Follow the money, John Daley suggests: Specifically, the money flowing from Big Dig contractors to our best and brightest on Beacon Hill, including newly outraged Tom Reilly.

Tim Lavallee listens to an audio book about Bechtel's practices in Third World countries (you remember Bechtel, as in Bechtel Parsons Brinherhoff, the joint venture that oversaw the Big Dig?) and learns some lessons:

Michael Feldman surveys all the candidates running for governor this year and gets depressed:

... Speaking as a political tout, we can't work up a single calorie of heat over any of these morons. What do they all have in common? Money, ego, ambition, good suits and expensive haircuts, with the exception of Ms. Ross.

Charley on the MTA says yesterday belonged to Deval Patrick:

... This was Deval's day, and he and his delegates were in full command. Reilly gave a truly fine speech, tough, compassionate and populist; Gabrieli got in the game (barely), and rejoiced; but the sheer emotional dominance of Patrick's speeches -- and the delegates' noise -- were what one takes away from the proceedings today. ...

Blue Mass. Group has notes on the debate. Also on the Democratic side, Sco provides some thoughts. Hub Politics provides the non-Mihos Republican view.

The Globe's Political Intelligence has excerpts here and here.

On Blue Mass. Group, Charley on the MTA writes it up.

John Daley zeroes in on Reilly calling out Patrick on his Ameriquest involvement and says he hopes Reilly isn't using his office to dig up dirt on rivals (the Globe has more on Reilly's Ameriquest charges).

Oh, my, we've got ourselves a big ol' giant ball o' political fun today! From our newest Democratic gubernatorial candidate to health care to a Republican blogger issuing a press release about a post complaining about a post on Deval Patrick's Web site, there's something for everyone. Oh, and we almost forgot: Smoki Bacon is involved! Let's have at it:

On Blue Mass. Group, David notes Deval Patrick welcomes Gabrieli to the race:

Bill, on Under the Golden Dome, says either Kerry Healey or Republican-playing-Independent Christy Mihos could win this fall if supporters of whoever loses the Democratic primary stay home:

Sco: How many times is Joan Vennochi going to write the same column?

... Does she get a kickback for every "Democrats have no message" or "Democrats are reeling" column that she writes? ...

On the Chimes at Midnight, Elias dissects Tubby Harrison, the pollster Vennochi quotes to prove her contention that the Dems are adrift:

Bruce at mAss Backwards has some suggestions.

Meanwhile, both Andy at Mass. Revolution Now and John Daley make the same basic point about Reilly's newfound belief that he's not a politician: Ain't gonna work when you're running for political office.

Marie St. Fleur to stay in Dorchester, not run for lieutenant governor after all. On Blue Mass. Group, Bob suggests Tom Reilly hold an immediate performance review of his top campaign staffers.