He also parted with the Democratic leadership during the 1994 debate over health care, backing a bipartisan plan rather than the one offered by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The Personality Factor

Personality is becoming a critical issue, as the candidates square off in seven scheduled debates.

Many pundits feel Weld's easygoing, spontaneous sense of humor works to his advantage. The former Adams House resident suprised even his staff this summer by jumping into the Charles River after signing a bill to protect the state's water-sheds.

"Personality is a stronger card for Weld than ideology," Linsky said.

Weld has an uncanny ability to use the executive office to gain favorable publicity. "[Weld] got a great lesson from his time in the Reagan administration," said Kerry's media consultant, Michael P. Shea.

Kerry, a Yale graduate, communicates a more sober, senatorial demeanor. In past debates, Kerry found himself explaining the intracacies of the governor's frequent quips.

The senator's attempts to lighten up often cause more substantial problems.

During a live interview with Don Imus, host of a popular national radio program, Kerry claimed that the governor "takes more vacations that the people on welfare"

Kerry spent the following weak dealing with his outraged liberal constituency.

Despite what many are calling a weak start, few pundits are counting him out. "this election is going to be decided in the last week of the campaign," Shea said.

National Perspective

Like a duel between Roger Clemens and Mo Vaughan, the Weld/Kerry race matches two of the most accomplished, visible and popular figures in Massachusetts head to head.

The race has gained substanstial national media coverage, including MTV and "60 Minutes."

Citing the centrist orientation of the candidates, some feel the race is a testing ground for candidates playing to voters sick of the Christian Right and the radical left.

"Its a barometer of the New Democrats and the New Liberal Republicans," Margaret D. Xifaras, a member of the Democratic National Committee, told The Crimson.