The first U.S. Senate debate between Gabriel Gomez and Ed Markey was largely lacking in zingers and, well, in unscripted passion.

Republican Gabriel Gomez is waging a steep uphill battle against veteran Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey. However, many voters consider Gomez’s newcomer status a “a breath of fresh air” in a polluted political climate.

Turnout in Tuesday’s special senate primary will probably be low — almost no one is used to voting in April. But by rights this election should be a door-buster.

Don’t count him out, though. Lynch has made a habit of beating the odds — especially when it comes to special elections.

The pledge is an obvious tactic by the Democratic machine to put the Republican campaigns back on their heels early in the abbreviated campaign.

John Kerry is seen as the likely pick to take over for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But what about us? What about the deal he made with his election weary constituents?

From “any excuse to get out” to voting against “euthanasia” — Margot Livesey discovers that even among a like-minded bloc of elderly women, what drives people to the polls is almost always different and almost certainly surprising.

If the Republican Party wants a future — particularly in Mass. — it needs to repair the rift it’s caused with youth voters, women and people of color.

Scott Brown has a moderate voting record and deserves more time to cement his position as a centrist voice on our increasingly partisan national stage.

Elizabeth Warren has all three of the vital qualities we need in a U.S. senator: conviction, foresight and tenacity.

The era of hyper-partisanship in this country will only diminish when (and if) the ragers on the right start to become more self-critical, and the mopers on the left more outwardly courageous.

In the absence of questions her Native American ancestry, Elizabeth Warren and incumbent Sen. Scott Brown have a fair and orderly discussion of real issues.

If Elizabeth Warren is guilty of exploiting her ethnicity for personal gain, Steve Almond says he is too.

As election season enters its post-convention phase, the underlying reasons for Elizabeth Warren’s inertia have begun to emerge. John Sivolella says the bad news for Warren is that they’re not easy to correct.

Sen. Scott Brown calls foul after voter registration forms are mailed to thousands of welfare recipients. Commentator Eileen McNamara calls it a “manufactured controversy.”

The first U.S. Senate debate between Gabriel Gomez and Ed Markey was largely lacking in zingers and, well, in unscripted passion.

The pledge is an obvious tactic by the Democratic machine to put the Republican campaigns back on their heels early in the abbreviated campaign.

Don’t count him out, though. Lynch has made a habit of beating the odds — especially when it comes to special elections.

Turnout in Tuesday’s special senate primary will probably be low — almost no one is used to voting in April. But by rights this election should be a door-buster.

Republican Gabriel Gomez is waging a steep uphill battle against veteran Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey. However, many voters consider Gomez’s newcomer status a “a breath of fresh air” in a polluted political climate.

Elizabeth Warren has all three of the vital qualities we need in a U.S. senator: conviction, foresight and tenacity.

If the Republican Party wants a future — particularly in Mass. — it needs to repair the rift it’s caused with youth voters, women and people of color.

If Elizabeth Warren is guilty of exploiting her ethnicity for personal gain, Steve Almond says he is too.

John Kerry is seen as the likely pick to take over for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But what about us? What about the deal he made with his election weary constituents?

The era of hyper-partisanship in this country will only diminish when (and if) the ragers on the right start to become more self-critical, and the mopers on the left more outwardly courageous.

Scott Brown has a moderate voting record and deserves more time to cement his position as a centrist voice on our increasingly partisan national stage.

As election season enters its post-convention phase, the underlying reasons for Elizabeth Warren’s inertia have begun to emerge. John Sivolella says the bad news for Warren is that they’re not easy to correct.

From “any excuse to get out” to voting against “euthanasia” — Margot Livesey discovers that even among a like-minded bloc of elderly women, what drives people to the polls is almost always different and almost certainly surprising.

In the absence of questions her Native American ancestry, Elizabeth Warren and incumbent Sen. Scott Brown have a fair and orderly discussion of real issues.

Sen. Scott Brown calls foul after voter registration forms are mailed to thousands of welfare recipients. Commentator Eileen McNamara calls it a “manufactured controversy.”

If the Republican Party wants a future — particularly in Mass. — it needs to repair the rift it’s caused with youth voters, women and people of color.

If Elizabeth Warren is guilty of exploiting her ethnicity for personal gain, Steve Almond says he is too.

As election season enters its post-convention phase, the underlying reasons for Elizabeth Warren’s inertia have begun to emerge. John Sivolella says the bad news for Warren is that they’re not easy to correct.