“The Healey campaign has hundreds of volunteers doing standouts all over Massachusetts every day, and they aren’t centrally coordinated out of our office,” said Nate Little, a spokesman for her campaign.
But the Patrick campaign reacted sharply.
“If your path to the governor’s office includes scaring the heck out of people, you should be embarrassed,” said Doug Rubin, Patrick’s senior adviser.
The tensions mounted as Healey’s media strategists decided yesterday to more than double the television airtime for her controversial ad that shows a woman walking through a dark garage and highlights Patrick’s support of convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer.
The ad has roiled the gubernatorial campaign and is drawing attention in the national media. A Washington Post political blog, The Fix, called the ad as “vicious as we’ve seen” this year.
Healey has said the ad is designed to reflect differences between her and Patrick on the issue of crime.
“It is getting so much attention, and we think it is working, so we want to ratchet up the frequency,” said one of her senior strategists.
Both Democratic and Patrick’s strategists, however, say that while the ad may scare some voters away from the Democratic nominee, the commercial is so negative and harsh that it has done more damage to Healey’s image.
The Healey campaign has also begun airing a 30-second radio ad to promote her demands that Patrick agree to a one-on-one debate, without independent Christy Mihos and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross. Patrick immediately dismissed her proposal, saying it would be disrespectful to the others. He also pointed out that Healey had advocated last April that the general election debates include all four candidates
“They can call all day, keep calling, call away,” Patrick told reporters before entering a Boston fund-raising event, when told that Healey has the support of media pundits and others for a one-on-one debate.
“The voters will choose among four candidates, not just two,” he said.
A consortium of media outlets including the Globe has offered to sponsor a debate between Patrick and Healey. A representative of the group approached Patrick’s campaign about sponsoring the debate a week ago and made the offer again Thursday night. The consortium also discussed the idea of a one-on-one debate with Healey’s campaign.
Patrick spoke to reporters as his financial supporters gathered at the University of Massachusetts Club in Boston for a fund-raiser that was supposed to feature US Senator Barack Obama of Illinois . Obama’s plane was delayed because of bad weather, and a subsequent joint appearance was canceled when Patrick’s campaign realized it could not be staged at the Kennedy Library because it is federal property.
Patrick reportedly raised $250,000. Former president Bill Clinton is scheduled to return to Massachusetts next week to raise another $250,000 in Worcester.
hoss1 says
Stick to TV and media attacks, and maybe outside of debates. But targeting someone’s home (especially the campaign manager’s) is disgraceful. Kerry Healey has no soul, no grace, no tact, no shame.
renaissance-man says
despite the denials, being directed directly from the top of the Healey Campaign Manager Tim O’Brien.
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The Healey Campaign has nothing more than fear, negative campaigning and smoke and mirrors
frankskeffington says
…the Healey campaign had NOTHING to do with shopping Deval’s brother-in-law’s story either…
pablo says
Scary convicts on the street, let loose by The Healey Committee. Deval wants 1000 more cops, Muffy wants 1000 thugs in orange jumpsuits.
shiltone says
…and I’m starting to get nervous I might get raped by a Healy operative in an orange jumpsuit, hiding in the shadows.
shirley-p says
you are right to call them thugs- I would say it is more accurate to call them racist thugs.
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All they need are matching Klan hoods for their outfits
cadmium says
I urge people to reject politicians that try to scare you into voting for them
melanie says
how suprised I was that none of the local papers had called Healey out. I sort of meant the editorial board, but this is better. Healey is so out of touch with MA. These guys really do remind me of the Klan.
cadmium says
Especially radio
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Right after the primary and after the first debate The Globe was prominently running stories with headlines featuring Healey’s fear-based talking points.
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At least the Herald has been an pretty much an equal opportunity blaster so far.
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Radio is 90% free air time for Healey’ s talking propaganda. I suspect if the polls look good for Patrick the last week of the campaign the Globe will be more favorable than they are now. The media will need the winner to provide them with sources and inside information — they try to back a winner in general.
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Anyway the issue the use of fear. Fear makes people do stupid things and the Healey campaign has been counting on fear.
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Disgustng thugs
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