The Gubernatorial Primary.

[No Elephants]

Grace Ross, a human services activist who ran against Patrick as the Green-Rainbow Party's nominee in 2006, will challenge him in the Democratic Primary. I doubt she will get any financial or campaign stars support from the DNC and Obama will probably campaign for Patrick, who was Obama's national campaign co-chair. So, those who want a change in Massachusetts should step up ASAP to help Ross, IMO. Even if she loses to Patrick, a strong showing for her would say something to the nation and to Patrick.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/02/challenger_step.html

Dr. Jill E. Stein of Lexington is running as the Green Rainbow candidate.

I guess State Treasurer Cahill still plans to run against Patrick as an independent and Secretary of State Galvin still plans to sit this one out.

Battling so far for the Republican nomination are Christy Mihos, of the Christy convenience stores, and Charles D. Baker, former Secretary to Govs. William Weld and Paul Cellucci and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim.<6>

Some Republican website says Baker is outraising Patrick.

All Democrats, both Massachusetts and national, best be on their toes this time. The Republicans all over the country really, really want to turn Massachusetts red, much like David wanted to fell Goliath. And they will send money, they will send people to their nominee's rallies, and they will send their Party's stars (such as they are), just as everyone all over the nation did for Brown.

[pipi_k]

1. Well, I guess Republicans are going to have to wait for a cold day in hell

before Mass "turns red".

The state has, in the past, elected Republicans (or pseudo Independents) to various government positions. Some of them were fairly decent, while some Democrats were ineffective, at best.

We've survived both scenarios, and we will again, and I honestly can't even see Mass being purple, let alone red.

[No Elephants]

2. For the 16 consecutive years before Deval Patrick, we had Republican Governors.

Now, as I have explained to out of staters, Massachusetts can afford to elect a chimp Governor, given that our legislature is 96% Democratic and can override a gubernatorial veto in its sleep. However, Governors do appoint U.S. Senators and nominate folks to the Supreme Judicial Court.

And, I think a Republican Governor following the Brown election would have a different psychological impact than prior Republican Governors have had. I think it would be seen as momentum. Ditto the campaigns being mounted against our Representatives.

I really don't think this is the time it's wise or safe to be complacent, with all the anger against incumbents and the history of mid-term elections bumping out incumbents. False bravado when we should have been in red alert mmode (literally and figuratively) did us in with Coakley. We should not, IMO, continue that.