New In The Phoenix -- The Emboldened MassGOP

Published Jan 27 2010, 02:07 PM by David S. Bernstein

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- in print tomorrow, online now -- I look at the emboldened Massachsetts Republican Party in the wake of Scott Brown's stunning Senate victory.

In the heady aftermath of victory, state Republicans are suddenly optimistic that 2010 might be another 1990. That optimism is helping push potentially strong candidates toward running, which in turn increases the chances of gains in November. (Just since I put this story to bed, state rep. Jeff Perry has announced that he'll make a decision next week about running for Congress against Bill Delahunt -- and it sure sounds like it's a yes.)

However, beating incumbents and strong Democrats in November is a far cry from winning a wild special election in January -- and some, even within the party, are worried that in the end this will be more like 2004, when a strong crop of candidates came a-cropper.

Check it out here:

Elephant In The Room:

Massachusetts Republicans suddenly think this is their year — but if they shoot too high, they might fall hard

You might also want to check out this week's editorial, in advance of tonight's State of the Union, suggesting that trying times for Obama are tough times for the nation (or vice-versa):