The man who dares to defy Speaker Finneran

Part 7

by Michael Crowley

Soon after Richie Voke was defeated in the spring of 1996, his supporters gathered at a black-tie dinner, an evening for speeches of mutual admiration and regret.

All of Voke's supporters were dispirited by the Speaker's battle, but it was Hodgkins who sang the blues. Literally. Representative Pat Landers (D-Palmer) played harmonica while Hodgkins improvised lyrics that, though clumsy and a little crude, were reportedly hilarious.

Clearly, Hodgkins has been playing the blues for Voke ever since the Speaker's fight left his party divided and his political career, literally, in the basement.

That's why some Democrats see Hodgkins's continued theatrics as sign that he might be considering a run for the State Senate. After all, as much as he enjoys needling Finneran, Hodgkins faces a political dead end in the House as long as the Speaker reigns. In the Senate, Hodgkins could improve his clout and, if he were to win a leadership post, boost his pay (which dropped $7500 when he was stripped of his chairmanship). However, that would mean challenging an incumbent Democrat, State Senator Andy Nucifaro, of Pittsfield. Asked about this scenario, Hodgkins says he's "keeping his options open," although he rules out another run for Congress.

If Hodgkins were to stay in the House, he could be stuck with Finneran for a long time. Asked if he has any hope that a new class of freshmen elected in 1998 could join with the Voke Democrats to topple Finneran, Hodgkins says: "Somebody would have to organize that. It'd be myself and a few others, and I'm not gonna do that." And although Hodgkins thinks Finneran could bolt soon for higher office -- treasurer, perhaps, or attorney general -- the rumor mill has been running pretty dry on that front.

Indeed, despite Hodgkins's continued broadsides, the changing face of state politics only bolsters Finneran's strength. Paul Cellucci is an acting governor with three rivals to worry about in the 1998 election. Senate President Tom Birmingham (D-Chelsea) is almost certain to leave the State House for a congressional run next year. A political vacuum is opening on Beacon Hill, and Tom Finneran is positioned to become a power broker with the clout of former Senate president Billy Bulger.

Finneran could yet suffer a backlash. Several members report mounting discontent among his top lieutenants and committee chairs, who may be growing frustrated with their lack of independence. And Finneran may not be able to arm-twist reps into many more tough votes such as the ones this session for more charter schools and lower unemployment-insurance taxes, which have left the powerful teachers' and trade unions vowing payback.

But these are speed bumps, not real threats to Finneran's speakership. It's becoming clear that without wider support, Hodgkins's impact will remain limited. That old campaign slogan -- "Slightly outrageous. Very effective" -- has undergone an ironic reversal. Now it's more like: Very outrageous. Slightly effective.

And there's only so long you can keep up the outrage. Hodgkins once spoke hopefully about a Finneran overthrow, but today, after 16 months of failing to rally serious opposition, he seems resigned to the Speaker's hegemony.

"Finneran is there as long as he wants," Hodgkins says. "There's got to be a time when this thing is over."

Michael Crowley can be reached at mcrowley[a]phx.com.