Keller @ Large: 85% Of Registered Voters Avoided Primaries

BOSTON (CBS) - After suffering through all the spin and rhetoric and nonsense, even us jaded political reporters still get a thrill out of finally hearing the people speak.

At least, those who managed to get out and vote.

So what did the 650,000 or so who voted say Tuesday?

Read: Election Results

For starters, they said they like the idea of women in positions of political power.

Martha Coakley for governor, Maura Healey in the attorney general's race, Deb Goldberg for treasurer, Marian Ryan as Middlesex County D.A., the litany extends to Rhode Island where state treasurer Gina Raimondo won the gubernatorial primary.

Is it just that women are smarter, or seen as more likely to produce results than their male counterparts? Maybe.

It also could be that for far too long, Massachusetts politics – especially the Democratic party here - has been an almost-exclusive men's club, and voters are ready to try something new.

Another statement the voters appeared to make – all you big-time power brokers might as well keep your endorsements to yourselves.

Most of the major newspapers endorsed Steve Grossman – he lost. Gov. Patrick and Mayor Walsh endorsed Warren Tolman – he lost. Voters around here don't really need someone they don't know telling them how to vote.

But maybe the most telling voter statement Tuesday was that of the 85-percent of registered voters who didn't bother to vote.

They may be saying they still need to be persuaded that any of the candidates are really offering true leadership.

If so, the message for the winners is clear – you've got your next eight weeks of work cut out for you.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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