Smart on taxes, tough on Healey

IT'S TIME to hold Kerry Healey accountable.

Her resume is thinner than an iPod Nano. Why should she be the next governor?

As lieutenant governor, Healey held the hands of mayors across the Commonwealth as they watched municipal budgets implode, compliments of the Romney-Healey administration.

She also spent time standing behind Romney at press conferences. This summer, she helped Romney adjust his safety vest before he patrolled a Big Dig tunnel. This month, when Dick Cheney came to Boston for a fund-raiser, she was there, too. But, she didn't have the guts to greet the unpopular vice president at the airport -- or the guts to decline the invitation to the Cheney event.

Her willingness to stand by her GOP men is matched by her unwillingness to challenge the policies they represent.

When Romney cut and ran from the moderate social positions the Romney-Healey ticket embraced in 2002, Healey said nothing. Even though she says she is prochoice, she let Romney get away with flip-flops on abortion rights. She never distanced herself from his right-leaning tilt -- until, as a candidate for governor, she saw political benefit in supporting emergency contraception legislation.

As for the Bush-Cheney agenda, she told NECN's Jim Braude, ``I feel very strongly that there are things that I agree with in national policy -- keeping taxes lower and having an aggressive foreign policy and having standards in education." Yes, those Bush administration priorities -- tax breaks for the rich, the war in Iraq, and educational standards without federal funding to back them up -- are real popular here in Massachusetts.

Shortly before primary day, Healey launched a silly and dishonest attack ad at Chris Gabrieli, one of three Democrats running for governor. The ad calls Gabrieli a ``tycoon" and charges him with supporting public investment in stem cell research strictly to enrich himself. This accusation comes from the wife of a ``tycoon." Her husband, Sean, got a questionable $1.2 million state tax credit that he later returned after negative publicity.

In response to the Healey attack, Gabrieli said he did not believe any of the companies he invested in are doing stem cell research; but even if they are, ``I believe in stem cell research, and it's going to take public and private financing to cure these diseases." He also pledged that if he is elected governor, he would sell his stock in any biotech or high-tech company to avoid even the appearance of conflict.

In case you missed it, Healey really doesn't want to run against Gabrieli. He has what her husband has -- lots of money -- and everything she lacks -- a portfolio of personal accomplishment and executive leadership skills. Democrats Deval Patrick and Tom Reilly also boast impressive records of personal and professional accomplishment, in strong contrast to Healey. Before she was plucked to run with Romney, she was a law and public safety consultant at Abt Associates and twice ran unsuccessfully for the state Legislature.

Healey has two issues going for her: taxes and the illusion of bringing balance to Beacon Hill.

Since Bill Weld's victory in 1990, Republican gubernatorial candidates continue to press and win the argument that they are needed to offset Democrats who control the House and Senate. But think about it. Does Healey have the stature, clout, or experience to hold House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Senate President Robert Travaglini in check? Romney accomplished it rarely, and only when public pressure was so strong that legislative leaders could not resist it. One example of that is Melanie's Law, championed by Romney and Healey, to toughen drunken driving penalties.

Healey's biggest advantage is the ability to make the state income tax rollback the defining issue of the 2006 governor's race. Patrick's anti rollback position thrills liberals but puts him at a big disadvantage in the general election. Barring the rollback door entirely is a tough sell to the electorate. This is one place where nuance -- a responsible tax rollback, which does not jeopardize education, healthcare or local aid -- may win over more reasonable voters. That's Gabrieli's approach and it's another reason Healey doesn't want to run against him.

She's smart -- she went to Harvard, after all. She is willing to play tough politics, as demonstrated by her first strike against Gabrieli.

The Democrat who wins on Tuesday better be smarter, tougher -- and ready to make Healey, not taxes, the issue. And fast.

Joan Vennochi's e-mail address is vennochi@globe.com.