Elephant walk

Cellucci: Down but not out

by Seth Gitell

MEET THE PRESS: Cellucci delivers the party line.

It was a devastating political humiliation. Governor Paul Cellucci, an early and ardent supporter of George W. Bush's run for the presidency, not only couldn't deliver a Massachusetts win for the Texas governor, he couldn't even deliver a respectable loss. Bush finished 30 points behind rival John McCain in the Massachusetts polls. So Cellucci's good-soldier performance here at Bush's "Victory Rally" is all the more impressive -- in a sad kind of way.

At 7:15 Tuesday night, Cellucci leans against the reservation table at the Commonwealth Fish and Beer Company, cell phone pressed against one ear. Television news crews film the governor talking on the phone. When he hangs up, a reporter asks Cellucci who was on the other line. "Governor Bush," Cellucci tells everyone. "He wanted to say, `Thank you.' " When Cellucci finishes with the TV cameras, he walks across the room that's filled -- but not packed -- with more than 100 Bush volunteers, most of them college students and state workers. When Cellucci is approached by a reporter, an aide to the governor tries to brush him off and says Cellucci will talk later. But Cellucci is far from despondent, and agrees to the interview. "Let's talk now," he offers.

"The only plans I have are to elect Governor Bush president of the United States," Cellucci says, gearing up for the general election that will surely pit Al Gore against Bush. "There's going to be a real contrast in the fall." Cellucci and his aides believe that Bush will be able to move back to the center by emphasizing his record on education reform. "Al Gore is supported by the teacher unions," he adds.

Cellucci says the unprecedented turnout in the Massachusetts Republican primary was the silver lining in Bush's loss. In a state filled with what many consider to be "genetic Democrats," the fact that so many people would take Republican ballots shows that the Democrats don't have a lock on all voters in the state.

And, if there were any question about Bush's message, Cellucci provides all of Bush's slogans in one breath. "His message is simple. He's a compassionate conservative; a uniter, not a divider; a reformer with results."

So Cellucci doesn't feel bad at all? "My guy just won," Cellucci says, breaking into a genuine smile.

Moments later Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift strolls in, state police at her side. She sits at a table with fellow GOP bigwigs. Cellucci joins her and has dinner facing his chief adviser, Rob Gray. Swift sits farther down the table, across from Brian Cresta, chairman of the state Republican Party and a state rep from Wakefield. They're joined by John Brockelman, executive director of the state Republican Party, and Ron Kaufman, a member of the Republican National Committee.

Kaufman explains Cellucci's good spirits, which seem incongruous given the night's results. "The folks in Austin will tell you their best ally has been Governor Cellucci," Kaufman says. "Give the governor credit for putting his ego aside and saying [to Bush], take your money and spend it elsewhere."

Rob Gray talks about Cellucci's loyalty. He says the Bush campaign offered to budget thousands of dollars in the state to do a phone and mail campaign. Cellucci told Bush to save his money. Gray adds that Cellucci could be helped in the fall if Bush shows enough strength in Massachusetts that Gore is forced to spend money here. "A Democrat can't win without winning the election. Bush lost by eight points to Dukakis in 1988, but Dukakis had to spend money," Gray says.

By 8:20 p.m., the BC and BU students rouse themselves long enough to applaud for Swift, who introduces the governor. "He is the number-one supporter of George Bush in all of Massachusetts and all of New England. He is our terrific governor, Paul Cellucci," Swift exclaims, applauding enthusiastically. Cellucci gives his speech with as much energy as anything he has done in recent months -- though the audio was too soft. "Today was a very good day for the Republican Party in Massachusetts," Cellucci says.

Notable for their absence, though, are state rep and House minority leader Fran Marini of Hanson and the rest of Beacon Hill's Republican delegation. Somebody says the North Shore Republicans are having their own event closer to home. Somebody else says this is just an event for the campaign volunteers.

Or perhaps those who are missing were just unwilling to put such a positive spin on the numbers of independents and Democrats who went Republican on Tuesday -- for John McCain. Still, the test of the successful politician is getting up after being knocked down. Tuesday night, Cellucci, battered by the press and polls, looked better than he has in months. Perhaps there's heart in there yet.