Friday, October 13, 2006

Governor's Race Gets Ugly

OK, this isn't pretty. There is zero need to bring families into this. The immediate nuclear family, maybe (for example, I thought it was at least a valid piece of the campaign to look at the behavior of the Bush girls), but not brothers, sisters, aunt's, uncles & second cousins. Deval Patrick says that Kerry Healey reported it to the press, sort of.

Well, my message to the Healey campaign is that I will not let you run from your record any longer.You can try all you want to change the subject and shift the blame, but we are going to expose for all just how your failed policies and your failed politics are the reason so many people are stuck and struggling and losing hope.The garbage peddlers who shopped this story around town are part of that failed politics, too.

It's unclear if he means that the "garbage peddlers" are part of the Healey campaign or if he's just lumping them in there.
Healey responded.
This is a campaign about differences. On Election Day, voters will have a choice about who they can trust to best serve the people of Massachusetts as their next governor. Kerry Healey has articulated a clear vision for the future. She has specific plans to reduce taxes, maintain fiscal discipline on Beacon Hill, improve standards in public education, and keep our communities safe by taking a hard line on crime.

We agree with Deval Patrick’s comments that as candidates we deserve, and expect, to be scrutinized. However, that scrutiny does not permit Deval Patrick to impugn the character of Lieutenant Governor Healey by launching baseless personal attacks and accusations that are not supported by any facts or evidence.

Deval Patrick has a right to voice his dissatisfaction with the media if he believes he is being treated unfairly. He does not have the right to blame the lieutenant governor for that treatment.

We also agree with Deval Patrick that there are personal and family issues that are not germane to the campaign and do not contribute anything of value to the debate. The focus of this campaign must remain on the key issues facing Massachusetts and how the individual candidates would approach these challenges as governor.

Our campaign will continue to point out Deval Patrick’s record of supporting higher taxes, wasteful spending, seeking ‘workarounds’ for MCAS, providing driver’s licenses and in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, siding with Beacon Hill insiders and the special interests over the voters and advocating for the release convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer from jail while ignoring the family of the victim.

Good for her. This will, in all likelihood, get ugly without bringing other messes in. It just isn't required.

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