The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: Preview of November election

Buckle up! Where we're going is not where we've been.

Compared with what's ahead, the Democratic gubernatorial primary was a lovefest, and you know there was no love lost between Tom Reilly and Chris Gabrielli.

Wait until you see Kerry Healey and Deval Patrick. Starting tonight in your state: a negative campaign with a capital "N."

Why? Because that's the only way Kerry Healey can win.

Says who? One of her closest aides.

The seven weeks between now and November’s general election will divide the state along as many lines as Kerry Healey can draw. She will never mention race, but it will be an element of this

Patrick will counter that Healey is an invisible politician who's had no impact. He'll ask the famous question: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" He believes a majority of state voters will answer, "No." Patrick -- who appeared to wither under pressure in the last Democratic debate -- will be put to the test.

He comes into the race ahead of Healey, but his lead is soft.

And then there's Independent Christy Mihos, who still may be the spoiler, though it's not clear yet whom he'll spoil -- Healey or Patrick. Mihos insists he's much more.

Starting tomorrow, we'll see. And, believe me, we're going to see a lot we'll wish we didn’t have to look at.

Live newsroom, "Hiller Instinct."

(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)