Voters at East Boston parade say they are cynical, disappointed

The West End resident, disgusted with the Republican gubernatorial candidate's campaign, was one of many along the parade route -- cheering for veterans, Uncle Sam, and all things Americana, while expressing disgust with his political choices.

With roughly three weeks until the election, the candidates for governor hit the trail yesterday trying to connect with voters. But some of those voters expressed bitterness, pointing to the negativity in the race and expressing an unalloyed disenchantment for politics in general and their choices for governor in particular.

Walter Malone of East Boston eagerly shook Baker's hand as the Republican campaign team went by. Afterward, he admitted it meant nothing.

"I want to be like them," said Malone, pointing to the politicians. "I want to shake everybody's hand, kiss everybody's baby. And then stick it to em."

His wife, Marie Malone, said she had no intention of voting for governor, though she has voted consistently since she was 18.

"I have faith in no one," she said. I'd rather not vote than kick myself in the behind later."

Several onlookers at the parade pointed to the nastiness that erupted in the race last week. Independent gubernatorial candidate Timothy P. Cahill sued his former political advisers for breach of contract for abandoning his campaign and accused them of conspiring with Republicans to help Baker.

Cahill also accused Baker's campaign manager of soliciting dirt on Cahill's campaign from those who had just left it.

"Charlie Baker ought to be ashamed of himself," said Seaver, who had heckled Baker a few moments earlier. "This is his to lose and his people are losing it."

But Seaver's friend, Peter Pagliuca, a Republican from East Boston who favors Baker, pushed back, spurring a heated parade-side debate as their wives nervously looked on.

"I'll be honest with you. There's been a lot of negative campaigning, which is unfortunate," Pagliuca said. "To me, at the end of the day, it's about the economy, taxes and jobs. I just think here in our state, our kids have a better chance with Baker."

Even the incumbent governor's pledge to remain positive was tinged with negativity and attacked by an opponent yesterday. Incumbent Democratic Governor Deval Patrick was quoted in yesterday's Boston Herald saying that while other candidates are tearing each other down, "I'm about lifting all of us up."

But Baker's campaign fired back that unions and special interest groups are running ads attacking Baker to benefit Patrick. And, his aides noted, Patrick was quoted that same day, criticizing Baker's record as former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

Patrick did not march in the high-traffic East Boston parade, watched by thousands. Instead, he spent the day on the South Coast, meeting voters at a New Bedford Market Basket and at the Pine Hills Community Center in Plymouth. He also returned for a community town hall meeting his campaign scheduled in Roxbury last night.

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray marched on behalf of the Democratic ticket with other elected officials and a band of 13 supporters of the Democratic campaign walked mildly through the parade. Cahill, likewise, had a fairly muted showing with his wife and four daughters in attendance though he said he was getting a "good response."

"Other than a few Baker people, nobody's telling me to get out," said Cahill, an independent who has been lagging in the polls.

But some said so privately and said they consider him a spoiler in the race. "I wouldn't vote for him either," said Anthony Boyd of Revere. "He's just taking a vote away from Baker. His own people sold out on him."

Cahill's campaign suffered a series of blows in recent weeks when his campaign consultants, campaign manager, and running mate all jumped ship. Then he sued his former aides, saying they were conspiring with his running mate to turn on him and take confidential campaign information to Baker.

Baker's campaign, in turn, claimed Cahill's campaign was inappropriately coordinating his campaign with ads for the state Lottery, which Cahill oversees as treasurer. Cahill won an injunction blocking the former aides from divulging any information and he's expected to get a day in court on Wednesday.

All of that served to make voters even more jaded.

"You don't know who to trust right now," said Charlene Masucci of Revere, who was sitting on a curb on the parade route with her son. She'd just met Baker, and he seemed like a "nice guy," she said.

But personality wasn't her top priority either.

"People want to work," she said. "There's no jobs. We need to focus on jobs and education."