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Polls Close In Hotly Contested Primary (Massachusetts Primary Results LIVE Thread)
WCVB TheBostonChannel.com via Yahoo! ^ | Tue Sep 17, 8:05 PM ET | WCVB TheBostonChannel.com

Posted on 09/17/2002 5:21:29 PM PDT by Momaw Nadon

Polls have closed in the Massachusetts primary election, and candidates are waiting for returns to come in.

Four Democrats fought for the gubernatorial nomination in the most expensive primary in the state's history, with more than $15 million spent. Two of the candidates -- Shannon O'Brien and Tom Birmingham -- were well-financed, a third -- Warren Tolman -- benefited from a court ruling, and the fourth -- Robert Reich -- ran a quirky campaign on a shoestring budget.

Reich pulled an all-nighter, campaigning across Greater Boston from 7 p.m. Monday to Tuesday morning. He refused to put much of his own money in the race and campaigned on the premise that he was the only true outsider, having never held elective office.

"I am very confident, because all of the data we've seen and all of my free-floating focus groups suggest that we do have the enthusiasm, we do have the excitement, we do have people who are full committed," Reich said.

O'Brien was the frontrunner early on, but recent polls have been mixed, with some showing slim leads and others showing more substantial ones.

"I've been honored to have had the opportunity to run for governor," O'Brien said. "I'm honored that I have been able to work with so many terrific Democrats and independents across Massachusetts. I think there are many people who are looking for new leadership."

Tolman gambled big by running as a Clean Elections candidate, despite the law not being funded by the Legislature. He won the jackpot when the Supreme Judicial Court decided the state had to turn over nearly $4 million to fund his campaign. Tuesday, he said that he's hoping to show the voters their money was not wasted.

"If you've done everything you can, you feel like, 'Hey, here goes. Let's let the people decide,'" Tolman said. "So I'm hoping that people look kindly on me. Nerves are something if you haven't prepared, I think, you get nervous. But we've prepared. I think we've done everything we can."

Birmingham gave up his secure Senate presidency to campaign statewide. He made a big pitch for the women's vote, but his campaign is counting on labor unions to get the vote out.

"This is going to be a good turnout, and we are hitting our peak at the absolute right moment," Birmingham said. "It feels like the momentum has completely swung our way."

Turnout has been light in the Democratic primary, which analysts said would favor O'Brien and Birmingham, who have the most extensive field operations.

Romney Fights For Healey

Republican candidate Mitt Romney spent the past few days trying to convince voters that his pick for lieutenant governor, Kerry Healey, is essential to his success in November.

Healey, a moderate Republican, is matched against businessman Jim Rappaport, who has cast himself as the race's true conservative.

"I'm very excited about the prospect of working with Mitt for the next seven weeks," Healey said. "It's going to be an absolute sprint to the finish, and we're going to beat the Democrats in November."

Polls showed the race to be tight. Rappaport said that he is more qualified than Healey for the office, especially if Romney follows the trend of recent Republican governors to leave office early.

"I am more qualified to step up and be the acting governor, if the need arises, than my opponent," Rappaport said. "I have the leadership and executive decision-making experience that my opponent doesn't have, and if the need arises we need to have a strong No. 2."

Romney would not discuss the possibility of being paired with Rappaport.

"I can't let myself even think that way. I'm so confident that Kerry has received such strong support," Romney said. "I've heard that so uniformly from our field team that's out talking to people ... that people who were undecided are now pulling for Kerry. I'm confident that she's going to be there, and I don't have any room in my little brain for more than that outcome."


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Breaking News; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Massachusetts; Unclassified; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: birmingham; governor; healey; ma; massachusetts; mittromney; obrien; rappaport; reich; romney; tolman
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I voted for Mitt Romney for governor and Kerry Healey for lieutenant governor in the Republican Primary.
1 posted on 09/17/2002 5:21:29 PM PDT by Momaw Nadon
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To: Momaw Nadon
So bring those of us who don't live in MA and are not up on your local politics. Any chance for the GOP?
2 posted on 09/17/2002 5:29:26 PM PDT by kellynla
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To: Momaw Nadon
I voted for Mitt Romney for governor and Kerry Healey for lieutenant governor in the Republican Primary.

