`Inmates' take protests to Patrick
Demonstrators rally outside home of candidate, his campaign manager
Campaign activists dressed in orange prison jump suits picketed the homes of Democratic candidate Deval L. Patrick and his campaign manager yesterday, as the nasty tone of the campaign for governor moved from the airwaves and debate halls into two residential neighborhoods.
About a half-dozen demonstrators showed up at Patrick's home in Milton at about 7 a.m., dressed to appear like inmates and brandishing placards mocking him as a coddler of criminals, according to Patrick's campaign. At about the same time, two people wearing orange jump suits appeared at the Abington residence of his campaign manager, John Walsh.
Walsh's 12-year-old son, who was home alone preparing to catch his school bus, called his father, who had left for work. Walsh's wife, Donna, who was also on her way to work, became concerned about her son and called Abington police to go the house. Police say the pair left by the time officers arrived.
"It was certainly disruptive to the neighborhood," said Chief Dave Majenski, who confirmed that a group "dressed in prison-type garb" were demonstrating in front of the Walsh house.
No police were called to Patrick's home in Milton. The candidate left, driving past the demonstrators on his way to an event, an aide said. Neighbors say a Milton police cruiser has been parked from time to time in front of his house in recent weeks.
It could not be determined who the activists were supporting. On Thursday night, a similarly dressed group, carrying signs that said "Inmates for Deval Patrick," was in a holding area outside Faneuil Hall that was reserved for Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey's demonstrators.
Yesterday, the Healey campaign refused to answer questions about the demonstrators.
"The Healey campaign has hundreds of volunteers doing standouts all over Massachusetts every day, and they aren't centrally coordinated out of our office," said Nate Little, a spokesman for her campaign.
But the Patrick campaign reacted sharply.
"If your path to the governor's office includes scaring the heck out of people, you should be embarrassed," said Doug Rubin, Patrick's senior adviser.
The tensions mounted as Healey's media strategists decided yesterday to more than double the television airtime for her controversial ad that shows a woman walking through a dark garage and highlights Patrick's support of convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer.
The ad has roiled the gubernatorial campaign and is drawing attention in the national media. A
Healey has said the ad is designed to reflect differences between her and Patrick on the issue of crime.
"It is getting so much attention, and we think it is working, so we want to ratchet up the frequency," said one of her senior strategists.
Both Democratic and Patrick's strategists, however, say that while the ad may scare some voters away from the Democratic nominee, the commercial is so negative and harsh that it has done more damage to Healey's image.
The Healey campaign has also begun airing a 30-second radio ad to promote her demands that Patrick agree to a one-on-one debate, without independent Christy Mihos and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross. Patrick immediately dismissed her proposal, saying it would be disrespectful to the others. He also pointed out that Healey had advocated last April that the general election debates include all four candidates
"They can call all day, keep calling, call away," Patrick told reporters before entering a Boston fund-raising event, when told that Healey has the support of media pundits and others for a one-on-one debate.
"The voters will choose among four candidates, not just two," he said.
A consortium of media outlets including the Globe has offered to sponsor a debate between Patrick and Healey. A representative of the group approached Patrick's campaign about sponsoring the debate a week ago and made the offer again Thursday night. The consortium also discussed the idea of a one-on-one debate with Healey's campaign.
Patrick spoke to reporters as his financial supporters gathered at the University of Massachusetts Club in Boston for a fund-raiser that was supposed to feature US Senator Barack Obama of Illinois . Obama's plane was delayed because of bad weather, and a subsequent joint appearance was canceled when Patrick's campaign realized it could not be staged at the Kennedy Library because it is federal property.
Patrick reportedly raised $250,000. Former president Bill Clinton is scheduled to return to Massachusetts next week to raise another $250,000 in Worcester. 