 BOSTON --Sen. Edward M. Kennedy accused Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey of engaging in "gutter politics" in her campaign against Democrat Deval Patrick, declaring Saturday, "Make no mistake about it, this is swiftboating." The Massachusetts Democrat, appearing with his party's gubernatorial nominee in Hyannis, did not specify the reason for his criticism. But it came at the end of a week during which | “Healey criticized Patrick for supporting the parole of a convicted rapist, and during which she began airing a television commercial criticizing Patrick for helping a cop killer get his death sentence reduced to life imprisonment.” |
Healey criticized Patrick for supporting the parole of a convicted rapist, and during which she began airing a television commercial criticizing Patrick for helping a cop killer get his death sentence reduced to life imprisonment.
"I've been in this business a long time, and I've seen this movie before," said a text of Kennedy's remarks. "When you can't compete in the marketplace of ideas, when you don't have a positive vision to offer, then you become desperate and resort to the politics of fear and smear. | “That's a game plan straight out of the Karl Rove playbook, and, in her desperation, Kerry Healey is following it to a tee.” |
That's a game plan straight out of the Karl Rove playbook, and, in her desperation, Kerry Healey is following it to a tee. Frankly, that kind of gutter politics is not worthy of the lieutenant governor and will be rejected by the people of Massachusetts."
The senator, who himself is up for re-election this fall, added, "Make no mistake about it, this is swiftboating," he said, referring to ads attacking the military record of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., during the 2004 presidential campaign. The ads were run by a group called "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth."
| “Make no mistake about it, this is swiftboating.” |
The Healey campaign dismissed the criticism. "All week Deval Patrick has repeatedly lied to the voters and the media about his role in the Ben LaGuer case. Rather than answering the questions, he's now trying to hide behind Ted Kennedy," said Tim O'Brien, the lieutenant governor's campaign manager. Healey, the Republican nominee, has criticized Patrick for supporting parole for Benjamin LaGuer, saying it reveals a deference to criminals instead of victims. Laguer was convicted of tying up and raping his 59-year-old neighbor. Healey also said letters and contributions revealing a deeper relationship with LaGuer than Patrick initially acknowledged raised questions about the Democrat's honesty. |