Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 I think that’s been a big factor in Saugus. Harrington: Four years ago, almost 30 percent of Saugus voters voted early or by absentee ballot. I think that COVID-19 has been a reason for increased early voting. Q: Will Trump carry the town of Saugus again like he did four years ago? If yes, why do you think he will? Why do you think Saugus is so supportive? Why do you think the town goes against the Greater Boston and statewide trends? Malone: I think Biden will carry the town of Saugus this time. I think people will look upon Joe as more mainstream and a candidate who will do a better job at handling the pandemic. People are out of work and losing jobs. Restaurants and retail stores have been going out of business. There’s a lot of dissatisfaction among Saugus voters with the current situation. Four years ago, I didn’t think Trump could beat Hillary Clinton. I was very surprised. Voters in town supported Trump because Saugus is slightly more conservative than the surrounding area. This year I think things will be different In Saugus. It may be close. But I think Biden will win Saugus. Harrington: I think that the President will carry Saugus again. I have not spoken to anyone who is excited about Joe Biden. Saugus is a blue-collar working town and is not going to be fooled into voting for the guy who promises you the most “free stuff.” Something earned is something valued. Q: As chair of your party’s town committee, what do you see in this election that voters in your party have to look forward to? The key reasons for Saugus Democrats or Republicans to turn out and vote if they haven’t already? Please be specific and talk about candidates and reasons. my, jobs and health insurance. Harrington: We also have the opportunity to elect Kevin O’Connor to the U.S. Senate and John Paul Moran to U.S. Congress. Ed Markey has called for the disarming of police officers – although he waited until after the primary to reveal is wrong. Kevin O’Connor and John Paul Moran will represent the people of Massachusetts and the 6th Congressional district as true leaders, not special interest puppets. Q: Has this election been more divisive than others in recent memory? And if so, how and discontent – because they don’t feel he has managed the virus well. A lot of people have lost their jobs. And there are a lot of people working remotely at home because of the Coronavirus. It’s hard to work remotely, especially if you have children. SAUGUS DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE CHAIR JOE MALONE: He predicts next Tuesday night (Nov. 3) will be a huge night for Democrats throughout the country with Joe Biden winning the presidency and the Democrats winning back the U.S. Senate and maintaining control of the House. He also expects Biden will capture the Saugus vote in a close race. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) Malone: I think people like Ed Markey for the U.S. Senate. He has been around for about 44 years. I am surprised that he beat Kennedy in the primary, but I think he will be reelected. Congressman Seth Moulton will be easily reelected – overwhelmingly – and it won’t even be close. I think Democrats have a better answer on the Coronavirus, the econothis. Neither Markey nor Seth Moulton have denounced the rioting, looting and arson that have occurred, and in some cases are still occurring, in our cities. Their silence is fueling the flames of violence and destruction. Indeed, some of the Democrats have openly praised these activities. This is wrong. Chaos and anarchy SAUGUS REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE CHAIR JIM HARRINGTON: He thinks President Donald Trump will carry Saugus next Tuesday night (Nov. 3) – like he did four years ago. “I have not spoken to anyone who is excited about Joe Biden. Saugus is a blue-collar working town and is not going to be fooled into voting for the guy who promises you the most “free stuff.” (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) HE’S A HUGE SUPPORTER OF EARLY VOTING: Saugus Democratic Town Committee Chair Joe Malone says “Anything that expands the turnout is a really great thing. We want more and more people voting.” (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) so? Please elaborate. Malone: There’s a tremendous amount of polarization out there. No question about it. I think it’s because of COVID; it’s something that’s really unique. People seem to hold the president responsible. They think he could have done a better job in managing the virus. That is what I’m hearing. On the Republican side, people are supportive of President Trump. But because of the pandemic, there’s a lot of dissatisfaction overall with President Trump – a lot of dissatisfaction PEOPLE SHOULD VOTE ON ELECTION DAY: Saugus Republican Town Committee Chair Jim Harrington says he’s “not a fan of early voting because late revelations can change the minds of voters.” (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) It’s better than losing your job, but it does bring complications. And that’s got to breed dissatisfaction with the presidency as well. Harrington: I do feel that the upcoming election has been more divisive than others. I again blame the mainstream media for fanning the flames of hysteria and fear. I feel that the citizens of Saugus are sickened by the actions of the Democrats, the false accusations against Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the “witch hunt” impeachment and constant hatred spewing from Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. When President Trump banned travel from China on 31 January, he was called racist and xenophobic. Despite the World Health Organization saying on 23 January that there is no “human to human transmission outside of China” or on 27 January that “China has it contained,” Chuck Schumer called the President’s travel ban “premature” on 5 February. Nancy Pelosi encouraged people to “come and visit Chinatown and enjoy Chinatown’s New Year festivities” on 24 February. President Trump has been criticized for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet he has been hampered at every turn – even Nancy Pelosi slipping a Congressional pay raise into the first stimulus bill. I think that the voters of Saugus are going to see through the negativity and venom coming ASKS | SEE PAGE 6
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