Charlie Baker speaks at his campaign kickoff.
At a rally at Faneuil Hall in Boston this morning, Charlie Baker and his running mate Richard Tisei officially launched their campaign for Governor/Lt. Governor.
I’m hoping the Baker campaign will make video of the event available on YouTube soon, but in the meantime you can check out coverage from the local media.
–The Globe’s Carolyn Johnson reports that Baker will focus on creating jobs.
–WCVB notes that Baker pledged to restore “fiscal sanity” on Beacon Hill.
–The Associated Press offers a brief report.
–Michael McAuliffe of the Springfield Republican reports that Baker had a second kick-off event in Springfield this afternoon.
In other Charlie Baker news today:
–Matt Viser had a pre-kickoff report this morning on the idea that Baker must emerge from Scott Brown’s shadow.
And his Democratic opponents are already on the attack.
–In the Herald this morning, Hillary Chabot reported that Baker had raised more than $90k from health care industry executives, and State Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh blasted Baker for “role in rising health insurance costs.”
–This afternoon, Lt. Governor Tim Murray ripped Baker for comments he made on NECN’s Broadside with Jim Braude regarding the Supreme Court decision on campaign finance.
Here is my transcription of the conversation (you can watch the video here (about the 7 minute mark):
Braude: “Supreme Court decision basically saying that corporations and unions…can spend…unlimited amounts of money [to influence elections]…do you support the Supreme Court decision?”Baker: “I’m not a lawyer, I didn’t read the decision. I’m a huge believer in the first amendment. And if at the end of the day this is what they felt they needed to do to protect the first amendment you know, I think that’s one of our most precious freedoms and I don’t think we should screw with it too much.”Braude:“…So if you had a way you’re with the five who voted to say they can spend…”Baker: “I don’t know the facts of the case, Jim. It’s hard for me to comment. But I really do worry about people who just don’t like something…those particular freedoms are hugely important to a functioning society.”
“This week Charles Baker revealed his support for special interests and foreign corporations in their bid to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections right here in Massachusetts, and across the nation. Baker wants to open the floodgates to a new wave of campaign ads this November, funded by special interests and companies that aren’t even based in America. It is becoming more and more clear that Baker is the candidate of special interests and powerful corporations, and will be indebted to them–and not the people of Massachusetts–if elected governor.”
Now that the Senate race is behind us, we are officially off and running on the Gubernatorial trail. Should be fun.
