Kerry Healey

Our number three appearance -- AM six CD WI KO. Friday December 7 2007 and we had joined on the line here and parents from an AM six AD WRKO by the one an only Kerry -- good morning Gary. I'm doing great thank you so much for joining us everybody knows Kerry Healey that the former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts now a senior adviser. The Mitt Romney campaign -- I'm sure it's watched the speech so many of our calls have already commented on it that we keep lighting up the lines. How would -- commentary I'm curious what you -- sense of the speech was and the reaction to.

Well obviously I'm went directly to -- seen that speech I think it was important to clear the air. On the topic and maybe just opening discussion more broadly. On the topic of religious tolerance it was clear that it would in his words I I know. Comets found when he's speaking from the heart it's it was extremely clear that he wrote the saw himself -- Edwards coming from now I think -- sound and then looked presidential.

And we read reports carry the that this was really -- decision to give it. At this place -- at this time. Notwithstanding the advice of some advises in the inner circle who -- at least we read a press accounts the advice was put this off. Show us some momentum go a little bit later. -- you don't have to lead with this as one of the more defining features of the campaign and yet he went against that advice and stepped up they yesterday.

Well I'm I'm not gonna talk about strategy but I I can't say that the decisions you make this speech and to write the speech was entirely this is something that's incredibly personal important and that this is candidate candidacy and you can be in charge of that decision.

Let's talk a little bit about the campaign -- will get that we can get back to the speech because there are some specifics in the that a assure that really captured your attention and I know some about -- as -- focused on. But with it seems to meet one of the things that the governor's trying to overcome in addition to the whatever however -- I want to say this the uncertainty over his faith and how that may or may not be Iran as president his decisions as president. It's pretty clear that there is some opponents and member of many members of the press. Who are attacking him on what they called the a record of flip flops changes in position on some fairly significant public items in his race against Ted Kennedy for the Senate back in the 90s. He characterized himself as somebody who would be even more supportive of that Ted Kennedy was of the gay and lesbian communities concerns an interest and there agenda the issue of abortion the issue of immigration different commentary but all pretty much the same about. In evolution in the position he now espouses from the position he held. You're a senior adviser in RS to speak on his behalf in many places. How do you to respond to those judges -- you worked with Mitt Romney for four years of curious to hear what. Your personal observation and experience once.

I think that this is something actually should be talked about more because the opposition has been very good at spinning -- I only really see what area. Later -- his -- substantial change in opinion overtime and that is the question of choice or abortion and he has changed and needs and that the year openly and in his mind he feels that he was wrong and that he's changed his opinion and it is now pro life and a lot of people who work. Diligently on the issue pro life believed and believe that his change in opinion is completely sincere and they you know what's the purpose of thinking something -- if you are going to accept converts. I I think yeah big concern there is is simply wanted to say you know what do you want a candidate he too is will never admit that they were -- never admit new information into there whole group that things that they consider I think I think it's an appearance thing look at it changed my mind on the if you want to call up -- a -- you know. See genuinely is pro life and that's that is pay a huge distortion that's record that has always and opposed to gay marriage there's never been any question. But he supported civil unions or gay marriage she at that time when he made statements during the 94 campaign -- was discussing gay marriage -- civil unions they were discussing. Basic nondiscrimination against people based on sexual preferences and of course the governor's support that he doesn't support discrimination. So I I think people are taking statements were made out of context putting -- at. 2007 context and giving new meaning he stepped out and put up here.

let's stay with the bush wonder if we can't carry for a moment it obviously put him at odds with your opposition. In yet it seemed to be was still able to function very effectively in cooperatively with the with with the governor. Well it's how how does how does that affect the relationship you know the kind of behind the scenes.

You know not it the way it it effects our relationship is that I'm not a one issue candidate I believe that. Running the country at a lot more complex than where you stand on any one issue. And I would be surprised if any youkilis -- out there could by the candidate would you agree on every single issue. And -- I would hope people would do would be to look at the whole package like -- and say you know what. Mitt Romney or whatever candidate you pick is the best person to lead the nation. Overall and I trust the person I believe in the person and that's certainly what you know what I ally approach my support Mitt Romney I don't think I I agree with -- I can think -- even even my all the time. So and that person and support that person and I believe that -- it would be about president of the united flight

totally you know you -- you mention this abortion issue in his evolution on a huge change in the position his acknowledgment that he said in his own words. I was -- I actually thought that was one of the highlights of the debate the you know allow the most recent debate. We it was an unvarnished very candid self assessment I was wrong I was mistaken I have come to this you know this different level of understanding of the question in the opinion on the meaning of life that began --

It isn't that refreshing yeah. Yeah I do to partition you can -- parents say I was rotten that.

