Cahill is a former Democrat who endorsed Patrick and praised him for standing up to those who want a tax rollback. However many conservatives would prefer voting for him rather than Baker
whom they feel is a "Republican in Name Only" and ran Harvard Pilgrim incorrectly, etc. Also social conservatives object to Baker picking Rich Tisei, who is openly gay. "I will vote for a pro
family candidate", they say. Cahill is probably the best friend the Dems could have because he may draw enough votes from Baker to give Patrick a victory.
In Mass., there are many voters who are Democrats or liberal but there are also many who are independent. Some of these may be fiscal conservatives but more moderate on issues like
gay marriage or abortion. But they have a tough time in a state where many like the idea of
big government, many work for the government or know someone who does (such as teachers) etc.
Whenever tax rollbacks are proposed, Democrats roll out ads saying that police/fire/schools
would be decimated, etc.
It was a minor miracle that Scott Brown was elected, and Coakley's ineptitude may have
contributed. Now many on the Right and center are moaning that Brown is "Republican in
Name Only" and broke his promises. Evidently they missed the ads which said that
he is independent-thinking and will do what's best for the state. (Meanwhile, Dems ran ads saying he would vote in lockstep with the Republican party. Guess what: That's wrong. His
voting record in the state Senate was the same way...)
Similarly, many on the
Right distrust the likes of Baker, Romney, etc. They want a totally conservative candidate.
Hey...this is Massachusetts. What are they smoking?
The Cahill dispute can be good radio (yes, radio) though no doubt even if Patrick wins
re-election it will be a boon to people like Howie. Most of the pols he attacks are
Democrats--but in a state where they hold 96 per cent of offices, maybe that's to
be expected. He DID attack Jane Swift, but her scandals were ripe for having fun
(same with such Republicans as Larry "Airport Bathroom" Craig).
Of course it's interesting that conservative radio does so well in this state while liberal radio
(at least _commercial_ liberal radio) doesn't. The talk radio demo may skew older and somehow
those who may be fiscally conservative and socially _moderate_ at least tend to enjoy
the talk radio we have. Or will a liberal talk host _someday_ be as successful as Carr?
He won his 3-6 pm time slot a few times...
And by the way, Cahill's fake sounding ad in which he goes "one voter at a time" to
people in coffee shops, etc. is as much a turnoff to me as 1-877-KARS-4-KIDS.
