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Friday, September 22, 2006

MA-Gov: Memo to Republicans - Be Careful What You Wish For

Posted by James L.

From Hotline on Call (Sept. 18):

Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Gabrieli plays the victim in a spot his campaign released Friday -- a day after Republican candidate Kerry Healey shot an attack his way before Tuesday's intense Democratic primary. [...]

And playing into the theory that Healey's initial attack was a sign that her campaign is more concerned about facing Gabrieli than state Attorney General Tom Reilly or Deval Patrick in the general election, the response ad quotes a Washington Post columnist who supports the idea.

If that was the intent of Healey's strategy, she must be happy with the way the result is unfolding: the Boston Globe reported Sunday morning that its new poll shows Patrick has opened a 21-point lead over Gabrieli and Reilly.

Um, better think again (SUSA, likely voters, May in parens):

Deval Patrick (D): 64 (34)
Kerry Healey (R): 25 (32)
Christy Mihos (I) 5 (17)
Other: 4
Undecided: 2 (17)
±3.9%

40 freaking points. Healey and her merry gang of MA state Republicans figured that progressive rising star Deval Patrick was an outsider who was not ready for prime time, and therefore beatable. Not so fast. Patrick rode a wave of positive campaigning and progressive advocacy that captured the hearts of the Democratic primary electorate despite being outspent by his wealthy establishment opponents. Looks like Massachusetts likes what it sees, too.

Good luck making up those 40 points, Kerry.

Posted at 06:57 PM in 2006 Elections - State, Massachusetts | Technorati

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Comments

Wow! I had to double check those numbers. As much as I want to say that we have this governorship locked up, I'd rather be cautious.

This is the first poll I've seen after the primaries, so I'd rather wait for a couple more polls before I make any final conclusions. Call me a party pooper, but the Democratic party are like the Bills, they just find a way to lose elections (No offense to any Bills fans out there).

Nonetheless, I am encouraged by Patrick's positive momentum and I hope it keeps getting better for him.

Posted by: CanadianDem at September 23, 2006 12:15 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I had the few Republican on my campus saying, haha you are so happy that you are going to lose the election. I was like yeah whatever. I wonder who is taughting now.

Posted by: Democraticavenger at September 23, 2006 01:23 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment