February 12, 2013

"I’m not a politician, and there will be times when folks will ask me questions about the inner working of politics that I don’t know about."

"I’m a quick study, I’ll figure all the political jargon out, but I’m not going to adopt it.

Says Gabriel Gomez, running for the Senate seat vacated by John Kerry.
Look at my training – serving my country, U.S. Naval Academy, Navy aircraft carrier pilot, Navy SEAL, successful private sector, business career.... I’m not saying governance or being a Senator is easy, nor am I saying I don’t have some things to learn – I am saying I am up to the task.  And let’s look in the other direction – maybe Washington has something to learn – they clearly need some new ideas and sending career politicians would be the same old same old. 
We'll see how well that pitch works in Massachusetts.

52 comments:

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

"Well, I’ve spent a good part of my life working on and accomplishing a lot of things most people said were either too hard or impossible."

Sounds like he's got the totally-full-it part down, already.

Methadras said...

If he's a D, he will become enveloped into the D consciousness. Any and all of his outside-the-beltway populist trappings will be eviscerated by the D politerati.

cubanbob said...

Can't be any worse than Lurch or the fake Indian.

Seeing Red said...

He's running as an R.

X said...

the problem is that he doesn't come from the three professions that make you expert at everything: lawyer, journalist, academic.

Brian Brown said...

Isn't his list of background & accomplishments similar to what John Kerry said he was?

If it worked for Kerry, perhaps it can work for this guy.

Anonymous said...

His military service includes nine years in the Navy as an aircraft carrier pilot and Navy SEAL commander. He received a degree in systems engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from Harvard Business School

Well he doesn't have much of a chance, but I'm not easily impressed and I'm impressed.

I didn't know SEALs could read and write. Then of course, Harvards standards have been slipping, look at the other MA Senator...

30yearProf said...

It's never worked before.

Bostonians prefer to be ruled by their Betters -- the Harvard/Yale Aristocracy -- or Irish machine pols.

cryptical said...

Remember back when McCain was running and the Dems floated the notion that fighter pilots were considered stupid?

Known Unknown said...

He has a nice site. Very clean and easy to navigate.

Anonymous said...

30yearProf said...
Bostonians prefer to be ruled by their Betters -- the Harvard/Yale Aristocracy -- or Irish machine pols


Gives me an opportunity to use the Buckley quote :)

"I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University"

- WFB

Known Unknown said...

It's so shameful to see conservatives gushing over minority candidates. I must avert my eyes.

madAsHell said...

I'm not a Naval expert, but this doesn't pass the sniff test.

Naval aviator, Annapolis AND a Navy SEAL??

I can't believe there are enough hours in the day to accomplish all three. Why would the Navy allow a pilot to become a SEAL?? That just doesn't make sense.

Richard Fagin said...

We're talking about the state that chose Liz Warren over Scott Brown, not to mention the only one that chose McGovern over Nixon in 1972. Mr. Gomez doesn't have a chance as a Republican whatever his qualifications and experience. Massachusetts is a political outlier and with few exceptions the state's voters' choices of elected officials reflect that.

Even worse, for all the colleges and universities in the state and the supposed sophistication of the voters, I'd wager not one in 10 Mass. voters knows their governor's despicable intervention in the Taxman case. Bunch of ignorant Bolsheviks.

When Prof. Glen Reynolds' "higher education bubble" fully deflates, see where the Mass. economy ends up. It a case of, "What's The Matter With Kansas" in reverse.

Richard Fagin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Known Unknown said...

I can't believe there are enough hours in the day to accomplish all three. Why would the Navy allow a pilot to become a SEAL?? That just doesn't make sense.

What the bio says:

"With a growing sense of obligation and duty, and a continuing desire to excel within the Navy, Gomez pursued a transfer into the Navy SEALS, an elite unit where only 20 percent of applicants complete the arduous training. Gabriel was warned that if he failed to make the cut, he would lose his status as a Navy pilot. He succeeded as a SEAL with distinction, becoming the class leader during training and a platoon commander upon completion."

Richard Fagin said...

We're talking about the state that chose Liz Warren over Scott Brown, not to mention the only one that chose McGovern over Nixon in 1972. Mr. Gomez doesn't have a chance as a Republican whatever his qualifications and experience. Massachusetts is a political outlier and with few exceptions the state's voters' choices of elected officials reflect that.

