Romney makes pitch for Healey; Patrick runs hard
WORCESTER -- Governor Mitt Romney returned to Massachusetts to make a final push yesterday for his would-be successor, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, telling voters that Democrat Deval L. Patrick's assertions about the state during the campaign will cause "irreparable harm" to the Commonwealth.
Romney, defending the jokes he tells out of state about the state's liberal reputation, said during a campaign stop at a Worcester pizza shop that Patrick's criticism of the state's economy, business climate, and public schools was more hurtful than his own gibes. He argued that Patrick was deterring companies from locating here.
"The untruthful attacks on Massachusetts that Deval Patrick's campaign has put forward over the last three or four months are going to do irreparable harm to this state," said Romney, who, as a potential 2008 presidential candidate, has been vigorously defending his State House legacy.
Patrick, buoyed by polls indicating he enjoys a substantial lead, started his day at a senior citizens complex in Quincy, telling reporters he wanted a big enough victory at the polls today to send the Legislature an unequivocal message about his mandate to govern.
"There's a language that legislators understand that has to do with the size and the depth of the vote and support for my election if I win, and so, obviously, like any candidate, I want as big a vote as possible," said Patrick, who has positioned himself as an outsider looking to change politics as usual on Beacon Hill.
Asked by reporters what his mandate would be, Patrick said he would work to stimulate the economy, bring "consistent excellence" to every public school, and make sure the state's new landmark healthcare law works.
"These are long-term goals that will require long-term commitment," Patrick said. "But I hope the mandate is an understanding that government by photo op and gimmick and slogan has run its course and that we're going to be about long-term and lasting change," he added, in a swipe at Romney.
The election pits Healey, 46, a criminologist and former head of the state Republican Party, against Patrick, 50, a former US assistant attorney general for civil rights and a corporate executive who was virtually unknown when he launched his campaign last year. In a tough climate for Republicans nationwide, Healey is fighting to extend the GOP's 16-year hold on the governor's office in one of the most Democratic states.
Though Healey has put forward a host of policy ideas, she has largely run her campaign on a warning to voters: With Democrats in the Corner Office and running the Legislature, she argues, voters would see higher taxes and benefits for illegal immigrants. Patrick has ignited an unprecedented grass-roots coalition with rhetoric about restoring hope and leadership to the governor's office.
Both candidates have downplayed recent opinion polls as they sought to fire up their respective bases on the final day of campaigning.
Healey said she didn't believe in polls, contending her campaign had momentum. "When we're making our phone calls to undecided voters, a lot of people are questioning what kind of Commonwealth will we have under a Governor Patrick, and people are coming to the conclusion that they don't know," she said in Worcester.
Patrick said he was taking nothing for granted. "I want every single vote from every single resident [or] citizen of the Commonwealth," he said in Quincy. "I'm going to make a play for it, and I'm going to make a claim on it right up to the end."
Independent Christy Mihos, meanwhile, spent a couple of hours at midday greeting people at Downtown Crossing, while Green-Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross unveiled her environmental plan.
Romney, viewed unfavorably by 54 percent of Massachusetts voters in a recent Globe poll, had not been a visible presence in Healey's campaign before yesterday. He spent the weekend campaigning for GOP candidates in Wisconsin, Iowa, Arkansas, Maryland, and New Hampshire, according to his official schedule.
Yesterday, the governor made at least three stops with Healey, his first full day of campaigning with her.
In the morning, Romney joined the lieutenant governor for breakfast at Lobsta Land in Gloucester. Healey greeted about 50 supporters over heaping plates of French toast and pancakes and boasted about the support of Gloucester's Democratic mayor, John Bell.
"One of the biggest surprises in this race is that some cities that have been Democratic strongholds will show strong for Republicans tomorrow," said Healey, who is trailing by 20-plus points in most polls.
Healey also defended Romney, who is chairman of the Republican Governors Association, after being asked about his frequent travels on behalf of other GOP candidates around the country.
"Governor Romney has a lot of responsibilities," Healey said. "He's done everything I've asked of him."
Asked the same question, Romney said: "We're partners. For the past five years of that partnership, I was out front. . . . Now it's time for her to be out front."
"She is going to be the governor going forward," added Romney, who blamed Democratic "attack ads" for negative views of him.
But Romney's most aggressive politicking came in Worcester, when asked by reporters about how he pokes fun at the state's liberal leanings in front of conservative audiences. Romney dismissed the criticism and went right after Patrick.
Romney said: "Millions of dollars in ads have gone out telling our businesses here that this isn't a great place to do business. That's wrong. And that our schools aren't good. That's wrong. These are the kinds of attacks on Massachusetts that I'm afraid are going to have a lasting impact."
The Worcester event, at Junior's Pizza Grille, drew about 120 to 150 energized supporters, who filled the parking lot and crowded around a table as Healey's campaign stopped for lunch.
"Everybody's going to be surprised," said Brenda Ljunggren, a Healey supporter from Shrewsbury. "I think Healey's going to make it. She's going to be a fantastic governor."
At his campaign stop in Quincy, Patrick was upbeat as he greeted seniors over Dunkin' Donuts coffee and Munchkins.
"I've got to go to the doctor, but you've got my vote," a man said to Patrick as the candidate walked into the complex.
Once inside, Patrick started making the rounds. "Hi, my name is Deval. Nice to see you," he said to a woman seated on a couch in the hallway.
"I've heard great things about you," she said, gripping his hand.
"I look taller on TV, though," Patrick said.
Then he moved on, gave two blond boys in a double stroller high-fives, and entered a function room to a standing ovation from 200 people.
"He just comes down to our level," said 82-year-old Italina Steinmetz. "Like people, not like a politician."
Last night, the four candidates for governor traveled to West Roxbury for the 25th annual Harry Truman Society rally. Despite the chilly temperatures, hundreds of political supporters crowded onto Centre Street holding signs in support of candidates and ballot questions.
Debbie Holmwood grabbed two Kerry Healey signs. "I put on my goofy hat and boots and came out here," she said. "I've been supporting her since she ran for lieutenant governor. She's a fiscal conservative and a social moderate, and I'm there."
Just after 6:45 p.m., a sport utility vehicle pulled up on Centre Street, and the crowd cheered as Patrick jumped out. "Are you ready to win?" he asked the crowd, which responded vociferously.
Patrick, asked last night about Romney's complaint that his campaign rhetoric had harmed the state, said: "This is from the same guy that's going around the country using us as his laugh line."
About half an hour after Patrick left the stage, dozens of Healey supporters carrying signs marched down Centre Street to the rally.
The crowd of Healey supporters erupted as the lieutenant governor took the stage. "We're doing well . . . but we can do better," she said to the crowd.
Kay Lazar of the Globe staff and Globe correspondent Michael Naughton contributed to this report. Scott Helman can be reached at shelman@globe.com. 
