The Hiller Instinct: Lieutenant Governor's Race

Chris Gabrieli has been at Shannon O'Brien's side throughout this campaign, just as Kerry Healey has been right beside Mitt Romney.

O'Brien picked the wealthy but politically awkward Gabrieli to be her running mate in January.

While Romney initially said he'd stay out of the lieutenant governor's race, picked Healey, a politically inexperienced millionaire as his running mate in April.

The cliche of this campaign is that Healey and Gabrieli have been political pitbulls, and the cliche is correct:

Kerry Healey, (R) Lt. Gov. Candidate
"In the private sector her actions would have earned her a pink slip long ago. Only on Beacon Hill would Shannon O'Brien be seeking a promotion."

Chris Gabreili, (D) Lt. Gov. Candidate
"I think she's been auditioning as an attack dog."

But Gabreili auditions, too:

Chris Gabreili
"The experts assembled here are available to expose the Romney plan as a placebo, a power point presentation without substance or merit."

Healey believes she'll count with voters on Election Day:

Kerry Healey
"I think that they should see Mitt Romney comes to this race with great experience in management and finance, and that I come to this race with a very strong record in public policy and that, honestly, you need both things to do a good job governing."

But Gabreili has lower expectations about his impact:

Chris Gabreili
"People should vote for Shannon O'Brien for governor - that's who the governor of this Commonwealth is going to be. I look at myself as an important junior partner to the governor."

The biggest contribution Healey and Gabreili have made comes from their wallets:

Gabreili has given more than $4 million dollars to his campaign with O'Brien, while Healey has spent more than $1 million to get her and Romney elected.

Healey also gives Romney gender balance which, given his wealth, may be as important to him as her money.