Baker Among Republican Governors Thriving in Blue States

BOSTON (AP) — In Massachusetts, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker remains popular by presenting himself as the polar opposite of President Donald Trump.

While Trump revels in lobbing verbal grenades, Baker revels in taking selfies. It's part of a charm offensive that has become key to Baker's sky-high favorability numbers.

What makes Baker's likeability even more remarkable is the fact that he's a Republican in one of the nation's most liberal-leaning states.

He's one of a number of Republican governors threading a needle in Democratic-friendly states by distancing themselves from Trump. They include Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.

Critics fault Baker, who's up for re-election this year, for not taking an even tougher stand against Trump.