"[Flaherty] is going to be the most important political figure in Massachusetts in the 1990s," Barrett says.

As the state's third-in-command, Flaherty would have a great impact on the next administration's effectiveness.

Barrett says that if the Republicans do well next year, Flaherty might be the only leader in state government with an "unabashedly progressive agenda."

"The possibility of Bill Weld and Charlie Flaherty doing battle is fascinating," Barrett says.

At the same time, Democrats outside Cambridge are using the Republican threat to drum up support for their primary candidacies.

"If the Democrats do not put someone who can and will clean up [the treasurer's] office, it will go to the Republicans," says Sen. Richard A. Kraus (D-Arlington), who is opposing Keverian for that office.

And, says Flood, "I'm the one candidate the Republicans can't beat."