Predictions differ on Cellucci plans

By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff, 12/7/2000

s his friend George W. Bush inched closer to the presidency, Governor Paul Cellucci yesterday tried to cool speculation about his own future, while at the same time expressing confidence in Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift's ability to take over his job.

On his first day back after a 10-day trade mission, Cellucci insisted his primary interest is to remain on Beacon Hill and serve out his term. But he also said he would consider any offer from Bush to join his administration.

''I like the current situation,'' Cellucci told reporters. ''This is a great job.''

Some Beacon Hill insiders are convinced Cellucci's public statements - in which he says he enjoys being governor - are simply spin, issued in case he fails to land a prestigious Cabinet-level or diplomatic post.

Cellucci's closest associates offer quite different interpretations of the governor's thinking. Some say Cellucci will jump at a federal position. Others are just as sure he wants to remain here.

One concern for Cellucci is the Republicans' hope of holding the governor's office in the 2002 election if he were to leave. Most GOP leaders say Swift is too damaged by an ethics probe to win election, and expect that she will be focused on delivering her twins in June.

Former US Senate candidate Mitt Romney, often called the party's best hope, is also looking less like a candidate, because his role running the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah will probably keep him tied up until February or March.

Cellucci denied that his decision will be influenced by the scarcity of Republican candidates. He emphasized that Swift's duties as the mother of three young children should not prevent her from running the state.

''If a father can have young children at home and be the governor, then I think a mother should be able to have young children at home and be the governor,'' Cellucci said. ''I feel very strongly about that.''

Despite Cellucci's attempt to downplay his possible departure, Republican strategist Charles Manning said he believes Cellucci could be lured away by the right offer. ''Paul Cellucci has always been a pragmatist,'' he said.

Manning said the move would be particularly attractive because of Cellucci's longstanding friendships with Bush and former Massachusetts lawmaker Andrew Card, whom Bush plans to make White House chief of staff.

Still, Cellucci, in private conversations, makes a convincing case that he is not ready to pack up and go. He cites his love of his job and of his family's lifestyle here.

''He has made it very clear he is not interested in Washington,'' said one close Cellucci associate. ''He and [his wife] Jan like their lives the way they are now.''

Those who believe he will remain point to the lift Cellucci got after voters overwhelming approved his tax cut last month. ''Being governor is fun for him now. He took on every union and every major Democratic leader and beat them by a 60-to-40 percent margin,'' said one GOP ally.

But others who know him disagree. ''He wants to see what they offer him, but believe me, he wants to go,'' said another Cellucci associate.

There is no agreement on what position Cellucci may be offered. An alternative to the Cabinet could be a high-ranking White House staff job, such as a policy adviser. A high-level diplomatic posting, particularly to Italy, would also be attractive.