Specifically, Vellucci said Howe changes her stand on abortion to suit the audiences she is addressing. Citing Howe's June 3, 1987 vote for a bill restricting abortions for minors, he said Howe's views on the question remain pro-life and said they have been so for 20 years.
"Howe really worries me because she keeps changing her views. She claims to be pro-choice but recently appeared in front of a group and said she was pro-life," Vellucci said. "When it comes to women's issues, there's a big difference between her and I," he added.
Mass Choice, a pro-abortion lobbying group, has endorsed Vellucci, said Melissa Kogut, a spokesman for the organization. "Vellucci has a strong and consistent pro-choice voting record, said Kogut. "With Howe, we were confused because only in the last two votes has she voted with us," she added.
Howe said she had a right to modify her views to reflect the interests of her constituents. While she said that for most of her 23 years on Beacon Hill she had voted against abortion, she now votes pro-choice because her constituents favor free access to abortion.
"You have to believe in a woman's right to elect and choose. [She] should also have the right to carry the pregnancy to full term. While I do not oppose the law, I have my own personal convictions," Howe said.
In a rare move for a legislative campaign, Vellucci has hired political strategist Michael Goldman. The consultant has broad experience in statewide and Congressional races, including the 1986 campaign of Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II. Goldman said the Vellucci side will stress issues and not the personalties of the candidates in the campaign.
"The way you win is to compare and contrast Howe and Vellucci on the issues. It's fair to say that Vellucci's a more liberal voter," Goldman said. He said Vellucci supports comparable worth pay for women, gay rights and strict gun control while Howe has not always done so.
Truesdell echoed Goldman's stress on issues. "There are clear political differences between the two. Marie, for instance, supports funding for parochial schools and only got religion on [House rules] reform four years ago. Peter was elected as a House rules reformer," Truesdell said.
Howe said the attempt to portray Vellucci as a more "progressive" candidate would not work. "I have substantive issues to stand on," she said. She also criticized Vellucci's State House attendance record.
The Somerville representative said that years before Vellucci's freshman term, she had supported gay rights and the activities of Amnesty International, as well as human rights efforts in Northern Ireland. In addition, Howe said she has worked closely with unions and that she has had her picture taken with Elanor Smeal, former president of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Vellucci said his ratings with liberal groups were considerably higher than Howe's. He said he had voted with NOW's recommendations on 10 of 11 key votes in 1985-86, while Howe matched the group's views on half of them.
"Marie should win the award for taking pictures and going to funerals," Vellucci said. "I should win on issues."
Almost the only thing the candidates can agree upon is the closeness of the race. Vellucci is clearly the favorite in Cambridge, but Howe has strong support in Somerville.
"This is a very difficult race," said Goldman. "Marie has been in a lot of wars and has a strong base in Somerville. We're going to have to educate [voters] on who is the progressive candidate."
Although Somerville Mayor Eugene Brune has endorsed Vellucci, Howe has many backers among the city's leadership. Mary Tomeo, a former city tax assessor, said Howe has worked hard for the elderly and for the Portuguese immigrant community in Somerville.
"Marie is a down-to-earth, determined person who's done a lot for Somerville. If you asked her to do something, she would always reply," Tomeo said.
Howe also was praised by Somerville Alderman Michael Capuano, who described her as an unusual politician, one not afraid to take on the establishment. "If you don't know Marie Howe, you haven't been living in Somerville," he added.
Capuano said both Vellucci and Howe had distinguished records in the House but that the race will be determined by personalities, not issues.
"Seventy percent of people vote on a personal basis. It seldom comes down to issues. This is going to be a good campaign for politicians to watch and learn from," said Capuano.