As sco has scooped, Harvard Pilgrim CEO Charlie Baker has decided not to go up against the Kerry Healey money-printing machine for the Republican gov. nomination.
From what I’ve heard from a couple of different quarters (including esteemed co-blogger David), this is good news and bad news. Baker is said to be a member of the "reality-based community", not a wide-eyed radical, and a guy who really knows the health care business and has led Harvard Pilgrim to a lofty status as the top health plan in the country. He would have been a worthy opponent.
So assuming — I don’t think it’s a stretch — that the Dems will be facing a well-funded but, er, lightweight opponent, with deep pockets but shallow support … whom do you want doing battle out there? Do you bet on bucks and institution, or passion and organization? What’s the trump card?
(We were skeptical of Kerry Healey magic back in June — but she’s a heckuva lot richer now. Who needs a fairy godmother when you can buy your own pumpkin?)
Don’t underestimate Healy.She can beat Reilly and Patrick. Not sure about Galvin.Now that Romney forced Baker out of race. And since he is absolutely not runing again we won’t see Lynch or Capuano. They would have run against Romney and one of them would have taken nomination.
Don’t overestimate her, either. Remember, she’s never won an election on her own. Romney had to swoop in and save her from mean old Jim Rappaport in the 2002 primary. She’s managed to attract some hired guns with good track records, but that’s about it.The last polling I saw, all three democrats were beating Kerry Healey, though with significant undecideds.
She has come a long way, anad has no record, which is an asset. She will be attractive candidate. Got her act together. People will see in her what progressives see in Deval. What they want to see. I think she has working class background.
Working class background!?! Her husband just cashed in $13 million worth of stock options!
right, but she was born into money. hubby may have been. not sure. Not oblivious to middle class like Romney and Weld