Poll: Mass. wants Mitt

Boston Herald ^ | 2-27-02 | David R. Guarino

[GraniteStateConservative]

Poll: Mass. wants Mitt

HERALD POLL/by David R. Guarino
Tuesday, February 26, 2002

Republican Mitt Romney would steamroll into the governor's race a certified front-runner, far more popular than the wounded acting governor and besting every Democrat in the field, a new Herald poll shows.

In a staggering sign the GOP could abandon acting Gov. Jane M. Swift for Romney, 48 percent of Republicans surveyed now disapprove of the job Swift is doing as governor.

Meanwhile, 69 percent of Republican voters view Romney favorably while only 36 percent give Swift favorable marks.

And while Swift's plummeting fortune now has her losing to all but the weakest Democrats, the poll shows Romney - hailed as the savior of the scandal-ridden Salt Lake City Olympics - easily beating all five Democratic contenders, trouncing three of them by double-digit margins.

``Mitt Romney would be in an extraordinarily strong position to come into the state and trump Swift for the nomination of the Republican Party,'' said Herald pollster R. Kelly Myers. ``Jane Swift is now in a very vulnerable political position.''

The poll, of 406 registered Massachusetts voters, was taken Saturday through yesterday. It has a 4.9 percent margin of error.

For Romney, now strongly considering a run against Swift as he mops up after the Utah games, the poll shows a clear path to victory that his advisers have said could push him into the race. Already some key Republicans are defecting from Swift as they try to woo Romney.

Among all voters, an enviable 57 percent favorable rating for Romney towers over Swift's meager 27 percent, the poll shows.

Just 8 percent of voters view Romney unfavorably, while Swift's negative rating soared to 53 percent in the latest poll - the highest since the scandals that plagued her early days as lieutenant governor.

His strong favorable ratings show voters still like the affable Belmont millionaire who lost to U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in 1994, and prefer him to even popular Democrats like former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, state Treasurer Shannon P. O'Brien and Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham.

``He is getting just a huge boost coming out of Salt Lake that he could translate into a fairly strong position if he wanted to enter the race for governor of Massachusetts,'' Myers said.

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card also bested Swift, earning 34 percent favorable ratings in the poll and beating three of the five Democrats in the race.

In matchups against Democrats, Republicans now appear poised to either win with Romney or lose with Swift.

O'Brien and Reich lead the pack, clearly leaving Birmingham behind when matched against either Republican.

The state treasurer beats Swift by 19 points, 49 percent to 30 percent, while Reich falls slightly behind at 48 percent to 30 percent. Birmingham has fallen into his own second tier among the Democrats, beating Swift by only 9 points even after a flood of costly television ads in recent weeks.

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Steve Grossman, who also pumped thousands into television ads, dropped into a statistical dead heat with Swift alongside former state Sen. Warren E. Tolman.

But the Democrats' hope of reclaiming the Corner Office reverses against Romney, the poll shows.

Romney beats O'Brien by 6 points, 38 percent to 32 percent and Reich by 9 points, 40 percent to 31 percent. Romney trounces the rest of the Democrats - Birmingham by 18 points, Grossman and Tolman by 25 points.

The numbers show Card, the Holbrook native, made the right decision to so far bow out of the race for governor, Myers said.

``He is somewhat more popular (than Swift) but he loses to Reich, loses to O'Brien and ties with Birmingham,'' Myers said. ``A Republican strategist looking at these numbers would not recommend bringing Andy Card to replace Swift on the ticket.''

Still, the polling data show Romney's popularity might be fleeting. The popularity drawn by commanding the closely watched Olympics, where he strolled with President Bush through the opening ceremonies, won't last, Myers said.

``If he did want to get into the race, he'd be better off doing it sooner than later to capitalize on these numbers while people are still thinking about the Olympics,'' Myers said. ``I don't know how quickly his favorable numbers will decline over time, but certainly they won't get any higher than today if he doesn't do something.''

For Swift, the latest poll shows she's hurting badly even with Romney out of the race.

Swift's popularity and job approval ratings, which soared after Sept. 11, have now steadily dropped to just above her December 2000 political lowpoint.

``She is only slightly better than she was at her worst, following the scandals that date back two years ago,'' Myers said. ``The continued downturn of the economy and the difficulties getting a budget passed have created some continued political problems for her.''

[michaelje]

Ditto.

[Antoninus]

If my memory serves, he's a large pachyderm with two horns on the snout. He had a genuine chance to take out Ted Kennedy in 1994 and ran a miserable campaign.

Personally, I hope Bob Reich gets elected. He's the perfect governor for that pitiful, pedophile-loving New England soviet known as Taxachusetts.

