Where I sat — that would be the moderator’s chair — state Treasurer Steve Grossman won the Boston Herald gubernatorial debate yesterday, taking the first step toward beating Attorney General Martha Coakley in the Sept. 9 primary.
Not only did Grossman command the most air-time during the three-way tilt, but he was able to paint Coakley as a politician who can’t be trusted. Now he needs to try to implement a similar strategy over the next two weeks, while the three Democrats take part in more roundtable discussions.
The candidates agree on nearly every issue. So now it’s time to get personal and point out character flaws.
Clearly Grossman was ready to attack Coakley on a recent settlement with a lobbying firm that fundraised for her in the past.
Her office made The Brennan Group pay back $100,000 of the $370,000 in illegal contingency fees that they billed a children’s hospital. Grossman said, “I guess there are people who are just too connected to fail.” He called the settlement and her failure to disclose their relationship, “the worst form of judgment.”
From the latest Boston Herald poll, Grossman is closing in on Coakley with only 12 points separating them. I don’t think Grossman took away Coakley supporters, but he did pick up some independent voters yesterday.
Voters hate the idea that big companies are making deals with the top attorney in Massachusetts. Even if Coakley got the best outcome for the commonwealth and the hospital, Grossman believes he has found the key to crack her lead.
Grossman also was smart to sit back while Don Berwick questioned Coakley’s casino stance. Grossman would vote the same as Coakley on the casino ballot question. Both wouldn’t repeal the law, but Berwick left Grossman alone and only attacked Coakley on the issue.
Grossman needs to be careful not to look like a bully. He should continue to bring up this settlement or get more politicians like Secretary of State William Galvin to do it for him.
A shadow of doubt is all an undecided voter needs at this stage in the game. Grossman cast more than a few shadows at the debate.
Jaclyn Cashman co-hosts “Morning Meeting” from 9 a.m. to noon on Boston Herald Radio. Follow her on twitter at @JaclynCashman.
Where I sat — that would be the moderator’s chair — state Treasurer Steve Grossman won the Boston Herald gubernatorial debate yesterday, taking the first step toward beating Attorney General Martha Coakley in the Sept. 9 primary.
