The Hiller Instinct: Tim Cahill

Running as an independent, Tim Cahill's battle has already begun:

The Republican Governor’s Association’s TV ad declares, "At the pension fund, Cahill lost billions, while passing out bonuses to his staff,"

The RGA is putting ads on TV, radio and the Internet hammering him.

"Tim Cahill, reckless with our money," one ad says.

Cahill says the ads are proof he can win:

"It's always been possible in my mind. Since Scott Brown was elected, it is now possible in other people's minds. And that's why the Republican Governor's Association and the Republican candidate are attacking me. Because if it wasn't real, they would be ignoring me," Cahill says.

"People are sick and tired of the old party politics," Cahill says in a TV ad.

Cahill responded with an ad that made him look and sound very much like Scott Brown, from his clothes to his kitchen cabinets.

Cahill says: "Yeah, the ads were similar because we were both being attacked."

Hiller asks: "Do you ever look in the mirror and see Scott Brown?"

Cahill: "No. I see Tim Cahill. Scott Brown is much better looking than me."

But Cahill would like voters to see him as an equally attractive candidate, who proved his independence by quitting the Democratic Party:

"People thought I was crazy when I left the party back in June, in July of 2009.

Hiller: "If you were in over your head, would you know it?"

Cahill: "I'm not in over my head in this race.

Hiller: "How do you know it?"

Cahill: "Because we're doing well… I know what I'm doing here. I've run statewide twice before. We've got a good plan and people are responding to the message."

At a time when voters are down on Democrats and Republicans, Tim Cahill's timing may be perfect.

Anyone who thinks Cahill's out of this race, I think is wrong.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)