More than 700 get an earful on policy, with some debate

CAMBRIDGE -- It was a college crowd, to be sure, but one that delights in politics.

More than 700 people crammed into a tiered forum at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government last night to hear four candidates for governor talk policy -- and policy, and policy.

''I'd rather have a beer with [Attorney General Thomas] Reilly," said Jamie Scott, a 27-year-old Cambridge resident working on her master's in public policy at the Kennedy School. ''But I'd rather have [Deval] Patrick stand in front of a camera and talk about state government and job creation."

Patrick, she added, ''had the best grasp of the issues no matter what came up. [Chris] Gabrieli and [Christy] Mihos had their stump speeches, and they just stayed with that."

Prior to the debate, John F. Kennedy Street was lined with large campaign signs. Inside, supporters wore stickers on suit jackets to broadcast their favorite politician. During the debate, the audience heeded the moderator R.D. Sahl's request that they stay quiet, though Patrick and Mihos managed to get the biggest laughs of the night.

One audience member said that the night's serving of policy was a little thick and that the debate could have used a little more, well, debate. ''It was very civilized," said Peggy Chaffin, who came from Newton with her husband to hear the debate. ''You do like to see them mix it up a bit."

The local blogging community also stayed in touch. ''I've never seen a debate with more substance than this -- the moderator forced people to tackle the issues and there was ample follow-up," said one post on Blue Mass. Group, a Democratic-leaning blog.

An instant survey of 67 audience members conducted last night by the Globe found that Patrick, who has not run for office before, was viewed favorably by that limited sample.

Two-thirds of those surveyed by the Globe thought Patrick was ''most likeable" and ''most gubernatorial."

Audience members surveyed said they thought Patrick provided the best solutions for the state economy and the best answer on population loss in Massachusetts.

Gabrieli, a venture capitalist, was rated second in every category except likeability. Mihos, who drew several laughs during the debate, was second-most-likeable, but came in last in every other category in the minisurvey. Nine percent thought Reilly, a two-term statewide officeholder, was the most gubernatorial; 6 percent thought he was the most likeable.

Prior to the debate, the Globe distributed the five-question survey to audience members who said they were not affiliated with any of the candidates or political parties. Sixty-seven questionnaires were collected after the debate.

''We need a little change in this state," Chaffin said. ''And I'm starting to like Gabrieli."

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