Entries in MassPoliticsProfs by Maurice Cunningham

Charlie Baker was ill served by his staff in the latest contretemps at his Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs - not just by the low level knuckleheads who threatened the fiancee of a Democratic senate candidate, but by his closest advisers in the executive suite. Fortunately a classic work of political science advice can help the governor.

The whole point of dark money organizations like Families for Excellent Schools and Great Schools Massachusetts is that the true funders are hidden from the voters. Here's some of what we know, and some reasonable inferences.

In a recent debate the pro-charter side deflected concerns about dark money pouring into the Great Schools Massachusetts campaign, arguing that adult concerns about who is donating shouldn't detract from children. But the threat of dark money to our democracy should concern us all: pro-charter, anti-charter, children, and adults.

It can be hard to explain dark money but perhaps pop culture icons like Sherlock Holmes and John-boy Walton can help along with Frank Sinatra singing a new campaign theme song for Great Schools Massachusetts, "It's Up to You New York, New York."

The debate between Senator Pat Jehlen and Liam Kerr, agent for the dark money organization Democrats for Education Reform, raises a lot of new questions for Massachusetts politics.

The charter school contest dividing the Democratic Party is about a whole lot more than privatizing more schools. It's a fight involving equality, markets, unions, wealth, and partisan politics. So far it's a great set-up for Governor Charlie Baker and the Republicans.

A look into the dark heart of our campaign finance farce-ocracy: the entire Great Schools Massachusetts Olympics ad buy of $2.3 million is in dark money.

Pro-charter Great Schools Massachusetts isn't a grassroots coalition of parents. It's a creature of a shadowy organization known as Strategic Grant Partners.

It's past time for House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to show some political courage and retract their endorsements of Donald Trump. Congressman Seth Moulton and Muhammad Ali can help.

The euphoria of the nomination of Hillary Clinton provided a reminder that the morning after may bring rueful reflections.