anyone who had signed up already- can you confirm what times you are available.

Here is the updated GOTV phone banking schedule:

Law office of Jeff Oppenheim Falmouth:  156 Locust Rd
 Wednesday  6-9pm
Thursday 6-9pm
Monday 6-9pm

MNA Sandwich: 60 Rt 6a
Thursday 10am-8pm
Saturday 3-8pm
Sunday 4-8pm
Monday 10am-9pm
Tuesday 10am-8pm

SEIU Hyannis: 29 Basset Lane
Thursday 10am-9pm
Friday 10am-9pm
Saturday 10am-noon and after the event from 3pm-8pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
Monday 10am-9pm
Tuesday 10am-8pm

Wynn and Wynn, Hyannis: 300 Barnstable Rd
Wednesday 630-830pm
Thursday 630-830pm
Sunday 6-830pm
Monday 630-830pm

Thank you for your support of the campaign and hopefully I will see you all on Saturday.
Kyli

Coakley will continue to be our advocate in Washington

Coakley will continue to be our advocate in Washington

December 02, 2009 2:00 AM

 

I'm supporting Martha Coakley for the U.S. Senate because she cares about things that are important to me.

As attorney general, Martha has recovered money from Wall Street for taxpayers and consumers and worked to restrict major subprime lenders from foreclosing on unfair loans. In Washington, she'll fight for stricter oversight of the financial industry to prevent another economic collapse.

President Obama recently recognized Martha at the White House for her work against consumer fraud. She has worked to protect seniors from predatory lending and telephone fraud scams and brought enforcement actions against drug companies that artificially drive up costs. In Washington, she'll fight for stronger consumer protections, like the new Federal Consumer Protection Agency.

Martha has been an advocate for children and families for over 25 years. She has protected our children's health by reaching a landmark settlement with manufacturers of toys containing dangerous amounts of lead, securing funds to be used to prevent future cases of lead poisoning. In Washington, Martha will work to help law enforcement effectively protect children and to hold manufacturers of dangerous products accountable.

I'll be voting for Martha Dec. 8, hoping to make history by electing the best candidate and Massachusetts' first woman senator!

Susan Rohrbach

Centerville

Honor Kennedy's legacy by voting for Coakley

Honor Kennedy's legacy by voting for Coakley

December 02, 2009 2:00 AM

I have watched and admired the career of Martha Coakley for over 20 years and was delighted when she was the first to throw her hat into the ring.

As our attorney general she has taken on large corporations like the utilities, Wall Street firms, and health care insurers and providers. She has won millions of dollars for the taxpayers of Massachusetts by prosecuting companies involved with abusive nursing homes, predatory lending scams and health insurance fraud. She saved customers $100 million in unfair rate increases from utility companies and has recovered $135 million from Wall Street finance firms. All these issues are of concern to Cape Cod families and elders.

Coakley has always had the courage to take action and make business, and even our own government, "play by the rules." She can be relied upon to defend the underdog and to speak for the people.

I believe her long record shows she is the candidate who can carry on the social justice mission of the most effective senator in the history of the U.S. — our own Ted Kennedy. I urge voters to honor Kennedy's legacy by choosing her in the primary election on Dec. 8.

Nancy Douttiel

South Yarmouth