In other words, she tore a page right out of the feminists' playbook. After all, who has worked harder in the past few decades to convince women(and Congress) that no woman is safe from attack and that *all* men are potential rapists? VAWA anyone?

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Healey has indeed distracted from the real issues, however, the result is probably not what she intended. While some will most certainly fall for this ad and criticize Patrick - well, these are the folks that wouldn't have voted for him anyway, this ad has merely strengthened the view that she is a shrill, unpleasant politician using gutter tactics to get elected. People didn't like her before and now they really don't like her.

The Healey campaign ads have been truly appalling and are not resonating with MA voters. And I hate to say this, but I wonder if voters find this approach more offensive coming from a female candidate. It was certainly a risky, desperate move.

Another ploy by Healey, Romney, and friends a last-minute push to eliminate Mass Pike tolls west of Route 128. This could potentially garner some support from voters in Western MA, who had been pretty much resigned to being ignored by Boston politicos. (How we're going to replace that revenue is anyone's guess, of course.)

There are still a couple of weeks to sink even lower...I will be watching with interest. Sorry, Kerry, I've already cast my absentee ballot for Patrick.

Just a quick note on the use of sensationalistic terminology: it's not "backpedaling" to re-evaluate a belief on the basis of new evidence.

That is what is generally known as "intelligence".

Too bad possessing any seems to be so politically damaging.

Just for the record, there were serious questions about the fairness of LaGeur's trial. One of the jurors in the trial admitted to racial bias and prejudging the case, referring to the defendant as a "Spic." Naturally, learning of this juror's bias caused great concern among folks who care about the constitutional rights of people accused of crimes, and particularly those convicted of crimes as a result of an unfair process. To suggest that a civil rights attorney is misguided to support a person convicted of a heinous crime after such a trial trivializes the constitutional right each of us enjoys to prevent the government from taking away our liberty without due process of law, without proving our guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. As you pointed out, Patrick provided financial support to obtain a DNA test of the defendant -- so what? The idea was to see if the test exonerated the defendant. When that DNA test actually supported LaGeur's conviction, Patrick withdrew his support. You label this "backpedaling." Isn't it possible to understand this as an appropriate response to learning that the defendant, who was convicted after a seemingly unfair trial, was actually guilty of the crime? Isn't it possible to consider Patrick's actions in the context of his being a civil rights lawyer seeking to uphold the constitution, rather than as a future candidate for governor seeking to maintain an unblemished image?

Muffy Healy is down 22 points in the latest poll, her negatives are higher than her positives, and she's getting thrown under the bus by Mitt "I Hate Mass" Romney on his way to being an also ran for the GOP nod in 2008.

It's really not surprising at all that she's going as negative as she is, she has nothing else to offer. 700 fewer cops on the streets, arrest rates for violent crimes have dropped by 50% (while the actual crimes rates have increased), skyrocketing property taxes due in large part because of cuts in local aid. Without even taking a look at Patrick you'd have to be more than a little bit off your rocker to support four more years of the administration responsible for that record.

Sadly the attacks are working with at least some portion of the population. My mother told me last weekend that she "couldn't vote for someone who would defend a rapist".

Is Kerry Healey trying to contend that Deval Patrick is on the side of the rapist? It seems clear to me that Patrick supports the cause of justice. There was some doubt raised about Laguer's conviction. Does Healey feel that an allegation of jury misconduct should not be investigated? Perhaps Patrick's language in advocating for him was too strong for the taste of some. But once his guilt was established at Patrick's urging, the matter was settled.

Being the victim of a violent crime is a terrible thing, many will empathize with, and will advocate for a victim, although Kerry Healey makes no claim to be one of these people. And for the health of our society, someone has to roll up their sleeves and work to make sure that the rights of the accused are maintained and that justice is meted properly, else we are all victims.

There is no lesson worth learning in Kerry Healey's ad. What side of justice does it place her on? It says nothing about her stance on crime, or women's issues. It is sensationalist trash.

All men are rapists and that's all they are. They rape us with their eyes, their laws, and their codes.

Marilyn French said it best. All women, if they are true feminists, should vote for the candidate who is not sympathizing with the rapist.

Those who do not are in favor of violence against women, which we all know from reading Broadsheet is pervasive and omnipresent in America today.

is a little desperate and these tactics helped her close the gap to with in the margin of error for losing by a landslide ten points. In the past week Deval has opened up a 20 point lead again.

Why is he so far ahead if he is running under the pro-rapist flag?

He isn't. He is running on a platform of hope and positive participation in public life. Some of his ideas are not sharply defined, but people recognize in him a good man who wants to help all people in our society.

Kerry Healey's ad does show a contrast between her and Deval Patrick, but not in the way she hopes it does. It shows the contrast between a person of hope, grace, dignity and charity as opposed to Kerry Healey's politics of division and fear.

If Massachusetts can't make the right choice here, then God help us all.

The intelligent women of Massachusetts will realize that stranger attack rape is not the only issue of the campaign. It is not even primarily an area where the Governor has much influence. They will also realize that Deval's work as an advocate did not determine his world-view, and that as Governor he will be conginzant and respectful of the rights of victims.

They will also see that state government mostly makes their lives easier and better by providing elder care, education and growth in the economy, not by declining to parole some criminals who have already spent 20 odd years in prison.