The Democrat-controlled legislature, led by Thomas Finneran, the House speaker, hopes to dominate an executive branch in transition.

ECONOMIST: Massachusetts

Finneran will depart to film a new NBC comedy series with Michael J.

WSJ: Jane Lynch to star on Broadway in 'Annie'

With Finneran as sentinel, Romney was spared from making any decisions on legislation that could haunt him in Republican primaries.

CNN: Will Romney lurch to the center?

Finneran's departure in advance of federal obstruction of justice charges -- he eventually pleaded guilty -- forced Romney to drop his Massachusetts Mitt persona.

CNN: Will Romney lurch to the center?

Perhaps the more significant, and less noted, event that forced Romney to switch his protective coloring was the resignation in September 2004 of House Speaker Tom Finneran, a staunch social conservative who ruled the Massachusetts House with an iron hand.

CNN: Will Romney lurch to the center?