Romney MIA, so Healey goes it alone: No announced plans for governor to stump for ’02 running mate
BOSTON - Gov. Mitt Romney may be on the campaign trail, but he isn’t making pitches for his lieutenant, Kerry Healey, who is running to replace him.
Romney’s last campaign appearance alongside Healey was in late April, at the Republican convention in Lowell. One month earlier, the governor showed up for the announcement of Reed Hillman as Healey’s running mate.
Since then, Healey has stood alone. With the general election campaign kicking into full swing, Romney’s travel schedule in the next week will take him to four different states to advance his own national ambitions.
But he has yet to announce any plans to stump for Healey.
The lieutenant governor’s campaign office refuses to comments on reports that Healey is dismayed by Romney’s aloofness. They say Romney has made it clear he would attend functions any time he was needed.
"They’ve (Romney and Healey) maintained a great working relationship from the start,’’ said Amy Lambiaso, a spokeswoman for the Healey campaign.
Lambiaso said Romney’s travel schedule includes several fundraisers for the Republican Party, including a fundraiser for Hillman in August.
"Any money raised for the party is really for the (Healey) campaign as well,’’ she said.
Healey will not know who her Democratic opponent is until after today’s party primary winnows the gubernatorial field to three: Healey, independent Christy Mihos and the Democratic winner. But the campaign will switch gears beginning tomorrow.
Still, Romney’s schedule for tomorrow through to Sept. 28 reveals his priorities: He will travel to Nevada, New York and Washington, D.C., with a stop in South Dakota for a Republican Governors Association pheasant hunt.
"The tradition of the Republican governors (in Massachusetts) is to put themselves first and not worry about the down ballot on the Republican ticket,’’ said Tobe Berkowitz, an associate dean at Boston University’s
College of Communications, who has helped run political campaigns. The down ballot refers to offices such as secretary of state and attorney general.
Berkowitz cited Gov. Paul Cellucci as another top Republican who failed to help other party members during their election campaigns.
Democrats agree with that assessment of GOP loyalty.
"(Romney) has pulled this disappearing act around the time (Healey) needs him most,’’ said Cyndi Roy, communications director for the state Democratic Party. "He’s proven his number-one priority has been advancing his political career.’’
Roy indicated Romney’s actions were confusing, considering he hand-picked Healey as his running mate in 2002.
"If he was so confident in her abilities, he’d stand beside her, but he hasn’t,’’ Roy said.
Last week’s State House News Service poll suggests that Healey faces an uphill fight. It shows that all Democratic gubernatorial candidates lead Healey in a head-to-head race.