The Hiller Instinct: Charlie Baker Interview

But after more than a year of campaigning, he knows now...and it's made him angry:

"I don't like the fact that people believe that their state government plays buy a totally different set of rules than they do... That the people that pay the bills, and pay the taxes are basically getting played, in many cases, for chumps," Baker says.

If he wins Baker promises to shake up the state house:

"I'm not going up there to make friends. I'm going up there to fix it...to change it, and to make it different, and to make it work for people.

Baker's long battle with Deval Patrick has highlighted their differences, with Baker coming up short on compassion compared to the governor.

But Baker challenges the value of too much compassion:

"Yes, you need to feel what other people feel, and be able to walk in their shoes. But if you can't come at this and say what's the smartest way to do this and be willing to adapt and change... You'll never achieve objective number one, which is to do what you are supposed to do on behalf of the people you're supposed to serve."

Hiller asks, "Given Governor Patrick's unpopularity, would you be embarrassed if you lost to him?"

Baker: "No, because I think I've run a pretty good campaign and I've had no regrets in the 15 months I've had getting to know."

Hiller: "None? There's nothing you'd like to do over, no statement you'd like to take back. You still want to shake hands with Perry, you still want to stand with Loscocco? Everything?"

Baker: "It's been a wonderful experience to get to know the people of Massachusetts and for them to get to know me."

If Charlie Baker wins, Massachusetts will have a Republican Governor and Senator for the first time in 35 years.

And the Republican ripple that began with Scott Brown would be a true wave.

I'm Andy Hiller, that's my instinct.

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