Decision time

Part 5

by Michael Crowley

Even as Birmingham weighs his decision, it's not the only problem on his mind as the legislature prepares to reconvene next month. For instance, there's a certain acting governor looking to further his own gubernatorial ambitions, perhaps by drawing contrasts with a Democratic legislature.

"I expect [Paul] Cellucci will be tempted to pick some fights," Birmingham says, sipping coffee from a NO MORE MR. NICE GUY mug. "That would be a serious mistake."

This is a flash of a tougher side of Birmingham -- some might say the Chelsea side -- that occasionally breaks through the erudite wonkiness. He might do well to indulge it more often. To ensure a big media splash in his first week as governor, Cellucci proposed a mammoth $1.2 billion tax cut. It has little hope of passing, but mounting a vehement fight would give Birmingham an opportunity to cultivate a more vital public persona and practice a few winning populist sound bites.

That is, if he decides he really wants to go through with this. If he wants to give up his comfortable reign to grovel for a million bucks in campaign contributions, roll in the mud with a dozen local pols, and maybe win a chance to start working through the ranks of Congress from a minority seat on some dreary subcommittee.

Of course, everyone pays a price for a shot at greater glory. And there's little doubt that, with his keen intellect and his ability to play hardball, Birmingham could quickly become a star both on the House floor and in the backrooms of Congress. He also can't help but notice the way Joe Kennedy has made the seat a springboard for a governor's bid. Or that, someday, even Ted Kennedy must retire.

Faced with this blinding political light, Birmingham is wise to take his time, to weigh his decision cautiously. On the road to Washington lie treacherous obstacles, and Birmingham knows what can happen when "your eyes don't adjust and you can almost not see."

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