CommonWealth Magazine's new editor, Bruce Mohl -- who knows a thing or two about investigative reporting -- writes in the new issue about the Inspector General's report on my Therese Murray/tourism marketing story. He titles his piece: "Murray uses IG as ombudsman for Phoenix story." (Sorry for not linking; subscription required for online version.

"Wes" writes:

How are the two new city councilors - Mark Ciommo of A/B and John Connolly of WR - fitting in to their new seats? Are either making any waves? Where would they fall in the impending Flaherty/Menino showdown (exactly how close are they to the mayor)?

And is there any chance Tobin would throw in for the 09 race? Would Tobin ally with Flaherty for the 09 race?

"Rick Ross" asks:

How many sitting City Councilors are in favor of term limits or do they believe like the Mayor that it is a ten to twenty year appointment ?

I'm not aware of anyone other than John Tobin -- who is actively pushing term limits -- coming out in favor of it. As you suggest, Menino is openly opposed to the idea. I know Rob Consalvo is opposed, and I imagine that most of the district councilors (many of whom were elected with Menino's help) would be unwilling to back it even if they kinda like the idea, which I suspect most do not.

In response to my invitation for questions, "Benny" writes:

Last time you told me State Senator Walsh was vacating her seat... What exactly happened there? Didn't she lobby hard for the judge position?

Also, what's the story with Councilor Feeney's "civic summit"? What role will Flaherty play in this activist forum, and where does the mayor stand? Is Feeney closer to Menino or Flaherty?

As you might recall, last year Jim Ogonowski's Congressional campaign ran aground when he refused to say how he would vote on the SCHIP veto override; Niki Tsongas pounded him mercilessly for it. Is he doing it again?

Two days ago, Senate Republicans blocked the Fair Pay Act from a vote -- it came three votes shy of the 60 needed to end a filibuster.

In this week's Boston Phoenix -- out tomorrow, online now -- I have a small item catching up with Barry Scott, who was allegedly beaten up by police in Provincetown last summer. His friends and supporters held a fundraiser for him last week, to help with his legal costs; believe it or not, he is still facing charges for allegedly resisting arrest, among other charges.

It's questionable as to how the [Obama] campaign is spending this money. Surely not on volunteers or a field organization. EVERY communication I've received from the campaign has included a money beg, not one of time or input. It's definitely not a poor people's campaign. perhaps it's going to the Axelrod entity.

New WBZ/SurveyUSA poll shows Clinton whipping McCain in Massachusetts head-to-head 56%-41%, but Obama technically tied, with a 48%-46% lead.

Unlikely that Obama doesn't win the state in November, and likely by a wide margin. But some state Republicans have been tentatively saying that Obama/McCain won't be the drag on the rest of the ballot that Kerry/Bush was for the GOP in '04.

--The dime-dropping at the Massachusetts house of representatives is trickling downward through the ranks; now Charlie Murphy has been publicly humiliated for, apparently, giving someone permission to cast his votes while he lolled on a tropical isle. (Of course, given what I reported recently about the infrequency of disssenting votes in that chamber, does it really matter?) If this ratting-out keeps up, house members are going to have to start acting by that sage credo: don't do anything you wouldn't want to see written up in the papers.