I'd move out of the state rather than post such an embarrassing admission here.

3 posted on 09/17/2002 5:31:45 PM PDT by Willie Green
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To: Willie Green
I'd move out of the state rather than post such an embarrassing admission here.

Explain. Why is this embarrassing?

4 posted on 09/17/2002 5:34:53 PM PDT by lonestar
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: kellynla
Well, Mitt Romney is the strongest candidate from either party for governor.

The lieutenant governor position is being contested between Kerry Healey and Jim Rappaport.

Romney favors Healey.

If Reich wins on the Democrat side, then Romney will be running against a lollipop kid.

6 posted on 09/17/2002 5:35:34 PM PDT by Momaw Nadon
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To: Momaw Nadon; Admin Moderator; Sidebar Moderator
Results thread already posted
7 posted on 09/17/2002 5:35:47 PM PDT by GraniteStateConservative
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To: Willie Green
Interesting, first in the NH primary and now in the Mass primary, the out-of-staters have the strongest opinions. It would be well for you folks to clean up your own messes first.
8 posted on 09/17/2002 5:37:39 PM PDT by Redleg Duke
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To: Willie Green
Yes, I know I live in Massachusetts, but we are trying to do the best with what we have.

I do wish that MA was more conservative.

IMHO, the reason for Massachussets being so liberal is that the state is bombarded with Democrat propaganda by the Boston Globe every day of the year.

It would be great if a Republican billionaire could buy the paper and present a more fair and balanced view in the major daily newspaper.

9 posted on 09/17/2002 5:41:22 PM PDT by Momaw Nadon
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To: lonestar
Explain. Why is this embarrassing?

Just another liberal RINO in every sense of the term: on abortion, "gays", 2nd Amendment... etc. etc.

"Conservative" doesn't apply to these two candidates at all.

10 posted on 09/17/2002 5:41:32 PM PDT by Willie Green
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To: kellynla
Rappaport had the backing of Mass Gun Owner's Action League; but Lieutenant Governors are of little consequence: unless somebody dies or gets indicted.

Other than he, there are no actual conservatives running in either party.

I'm moving. Think I'll join Fred Reed in Mexico.

11 posted on 09/17/2002 5:42:05 PM PDT by dasboot
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To: Momaw Nadon
Did you vote for the state income tax repeal?
12 posted on 09/17/2002 5:44:13 PM PDT by Frohickey
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To: Frohickey
Did you vote for the state income tax repeal?

That will be on the ballot in the general election.

And yes, I will vote to repeal the state income tax.

13 posted on 09/17/2002 5:46:41 PM PDT by Momaw Nadon
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To: Redleg Duke
It would be well for you folks to clean up your own messes first.

I've had no problems critiqueing RINOs in my native state of Pennsylvania, RINOs in Michigan where I lived when I joined this forum, and now Nevada RINOs where I currently reside.
Massachusettes RINOs are fair game, whether you like it or not.
It is unfortunate that they are not an endangered species.

14 posted on 09/17/2002 5:46:48 PM PDT by Willie Green
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To: dasboot
"Lieutenant Governors are of little consequence: unless somebody dies or gets indicted."

In Massachusetts, Lieutenant Governors have a way of ending up Governor.

15 posted on 09/17/2002 5:47:13 PM PDT by billorites
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: Willie Green; Momaw Nadon; lonestar
Very embarassing admission indeed. Both Romney and Healy are pro-abortion moderate to liberals. Not exactly strong Christians are they? Rappaport is the only pro-life conservative in this race worth supporting.
17 posted on 09/17/2002 5:48:22 PM PDT by rightwing2
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To: Momaw Nadon
Thanks for the info. Is Reich favored on the Dimwit side?
18 posted on 09/17/2002 5:48:32 PM PDT by kellynla
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To: dasboot
Thanks for the info. Well speaking on my own experience you might want to re-consider Mexico but if you've spent time down there you are already aware.
19 posted on 09/17/2002 5:51:01 PM PDT by kellynla
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To: rightwing2
Until Roe vs Wade is overturned, it seems silly to vote against them for that.
20 posted on 09/17/2002 5:54:16 PM PDT by rb22982
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