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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Drumming up support
BY SETH GITELL

The central question facing Governor Mitt Romney is how to push his sweeping reform agenda through the legislature with minimal support on Beacon Hill (see " Party Boy, " News and Features, February 28). Although Romney captured 50 percent of the vote in last November’s election, he has only six fellow Republicans in the state Senate (a body of 40) and 23 in the House (a body of 160) — far less than the one-third (14 in the Senate, 54 in the House) he needs to uphold his vetoes. This means the governor has to win visible public backing for his grandiose schemes, which include the disassembling of the University of Massachusetts and the dismantling of human-services programs.

That’s why Team Romney has been exhorting the faithful to bombard local newspapers with letters to the editor — a tactic designed to create at least the appearance of a mass movement behind the administration’s proposals. In an e-mail update to supporters, the state GOP explicitly urges supporters to send letters to the press. It even helpfully contains the Internet addresses of almost 200 local publications.

" As you’ve been reading in your local papers there is no shortage of opponents looking to play the role of lead obstructionist in their coordinated effort to thwart Governor Romney’s bold proposal to fundamentally reform the structure of our state government, " wrote party chair Darrell Crate to supporters. " I urge you to contact your local paper and express your support for Governor Romney’s program. "

Dominick Ianno, the executive director of the state Republican Party, said the communication went out to some 10,000 supporters, who then forwarded it on to their friends. Romney’s son Tagg, for example, forwarded the letter to thousands of individuals who had provided their e-mail addresses to his father’s gubernatorial campaign last fall. " Be sure to send ... feedback to your local legislators! " Tagg Romney urged those he addressed as " Fellow Romney supporter. "

Using Internet gimmickry to convey public support is certainly one way to shepherd a sweeping reform bill through the legislature. Whether it will work is another matter altogether.

Issue Date: March 13 - 20, 2003
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