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A Malden Surprise
I went to see Deval Patrick address the Malden Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday morning -- and it was instructive for a reason I didn't expect. Malden really should be Tom Reilly country. The attorney general has the support of Mayor Richard Howard as well as City Council President Michael Sheehan. It's a community where Reilly was a regular presence during his days as Middlesex County District Attorney. Further, I'd have thought that the sort of people who show up for a chamber of commerce breakfast would be inclined toward the most conservative of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates.
Instead, the Democrats and independents I interviewed seemed more interested in Deval Patrick or Chris Gabrieli.
Cathy Connolly, a forensic accountant (she investigates embezzlement) who described herself as "toward the liberal side," said she was leaning toward Patrick, but also planned to go see Gabrieli. "I don't feel any connection to Mr. Reilly," she reported.
John Manoogian, an unenrolled voter, started the event favoring Gabrieli, whom he had recently heard speak. He liked Gabrieli's work to promote after-school programs and thought the venture-capitalist-cum-gubernatorial-candidate made a lot of sense. But after hearing Patrick, Manoogian said he was impressed -- and having second thoughts.
"He moved slightly ahead of Gabrieli," he said, then added: ``But that could change.''
Mel Gregorie, a semi-retired real estate broker and an independent, said she was trying to decide between Gabrieli and Patrick. Reilly "didn't do a very good job as attorney general," said Gregorie, who added that the business experience Gabrieli and Patrick have means "they might know how to run the state."
And so it went.
Which is not to say that no one I talked to backed Reilly. Former Malden city solicitor Jordan Shapiro did. Shapiro said he had worked with Reilly back during his days as district attorney, when Reilly spent a lot of time addressing youth issues at the local high school.
"I think he is a very honest and capable guy who will do right by the taxpayers," Shapiro said.
Still, Malden is a place where Reilly should be running strong -- and at least judging from what I saw Wednesday morning, he doesn't seem to be. And that's a danger sign.
