Weld will probably have a place in the future of Massachusetts politics even if he loses to Bellotti. A direct descendant of the philanthropist who gave Harvard Weld Hall, the 32-year-old Weld is steeped in Yankee and Ivy League tradition. He possesses a powerful ego, a sharp mind, and a kind of insouciance that exudes confidence.
Weld was graduate from Harvard in 1966 summa cum laude. He was president of Phi Beta Kappa. He then went to Harvard Law School where he received a J.D. with honors. He worked as associate minority counsel of the United States House Judiciary Committee when that committee was investigating Watergate. He is presently living in Cambridge, with his wife, who is also a lawyer, and two children. Many political observers have said that the only problem with Weld is his political affiliation--Republican. Weld says he became a Republican because his father was a Republican, and leaves it at that. He is no ideologue.
Weld tells a story about giving a speech at his Law School class's commencement in 1969, when protestors descended on him and took away his microphone. "As I was lecturing them on the importance of reasoning sweetly together, they took away my microphone," Weld said. "So in that sense, since I was holding the microphone, I guess I was the symbol of what they were overtaking."
If by some chance he wins Tuesday, Weld promises to increase the Attorney General's involvement in anti-trust matters. Also, Weld opposes cutting government subsidies for abortions, quoting the Supreme Court's ruling on the legality of abortions.
Bellotti, despite the debits of the PCM-MBM affair, has, in turn, some considerable credits. His effort in consumer protection have helped thousands throughout Massachusetts. Bellotti indicted members of a huge arson ring and 26 politically connected corporations and individuals for stealing state vocational education funds. He led 46 states in obtaining a $40 million settlement against General Motors for switching engines on unsuspecting buyers.
Bellotti will probably win this one handily. He has the name recognition. He's a Democrat. He has traditionally done well in industrial cities. Also, Bellotti has discarded some of the more conservative tenets of his political philosophy. He comes across as a workingman's candidate more than patrician Weld--although both are equally hypocritical in claiming allegiance to the common man. The question is how much damage Weld has done to Bellotti's future ambitions. Bellotti may win, but his PCM-MBM connections could hurt him in a race for the governorship--a position he sorely wants. As for Weld, he can't win, but he has time to lose.