Baker’s rival not ready for primary time
Behind the veneer of craziness gubernatorial candidate Scott Lively projects, there is apparently an empty void where knowledge of the challenges facing Massachusetts families should go.
In April, Lively’s quixotic challenge to Gov. Charlie Baker garnered the support of almost a third of the delegates to the Massachusetts Republican Party’s convention, earning Lively a spot on September’s primary election ballot. Though Baker may not like it, Lively is the governor’s only Republican challenger.
While still basking in the post-convention glow, Lively hit the road, embarking on a low-watt media tour of local political talk shows and public affair programs. Nearly every one of those interviews has portrayed a combative Lively ranting at the temerity of anyone who brings up his belief that gays caused the Holocaust.
Yesterday on Boston Herald Radio, Lively whiffed on answers to substantive questions about the core responsibilities of being a Massachusetts governor.
Asked about priorities for our moribund transportation system, Lively proposed “a bidding process for fixing the roads,” complaining that state government spends too much on transportation. Where would he cut spending? He proposed eliminating the state agency that looks after foster children before admitting that he really does not know.
“I don’t have a full, comprehensive understanding of how the transportation system is funded yet,” he said.
On the Massachusetts housing crisis, Lively is even more circumspect. In response to a question about whether he supports the Comprehensive Permit Act, the controversial law that allows developers to sidestep local zoning to build affordable housing, Lively said the housing problem is one that will “heal naturally.”
“The reason the housing issue is so bad is because no one’s had a job for a long time and they’re dependent on government assistance to be able to get by,” he said.
The state unemployment rate has held at 3.5 percent for the last eight months, one of the lowest in the country.
Those looking for substance from Lively’s Herald Radio interview might have seen a glimmer of hope when he agreed that the outdated Chapter 70 school funding mechanism should be changed, but that sober moment passed in a flash.
“Most people don’t realize, education isn’t being dictated by the feds. It’s being dictated by the United Nations,” he added.
The Massachusetts Republican Party may have given him the imprimatur of a legitimate candidate, but if Scott Lively wants to be taken seriously by voters, he has some homework to do.