The Republican Primary: It’s Not Over

A number of Republicans across the Commonwealth had been on the edge of their seats, hoping that Charlie Baker would announce his candidacy for governor.

That hope has become a reality.

Scores of Republicans are now energized in a way we have not seen in a while. It should be great to see such energy amongst the party, but since Charlie Baker announced that he is joining the race for governor, we have gone from mildly annoyed, to all out ashamed by the behavior of some Republicans.

Clearly, they have a short attention span. We at Hub Politics do not.

In 2006, Massachusetts Republicans begged Christy Mihos to run as a Republican “for the good of the party.” Much to the dismay of many and the delight of our opposition, Mihos changed his enrollment to ‘unenrolled,’ and all of sudden it was a three way race for governor. We all know what happened next. Today, Mihos is back with the Republican Party, and even though we have said it many times, it deserves to be repeated: let’s put the past in the past.

It had been months that the only declared Republican candidate for governor was none other than Christy Mihos. Still, during that time, the rank-and-file Republicans were not afraid to show their bitterness, and when Charlie Baker walked in the room at Republican events and fundraisers, it was like a celebrity had just graced the room. Baker was moot on his potential candidacy, but he was fawned over like royalty; our only chance to take back the Corner Office from Deval Patrick and the democrats.

Oh, really? Not quite the case says a recent Rasmussen Report poll that suggests Christy Mihos would beat Deval Patrick, while Charlie Baker would fall short. With the better part of 15 months to go, plenty can happen before Election Day, so it’s not time to get ahead of ourselves over one poll, but you can’t discredit it either.

Despite the positive response to Christy Mihos’ candidacy, you would be hard pressed to see Republicans excited about a Republican primary (like the one they hoped for in 2006) since Baker’s announcement. If you look around various social networking websites, or even right-leaning local blogs, the outpouring of blind support for Baker is astonishing, almost as if before his announcement there was no Republican candidate for governor and we were doomed for another term of Deval Patrick.

Republicans are now treating Mihos’ candidacy like an insignificant footnote in this election, when four years ago, they were begging him—nearly on their hands and knees—to be a part of the Republican primary. There is even a small contingent of Republicans using Facebook who are showing their support for drafting Mihos to run for State Treasurer.

Excuse us, but like it or not there are two Republican candidates for governor, not just one.

Charlie Baker has assumed the role of the Republican heir apparent to the Corner Office; but by who, and why? We don’t doubt that the Massachusetts Republican Party, while not officially endorsing either candidate, has very likely anointed Baker behind the scenes as their guy… for quite some time now.

Sorry, but just because the Republicans on Merrimac Street say he’s the guy doesn’t mean they are right. We don’t mean to cast a harsh shadow on the Republican Party, but, it is the opinions of the editors of Hub Politics that our fellow party members should think twice before giving too much credence to a party that can be credited with a downward spiral that has left barely a whisper of Republicans on Beacon Hill. They don’t deserve the privilege of telling us who they think is best to lead our party out of the dungeons.

What happened to the voice of the people? Republicans wanted the people to vote on gay marriage rather than it being forced upon us by an unelected group of judges; yet, the Old Boy Network of the party that gave us Kerry Healey is effectively telling us who we should support rather than giving it a fair shot at a vote.

We at Hub Politics have nothing against Charlie Baker, and have no allegiance to Christy Mihos; but there is something to be said about Christy Mihos’ tagline, “an Independent Republican.” It’s time we all became independent Republicans and start thinking for ourselves, and stop acting like mindless sheep. Hub Politics will objectively cover both candidates, but we believe the Republicans of Massachusetts need to give both candidates a fair chance to earn their vote. Whatever the outcome of the Primary, Hub Politics will accept the Party’s chosen candidate. Until then, we will do our best to objectively cover both campaigns and be equal opportunity critics.

You may still be bitter about 2006, but let’s keep in mind that we are all working towards the same goal. If Republicans want to take back the Corner Office, it’s time we stop infighting and get excited for a spirited primary race. Anything can happen; it’s no time for sour grapes. You wanted a Republican Primary, now you got one.

The Republican Primary has only just begun; it’s not over.

It’s not over.

Hub Politics was created by Matt Margolis and Aaron Margolis on July 4, 2005.