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

We polled 400 likely voters, and here's where the candidates stand:

Deval Patrick: 46 percent
Kerry Healey: 33 percent
Christy Mihos: 7 percent
Grace Ross: 1 percent
Undecided: 12 percent

It seems the Healey Campaign's tough TV ads are hurting Patrick, but she might be hurting herself.

If campaigns are wars, then think of Kerry Healey's last week as a major offensive designed to shock and awe Deval Patrick.

The heart of her attack: negative ads.

"You did say 13 points ahead," Deval Patrick said. "It's still ahead isn't it."

Yes it is. But his lead today is also eight points less than it was just a week ago.

"It's among independents where we've seen the biggest difference," Professor David Paleologos, a Suffolk University pollster, said. "Today, it's a statistical dead heat among independents...last week it was a 13 point lead for Patrick... significant."

Also significant: Healey has increased unfavorable opinion of Patrick to 31 percent, up seven points since last week.

"Again and again I've chosen to be on the side of the victim and the victim of crimes, and Deval Patrick has sided with the criminal," Healey said.

Healey has hurt Patrick on the crime issue.

Thirty-two percent of likely voters now say Patrick is soft on crime, almost twice the number who thought that a week ago.

But Healey has also hurt herself with her attacks, narrowing her own chances to win.

Given the recent tone of her campaign, 53 percent of voters say they're less likely to vote for her, just 22 percent more likely, a dangerous blend.

"Ultimately, you have to give voters a reason to vote for you, not against your opponent," Paleologos said.

"And she's not doing that," Hiller asked.

"She hasn't to date, no," Paleologos said. 

So Healey is losing and gaining ground, at the same time as the clock on this race keeps ticking.

She's made up eight points in a week and she'll be governor if she keeps up that pace. But she won't win anything, if she destroys herself as she tries to destroy Deval Patrick.

Related link:
Healey’s Attacks Soften Patrick’s Image on Crime, But She Still Trails

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