Kerry I turned to -- and I said this is so refreshing and I think the American public year and for that acknowledgment that it all of us are in the public arena anonymous I should say. Other perfect person with CN with courier with -- made erroneous judgments -- and scratch their heads over the -- latest say you know I was wrong on X our next policy a wide policy so. I I thought it was a he -- a High Point for him. Let's shift that we can't quickly we immigration it's been in the news lately you know the the -- and company the landscape company aside it was really kind of a cheap shot tape articulate an expectation that anyone including the governor. Has an obligation called the federal immigration officials and ask for a you know belt and suspenders documentation on every person who shows up mow the lawn -- to fix the roof. And yet the governor my recollection of his four -- here. He was less than adamant that less than vocal in his. Critique or even condemnation of let's say Cambridge and Amherst a handful of other cities or towns that city AG. We're going to give -- what what would we want to achieve sanctuary status for undocumented aliens or are illegal immigrants. How do you handle that one now that it seems to have heated up across the political landscape.

Well on you know very well our cities and -- whole lot more power to do is state police here in Massachusetts and -- a lot of states across the country and whenever an issue having to view it immigration came before us. The governor governor was enormously clear on where he stood on immigration when the whole debate around in state tuition for illegal immigrants came up we need work. Diligently to block and governor made a number of public statements things like stopped apparently is -- misuse of public funds Z as soon as it became available to local. Police officers -- state police trained in order to be able to enforce national immigration laws. He he and -- sent them granted it didn't get done has just because the romantic period of time and approvals to -- it until the very end art demonstration. And Patrick administration immediately reversed you did everything to make sure -- aren't police officers were able to enforce immigration and he also -- every step necessary toward getting the real ID act implement it which is that all of our driver's licenses. Verified that we were giving drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants like to make sure that that was a real ID bet people the proof that they are sensitive but at a driver's license from Massachusetts so. I think as governor. He did everything that he needed to be making very clear where he's still on emigration.

Carefully targeting Kerry Healey former lieutenant governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts and now senior adviser to the Mitt Romney campaign. You mentioned Governor Patrick and his administration rescinding that order and I want to talk to about to Viles first year in office but before -- do that. Help us to understand -- because I think you would have been probably somewhat involved in this along with the governor. The nomination of judge Jeff tuchman to the bench and obviously the controversy that erupted. With three got to that -- history the sense that you when the governor would have had about. People who maybe you know moral oriented to -- older than others just give us US cents of that tree you know the the what went into that nomination and that decision and what you think about it now after the fact. In what that with the controversy still moment.

Short time and and first but despite this story and Andy and and obviously that -- is terribly sympathetic and and part for the family of the victims in this case so -- that that's first performance but. Secondly it to talk about. How judges are selected it's enormously complex process it's starts we this group that we put together -- judicial nominating commission which. Is who actually looking at the application without the without the names on the applications that try to be as blind as possible to completely apolitical start. Anyone can apply we -- we went out of our way to make sure that there was sort of political favoritism or patronage involved denomination judges the the council. Review the that the -- applications they interviewed people who know who've known them interview candidates. -- talk to their candidates colleagues are professional background and that -- recommendations to the governor about who they think might be appropriate our own general counsel's office -- then and and would would review and interview the candidates and EM reviewed -- worker he had been nominating councilman you can -- governor would interview that the candidate and then. Beyond that he would. Place -- name before it ever and the governor's council. Would hold public here. Some responsible for one -- potential under. But -- each governor's councilor usually spoke. Individually acute in the nominee plus there there was a public hearing where people were invited to come and say anything they want Q about their experience -- that would candidate. So it -- really wrong vetting process and in the end about the governor's council votes and -- the ones who actually confirm judges from Massachusetts so. The -- in terms happy Hartman it's the situations where are looking at a record the action should it is absolutely an -- table she was a prosecutor. She was the prosecutor and worked with -- violent case of domestic violence incidents sexual. And so I would have expected from everything in her background that she would it has special sensitivity to release things such person.

