The Hiller Instinct: Mud Slinging Contest

Touring a Roxbury bakery, Shannnon O'Brien was selling images of small business job creation and support from top Democratic politicians who joined her... While Mitt Romney surrounded himself with images of the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, and warned voters electing O'Brien would give Democrats complete control of the State House.

Mitt Romney (R) Gubernatorial Candidate
"This is a group of people who want to take Massachusetts back to the days of single party monopoly, where a few people can sit in a room and make any decision they want to."

O'Brien's counter…

Shannon O'Brien (D) Gubernatorial Candidate
"The Democrats and the Republicans can share a significant amount of the blame. There's plenty of blame to go around."

Interestingly, the Democratic attorney general sides with Romney.

Tom Reilly, MA Attorney General
"I think it's healthy for a democracy if obviously there are two vibrant parties, three vibrant parties. The more competition, I think the better for the people of the state. Absolutely. I agree with that."

O'Brien today would not repeat the charge she made during her final debate with Romney.

Shannon O'Brien, October, 29
"But you don't tell the truth about what you support."

Shannon O'Brien, Today
"What I'm saying is I refer you to his web site."

Andy Hiller
"But I refer to you. In your opinion is Mitt Romney dishonest?"

Shannon O'Brien
"I refer you to Mitt Romney's web site. People can judge for themselves."

Andy Hiller
"How do you judge?"

Shannon O'Brien
"People can judge for themselves."

So, I asked the mayor to judge.

Tom Menino, Boston Mayor
"Yes, I do know Mitt Romney."

Andy Hiller
"Do you think he's a liar?"

Tom Menino
"Is he a liar? No. You know, in this campaign you exaggerate the truth at times, and you stretch some facts..."

Andy Hiller
"You would do that."

Tom Menino
"Everybody's done that in a campaign."

Romney and O'Brien would like to end this race talking about their visions. But both have slung so much mud, suddenly cleansing the campaign may seem like just another scheme. Many voters, given what they've heard so far, may wind up voting for the candidate they dislike less, and then go home to take a shower... And clean themselves.