Battle-lines are already being drawn for an election that might not ever happen. Today's Globe reported that Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey is quietly gathering up support for a gubernatorial run of her own, should Mitt Romney bail in 2006, as many expect. Healey has collected public support from party insiders including Romney himself, former treasurer Joe Malone, and various GOP donors and consultants. Healey has already raised over a quarter of a million dollars and will have no problem matching either Charlie Baker in the primary or her Democratic opponent if she taps into her and her husband's vast personal fortune.
On the topic of Massachusetts Republican Lieutenant Governors, USA Today had a great anecdote today:
Once, at an official dinner in Massachusetts, a woman sitting next to Calvin Coolidge asked him what he did for a living.It seems like little has changed in 90 years. Healey is able to use the connections she's made in her largely ceremonial role. This is an advantage that her competition does not have. Her job is, near as I can tell, to go around chatting up state and local leaders -- the perfect way to campaign without campaigning. All on our dime, of course.
"I'm the lieutenant governor," the future 30th president said.
"That's wonderful," the woman said. "Tell me all about it."
"I just did," Coolidge replied.
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