Romney has a very good shot. Weld won and Cellucci won and Romney is stronger than they were in my opinion. There is no heavyweight in this race but Romney. Reich isn't a heavyweight because he has made many bad decisions. The Speaker of the House is a Democrat who likes to stab other state Democrats in the back to keep the power he has-- which is another edge for the GOP.
Massachusetts likes celebrities and Romney is a celebrity. They won't feel threatened by Romney because he's not a social conservative (though he is likely against things like civil unions-- which Swift was against as well, even though her choice for Lt. Gov. and her step-son support it). If Ted Kennedy dies in office, I'd rather have Romney appoint the replacement.
You hit the nail on the head. There are only two reasons to support Mitt Romney, who is a squish Republican, as Governor of Massachusetts. 1) Lower taxes, and 2) appointing the successor to Ted Kennedy when he goes to that Irish pub in the sky. The first reason is good for Massachusetts. The second reason is good for the whole nation. Being part Irish, I'll drink to that.
Congressman Billybob
New column: "The Truman Factor."