Yeah we could have posted yesterday, but meh…

PLEASE NOTE: Tomorrow, Wednesday October 16 is the last day to register for all municipal elections scheduled for November 5, including the special senate election to replace Mike Knapik.  Register in person by closing time or make sure your form is postmarked by October 16.

…And the World:

We begin today in Great Britain, where after the Fall party conferences, Labour is emerging with a bit of a bump, maintaining a slight edge in polling over the ruling Conservative Party.  The results come as the party’s policy analyst admits that Labour made mistakes in the past, which brought its downfall in 2010.

In Israel, the Knesset opens for its winter session, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested an optimistic note about peace talks as he said some of  Israel’s Arab neighbors were actually recognizing the nation’s was not, by its mere existence, a threat.  In contrast to past remarks, he also seemed hopeful about US efforts and tactics re Syria and Iran.

The New York Times has a fascinating interview with the Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta.

The United States and Afghanistan have reached the outline of a deal that will allow troops to remain beyond next year in training, but not combat mission.  But the Taliban is warning the Afghan government not to go ahead with it.

The Feds:

Reporting yesterday had the outline of a deal to reopen the government and avert catastrophe when the US government hit’s the debt ceiling.  The relevant deadlines would be pushed off until early next year and Republicans would get a delay in an obscure tax in the Affordable Care Act.  The fight would move to sequestration.  As always, the wild card is the House of Representatives, which is apparently pushing for cutting the medical device tax and limiting the US Treasury Department from using extraordinary measures to maximize the debt ceiling.

The New York Times notes that between the shutdown and other problems, once again, Republicans’ desire to retake the US Senate are fading fast.

Back in the summer workers at the Bay Area Rapid Transit agency went on strike.  That strike ended after a few days, but no agreement was reached.  Tomorrow another deadline looms and workers could walk off the job again.

As the special New Jersey Senate election comes to a conclusion on Wednesday (of all days), Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the Democrat draws a line from shutdown politics in Washington to politicians like his opponent Republican Steve Lonegan.  For his part, Lonegan urges the GOP to hold the line against compromise.

The State of Things:

Democrats in the special election to fill Senator Ed Markey’s House seat are scrambling today to win the party’s nomination and with it likely the seat itself.  Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, Rep Carl Sciortino, State Senators Will Brownsberger, Katherine Clark, and Karen Spilka are vying for the spot.  The race has gotten attention lately for the mailers of EMILY’s List, which prompted Senator Elizabeth Warren to issue a declaration of neutrality in the race.  Polls close at 8pm.

Related to the above race, but applicable everywhere, is the toll these rapid fire elections are having on town clerks’ offices.

Rep. Marty Walsh has lagged in polls behind at-large Councilor John Connolly in the race for mayor, partly because Walsh has appeared to symbolize a whiter, less diverse Boston.  This image was dealt a blow when Walsh scored the endorsement of third place candidate Charlotte Golar Richie, a former rep and Menino staffer.  Walsh had already been endorsed by Felix Arroyo and John Barros, both candidates in the September 24 preliminary.  Connolly and Walsh’s first debate is today.

Holyoke Council President Kevin Jourdain is weighing options for Tuesday’s Council meeting regarding the controversial comments of Councilors Daniel Bresnahan and Todd McGee, including a request for their resignation.  Bresnahan, an at-large councilor, could face voters wrath in November.  McGee has no opponent on the ballot, but a write-in challenger has stepped forward in response to the incident.  McGee’s wife, Brenna Murphy McGee got better news this weekend as former City Clerk Susan Egan endorsed Murphy McGee over Egan’s former employee, Louise Bisson in the election to fill the seat permanently.  Egan, who had held the post for two decades resigned earlier this year due to poor health.

The Fourth Estatements:

Along with The Boston Globe, Red Sox owner John Henry also got The Worcester Telegram and Gazette.  An article in the Boston Business Journal discussed T&G’s finances.  The author spoke with NEPR and said Henry may try to unload the smaller paper.

City Slickers:

After another wave of violence, residents rallied in Magazine Park to protest the recent death and destruction primarily raging in the city’s most vulnerable communities.

Not much city news, so some shameless plugs!  Read up on both candidates for Ward 8 City Council.  Incumbent John Lysak posted yesterday and challenger Orlando Ramos a few months ago.

Twitter Chatter:

There are way too many debt ceiling and shutdown related tweets to choose from, such that we are not going to do any of them.  Elections take precedence!  Today the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District are voting party primaries to replace Ed Markey.  The winner of the primary will almost certainly win the general election.  Not sure what to think?  Today we award the tweet prize to Blue Mass Group for stuffing three different endorsements into one tweet.  Sure two candidates got left out in the cold, but for cramming as much comment and information into one tweet, the folks at BMG maximized the power of a tweet.  Also check out BMG’s open thread for the election.

Bob for K Clark: http://t.co/N3xaAh1p6P Charley for C Sciortino: http://t.co/OE7X2m8jlw David for K Spilka: http://t.co/733Wuoj8fh #ma5

— Blue Mass Group (@bluemassgroup) October 14, 2013