At least, that was the tone of the piece as far as I gathered.
So much for balanced, unbiased coverage from New England's largest daily newspaper.
"A candidate in search of the common touch; He may be primed for policy debates, but gubernatorial hopeful Charles Baker concedes he is no natural on the stump" by Michael Levenson, Globe Staff | March 7, 2010
IPSWICH - Charles D. Baker, Republican candidate for governor - Harvard graduate, son of a Reagan administration official, former budget chief under two governors, and former chief executive of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care - is undoubtedly fluent in fiscal affairs.
Yeah, that's what we want after the last three years of Deval's disaster!
But as he mounts his first run for high office, the favorite of the Republican Party establishment, up against three more seasoned campaigners, is searching for the right way to connect with voters.
Yeah, who cares about policy and competence?
Did he come off good on personality and looks?
How do you think he will do in the swimwear competition, voters?
“I’m probably not a very good candidate,’’ at this point in the race, Baker said in an interview.
You are just fine being yourself, Chuck!
Don't let them screw your campaign with side issues and BS.
Even though he has greeted an estimated 20,000 voters at more than 200 events in the past year, Baker said, “I have a long way to go . . . to get to the point more quickly.’’
Hey, that is more than Martha Coakley ever did.
Yeah, who would want to talk to those icky voters out in the cold?
“I think, by nature, I’m a data-driven person,’’ he added.
As the top budget aide to governors William F. Weld and Paul Cellucci, Baker was known for his insatiable appetite for policy. He would hold court during staff meetings on topics ranging from tax overhaul to health insurance to special education. These days, his campaign events can feel like policy sessions, too.
You know, the KIND OF GUY WE NEED and haven't had for three years!
Just been an agenda-pushing hack.
Baker has been raising more money each month than his competitors, but is less tested on the campaign trail than Governor Deval Patrick, state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, or primary opponent Christy Mihos.
Well, if he has the backing of money -- many former contributors to Patrick and Democrats -- that's another vote in addition to the people.
Baker’s only previous run for office was in 2004, when he spent $1,800 and won 1,840 votes to become a selectman in his hometown of Swampscott.
I view that as refreshing and good.
Already, Baker has drawn some criticism that, for all his professed policy expertise, he has gotten some basic facts wrong, including his assertion that Mitt Romney left the governor’s office in 2007 with a $5 billion surplus. (Romney left a balanced budget with no surplus, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.)
You know, the picking apart of the guy by lying weasels and political opponents in an agenda-pushing, pro-Patrick paper just isn't going to turn me to the dark side.
That's the best you can do for dirt?
Baker has also asserted that the state cut higher education funding by 32 percent over the past two years. Patrick aides point to budget documents that show the cut was closer to 24 percent and largely offset by federal stimulus money.
Oh, it is the self-serving administration disputing him.
HA-HA-HA-HA!!!
And COVERING EDUCATION BILLS is NOT STIMULUS, sorry.
Stimulus leaves a going concern that will keep creating jobs.
As laudable as keeping teachers on the payroll (without the double-dippers) it is still not stimulating anything. Money runs out, still in the same fix -- in fact, it's worse because tax collections are down due to the government lies about the economy and the increased taxes here.
Baker says he got the 32 percent figure from a study published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, and he nearly jumped out of his chair when challenged on his numbers.
:-)
“I can’t wait to go toe-to-toe with them on the budget,’’ he said. “Bring it on!’’
For now, however, he has to introduce himself to voters.
On Friday at Mul’s Diner in South Boston, Baker was casually affable, shaking hands, slapping backs, and sitting down for breakfast with patrons.
Wearing a flag pin on his lapel, the 6-foot-6 former forward on the Harvard basketball team bent low beside booths of patrons who talked to him about mortgages, the shoeshine business, the financial industry, and construction....
I'm liking him more all the time.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting all hopeful; however, he would be such an improvement over what we have.
He'd be tough to guard in our pick-up games, too. Bet he'd smoke the big guy that plays with us.
