Friday, February 03, 2006

Patrick's no-win weekend?

So, Tom Reilly isn't good at politics.

[Insert wiseass comment here.]

But seriously, folks, Reilly's stumbles have created an interesting challenge for the Deval Patrick campaign. (Incidentally, I'm running out of terms to describe what's been happening to Reilly. Individual mistakes are travails, gaffes, missteps. Taken together, they're a debacle, a train wreck, a political self-immolation... Any other suggestions?) If Patrick does great at this weekend's Democratic caucuses, people will chalk it up to Reilly's, um, whatever. If he does poorly, though, the Reilly camp can just spin this as proof of the AG's resilience, and play up Patrick's inability to capitalize on a perfect opportunity.

Finally, was anyone else surprised by the last line of the above-linked Globe story--i.e., "Yesterday, Reilly's chief Republican rival, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, declined to comment on the St. Fleur situation"? Decidedly out of character, and a very smart move. We'll see if she can continue to hold her tongue.

2/3/2006 9:16:25 AM by Adam Reilly | Comments [5] |
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Friday, February 03, 2006 9:22:38 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

The word for what just happened to Reilly's campaign is "clusterfuck," and you don't have to be "very smart" to know that when your opponent is taking on water like the S.S. Reilly has been lately, you don't need to say anything.

Politics 101

Friday, February 03, 2006 9:24:12 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Well said, and since I work at the Phoenix, I should have more latitude to use "clusterfuck" than some reporters.

Adam

Friday, February 03, 2006 10:45:48 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Most of the work for the caucuses is already done though. If Patrick does well, it'll more reflect his ground game and his strong volunteer base. If he does "poorly," it means he didn't have enough oomph to make inroads in each town's DTC or get new people involved in the caucuses to create the upset.

I know it won't be PERCEIVED as that in the papers, but that'll be why. Not Reilly's screwups (though, I suspect some Reilly-leaners or undecideds will be happy to vote the other way now...)

Lynne

Sunday, February 05, 2006 8:43:36 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Here in Arlington, Deval Patrick received all 35 delegates in what is a large delegation. Interestingly Deval Patrick himself came and spent a half hour in Arlington. So did Senator Barrios, Gerry Leone, Mike Festa, and Tim Murray - and John Kerry came and gave a speech. Tom Reilly? Not a peep. I don't think the strategy of "I did not do well because I did not try so therefore I did not loose" is a good one. It comes across as sour grapes - and not caring about our town. Deb Sirotkin Butler - an Arlington resident.

Deborah Sirotkin Butler

Monday, February 06, 2006 3:28:27 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

How about "a comedy of errors"?

observant Dem

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