last week the local democrats hosted a "candidate night" wherein the usual suspects can brush up their stump speeches in front of a carefully vetted audience whilst the Town Committee rakes in some necessary scratch.
And there is a cash bar too...not a bad take in for a famously sleepy burg like Menotomy.
Alas on the gubernatorial level, the only attendee was the ubiquitous Deval Patrick, Galvin hasn't announced yet (Note to Billy, just announce already willya!?? Leave the Drama Queen Act to Romney) and Reilly was a no-show. This was slightly disappointing as I've yet to take Tom's measure up close and personal.
Galvin I've seen in action back in '02.
As such it was another sterling performance from Patrick, his stump speech has gotten tighter since April and he is still calling out Romney on the right emotional issues. Patrick has also mastered the art of the dodge (He sounded down on Hanscom AFB expansion but said nothing definite)and the resolute unpopular stance (He is for the Cape Wind Farm).
Patrick also made a charming admission to the effect that he is not an education expert.
Good god such candor!
Most of the Great and General Court and the Executive Department of the Commonwealth have already formed a vast College of Pedagogy on Beacon Hill and here is Deval Patrick declining admission??
It was the most sensible thing said all night.
The man speaks well and is undeniably charismatic, but is Massachusetts ready for him?
By that I mean, what does he have to say to Shrewsbury, Bellingham or Greenfield to bring them over into the democratic column next year?
2002 witnessed the political immolation of two female candidates for Governor (Jingle Money and O'Brien) who can say that 2006 won't occasion a Waterloo for Deval Patrick?
I'm just not sure the Commonwealth is ready...I wish it was but I have my doubts. Since the Imperial Glory Days of Ed Brooke, African Americans haven't fared too well in statewide races.
Anyone else out there remember another bright articulate go-getter named Augie Grace?
***
Then out rolled the Candidates for Lieutenant Governor, chiefly earnest Sam Kelley and Deb Goldberg. Andrea Silbert was a no-show.
Frankly nobody impressed in this field, Kelley is a doctor and an activist but he is new to the game and hardly more qualified than Kerry Healey for the Office he seeks.
Goldberg on the other hand is well spoken and smart, but she is a selectperson in Brookline which is way down in the political minor leagues. She wants to be a voice for cities and towns, but how that plays in Peru and Mendon I do not know.
Frankly we could use a stronger candidate or two in the Lt. Governor's race, Senator Havern was in the back of the room...he is an able man but he has a good solid committee assignment and the state senate is well run these days...so why bail on a sure thing?
Reps, Marzilli, Kaufman and Paulsen were all there too...but you don't see them thinking about a race for Lieutenant Governor either.
Thus is the field is left to do-it-yourself politicians, activists and earnest uplifters.
Then Cam Kerry (The Senator's Brother) got up and rolled out his stem-winder in anticipation of a run for Secretary of State. HE came off as reasonably well-informed and earnest. My only cavil is that he sounds like his brother in every way and has a slightly tentative tone to his voice, gotta work on that a bit. Otherwise, Cam seems like a sure bet in the sparsely attended S of S primary.
Of course, if his brother had won last year, anyone else out there doubt Cam would be running all out for Governor this year?
The candidates for DA were all there as well, but that race has a serious embarrassment of riches goin' on. It is hard to pick out one man who overawes the others.
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