Massachusetts moves Swiftly into new administration

Jane Swift’s steps up the Grand Staircase yesterday morning may have symbolized not only her ascension to the governorship of Massachusetts, but perhaps something beyond her short gubernatorial stint.

Yesterday, Swift became the first female governor in the history of the Commonwealth.

“I think it’s hot. It’s definitely a good thing. It’s definitely a step,” said Carla Aviles, a College of General Studies sophomore and New York native who was among the Boston University students to say it was time for Massachusetts to have a woman in the Executive Office.

“It’s great. She’s definitely making strides for women in politics in the state,” said College of Arts and Sciences senior Patricia Tarabelsi, the national legislative director for the College Democrats of America.

Self-describing his administration as one of equal opportunity for women, Cellucci made Swift his candidate for lieutenant governor during his 1998 campaign. And though her term as lieutenant governor was marred by scandal and allegations she abused her power, Boston University students are willing to give Swift a fresh start.

“I’m willing to give her a chance, see if she can get the job done,” said Bart Timilty, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. “There’s no point in judging her already, she’s only had one day on the job. Hopefully she does better than she did as lieutenant governor.”

Last year, it was reported Swift used a state helicopter to transport her to her home in North Adams, as well as that she used State House aides to care for her child.

“I’m sure the public is a bit apprehensive because of the past,” Tarabelsi said. “The way she conducted herself, especially at the beginning of her term.”

“You’ve got to be a little cynical of anyone who looks like that, and when she spoke to the Senate and made an ass out of herself there,” said Greg Harty, a College of Communication senior. “You have to give her time, anyway, to get used to the job.”

Evan Hirsch, a member of the BU College Republicans and CAS junior, estimated in his home state of Ohio, probably 95 percent of the people don’t even know who the lieutenant governor is, as opposed to Massachusetts, where because of her record she is well-known.

“In the big picture it’s not that big a deal,” Hirsch said, “but when you’re the most recognized figure in the state, you’ve got to learn to deal with it.”

Aviles said Swift’s experiences with public scrutiny will only help her as governor. “Of course, if she’s corrupt like that then you don’t know what else she’s going to do, but now I think because the public has found out about it, she’s going to be much more careful,” she said.

Hirsch anticipates Swift will focus on the “compassionate conservative” platform President George Bush pushed last fall, but acknowledged it will be tough for Swift to make her mark in a predominantly Democratic state with less than two years until the next election.

“She does have a solid year to show the people of Massachusetts how good of a governor she can be,” Hirsch said. “But it will be tough with kids. The election is coming up, so she has only a limited amount of time to put forth her initiative.”

Swift is currently pregnant with twins due to be delivered in June, an issue state lawmakers including Senate President Thomas Birmingham have suggested rectifying by giving the governor housing in a Boston apartment. Swift currently lives in Williamstown, which is 133 miles west of the capital.

“I think they should leave [her pregnancy] alone, leave it out of the press,” Timilty said. “That’s not fair to the kids.”

Birmingham is expected to be among Swift’s competition in 2002, a race that will be heavily affected by Swift’s performance as governor. A quality crop of candidates, Tarabelsi said, will only increase the pressure on Swift to get results.

“I don’t know how much she’s going to get done in such a heavily democratic state,” she said.