Even worse, for all the colleges and universities in the state and the supposed sophistication of the voters, I'd wager not one in 10 Mass. voters knows their governor's despicable intervention in the Taxman case. Bunch of ignorant Bolsheviks.

When Prof. Glen Reynolds' "higher education bubble" fully deflates, see where the Mass. economy ends up. It's a case of, "What's The Matter With Kansas" in reverse.

Colonel Angus said...

Look at my training – serving my country, U.S. Naval Academy, Navy aircraft carrier pilot, Navy SEAL, successful private sector, business career....

In Massachusetts aren't those credentials the equivalent of being a war criminal?

Achilles said...

But does he care about women's problems? Will he make sure everyone else pays for their birth control? Will he continue to expand the food stamp program? Poor people are not fat enough in this country. And we must NEVER EVER EVER touch entitlements! OMG if he says anything about reforming Medicare or Social Security we should throw him in jail instead of electing him. We cannot elect someone who wont promise goodies to all of the important constituencies. And he is a Navy SEAL so he may not be inclusive enough with regard to Muslim sensibilities. We must show sensitivity to our enemies around the world, especially Iran.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

MA voters are only capable of pulling the lever for corrupt gay pols, pols who commit vehicular manslaughter, pols who marry rich, dump rich then marry uber-rich, and faux Indians.

Anonymous said...

He'll learn a voting ballot is just a coupon for free stuff.

traditionalguy said...

The old "trust me because I am not smart enough to cheat you" ploy.

It works sometimes. But I bet not in Bawston.

edutcher said...

While I understand madAsHell's skepticism, I still have to say, carrier pilot AND a SEAL?

If he checks out, he should be in the White House, 'cause that's really "sort of God".

Cedarford said...

I was a little leery of the claim to be in two Navy Elite programs that are loathe to "give up" people they have invested millions in training on - even if it is to another elite Navy program. Especially since such a request would come at mid-career and the higher officers don't like to envision throwing a few more million in training at someone halfway done, nor how it shakes out in how you see if the person can stay in on the "up or out" promotion track.

Usually, that is the mark of a fakir..that is unable to resist adding "impressive stuff" to a resume but pretty well flags them to a Vet familiar with the ways of the AF, Navy as a phony...I was an AF fighter pilot, then joined a high level cryptography group, then I went for Search and recovery, then shifted services and became a Coast Guard rescue swimmer..." Yeah, sure, buddy....

But what he said made sense. Probably said he was going to leave and the only way he'd stay in was if they let him go for SEALs. Probably not a fakir, but he is certainly an oddball case exception to the general practices.
More often than not, the Services will just say..."See yah! Enjoy civilian life".

furious_a said...

Gabriel Gomez: "...there will be times when folks will ask me questions about the inner working of politics that I don’t know about."

Chuck Hagel: “There are a lot of things that I don't know about...If confirmed, I intend to know a lot more.”

Mr. Gomez is at least as qualified to run for Senate as Mr. Hagel is to serve as SecDef.

furious_a said...

Seeing as his last name is 'Gomez', we must now channel Althouse:

We don't know what contribution he made to the scripting of those remarks....

...not to mention...

Another egregious example of GOP types who gush with embarrassing enthusiasm in the presence of a brown person who says some conservative things.

Ann Althouse said...

"We don't know what contribution he made to the scripting of those remarks...."

Well, I assume he has people working with him and he's not writing his own material single-handedly. I think he's a serious candidate and he has people backing him, and he should have a team there to help him get elected or he's not worth spending time thinking about.

AllenS said...

Who writes all of your speeches that you give in front of your law students?

The Godfather said...

God! What a bunch of defeatists are commenting on this post!

Sure, a Republican running in Massachusetts is a long shot. But Republicans HAVE been elected to statewide office there, so it's not impossible.

He sounds like an impressive guy. Let's keep our eyes and ears -- and minds --open.

And with a name like Gomez he may have some Indian ancestry, which could be a big plus.

TerriW said...

But what about the Dingell-Norwood Act, Mr. Gomez?

Curious George said...

"AllenS said...
Who writes all of your speeches that you give in front of your law students?" She does of course. She's not a darky.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Gomez sounds great. The problem is America's stupidest voters are concentrated in MA.

