 Last week's bombshell revelation, that Baker campaign insiders may have offered the spot of number two to Commonwealth Treasurer Tim Cahill, has sparked off some heated debate about who the Lieutenant Governor should be and about Baker's commitment to the Republican Party with in GOP circles statewide. While some like myself initially took such news lightly, upon further reflection have considered such a move a underhanded and disrespectful of a statewide party that has for the past few years been on the ropes. While some may debate the validity of the offer to Cahill, I think it is time for Republicans to have a conversation about who the Lieutenant Governor should be and I think Republicans should make it clear to Mihos and Baker that their pick be one of us.
  The pick of Lieutenant Governor is important for a variety of reasons and chief among them are, (1) a good LG would help in the governing process, (2) a good LG would also help politically by bringing more people to the fold and potentially boost fundraising. What is frequently forgotten about this pick is the long term; the pick for Lieutenant Governor would potentially be the heir apparent to the Governorship and the state Republican Party (for good or ill) in eight years, meaning the decision process is crucial and why it is also crucial that it not be a DEMOCRAT. Baker's consideration of Cahill should send shockwaves to Republicans, and I posit that it is a scenario that is absolutely to be avoided. That is why I offer the following two people who could be a way out of a bad decision for the Baker campaign: State Representative Jeff Perry(R-Sandwich) of the Cape, and former State Representative Paul Loscocco (R-Holliston) of MetroWest.
We've talked about this before, but it's time to talk about it again. We can't afford a Democrat as our running mate.
(More after the jump) |
| So why have I narrowed it down to these two names, from the many I profiled a few months ago? These two candidates offer to Baker what he needs right now: credibility among Republicans. With the news coming out that Baker seemed to be thinking about giving the nod to Tim Cahill, it (rightly) was viewed as a smack in the face to a Republican establishment and base that has already gone far out of its way to offer him their support. Picking a Democrat like Cahill, not only sends the message that the Republican party lacks leaders capable of the post, but also lacks the trust of the person at the top of the ticket. Years later, it would also leave the Republicans without a visible leader who could run themselves. It would be a terribly selfish and disastrous move for the Baker to make.
Politically it would also ignite the campaign of Christy Mihos as he struggles to paint Baker an insider and not "Republican" enough. Being a social moderate himself, Christy's message that Baker is a RINO has not gained much steam, but if Baker picks a Democrat as his running mate it would be a whole different story. It would give Mihos his wedge where he currently doesn't have much of one, and immediately Mihos would claim a a disaffected primary base and Republican Primary voters. Gay Marriage and Abortion are issues that are off the table as wedge issues in this campaign, since Mihos and Baker seem to be on the same page, giving Mihos little room to carve his niche apart from the issue of Second Ammendment rights. This puts Charlie in a good position to run in the primary, but picking a Democrat would be opening a hole that Christy Mihos would be able to run a freight train through... Charlie, you don't want to do that.
Instead I offer two alternatives that would bolster the Republican credentials to the ticket and also offer a solid governing partner: Jeff Perry and Paul Loscocco.
Jeff Perry has become in recent years one of the most visible faces of the Republican Party throughout the state because of his support for candidates in nearly every county in the Commonwealth. His base of support on the Cape is solid, and for years its been speculated that Perry might aim to move up. This is probably the year that he is going to do something.. As a candidate on the ticket he would assuage a base that might be fickle to Baker's old school Yankee-moderate patrician shtick, and would also make a strong claim to Cape Cod voters who have long been (until recently) reliable Republican voters in the general election, and who could come out strong for native son Christy Mihos of Yarmouth. Perry is also pro-gun, which would keep Mihos from gaining his wedge on that issue. Of course, Politically Perry is far to Baker's right , and his campaign, seems fixated on projecting a moderate image on social issues. As a governing partner, he would be an effective advocate for Baker's policies although he has been a bit less collegial with the Democrats than some of his fellow Republicans in the caucus (a plus to the Republican base). Perry has been making some curious moves lately with many speculating, a run for Congress or State Senate might be in his future. Running for Congress might be risky, as redistricting would inevitably leave him without a district in a few short years, but running for State Senate would give Baker or Mihos a key ally in a body with increasingly fewer Republicans. The question thus for Baker, is where Perry is more valuable. I didn't initially include Perry in the profiles I did a few months back, but in many ways he has quickly become one of the more polished and articulate voices for conservatives state wide and I think ought to be one of the final picks for the Baker campaign.
The next candidate is someone who enjoys strong support from RedMassGroup readers (and a small but vocal group of critics focused on his support for gay marriage to be noted as well), and who is rumored to be one of the top choices for Lieutenant Governor is Paul Loscocco. His momentum continues to build as several of the biggest fundraisers and key Republican officials in the state are quietly lining up behind him. While a bit more moderate than a Jeff Perry, Loscocco brings strong support of Republican interests voters like anti-tax, anti-toll, pro-lifers, and gun rights supporters while not projecting a hard party line. Affable and temperate, Loscocco's approach not only has made him a skilled negotiator and deal maker as a legislator, but it would also not interrupt or distract from a candidate like Baker and provide the Baker administration with a major asset on Beacon Hill. While Loscocco's position on Gay Marriage may be moderate by the standards of some conservatives, his support of marriage takes the issue off the table in the general election which seems to be a top priority for Baker. In addition Loscocco could help deliver THE key swing area of the state to Baker in a big way: MetroWest. Loscocco's name recognition throughout the heart of Metrowest is high and could make major inroads for Republicans in those communities. Loscocco appeals well to suburban, unenrolled, professional voters(that have troubled Republicans in recent elections) by being one of them, who speaks their language. Loscocco's demonstrated ability to attract independent and Democratic votes could be key to Baker's ability to win in a race that includes Cahill and Patrick. Loscocco also resonates with Catholics -a key bloc of voters in the state. While Democrats have gotten the memo in putting forward candidates with ethnic names and backgrounds like Capuano, Khazei, Coakley, and Pagliuca, Republicans have been more reticent in this to their own drawback. Republicans need to appeal to voters beyond the Country Club, and picking someone like Loscocco is a step in the right direction toward this end. Loscocco is a tireless campaigner, and will stay on Baker's message. As LG, Loscocco's unparalleled reputation in the Statehouse as a guy who will stand for principal, but also is able to work with Democrats, will allow Baker to build a bridge to Democratic leadership in the Statehouse that he will need to be relevant in the governing process.
(My past profile, and the ensuing discussion on Loscocco can be viewed here)
Picking a Democrat like Cahill would be a disaster for Baker, and could additionally lead to some major governing difficulties. Here are two stellar candidates(and I contend our best) that would help avoid that mistake, and provide Republicans with some strong leadership in years to come. |
