WELD

W illiam F. Weld '66 has done what most Harvard students can only dream about.

As Massachusetts governor, he has achieved fame and power. Perhaps more impressively, as an undergraduate, he finished his senior honors thesis in a mere two weeks.

Weld hopes that his re-election bid in November will be as successful as those two weeks he spent under the Hasty Pudding stage writing his thesis with pad and paper, an effort which culminated in a summa cum laude distinction.

The Republican governor claims he has been equally proficient in his first term in office.

"[Lt. Gov.] Paul [Cellucci] and I are encouraged by what we've done so far--balancing four budgets, cutting taxes five times, abolishing the early release of inmates, getting our economy growing again, reforming our public schools, trying to protect the state's open space and rivers," says Weld, a former Adams House resident.

Weld is advertising the strength of his record in the race against State Sen. Michael J. Barrett '70 (D-Cambridge), State Rep. Mark Roosevelt '78 (D-Beacon Hill) and former State Sen. George Bachrach (D-Watertown).

Specifically Weld has enphasized three major issues in the campaign; crime, welfare reform and the state's economy.

On the first issue, crime Weld has supported the popular "three strikes and you're out" proposal, which would mandate life sentences for criminals convicted of three violent felonies.

Weld has also espoused the reinstitution of capital punishment, last used here in 1947.

"I think we should say to someone convicted of a third violent felony: `That's it. You've ruined too many lives. Now your life is ruined,''' Weld says. "There shouldn't be debate about 'three strikes'. It should be a law."

The February slayings of Boston Police officer Wayne Anderson and Paxton Police chief Robert Mortell prompted Weld's call for the reinstatement of capital punishment.

"These were good men, and they were taken from us by men gone bad," Weld says. "These cop-killers are walking advertisements for why we need to bring the death penalty back to Massachusetts."

"It's time to stop talking tough," Weld adds. "It's time for action. On the death penalty. On life sentences for three time losers. On building more prisons."

As governor, Weld has turned a contentious streak from debating the diverse residents of Adams House in the dining hall to arguing with Democrats in the state legislature.

"The Democrats in the legislature have refused to hold even a single hearing on capital punishment," Weld says. "The Massachusetts legislature is using all its tricks to keep the issue from even being debated, much less enacted. That's not Democratic leadership, that's legislative arrogance."

Weld has also sparred with legislators over his proposals to dramatically change the entire welfare system, or as he puts it, to "end welfare as we know it."

"The real scandal in welfare isn't the bad apples who break the law and abuse the system," Weld says. "The real scandal is the system itself. Welfare in Massachusetts is bankrupt. It is corrupt. It is messed up. And we're going to tear it apart and make it work."

The governor wants to replace cash grants and instead give able bodied welfare recipient day care and health care.

"Welfare does play a vital role in helping many women and their children through short-term crises," Weld says. "But welfare as it currently exists also subsidizes some of the most destructive behavior in our society."

Weld also says he believes cutting taxes is essential for job creation and economic growth. While the state's unemployment rate has decreased during his administration, Weld says he is still not satisfied with the state's economy.

"I'm encouraged that Massachusetts has created 110,000 jobs [since 1991]," Weld says. "But more must be done. I know that thousands of families are still struggling, and that we need more jobs in Massachusetts and more jobs in Boston."

Weld spent his days at Harvard studying the past and not participating in political activities which have shaped his life since he left the college. As a Classics concentrator, Weld studied the ancient civilizations of Latin and Greece.

And when class ended, Weld walked by a first-year dormitory and a boathouse which bear his prestigious family name. He was also a member of the tradition-laden Fly Club and Hasty Pudding Club.

But now, almost 30 years later, Weld is looking toward the future as he begins his re-election bid.

"This upcoming election isn't about whether [Cellucci] and I get re-elected," Weld says. "It really is about whether we keep moving Massachusetts forward or whether we revert to the terrible, misguided mistakes of the past."