Baker bid for governor rallies struggling GOP

The party has no statewide office holders, no members of the congressional delegation, fewer legislators than ever before, and little in the way of signature issues.

But Baker’s campaign could prove to be a virtual stimulus package for the state GOP, not only putting consultants back to work, but bringing the party back to a brand of Republicanism that has proved to be politically successful in Massachusetts over many years, a blend of moderate social views and fiscal restraint.

It was the kind of platform that William F. Weld ran on, twice, and it was the platform that Mitt Romney ran on in 2002, but then abandoned as he stoked his national ambitions by adopting more conservative positions.

“There’s a pretty clear formula for electing a Massachusetts Republican in this economy, in this fiscal situation,’’ said former acting governor Jane Swift. “And with Charlie Baker’s credentials, it’s easy to see a win on the horizon. That’s what’s got everybody so excited.’’

On the Democratic side, there are many who believe the party is experiencing the exact opposite dynamic. With total dominance over the state’s governing structures, the party is awash in infighting. Governor Deval Patrick and the legislative leaders are constantly at odds over things large and small and occasionally disdainful of each other.

In the economic collapse that has left state leaders across the nation helpless, it is the Democratic leaders who will be blamed for the difficult solutions, read taxes, to the historic problems. Their success in Massachusetts, some said, could be a curse.

“The mood of the electorate is certainly sour,’’ said Phil Johnston, former chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. “It’s a dangerous and volatile situation for any incumbent governor in the country at this point. It’s very important that [Patrick] have the resources to make his case, and I don’t doubt he will be able to do that.’’

A day after Baker announced for governor and state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill officially left the Democratic Party in a probable first step toward a gubernatorial run as an independent, politicos throughout Boston and around the state took stock of the momentous week and how it would play out across the next year.

Republicans were jubilant to the point of having to caution themselves.

“Things are so bad, and we’re looking for a savior,’’ said Senator Robert L. Hedlund, a Weymouth Republican. “But to create that impression that Charlie is the messiah coming down the mountain with the tablets could be a problem, too.’’

Baker will probably try to remove most social issues from the debate by basically taking stands that are simpatico with Democratic principles. By doing this, he will put the focus on fiscal philosophies that are centered on a significant sales tax hike passed by a Democrat-controlled Legislature and signed by a Democratic governor. Along with that, there were hikes in taxes on meals, hotels, and alcohol.

This kind of approach and campaign sets Baker up to win favor among the business community, where there was much opposition to the sales tax increase. While he is relatively unknown among the rank and file, Baker, through his work as chief executive of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, has strong relationships in the financial sector.

“He’s going to be a strong candidate,’’ said Jon B. Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. “We’re looking forward anxiously to see what he has to say about things like the economy, taxes on consumers, and health insurance rates for small businesses.’’

Baker, a self-proclaimed Weld Republican, argues for a budgeting approach that restricts state spending to currently available revenue, without raising new taxes to pay for new programs.

Patrick has a philosophy of thinking big and attempting to create new programs, then trying to find money to pay for them.

“We’re building a house,’’ Patrick once said about education funding. “You design it first and then cost it out.’’

The race will also probably shape up to be about who can pitch themselves as the biggest and best reformer. Patrick has significant pension, ethics, and transportation overhauls under his belt. But he also has a tax increase and was governor during a disturbing pattern of corruption scandals in a Legislature controlled by Democrats.

Baker will probably attempt to tie Patrick to the Beacon Hill establishment and push the notion, much as Romney did in 2002, that the state needs better checks and balances and cannot afford to put both chambers of the Legislature and the governor’s office under the control of the same party.

But there are several major variables, the biggest being what Cahill decides to do. Cahill will not formally announce his decision until after Labor Day. His decision to run could potentially split the opposition vote and leave Patrick in a strong position.

Baker also faces a formidable candidate in the Republican primary, going up against Christy Mihos, the wealthy convenience store executive who ran as an independent in 2006. Mihos has hired Dick Morris, a consultant known for a down-and-dirty political style that could bruise Baker in the primary or make him battle-tested for a general election.

Speculation also began to swirl yesterday over whether Baker will chose a running mate as Republicans have often done in the past. Among names being mentioned by Republicans and political observers are Representative Karyn E. Polito of Shrewsbury; Mary Z. Connaughton of Framingham, a longtime member of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority; and Senator Scott Brown of Wrentham. All are Republicans.

All of it has created palpable excitement in a party that claims less than 12 percent of registered voters, just 5 of 40 sitting state senators, and only 16 of 160 House members.

“It’s been a series of losses for the Republicans in Massachusetts for a number of years now,’’ said Peter Torkildsen, former chairman of the state GOP and a former US representative. “All of a sudden we have, by everyone’s regard, an A-list candidate running.’’

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.