SHNS cites adviser who says campaign committee will open by July 28. (interesting to cite specific date?)
Globe has quotes from talk he had with Harvard Pilgrim staff breaking it to them.
I’m really interested to see how the Baker-Mihos-Cahill dynamic works out. And how Patrick will use it to his advantage (or disadvantage).
Please share widely!
Baker vs. Patrick would be the most substantive top-ticket race since Kerry vs. Weld in 1996.
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p>Hopefully Tim C. won’t be a sideshow. Mihos will be long gone by then.
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Why can he fix things?
That will resonate with the disenchanted independent voter who gave Patrick a chance last time and won’t this time.
“The state is run by Murray and DeLeo, so we’re fucked either way. Why not elect someone who will do a better job embarassing them in the press?”
I’m guessing competent administrator, eliminating waste, end of one-party rule, etc…
This moment has been years in coming.
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p>One of my biggest fears about a Charlie Baker candidacy is the fact that his resume boasts extensive experience in these social service fields that are deeply cared about. HPHC CEO, HHS Secretary, Board of Education member, these are all roles Baker can use to market himself as caring deeply about people to counteract a cold businessman image.
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p>One of my biggest fears about a Baker governship is the scorn he has shown to the people that use these services and the issues that affect their lives. As a Board of Education member, Charlie would frequently arrive late if at all and remain disengaged from conversations, even though he served during a period when the Board was deciding how to implement key pieces of education reform. In health care, he has occasionally been a voice of reason on cost control and quality improvement issues. But, when it comes to access to care Baker is every bit what you’d expect an insurance CEO to be.
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p>Baker is a talented business executive. He is intelligent and charasmatic. He is tall, and he loves playing basketball even more than you’d expect. On face, he has excellent moderate credentials. At heart, he belives government is a business and fundamentally fails to understand the daily struggles faced by ordinary people. Baker is dangerously ambitious, as we all know from the years and years of plotting leading to this announcement.
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p>I for one will work like crazy to re-elect Deval. It will be a hell of a battle.
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p>From what I’ve read, Harvard Pilgrim is actually a well-run ship with happy customers.
I meant that he acts in the interest of his company and industry and believes in it.
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p>The ‘well-run ship’ is part of what you’d expect from the CEO. And, it appears HPHC really is. Happy customers? I’d say mostly, but I’ve heard complaints too.
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p>Politically, Baker is a proponent of private insurance. I imagine public plan fans will find that problematic, and the single payer adherents who even oppose MA style health reform can’t be happy with Baker.
given that Harvard Pilgrim is a not for profit company. Still private, but not really in your face money money money!
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p>Sounds like another Republican mouthpiece: all campaigning and no governing… Looks good on paper, and about as thin when you get down to particulars. The Herald oughta love him. So yeah, sounds like it’s going to get crazy. Somebody mentioned something about substantive…? Don’t think so.
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p>Sigh…
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p>If he believes government is a business then there’s no possible way I can vote for him. Ever. Government is most decidedly not a business and those who profess this view are, in my opinion, usually dumber than a box of hammers.
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This is the best news the Governor has received since being sworn in… this almost assures that he will get reelected. If Baker and Cahill stay in the race to the end, it will mean that neither will break the 25-30% mark… leaving DP to win with 44% of the vote!
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p>Hell, I wouldn’t be suprised if the Gov begged him to get into the race in exchange for something… it is THAT much of good news.
Wouldn’t that be interesting!
Look no sense in suggesting I am not going to support a Democrat and that I supported Deval early on and I am supporting him now. But lets get real Charlie Baker is not the second coming although some Republicans may want to hope he is so Mihos is not the only thing left in the Republican party. The faith full is still blaming Christy for Healy’s lose.
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p>But on to Charlie because after all he is the Republican anointed one to challenge Deval. Take a close look at Charlie read his blog at Harvard Pilgrim. What I see their is some one who points out the flaws in everything but has no solutions now maybe that is all we are looking for in a governor but I would much rather have a person who sure can point out what is broke but at the same time offers a plan to fix it. So far Deval has done that so why would a voter want a renter CEO who took over and has done little more then make sure they did not screw up.
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p>No I say bring on Charlie who wants the poster child for the health care system that is giving us double-digit increases in every community for health care. That is part of a system where 45 million Americans have no health insurance and face bankruptcy if they get sick.
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p>I have not seen Charlie Baker step forward with a new idea or an idea to help Main Street I have to believe that with tough times and it isn’t going to get better for some time (IMHO. I want some one focused on something more the “oh it will never work” Charlie.
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p>As Usual just my Opinion