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While Gilligan is a mite arrogant and precious, Rhodes is boisterous and backslapping on the stump. But if he puts voters at ease, he avoids the press like a rare disease, convinced that reporters are out to get him. The liberal Gilligan has been opulently financed by organized labor, the conservative Rhodes has had to make do with small contributions. It may be close, but Gilligan is ahead by 10 points or more.
DUKAKIS V. SARGENT There is little to choose between the two candidates in Massachusetts except that Francis Sargent, 59, is both an incumbant and a Republican in a year when neither is very popular. Democrat Michael Dukakis, 40, who served in the state house of representatives for eight years, can scarcely present himself a newcomer ("Mr. Dukakis has been running for state office long as I have," says Sargent, "but he's been lucky enough to lose and keep himself out of trouble").
Nor can he attack Sargent on the issues, since he supported many of the liberal governor's environmental and social welfare programs. Where he differs, he says, is that he would have administered the programs much more efficiently. Promising the most open campaign in Massachusetts history, Dukakis went so far as to disclose that he buys his socks at Filene's basement for 89 cents a pair. Both candidates are aided by well-known names, Dukakis' running mate is Thomas P. ONeill, III, 30, son of the House Majority leader and the patrician Sargent is being supported by his cousin, Elliot Richardson. Sargent's pervasive TV personality may turn the tide, but Dukakis leads.
GRASSO V. STEELE Ella Grasso, 55, is the woman to beat in Connecticut, but not because she is a woman. She makes an effort , in fact, to play down the woman issue. "The phenonemon seems to be discussed more in the national press than in Connecticut," she says "Here I'm a people's candidate." In a state with a 44% Catholic population, she makes known her personal opposition to abortions though she has no intention of defying the U.S. Supreme court. She also plays up her 22 years of experience in state government and Congress. Casually attired in pantsuit and walking shoes, glasses perched precariously on top of her tossled bob, she identifies with the man—or woman—on the street who worries about where the money is going.
She has promised so many programs without raising taxes that she has been dubbed, "spenderella" by aides of her Re-publical oopponant, Congressman Robert Steele, 35. He has picked up some antifeminist support from people who aver that "being Governer is a man's job" but the state of the economy keeps him on the defensive. Ella ahead.
LAMM V. VANDERHOOF The environment is the main issue in Colorado, and it would be hard to find a more ardent environmentalist that Democrat Richard Lamm, 39. Minority whip in the state house of representatives, Lamm led the successful fight to keep the 1976 Winter Olympics out of Colorado, on the ground that they would affect thoustands of visitors who would threaten the environment. He sponsored a land-use bilt that lost by a single vote.