The Massachusetts economy, trapped between an absentee Governor and a legislature focused first on obsructing His Excellency and second on adopting effective policies, will continue to languish. Needed investments in education, mass transportation and energy — not to mention reform of our unjust and inefficient health care system — will be deferred.
In the Governor’s race, Republicans will split between those who support Healey and those who back more able insurgents. The intra-party split will leave the State House open for whichever Democratic candidate can garner the nomination.
Gay marriage is an imponderable. The majority of Massachusetts residents appear to support this freedom, but a vocal minority opposes it. The latter block will play an important role in the 2006 election unless neutralized by strong organizing efforts from pro-marriage forces.
In the Lieutenant Governors race, there will be a fierce fight between establishment candidate Tim Murray and progressive insurgent Andrea Silbert (whom I support). Frontrunner Reilly’s endorsement, should he make one, might be decisive.
My final prediction: most of these guesses will prove wrong, which is why pundits are generally advised to focus on current and historical events, and leave predictions about the future to priests, psychics, and scientists.
pmbakid says
I’m not sure I would call Andrea a progressive insurgent…..Anyone who is a real progressive insurgent would be one of my best friends…..