Bush, Gore Stump For Gubernatorial Candidates Romney, O'Brien Pull Out Top Brass

POSTED: 6:26 p.m. EDT October 4, 2002

BOSTON -- A new reading of the governor's race indicates it's anyone's contest.

A Boston Herald poll of 407 likely Massachusetts voters gives Democrat Shannon O'Brien 43 percent, and Republican Mitt Romney 42 percent -- a virtual dead heat. A crucial 11 percent are undecided.

With the numbers so close, the candidates rolled out the big guns Friday.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu said that President George W. Bush's two-hour visit brought more than $1 million into the state GOP coffers, and Mitt Romney will be the biggest beneficiary.

But it was a two-way street. Bush was guaranteed a pumped up crowd to push his agenda against Iraq.

"We are proud to have this man as the president of the United States," Romney said.

At a time when Bush could not be more popular in Massachusetts, and at a time when Mitt Romney needs something to gain some momentum in a tight gubernatorial election, it was the perfect photo opportunity.

"I strongly stand with Mitt Romney because I believe he is the best person for the job of governor of Massachusetts," Bush said.

But the bulk of the 40-minute address, that drew 800 people who paid as much as $5,000 per couple, was devoted to Bush's anti-terrorism agenda, denouncing Saddam Hussein.

"I want to tell you all, for the sake of our freedom, for the sake of peace, if the United Nations won't make a decision, if Saddam Hussein continues to lie and deceive, the United States will lead a coalition to disarm this man before he harms America and our friends," Bush said.

Romney couldn't have asked for more.

"It was exciting and fabulous. What an incredible leader," Romney said.

While several hundred protesters were kept at bay outside the hotel, the Romney campaign is hoping the patriotic tones that sounded inside will rub off on its candidate.

"Mitt Romney also stands with the president in the war on terrorism. Today, Shannon O'Brien is standing with Al Gore, who is one of the president's biggest critics in the war on terrorism," Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said.

The Romney campaign is hoping those 11 percent undecided voters in this race are feeling equally patriotic. But polls show many of them are suburban, independent women who may not be as eager to go to war with Iraq.

Meanwhile, in Worcester, Mass., former Vice President Al Gore campaigned for O'Brien.

"Al Gore and Bill Clinton demonstrated quite clearly that Democrats can, and will, provide fiscal leadership, will manage our government well while at the same time focusing on the issues that really matter to the people of this state and the people of our United States," O'Brien said.

Gore likened O'Brien and Gabrieli to the strong team he and Clinton provided in 1992.

"You need somebody as governor who cares about working families, who has a demonstrated record of integrity and confidence and accomplishment on behalf of the people. That's what Shannon O'Brien represents," Gore said.

Gore then hinted at his own political plans.

"Well, I haven't ruled out running for president again, but I am not going to make a decision until the end of the year," Gore said.

Gore said that after more than 12 years of Republican rule on Beacon Hill, the Democrats are determined to take back the governorship in Massachusetts.