My vote, my choice

There's a lot to talk about in the gubernatorial election -- and most of it centers on Massachusetts' competitiveness. The electorate is voting with its feet, decamping to places with more jobs and cheaper houses.

Elections are where these things get hashed out. And if you have been paying any attention at all, you know that the three Democratic candidates -- Tom Reilly, Deval Patrick, and Chris Gabrieli -- are off to a promising start debating how to get Massachusetts turned around. The problem: This promising discussion could get snuffed out just as it's beginning.

In a world where consumers are demanding more choice -- and getting it in everything from long-distance calling to how they get their news -- Democratic Party insiders want to make that choice for me. On Friday and Saturday, party activists will convene in Worcester for the Democratic convention, and by the end of the weekend my choice may be narrowed to two candidates -- or conceivably even one. It's a choice I'm capable of making myself.

First-time candidate Patrick, a former top Justice Department official, was badly underestimated by Reilly. Gabrieli was a latecomer to the party, having been jilted at the last minute as Reilly's running mate. Party insiders say Patrick, who swept the caucuses, could win 60 percent of the delegates. Some even suggest 70 percent is within his reach.

Patrick has worked for his delegates, but it could leave either Reilly or Gabrieli -- or both -- off the ballot. It's an old story here: In 1982, the Dukakis camp used the party's rule that candidates must get 15 percent of convention delegates to squeeze Lieutenant Governor Tom O'Neill out of the race. Boston University President John Silber barely cleared the 15 percent mark before going on to win the primary in 1990. Robert Reich just squeaked by four years ago.

There needs to be a process to get to the ballot, but the whole convention system feels more like an anachronism every time we go through it. In the era of open systems, the sight of Patrick supporters managing to disqualify Reilly delegates because they backed a Republican four years ago is the kind of game that turns voters off from political parties.

Patrick, Reilly, and Gabrieli are all serious candidates who deserve to be on the ballot. A poll this month by State House News Service showed Reilly leading, with 37 percent to Gabrieli's 25 percent and 15 percent for Patrick. Another independent poll, by 7News/Suffolk University, had Reilly ahead with 35 percent, followed by Patrick with 20 percent, and Gabrieli with 15 percent.

Reilly has been clearest on rolling back the income tax rate to 5 percent. Gabrieli has pushed a $1 billion stem-cell initiative. Patrick wants to link housing and transportation.

With most voters just beginning to focus, this is no time to be short-circuiting the discussion. If voters feel left out of one party, there's another party that will be more than happy to welcome them.

Neighborhood news

With the governor approving the 99-year lease for the giant Columbus Center project, developer Arthur Winn is now fully committed to moving ahead with the project over the Massachusetts Turnpike. But he will have to do it without the $4.3 million subsidy that state Senator Dianne Wilkerson inserted into the stalled economic stimulus bill. House Speaker Sal DiMasi said he is opposed. ``They said they wouldn't need any public financing," said DiMasi, who is holding Winn to his word.

Lucinda Treat, the Boston Red Sox chief legal officer, is heading to New York to work for James Dolan, chief executive of Cablevision Systems, whose holdings include the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden. Reported salary: $1.5 million, about what backup catcher Doug Mirabelli makes. Treat did not return my calls.

Steve Bailey is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at bailey@globe.com or at 617-929-2902.