[SamAdams76]

Mitt was in a virtual dead-heat with Chappaquiddick Teddy back in 1994 when the polls came out in September of that year. But Mitt let it slip away because he refused to go on the offensive, electing to run a "gentlemanly" campaign instead. This you do not do when you are up against the Kennedy mafia. Then in late October, Mitt overcompensated by traveling to a ghetto in Boston and proclaiming it "Kennedy Country." That backfired on him bigtime. I thought it was pretty good but a lot of Bostonians got their noses out of joint and Kennedy got some sympathy out of it. Also, I believe it was that campaign that Kennedy temporarily cleaned up his act. He lost some weight, got married to some younger girl and cut down on his drinking.

[Doc On The Bay]

I "ran into" a "function" during Mitt's run vs "The Fat ONE" for the Senate. Mr Romney's people were Definitely a "Class Act!"

Most of us who have watched the actions of "Mafia Central" in our State House would LOVE to see ANYONE with a Backbone, Clout, a Conscience, a Sense of Fairness, & a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING of the precepts of our Constitution,-- "CLEAN HOUSE!!!"

With even a "Reasonable" campaign, Mr Romney OUGHT to Win!

(IF his "Operatives" can overcome & neutralize the DECIDEDLY UNDEMOCRATIC Tactics & UTTERLY Illegal manuovers), Mass. would WELCOME a "CE" of Mr Romney's caliber!

He HAS TO HAVE the "Muscle" to CRUSH the local "Dem" Machine, however!

"Mass" needs a Political "Eliot Ness!!"

Doc

[Burkeman1]

Yes pretty much. Daschle is a good example of the bribery involved. He is from a state that is very conservative and yet they elect him! But he is different from Mass becuase his base is so small. Daschle has met every voter in that sad state! And I mean that. He has less voters in his state than a congressman from any state has to deal with! But yet Daschle employs thousands from his state on just highway projects! Yes- they are conservative but yet "all polictics is local".

[Little Bill]

Doc;

If he can come out for Small Government and against gun control he would pick up the Carla vote, but it can't be an OK I support that stuff, *yawn*.

The Republicans in this peoples republic, as you well know, are tring to imitate the Gummy Babies by ripping out the spine of the party, and casting it to the Libertines.

[Doc On The Bay]

He's Got "Name!"---

We HAVE SOMETHING, here!!

Follow my Logic, if you would!

"Swift" is the "abberration"---a Political "Climber" with FEW political skills or "connections!"; She "Got to the Top" by SHEER Luck & "The Right Friends!"

Dershowitz is HATED by a LARGE percentage of the "Voting Population" due to his "Communist leanings," & association with the "Clintons!"

MOST Massachussetts Voters are WELL AWARE of the undemocratic HORROR in our "Legislative Body!"

I'd say, Mitt Romney had a GREAT SHOT at the Massachusetts Governorship!!

His Opponents are "Clowns, Incompetents, or Fools!"

What FUN!

Doc

[SuziQ]

"Mass" needs a Political "Eliot Ness!!"

Whoo Hoo, Doc, you got that right!!

[goldstategop]

Ms. Swift is just another New England RINO. She's way to the left of even Robert Reichhhhhhhhh.

[The Old Hoosier]

I think that the future of Conservatism in New England is actually with the Democratic Party.

Maybe it sounds nuts, but here's a few examples: pro-life dems running and beating pro-abortion Republicans in Boston, a new Dem Rep from Maine (going to replace Baldacci in 2002) who will win, who is pro-life and pro-gun. The Dem speaker of the Mass. House is anti-gay marriage, pro-life. (When Ted Kennedy retires, please let this guy take his place!) The Democrat who lost to Lincoln Chafee (RINO-RI) in 2000 for the Senate was also pro-life.

On the other side, you have the super-liberal Republicans in Mass., RI, Vt., and only slightly better ones in Maine. The Republicans in the Northeast have become more liberal than the next generation of Democrats.

[Maceman]

Maybe it sounds nuts, but here's a few examples: pro-life dems running and beating pro-abortion Republicans in Boston, a new Dem Rep from Maine (going to replace Baldacci in 2002) who will win, who is pro-life and pro-gun. The Dem speaker of the Mass. House is anti-gay marriage, pro-life. (When Ted Kennedy retires, please let this guy take his place!) The Democrat who lost to Lincoln Chafee (RINO-RI) in 2000 for the Senate was also pro-life.

You are right. It does sound nuts.

[TimSkalaBim]

A refresher from the 1994 Romney campaign. From his quotes, it appears Romney was somewhat embarrased to be on the Republican ticket. Some conservatives felt the same way.

---

The Boston Herald
October 27, 1994
Conservative group yanks its support for Mitt
By Joe Battenfeld

A national conservative group yesterday attacked Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mitt Romney for espousing a "left-wing agenda" and urged its followers not to support his candidacy.

The group said Romney's nationally televised debate performance against Sen. Edward M. Kennedy showed he is "anti-family" and running away from conservative Republican themes.

