Jeff Jacoby’s sobering optimism shines forth in his recent Op-Ed about Republican opportunities in deep-blue liberal Massachusetts. Following the 2013 special election primaries to replace John Kerry, long-time politician Edward Markey of Malden will face Republican Gabriel Gomez, who has the chance to give every voter in Massachusetts a reason to vote Republican once again.
Learning English in kindergarten, he rose from obscure immigrant to Navy Seal to private equity investor. He has served his country and his constituencies with honor and dignity. Pro-life yet pro-immigration reform, Gomez brings a balanced view of "right" thinking with “live and let live” Republican values.
Congressman Markey defines “career politician”. Living in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Markey rarely visits his home district. Many have rightly labeled him “the reason for term limits”. While Markey represents the Democrat Party’s statist status quo liberalism, Republicans can rebrand their party not just as “not the Democrats” or “Democrat-lite centrists”, but as diverse, different, and diffident leaders who respond to the needs of all voters, regardless of race, class, or creed, and seek to make government respect the rights and preserve the home and security of all Americans.
Gomez can tap these traits and reclaim Massachusetts for Republicans.