The Hiller Instinct: Gov. Debate Do's and Dont's

Patrick has also been talking a lot about values. Tonight he should define them to show why they're different.

The governor's don't: don't forget how lucky you are. More than half the state's voters think it's time to give someone else a chance, but you're still ahead.

Charlie Baker tonight must introduce himself to voters...again...because too many still don't know who he is. He should also try to dig out from all the criticism he gets about the Big Dig. If he can't, he has a real problem.

What Baker must not do is be a baby. No pounding the podium, no interrupting, no rolling his eyes.

Tim Cahill says he's an independent, but independent of what? He's a conservative Democrat...and he should explain why that makes him an independent in this race.

Cahill should also say he's in it all the way...to try to end the talk about him dropping out.

Cahill's don't: don't try to be the referee for Patrick and Baker. Be in the debate!

Jill Stein has got to get specific tonight about what she'd do if she's elected.

Another way to say this is: Dr. Stein, please, show us your vision.

What stein should not do is mention her appearance this weekend at the annual hemp fest, which will likely make whatever chance she has go up in smoke.

The debate will begin in less than an hour, and it may shape the race for days, or even weeks. If you haven’t tuned in to the governor’s race yet, tonight’s the night.

I’m Andy Hiller, and that’s my instinct.

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