"It makes no difference who wins (the Senate race)," said L. Brent Bozell, executive director of the Conservative Victory Committee, a fiercely conservative fund-raising group. "Romney is not going to be a fighter for a conservative agenda."

The group's attack is not likely to hurt Romney in Massachusetts, where he is trying to appeal to the critical voting group of moderate independents.

Romney adviser Charles Manning last night dismissed Bozell's group as a right-wing organization that has not been involved in Romney's campaign.

"This is the type of gimmick that groups like this use to try to get publicity and it's really silly," Manning said. "There isn't anyone, anywhere who could ever say that Mitt Romney is anti-family."

Manning said Bozell's group has not contributed to Romney because he does not accept political action committee money.

Bozell said in an interview that he helped collect more than $ 3,500 in individual donations for Romney over the last few weeks.

He said he now regrets asking his group members to contribute to Romney because the debate "demonstrated very clearly that (Romney) has more in common with liberal Democrats than he does with conservatives."

Bozell's group is one of the most conservative in the country, and has been a constant critic of Kennedy's record in the Senate.

"I'm sorry we ever raised a penny for his campaign," Bozell said in a statement.

Other conservative leaders in Washington also were reportedly upset with Romney for voicing support on Tuesday night for gay rights, abortion rights and forcing employers to release information on their hiring record of women and minorities.

"Any man who runs on quotas for women is not one of us," Bozell said.

Kennedy attempted to link Romney several times during the debate to conservatives such as Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and accused him of trying to return the country to the policies of the Reagan-Bush administrations.

Romney objected to the characterizations, saying: "I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush."

Romney has sought throughout the campaign to portray himself as a "Bill Weld Republican" who is is liberal on social issues and conservative on fiscal matters.

One conservative strategist, however, said a Romney victory would hurt Republicans who are attempting to appeal to conservatives in the 1996 election.

"In their minds, if Romney is elected, that's a disaster to the future of the Republican Party," the strategist said.

[Doc On The Bay]

You MAY WELL be right about the "Romneys,"--& even about the "Mass" Republican Party--,but Mitt DOES represent a POSSIBLE "Counter" to the "Crypto-Commie" Democratic Machine in Mass!

"Governor Robert Reichhhhhhh?????-------are you KIDDING ME?????"

Our Poor Massachusetts is "Down to," "The Rino" vs. the "Hard-Core, Committed Commie!!"

Some Choice!!

Doc

[Little Bill]

I would vote for him, voted for him the last time against the Submariner. The problem that exists is the Swamper vote in the towns.

If we stay home, This includes you Doc, the Pubbies don't stand a chance. The Republicans are playing to the cities and the Socalist Security vote, the Queers and other demented people, the Rats have these people locked up.

We have to start playing the small government game, the Sucker Mom droping her kid off at day care, when she would rather be at home teaching her children to be to be something else rather than the clowns that I see today.

[Burkeman1]

Yes it is. Be honest. You would rather have a "republican" governer than just have a regular Democrat as Governor. That would be honest. We have not had a real Republican governor in 50 years in this state. The GOP in Mass is phoney.

I am tired of "GOP" governers in this state being used by the media as cover for their propaganda amd one party state! IS there any issue of any merit that Swift differs with over the Democrats? Should I vote for her? Go suck eggs- I would rather vote for a real honest Leftie than a suck egg hack from our phoney GOP- Swift is a moron. If You don't see that the GOP in this state is owned by the Democrats then you are the moron.

[Burkeman1]

Yeah- sing on. You are sad. I have studied politics in this state all my life and the most conservative Politician I have ever seen run for governer was John Silber- A democrat. Stop it- Mitt Romney is a waste of time. There is no Mass GOP- I watched as they decimated our ranks.

[Doc On The Bay]

I think you're precisely correct, & I think we MAY have a "leg up" in this race. Mitt is a "Known Quantity" here, & there is a tremendous pressure to find a credible "counter" to Finneran, Birmingham, etc. Most "aware" people in Ma view "Swiftie" as a lightweight! They are looking for a no-nonsense, "Sword-Swinging" Potentate to terrify the "Beacon Hill Mafia!" Mitt may be "it". Great campaign slogan---" Mitt is IT!" Oh well, so much for my political expertise. Doc

[Doc On The Bay]

I agree with your assessment. We are FIRMLY in the hands of the "Lefties" & Rino's. I just think "Rino's" are Slightly less dangerous than "Commies." I look for small victories in our "Woebegotten State." There is a small--but growing--fellowship of Conservatives here; if we don't get ourselves outlawed, we MAY gain some influence. There will be NO "Conservative Revolution" in our state for some time. We "Take our small victories," & gather strength for better times! Doc

[ninonitti]

Most "aware" people in Ma view "Swiftie" as a lightweight!

LINO!.....Lightweight In Name Only.....she's actually up there in Rosie O'Donnell territory - 200# plus.