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VERBAL SPARRING
Cabral and Murphy take it to the mat
BY ADAM REILLY
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Andrea Cabral and Steve Murphy didn’t physically tussle during their televised debate Tuesday evening, so the event won’t make the cover of the Boston Herald. But the back-and-forth between Cabral, the Suffolk County sheriff, and Murphy, the at-large Boston city councilor looking to unseat her, still had considerable entertainment value. During an hour’s grilling by Boston Neighborhood Network TV’s Joe Heisler, Cabral painted Murphy as a perpetual candidate and a corrections greenhorn. Cabral also argued that, as chair of the council’s public-safety committee, Murphy should have been aware of the illegal strip searches that plagued the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office under her predecessor, Richard Rouse, and left the department with a $5 million lawsuit debt (see "No Love Lost," News and Features, May 7). For his part, Murphy cast Cabral as an incompetent manager and hinted that — given the responsibility the sheriff’s office has for aiding the re-entry of prisoners into society at large — she bears some responsibility for the recent rash of violent crime in Boston. So who won this verbal smackdown? Cabral, going away. She was stronger on substance, demonstrating a mastery of legal and criminal-justice detail that Murphy was unable to match. Cabral also had effective rejoinders for virtually every one of Murphy’s salvos. For example, Murphy tried to deflect Cabral’s assertion that he should have known about the illegal strip searches by responding that Cabral, as the third-ranking member of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, should have known as well. Cabral’s rebuttal — that Murphy apparently doesn’t understand the difference between criminal and civil law — was simple and effective. Given Cabral’s dominance, the Murphy campaign may think twice about participating in any more debates before the September Democratic primary — which, given the lack of a Republican candidate, is the de facto election. (A WHDH-TV debate that will air in September is scheduled for taping this Friday.) But just in case, here’s some unsolicited advice for both candidates. Steve Murphy: First off, don’t fidget. There was way too much hand-rubbing, shifting in your seat, audible sighing, etc., on Tuesday — and not just while Cabral was speaking. Remember, you’re the political veteran here. Also, bone up a bit on the facts so you can offer a more-detailed vision for the SCSD, instead of resorting to platitudes like "I want to take the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department to places it’s never been before," or whatever it was you said Tuesday. Remember: a group of three is a trio, not a triage, and the plural of crisis is crises, not crisises. Finally: do not keep referring to Cabral as the sheriff! You want her job, after all. Go with Ms. Cabral, or, better yet, Andrea, since being a likable guy is one of your strong suits. Andrea Cabral: Talk less. You nailed Murphy with a few great lines Tuesday, then undercut them by droning on about some related point that, truth be told, wasn’t nearly as interesting. Slow down, keep your ears open, and pause for effect when one of your barbs hits home. While you’re at it, look a wee bit less disgusted when Murphy speaks. A few times on Tuesday, the camera cut to you during one of his responses and caught you looking like you wanted to pound him into the ground. Go for a lighter touch; practice a look of good-natured but strained patience. And while you’re at it, work on your politician’s smile. The BNN viewers saw a few too many grimaces Tuesday.
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