Party insiders gather to make endorsement

Deval Patrick, a former corporate lawyer and a top civil rights enforcer in the Clinton administration, is expected to win a large majority of the vote, an impressive milestone for a candidate who has no previous experience running for public office and was largely unknown in the state just over a year ago, when he launched his bid for the Democratic nomination.

Democratic insiders arriving here were discussing whether Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly, the early front-runner who decided early on not to seek the endorsement, and Chris Gabrieli, the venture capitalist who held the second spot on the 2002 ticket, will receive the 15 percent of delegates required to qualify for the September primary ballot.

``It's pretty obvious Deval is going to win the endorsement," said US Representative Michael E. Capuano, who is supporting Patrick. ``The bottom line is whether both or just one of the other candidates is going to make it and get on the ballot."

Like Reilly and Gabrieli, Patrick roamed the convention floor last night, greeting voters, appealing to his supporters to hang together, and trying to lure the last few undecided votes.

``I have butterflies, of course," Patrick said earlier at a labor reception at local restaurant. ``I'm taking nothing for granted." Patrick has won strong support from liberal activists in the party who often dominate the Democratic conventions.

Gabrieli, who was passed over by Reilly last January when the attorney general was looking for a running mate, jumped into the governor's race in March, well after the Democratic caucuses when most of the delegates were elected. He had to scramble to get more than 500 signatures to get his name in front of the convention delegates and has spent $2.6 million of his own funds, waging an aggressive campaign to court undecided delegates.

Last night, he and his aides said they were confident they will pass the 15 percent threshold. ``I'm very optimistic, either because I'm going to get my 15 percent, or because I'm a lifelong optimist," Gabrieli said at an AFL-CIO reception at a Worcester restaurant before the convention began. ``We'll find out which one tomorrow."

Gabrieli is fighting hard against an equally aggressive campaign by Reilly to assure that he has enough delegate support, and by Patrick, whose strategists are trying to roll up the largest vote tally they can.

Some party leaders are convinced that Patrick's strategy is designed to block Gabrieli from the ballot. A Gabrieli candidacy is seen by most observers as cutting heavily into Patrick's support, and polls seem to indicate that is happening.

Reilly told reporters on the convention floor that he was certain he had the delegates he needed.

``I mean, there's no question," he said, saying he had been calling delegates for most of the day.

Rumors of dirty tricks and backroom deals were sweeping through the convention, both on the floor and in the chatter at some of the rallies and parties. In fact, Reilly, talking to reporters on the convention floor, accused both of his opponents of ``shenanigans" designed to end his campaign this weekend.

``Listen, there's obviously an effort to keep me off the ballot," Reilly said. ``That's not going to happen."

Asked who was behind that effort, Reilly said, ``I think both camps, both opponents. But I understand that. There's games played in every convention, and this is no different."

Patrick dismissed such charges. ``I have heard every kind of rumor, one more fantastic than the next," Patrick said. ``I'm not paying attention to their campaign," he said. ``I'm trying to pay attention to my own."

The Democratic Party could face an uproar if it blocks from the ballot either Gabrieli, who has given millions of his own funds to the party and its causes, or Reilly, a two-term incumbent and a top ranking statewide officeholder . Party chairman Philip W. Johnston said he will insist the convention not bend its rules to assure that the two make the ballot.

Still, Johnston and most every other observer acknowledge that the outcome of today's convention vote could have a far reaching impact, both on the 2006 gubernatorial race and the future role conventions will play in party politics.

``The political landscape in Massachusetts may well change this weekend, depending on what happens tomorrow," Johnston said as delegate s began filtering into the DCU Center for the opening night session.

The battle over delegate votes has sparked debate over the party's rule, which was created in 1982. Capuano said he would like to see the party lower the 15 percent threshold to as low as 5 percent. But he said that the rules can't be changed now and that Gabrieli has to live with his decision to jump into the race late.

``He is a serious candidate and should not be denied the opportunity to run, but he has been active in the past, and he knows the rules," said Capuano, a Somerville Democrat. By changing the rules, you are telling delegates they wasted their time to run in the caucus in February."

Gabrieli agreed. As he made his way through the convention floor, greeting delegates, he said he accepted the party rules ``I have no complaints," he said. ``Anybody asking for tears of sympathy for a politician is making a mistake. I understood the rules going in."

Last night, the convention gave a roaring reception to US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the 74-year-old senior statesman who is seeking his eighth full six-year term. Kennedy, who first appeared as a 30-year-old senatorial candidate before a Democratic convention in Springfield in 1962, is heavily favored to win reelection. Two Republicans are seeking their party's nomination to oppose him.

Kennedy offered the delegates a strong, partisan speech, predicting that Democrats would rout Republicans from office both on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill.

``Republicans, you're on notice," Kennedy said. ``Time to order the moving vans. Time to order the boxes . . . because Nov. 7 we're moving you out."

``Out of the State House. Out of the halls of Congress," he said.