JOHN TIERNEY, FORMER CHAMBER PRESIDENT: CHAMBER IS EXTREMIST
(Lynnfield, MA) — Former President of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, John Tierney, yesterday attacked the Chamber of Commerce as advocating an “extreme agenda” following the Chamber’s endorsement of Congressional candidate Richard Tisei. Tierney’s statement denounced the Chamber as “advocating for an extreme agenda” and said it was pursuing “radical positions,” despite Tierney’s longtime affiliation with the Chamber.
“John Tierney has publicly boasted about his leadership in the Chamber, citing his time as President of the Salem Chamber. But yesterday, after hearing of the Chamber’s endorsement of Richard, his tune changed. He did a 180. Now, the Chamber is suddenly the epitome of evil in the free world,” said Paul Moore, Tisei’s campaign manager.
“If the Chamber is so extreme and radical, why was John Tierney one of the leaders? And why, if the Chamber is so extreme and radical, has he continued to pursue their support – at least until yesterday?” Tierney was a member of the Chamber, beginning in 1976, and in 1995 became the President of the Salem Chamber.
“On May 23, 2012, Tierney met with the North Reading Chamber and toured small businesses, while appealing for support of Chamber members. He boasted about having been a small businessman, in his law practice,” said Moore. “On February 14, 2012, Tierney appeared before the Lynn and Saugus Area Chamber of Commerce and, again, boasted of his previous leadership of the Salem Chamber and his business experience. He did the same at the Peabody Chamber on Feb. 24, 2012. He met with the Saugus Chamber in December of 2011 and appealed for their support after citing his own Chamber leadership. In July 2011, he made the same statements to the Burlington Chamber. He appealed to the Newburyport Chamber on April 21, 2011 (see his website posting from the same day), writing ‘As a former Chamber of Commerce president, I understand the very real concerns raised by some of the hardworking small business owners with whom we met today…’ In a blog on his website (johntierney.com/media/blog/view/2012-05) from May 21, 2012, he wrote ‘I have run a small business myself, and at one time I was the president of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.’”
“On the same day this week that the Labor Department announced that there was a dramatic uptick in weekly unemployment claims (to 386,000), John Tierney did what John Tierney always does: he attacked as ‘radical’ and ‘extreme’ those who support Richard,” said Moore. “This is the sort of politics that the voters are absolutely sick of: if you disagree with someone, call them the worst names you can think of. This is not the sort of talk one expects from a Congressman of 16 years. It is demagogic and poisonous, as well as disingenuous for John Tierney to reflexively think and speak in these terms. He owes an apology to the voters and hardworking small businessmen and women whom he has previously courted. One could be forgiven for wondering what about the Chamber changed in just a matter of hours or days. What changed, obviously, is that the small businessmen and women of the Chamber no longer support John Tierney.”
“For years, John Tierney has spoken before dozens of local Chambers, has bragged of his previous leadership of the Salem Chamber and of his having run a small business. By that, he apparently means his law firm,” said Tisei. “All that courting can apparently change on a dime when a group like the Chamber decides to endorse Tierney’s opponent. Rather than merely state his disagreement with their decision, he rips into them in the harshest of terms. He never tires of hyperbole and demonization of his political opponents. In short, John Tierney is part of the problem – not the solution.”
“Richard Tisei has never spoken of his opponents in these kinds of terms and he will not,” said Moore. “When Richard has a policy difference with someone, he says so. He doesn’t impugn their motives or call them names. As a member of the minority in the state house, Richard learned that you can’t accomplish much for the people if that’s how you approach your job. Richard is a problem solver, not a name caller. The country needs more of that kind of leadership in Washington.”
Following and attached are recent published accounts of Tierney’s appearances and courting of the Chamber (including from his official website):
John Tierney partners with North Shore Chamber:
August 4th, 2010
“The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner and collaborate with U.S. Congressman John F. Tierney on two upcoming events for the Region.” [1]
Congressman Tierney meets with Saugus Chamber of Commerce:
October 20th, 2011 [2]
Congressman John Tierney seeks support of Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce:
Posted Oct 28, 2011
“Congressman John Tierney, in partnership with the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC), visited small businesses in Burlington on Oct. 22”[3]
Tierney appeals to Peabody Chamber of Commerce:
Feb. 24th, 2012
“Congressman John Tierney will be speaking with the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee this morning.”[4]
Tierney boasts about former Salem Chamber of Commerce leadership role:
May 21, 2012
“I spend a lot of time touring local businesses and meeting with small business owners in our district. I listen to their concerns and their ideas about how the federal government can help them to be more successful, profitable, and to create jobs. I have run a small business myself, and at one time I was the president of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.”[5]
Tierney tours Reading businesses with Reading- North Reading Chamber of Commerce:
May 23, 2012, Reading, Ma
“I certainly appreciated having the opportunity to hear from several small business owners and their employees today. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and their success is pivotal if we are to have a lasting economic recovery. I will continue to advocate for policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship on Main Street in Reading and across the country,” said Congressman John Tierney [6]
*For additional information on John Tierney’s Chamber of Commerce involvements, visit www.johntierney.com
[1] http://northshorechamber.blogspot.com/2010/08/north-shore-chamber-partners-with.html
[4] http://peabody.patch.com/articles/5-things-you-need-to-know-today-feb-24-438a8d54
[6] http://tierney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3323&Itemid=500141
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!