It's it's it's instructive I think to Russia it was you the comments that have received from defense counsel. Who have worked with her before she was on the bench Ian since she's been on the bench she is seen as a pretty tough judge she is seen as I'll use the phrase a -- ought to judge. Tough on sentencing not that type of person you want to appear in front of on a regular basis with a particular client because should come down out of their client so. In many many ways I think at some of the controversy is probably oh oh oh well. It's hard to describe it as a tempest in a teapot because of the two people out in Washington -- now dead but.

It not because they're I think it reminds us. Service -- in the decisions judges make genuinely attacked people like my -- wind light and let me.

Decisions absolutely no question about it Carey let's shift if we can't know we over here -- parents forums Steve -- myself couple of others commented on grew. Do you want about the Deval Patrick administration you ran against develop Patrick. Came up by a short in that as a citizen taxpayer is an observe but maybe not necessarily neutral but nonetheless I think you've always been fair and I think you commentary this morning underlies. Percent to finish you bring to a what you a sense of some of the good that has been achieved and some of them may be the missed opportunities.

Well I I have to say that one what do the promises that need to myself at the end of the campaign was that I was not going to be traumatic commentator at all on the and -- administration I wanted to given an opportunity to get in there and Buick city with an -- and -- that is really where I'm still that maybe he concert yet the administration I'd be happy to start perhaps absence of judgment but I am not at this point going to engage in that kind of dark.

I understand I understand the diplomacy attached to that is it premature to talk about eight political future for Kerry -- what if anything do you find yourself. Thinking of you know as you follow public affairs do you think that this a place -- you. Even Washington and possibly in Iran the administration possibly on the state seen in some other capacity other than governor what do you think of because I mean everybody talks about. Achieved a Gennadi young healthy bright -- done good work in a variety of -- ways and people always say this should be a place for somebody like Kerry Healey.

It summit could be at radius proxy.

You are always welcome Vieira talent that we would love to have you -- would be fabulous thing I do think you bring a lot of perspective to it and you and I could have some fun together. Not necessarily you and I but you are always welcome -- outside of that.

Thank you out there right now -- just focused on getting that Romney elected I think that's the most important thing I can do most important contribution I can make and sell we'll see the other guys but it. It's going very well -- the only primary states and it's going to be -- rates of course you know never. Are these things easy that I am still very optimistic that we're going to see it's got -- raised coming out of Iowa and New Hampshire and Elena.

He spent a fair amount of time in New Hampshire these days -- making sure that the troops are prepared for what they have the to a private.

Mobbing to organize that you're having but every weekend and and doing. Thousands of you're and also in New Hampshire not going to be heading out violence and it is in camping out there.

You know -- I'm I'm struck by what I call the shoot out in the lifeboat behavior here in Massachusetts within Republican circles you're obviously loyal and doggedly supportive of Mitt -- as he is bill weld I believe.

Yet if you just opened it and certainly getting great couple days. Campaigning for --

Yeah well the likes the campaign now trail he really does and yet another guy's pretty good on the campaign trail -- salute -- Joe Malone to name two other pretty high profile Republicans. Gives round of casting a lot with Rudy Giuliani and Jane swept his cast -- with John McCain what gives in the Republican lifeboat.

Well I have to say acting that I am not alone when I. Express my disappointment -- and and treasurer Malone decided to express their support forward Giuliani in a negative -- I think we all respect each other's ability to make different choices and -- Support different candidates and if they had stayed outside this State -- said here's the ivories and bland supporting Rudy Giuliani liking you because that's I would have great. At the end of the primary this season. But it to stand up there is cared and Mitt Romney's record and -- at my record buying by extension. And to criticize Republicans publicly it has Reagan's 11 commandment that you do not -- patched and it was not. Not something that I not as worthy either of those rituals.

We'll carry listen you've been great very generous with your time appreciate your willingness come on talk about the speech which we're going to continue to talk about here right after the break with comin' up on a breaking any commentary on -- local issues as well as the presidential issue I do think the Romney hit on immigration this week was a cheap shot I do think his speech yesterday. Was a really very very well written and well executed. But the right on the right emphasis was no need to -- theological dialogue divinity school instruction on the specific beliefs of the moment faith but rather reminder of our great great heritage of religious tolerance and you said it. I think eloquently yourself and you opening -- itself thanks for given us a time -- yes that you're always welcome him back here on Finneran for a may have 680 WI KO