I am new to Mass so I do not know how the LG race works out here. Is it typical for a guv candidate to create a ticket with a candidate for LG? Is there a precedent for this?
Under state law, Gov and Lt Gov elections are entirely separate. It’s always been, and still is, theoretically possible to end up with Gov and Lt Gov from different parties.
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The first real Gov/Lt Gov “ticket” was Weld/Cellucci in 1990, and they had to go to the Supreme Judicial Court to do it, because the state campaign finance office didn’t want to allow it. Since then, it’s been the pattern – candidates seem to find it beneficial. But I agree with sco’s comment later in this thread that this story, if it’s accurate, may not turn out to be a great idea for Reilly. Gabrieli’s rich – always a good thing – but I think has never held office. As far as I know, his electoral claim to fame is part of the O’Brien unpleasantness. Ugh.
I was under the impression that that had changed in recent years and that in the general election, the Gov and Lt Gov are elected as a ticket. I don’t think it’s still possible to elect a split ticket anymore. Deb Goldberg had said as much when asked that question at a recent event I went to, but maybe she’s wrong.
fieldguysays
There are no more split tix and Heiress Deb Goldberg is right for once. But, that’s exactly the reason why good ticket balance is so important and white irish guys like Murray and perennial candidates like Chris Gabrieli in the LG slot are not helpful.
I should have spoken more precisely. The big deal for Weld/Cellucci was running as a “ticket” in the primaries, which had never been done before and for which they went to the SJC. It’s still possible not to choose the “ticket” in the primaries – e.g., if Reilly says he wants Gabrieli, he still might end up with someone else. But in the general election, y’all are right – you get 2 Dems, or 2 GOoPers.
Do Reilly or any of the canidates really want to be associated with the failure of Shannon O’Brien? I mean, sure Chris Gabrieli is a good guy and brings a ton of money to the table, but if the knock on state Dems is that they’re to insular, do they really want to bring back the same guy as last time?
fieldguysays
reading the posts that Chris Gabrieli might be the LG’s choice for Reilly would tragic, but not b/c Chris is not a good person or a dedicated member of the Dem community. It’s because:
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1) He does nothing for ticket balance against Kerry Healey. Only an experienced woman like Andrea Silbert would fit this need.
2) He is a milquetoast campaigner, kind of like Reilly, two of them would be not too good.
3) He doesn’t solve Reilly’s primary voter problem.
4) Reilly doesn’t have a money problem.
5) I’m not sure Chris is electable anymore – he’s pretty much 0 for 2.
6) Chris actually has something to say – if he wants in, he should go for Governor. He could write a check and be candidate tomorrow.
qanesays
I’ve also heard that there are conversations developing between Deval Patrick and Chris Gabrieli. The whole idea of a ticket sounds very interesting.
That actually sounds like a pretty good ticket to me. Aside from their different backgrounds appealing to different communities, Gabrieli addresses some areas where Deval Patrick could use some more strength:
He’s seen as butting in, out of turn, on the state party, and could use some people have have been with the party for a while and considered to have “paid their dues”
He needs to appeal to progressives to win, and Gabrieli appeals to those progressives who may still be cautious about Patrick
Deval Patrick has a lot of great things to say, and a great way of saying them, but so far appears thin on practical accomplishments for Massachusetts – mainly because he’s been off doing other things, like serving in the Clinton administration. Gabrieli fills in that gap quite nicely
I don’t see what Gabrieli does for Reilly. He could add some progressive cred, but that’s not who Reilly is targeting. Reilly already has his party dues, and his long Massachusetts record. His biggest liability is being seen as “yet another Massachusetts Democratic Party hack, like Shannon O’Brien before him”, and picking Gabrieli would only enhance that weakness.
But don’t forget, that in the General, the Democrat will likely be facing Kerry Healey who can write herself a check tomorrow for double or triple as much as any of these candidates have in the bank currently, even Reilly.
I am new to Mass so I do not know how the LG race works out here. Is it typical for a guv candidate to create a ticket with a candidate for LG? Is there a precedent for this?
O’Brien tapped Gabrieli as her pick for LG. Gabrieli still had to win the primary, but he did so easily.
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Republicans also generally run as a ticket in the Primary, but there aren’t very many of them so they have to stick together đŸ˜‰
Under state law, Gov and Lt Gov elections are entirely separate. It’s always been, and still is, theoretically possible to end up with Gov and Lt Gov from different parties.
<
p>
The first real Gov/Lt Gov “ticket” was Weld/Cellucci in 1990, and they had to go to the Supreme Judicial Court to do it, because the state campaign finance office didn’t want to allow it. Since then, it’s been the pattern – candidates seem to find it beneficial. But I agree with sco’s comment later in this thread that this story, if it’s accurate, may not turn out to be a great idea for Reilly. Gabrieli’s rich – always a good thing – but I think has never held office. As far as I know, his electoral claim to fame is part of the O’Brien unpleasantness. Ugh.
I was under the impression that that had changed in recent years and that in the general election, the Gov and Lt Gov are elected as a ticket. I don’t think it’s still possible to elect a split ticket anymore. Deb Goldberg had said as much when asked that question at a recent event I went to, but maybe she’s wrong.
There are no more split tix and Heiress Deb Goldberg is right for once. But, that’s exactly the reason why good ticket balance is so important and white irish guys like Murray and perennial candidates like Chris Gabrieli in the LG slot are not helpful.
I should have spoken more precisely. The big deal for Weld/Cellucci was running as a “ticket” in the primaries, which had never been done before and for which they went to the SJC. It’s still possible not to choose the “ticket” in the primaries – e.g., if Reilly says he wants Gabrieli, he still might end up with someone else. But in the general election, y’all are right – you get 2 Dems, or 2 GOoPers.
Do Reilly or any of the canidates really want to be associated with the failure of Shannon O’Brien? I mean, sure Chris Gabrieli is a good guy and brings a ton of money to the table, but if the knock on state Dems is that they’re to insular, do they really want to bring back the same guy as last time?
reading the posts that Chris Gabrieli might be the LG’s choice for Reilly would tragic, but not b/c Chris is not a good person or a dedicated member of the Dem community. It’s because:
<
p>
1) He does nothing for ticket balance against Kerry Healey. Only an experienced woman like Andrea Silbert would fit this need.
2) He is a milquetoast campaigner, kind of like Reilly, two of them would be not too good.
3) He doesn’t solve Reilly’s primary voter problem.
4) Reilly doesn’t have a money problem.
5) I’m not sure Chris is electable anymore – he’s pretty much 0 for 2.
6) Chris actually has something to say – if he wants in, he should go for Governor. He could write a check and be candidate tomorrow.
I’ve also heard that there are conversations developing between Deval Patrick and Chris Gabrieli. The whole idea of a ticket sounds very interesting.
That actually sounds like a pretty good ticket to me. Aside from their different backgrounds appealing to different communities, Gabrieli addresses some areas where Deval Patrick could use some more strength:
I don’t see what Gabrieli does for Reilly. He could add some progressive cred, but that’s not who Reilly is targeting. Reilly already has his party dues, and his long Massachusetts record. His biggest liability is being seen as “yet another Massachusetts Democratic Party hack, like Shannon O’Brien before him”, and picking Gabrieli would only enhance that weakness.
… and of course, Gabrieli would also help with money, which again is something that makes a lot more difference for Deval Patrick than for Tom Reilly.
But don’t forget, that in the General, the Democrat will likely be facing Kerry Healey who can write herself a check tomorrow for double or triple as much as any of these candidates have in the bank currently, even Reilly.