Closing Time For MA Dems
By Felicia Sonmez
Four MA Dems faced off for the last time before the 12/8 primary this a.m. in a largely positive and issues-focused debate devoid of the fireworks that marked their two TV debates earlier this week.
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-08) unveiled a new closing argument geared toward undecided voters, urging them to trust the judgment of the political figures who have endorsed his bid.
He told the audience at the UMass Dartmouth forum that if they're still not sure who to vote for after researching all the candidates, "I ask you to turn to the people that you've already elected, that you already know and that you already trust." He listed the names of prominent endorsers including ex-Gov. Michael Dukakis (D) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-04).
"You know them better than you'll know any of us by Tuesday," Capuano said. "I ask you trust their judgment."
AG Martha Coakley (D), who delivered her closing argument last, touted her record as a prosecutor who fought Wall Street, predatory lenders and pharmaceutical companies.
Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca (D) told the audience that he is the candidate best suited to bring back jobs and seize the "best chance in a generation" to pass health care reform. Meanwhile, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei (D) focused on his background of working to change Washington from the outside.
"As a citizen, I took on and beat Tom DeLay. Now, he's reduced to crying on 'Dancing with the Stars,' and I'm running for the United States Senate," Khazei said.
None of the candidates today directly took on Coakley, who has maintained a consistent lead in public polling, although Capuano has been gaining ground in recent weeks.
Voters have been largely tuned out from the race to fill the seat of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D). No members of Kennedy's immediate family have endorsed, although niece Caroline Kennedy attended a Khazei fundraiser last month and said it would be "amazing if this guy won."
The Boston Globe yesterday quizzed 25 passersby in downtown Boston and found that only six could name all four Dem candidates when shown pictures of them. Coakley, however, remains the most widely recognized -- 18 of the 25 correctly identified her.
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