The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: 7News/Suffolk University poll

We surveyed 500 likely voters, and here's how the candidates stand:
Deval Patrick (D) 49 percent
Kerry Healey (R) 28 percent
Christy Mihos (I) 6 percent
Grace Ross (G-R) 1 percent
Undecided/refused 16 percent

"I think the question has to be asked, you know, is this a pattern?" Kerry Healey says.

She hopes her question will change the pattern of polls, showing her losing to Deval Patrick.

Patrick's incomplete and changing explanations about his support of convicted rapist Benjamin Laguer give Healey an opening.

"I think he has questions to answer about why he hasn't been forthcoming," Healey said.

He does. After originally claiming he wrote only one letter on behalf of Laguer 15 years ago, Patrick now concedes he wrote four letters and contributed to help Laguer pay for a DNA test:

"I gotta get all my information together before I start answering questions and that's something I've learned. and I'm not going to make that mistake again," Patrick said.

"Laguer is going to be up for parole in 2008," Healey said. "If Deval Patrick is governor, does he intend to intervene in his behalf? Does he intend to pardon him? This is a problem."

"The only appropriate role for me, as governor, is to stay the heck out of it, because I have had this role, although a small one, in his previous parole applications," Patrick said.

A Healey TV ad states: "While lawyers have a right to defend admitted cop killers, do we really want one as our governor?"

Healey is airing this ad about Patrick's 1985 law work for a convicted murderer to reinforce her argument that he's soft on crime.

But right now, our 7News/Suffolk University poll shows few believe that. Just 17 percent of likely voters say Patrick is soft on crime, while 45 percent say he's not with 37 percent are undecided.

"I have consistently chosen to advocate on behalf of the victim," Healey said.

But when we asked, ‘Is Kerry Healey tough on crime, or does she just talk tough,’ 38 percent said talks tough, 36 percent is tough and 26 percent are undecided.

"It sure does seem like she's more talk than action," Patrick said.

Our poll says this is Patrick's race to lose, and he deserves to lose some votes over how he's handled the questions about Benjamin Laguer.

If he learns from it, and wins the election, it could make him a better governor. If he loses, he'll never forget anything about Laguer again.

Related link:
Suffolk University Poll Release: Patrick Closing the Door on Republican Dynasty

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