rrizzo@bbncca.ARPA (Ron Rizzo) (11/05/84)
Senator Paul Tsongas (D-Ma), who's seat Kerry & Shamie are contesting (Tsongas is resigning; he was diagnosed as having lymphoma a few months ago), said: "If Ray Shamie is elected, he will undo all that I've done in my years in the Senate." Tsongas has been one of the most activist & respected members of the Congress. The current negotiations in El Salvador between the Duarte government & the guerillas are due in no small part to his efforts. Shamie is diametrically opposed to Tsongas on virtually all foreign policy issues, while Kerry supports nearly all Tsongas' positions. Can Shamie expect to benefit from a coattails effect? Although a week or two ago, Shamie trailed by only 4 points, polls now show Kerry leading once again by 13%. In fact, Reagan himself is in trouble in Massachusetts. The most recent poll, conducted by the Boston Herald American (which favors Shamie & Reagan) after the Reagan & Mondale Boston visits on Thurs. & Fri. resp. and released Sunday, shows MONDALE BEATING REAGAN BY 5 PERCENTAGE POINTS, 49% TO 44%. Cheers, Ron Rizzo