Larry J said...

AprilApple said...
MA voters are only capable of pulling the lever for corrupt gay pols, pols who commit vehicular manslaughter, pols who marry rich, dump rich then marry uber-rich, and faux Indians.


And anyone named Kennedy.

Lurch was the junior senator from Mass for decades until Ted Kennedy finally died. Now, the state's senior senator will be Lieawatha. I find that amusing.

furious_a said...

Donny Deutch nails it at 0:12.

lemondog said...

I’m running because I refuse to be cynical about America or about America’s future. I’m a doer and an optimist by nature, and especially about our country.

He sounds smart and tough.

Should he win, will he commit to step down after 2 terms?

MadisonMan said...

Depends who he's running against, I guess.

I mean, look at who the Democratic Party picked the last two times.

Smilin' Jack said...

...U.S. Naval Academy, Navy aircraft carrier pilot, Navy SEAL, successful private sector, business career...

So why does he want to take a giant step down to the Senate?

Mark said...

I may be totally out of my tree here, but it strikes me that being a fighter pilot is probably a lot like being a pro athlete; the expiration date on effectiveness is likely to be not much more than 30 to 32 years old. (There's a saying among pilots that there are bold pilots, old pilots, but no old bold pilots.)

Be that as it may, you can bet if this guy looks like he'd gaining traction the left wing press will resurrect Operation Dumpster Dive (perfected in Alaska, dontchaknow) and any resume padding will be flogged mercilessly. Hell, I expect that even if it doesn't exist they'll flog it mercilessly; accuracy and honesty seems to be a quaint ideal these days.

Known Unknown said...

Donny Deutch nails it at 0:12.

Unbelievable.

Wince said...

For either Gomez or Winslow to win against the Democratic nominee will require the perfect storm of: (1) a very damaging and expensive Democratic primary and (2) a truly charismatic whirlwind campaign by the Republican nominee (after avoiding their own damaging primary).

Otherwise, it's fundraising, organization building and laying the groundwork for a real race in 2014 as the presumptive Republican nominee.

I'm Full of Soup said...

He is the exact opposite of Lurch so the Taxachussetts voters will never elect him. I suspect a fat hippo librul like Lena Dunham will run and win.

Wince said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wince said...

Richard Fagin said...
When Prof. Glen Reynolds' "higher education bubble" fully deflates, see where the Mass. economy ends up. It a case of, "What's The Matter With Kansas" in reverse.

As a Mass resident, I've given that some thought. Certainly there are a number of colleges on the margin that are at risk. But Mass is such an international destination location for higher ed, with very strong application to acceptance ratios, I'm not sure if a popping of the higher ed bubble will affect Mass more significantly than, say, any other state.

Time will tell.

furious_a said...

I mean, look at who the Democratic Party picked the last two times.

...and still batting 50%, they are.

MadisonMan said...

...and still batting 50%, they are.

The Republican Party is also batting 50%. And given it's MA, that's a win, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

I'll be disappointed in the Dems don't find a Kennedy to put up there.

There are hundreds of them.

Titus said...

Do you know we have the largest percentage of Brazil people in the country, even larger than Miami. That makes for lots of uncut latin hog walking the streets.

300,000-he may have a shot.

If he has any chance in Mass he has to be a major RINO or Homo though.

Titus said...

He would do better moving to Mississippi. Mass and Mississippi are similar in that they are very solid R and D.

Although, Miss ranks last in education, fatness and poverty and Mass ranks near the top in education, thinness and wealth.

Were bitches.

Major VC, Biotech, Health Care, Education, High Tech industries where peeps make big bucks-but other than that it is a total shit state, where the housing prices are soaring and unemployment is lower than most of the states...especially in the South-God's White Fat Republican Country.

tits.

Titus said...
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mariner said...

Cedarford,

In which branch of the U.S. military did you serve?

furious_a said...

And given it's MA, that's a win, isn't it?

Well, yes, except it's 1-of-2 50%, not, say, 5-of-10.

SukieTawdry said...

John Kerry tried the patriotic veteran bit in his first run for office after he got back from 'Nam. He lost. Then he went all rogue, threw somebody's medals over a fence and accused his fellow warriors of Genghis Kahnism. Then he won. It's Massachusetts, Jake.

'Course, that was the Vietnam era; this is now.