On a recent afternoon, he toured Pioneer Packaging in Chicopee with Jeffrey G. Shinners, the president, while an aide filmed them for a campaign video.
He even came out here, even if it was for a political event.
Marveling at a box made for Vermont Mystic Pie Co., Baker said he was impressed that Pioneer can make so many different boxes for so many different products.
“I’ll bet that’s a huge advantage for you guys,’’ Baker said.
Okay, Globe, that's enough! He was playing up to the crowd and showing respect to the company. Since when have you had a problem with Patrick doing the same things?
Baker’s stump speech, which he has whittled to 20 minutes, presents him as a “Massachusetts kid,’’ who grew up in Needham as “the product of a mixed marriage - my mom’s a Democrat, my dad’s a Republican.’’
Self-deprecating sense of humor, good. No arrogance there. Not all elites are infected like the Globe, readers.
He highlights his eight years in state government and his role helping pull Harvard Pilgrim back from the brink of insolvency.
Yup, successful career, good.
“People don’t invest with their hearts, or with their heads, or with their wallets, if they’re worried about the next tax that’s going to go up, the next fee that’s going to go up, the next fine that’s going to change, the next cut in local aid,’’ Baker said in Ipswich. “People need predictability and reliability and we haven’t had that in Massachusetts in the past few years.’’
Patrick campaign spokesman Alex Goldstein responded by pointing to the state’s high bond rating and a decision by
Oh, for crying out loud!
The administration hack is pointing to the CREDIBILITY with BANKS and the BIOTECH MERGER that might COST JOBS as SUCCESS?
Can you REALLY BE ANY MORE OUT-of-TOUCH!
THEY need to get into the restaurants, not policy-wonk Charlie!
“This is no accident,’’ he said in a statement. “The governor is focused on job creation every day, making strategic investments in key sectors such as green jobs, life sciences, education, and health care, putting state and federal resources to work to create good wages for our workers . . . and providing incentives for businesses to bring new jobs into the state.’’
Biotech Giveaway Was Borrowed Money
Oh, and loser investments of tax dough, too?
Meanwhile, schools are taking cuts and price-gouging health insurers are bankrupting us.
Great job, guv!
--more--"
Republican Charles Baker spoke with diners, including Lynn Sanstrom (left) and Joan Duda, at the Ipswich Inn recently. (Suzanne Kreiter/ Globe Staff)
You know, I know it is politics and nothing will change and he's a party creature and all that; however, just looking at him I believe he is a GOOD and WELL-MEANING MAN!
He DIDN'T HAVE to DO THIS!!
I truly believe he is doing this because HE CARES about HIS HOME, folks!
I know he is an elite, but some times they do have a heart.
Related: Boston Globe Bubble Will Not Burst
And if the Globe can't get you dirty they start tossing mud:
"At breakfast, rivals might make meal of absent Baker" by Michael Levenson, Globe Staff | March 13, 2010
But I will RESPECT HIM MORE for NOT GOING!
Baker’s decision to dodge the brickbats was already raising eyebrows yesterday among the political class....
Yeah, front-page material. Just the Globe serving its clientele. I'm not one.
--more--"
Yeah, and Charlie isn't in the mud pit.
He is swimming in something else:
"Baker fund-raising still leads the pack
Republican Charles D. Baker Jr. and running mate Richard R. Tisei continue to outstrip the gubernatorial field when it comes to fund-raising. The pair said yesterday that they had raised a combined $561,000 in February, compared with $250,000 for Governor Deval Patrick and his running mate, Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray. The newly minted independent ticket of Timothy P. Cahill and Paul J.P. Loscocco reported raising about $87,000. Lenny Alcivar, Baker campaign manager, said the donations are proof of growing public support for Baker, a former Weld administration official and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care chief executive. Patrick plans to be in New York for fund-raisers tonight and tomorrow morning (AP)."
Also see: Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Baker's Man....
Governor's Cup
Baker's Kitchen
Oh, something smells good, Mass. voters!
