Jim,

You ask, "What does the political affiliation filing mistake by Eileen Donoghue's campaign staff tell us?" My answer: It tells us little. What is telling is her switch from Democrat to unenrolled to Democrat again. That tells me she is full-- to the point of overflowing--of the "strain of opportunism" (your words,Jim) which is a cancer in all office seekers. I am not picking on her, for all pols share this ambition for increased opportunity, for power. Nor am I questioning her political accomplishments and qualifications. I just have a problem with this Clintonesque flip-flopping. Not excusing Bill,but such behavior is part and parcel inherent in all pols of all stripes. It's as old as mud-slinging. It's as old as human nature. To paraphrase Niccolo Machiavelli in his book The Prince--written in 1513 to those seeking to govern: All principles must give way to circumstance--to do anything necessary to achieve power through political office.

This is the nature of politics.

However, it doesn't mean I have to rah-rah a politician as she compromises her convictions in the name of political expendiency or personal gain. Perhaps I've watched too many episodes of "West Wing," but I'm holding out hope someday a candidate will put his or her ideals and beliefs before sucking up. Perhaps I am naive.

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus says to his twelve apostles, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you." To parody Abe Lincoln, "You can please some of the people all of the time; all of the people some of the time; but you can't please all of the people all of the time." The problem in politics? Too many people to please and too many campaign dollars to lose if one doesn't kiss everybody's posterior. Is there any room left for integrity in the vacuum created by selling out? It makes me wonder why anybody who has any self-respect would go into politics these days. Maybe it has always been this way. I'm just not old enough, like you Jim, to remember.

However, just once before I get killed taking a left onto Bridge street from the VFW Parkway, and using another biblical allusion, I would like to see a politician who didn't sell his or her birthright for a bowl of porridge. I would like to see a politician who didn't lap-dance for dollars and recognition on corporate Americas or Hollywood's pelvis. I would like to see a politician who isn't afraid to change his mind on an issue if he came to a newly informed and intelligent decision. I would like to see a leader who isn't swayed by every wind of change, and kept her own counsel, who didn't hold constant court with jesters and clowns.

Perhaps I am naive. But not too naive to know when a politician is playing politics as usual.

Donahue is not Democrat, Republican or Independant. She's an Opportunist.

What politician isn't an opportunist? Actually, if we are to believe Eileen Donoghue, she was acting on "insider" information that Marty Meehan was about to leave Congress sometime around May 2006.. Chancellor Bill Hogan left his job at UMass Lowell in July. She might have been jumping the gun when she switched from Democrat to unenrolled.. At least the chronology doesn't add up unless she did have inside information. As it was, the info wasn't credible because Meehan didn't make his move until four months later.
Regardless, I think Donoghue is a true-blue Democrat. But if she had a judgeship dangled in front of her face, from a Republican Governor (MItt Romney) would she switch to unenrolled if she had to?
Several years ago, Mike Stanton of the Providence Journal wrote a great book on Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci. It's called "the Prince of Tides." Stanton writes how Cianci passed on a chance to run for U.s. Senator at the height of his popularity, soon after being elected mayor in Providence. He never got the chance again. Cianci stepped aside so that John Chafee, loser in the gubernatorial race, could run. Cianci never thought Chafee could win, but he did. And he held onto the seat for two terms. In the meantime, Cianci's troubles soared and his popularity tanked. He eventually went to jail for six years and is due out this spring.
The point is: Timing and opportunity are everything in politics.

Why would she switch to unenrolled because of Meehan stepping aside? Doesn't make a bit of sense. If she had inside info, she would have stayed Democrat to run for his seat wouldn't she?
We all know politicians lie but this one is a whopper. You have to at least make it believable.