City Councilor John Connolly and state Representative Marty Walsh will debate for the second time tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. Boston Public Radio hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan will moderate on WGBH TV and WGBH 89.7.
The first mayoral debate last Tuesday, featuring City Councilor John Connolly and State Representative Marty Walsh, was nothing to write home about (a.k.a tune out the Red Sox for).
Neither Connolly nor Walsh won round one; both candidates did their best not to directly attack the other’s policies, using Beacon Hill and the City Council to reference each other’s perceived shortcomings.
What will round two offer? Will the candidates be more willing to engage each other where they — rarely — differentiate? Will more people tune in? Will Walsh continue to pick up steam? Or will Connolly remain the slim favorite?
Expect Connolly and Walsh to mix it up a little bit more while they attempt to sway undecided voters. But don’t expect any haymakers from either side.
The early momentum Connolly felt — starting last winter — has helped him remain the frontrunner in “The Race to Replace.” Since September, however, Walsh has been steadily winning over potential Boston voters with his hefty campaign funding, a victory in the September 24 preliminary, and high profile endorsements.
While Walsh didn’t present any new information during the first debate and seemed knocked on his heels when the issue of arbitration was brought up, his performance earned him a bump in the most recent Sage Systems poll. The pressure, therefore, looks to be on Connolly to assert himself as the best candidate for Boston.
What to Expect from Connolly
If Connolly does indeed need to earn back some of the faith he once had from potential voters, look for him to drag Walsh into a confrontation. Don’t expect Walsh to willingly engage the former school teacher and risk coming off as the bully Connolly’s camp is trying to portray him as.
It’s unlikely things will get too heated tonight, but expect Connolly to drive home the a-vote-for-Walsh-is-a-vote-for-unions narrative. Connolly could continue to assert that Walsh’s ties to labor present a potential conflict of interest.
As the education candidate, Connolly should look to reference his experience every chance he gets. His only concern could be the potential of Walsh calling into question his ethics after Connolly name-dropped a former student. Again, such a tactic from Walsh is unlikely, while trying to maintain a positive campaign.
The kicker for tonight’s debate will be the environment.
The last Sage Systems poll — produced for the Environmental League of Massachusetts–found that potential voters want to hear where the two candidates stand on environmental issues.
Connolly will likely be forced to expand on his “Greening Boston” plan, which includes biking accessibility and local food production. Walsh, of course, will also have to touch on his environmental policy.
If neither candidate wants to go on the attack, the winner of tonight’s debate could be the candidate who is able to tie all of his respective policies into a broader vision for Boston–with environmental issues as the anchor.
