GOV NEEDS TO GET IN ON THIS OPERATION

Time for Charlie Baker to step out of his comfort zone and into the fray.

The GOP governor may not like getting involved in national politics, but he needs to take a more activist role now that the House has passed an Obamacare replacement bill that could cost Massachusetts an estimated $1 billion in funding cuts.

As the lone Republican leader in the state, the pressure’s on Baker to use whatever influence he can on the GOP Congress and the Trump administration. It may not be much, but he’s got to try.

What’s on the line for Baker? Only his re-election, that’s all.

The 2018 campaign is going to be a referendum on Trump and Trumpcare whether Baker likes it or not, so he’s got to convince voters he’s doing everything he can to protect the state.

It’s not really Baker’s style to take high-profile stances. He’s not like Bill Weld, leading rebellions against his own party. He’s more comfortable writing “wonky and nerdy” letters, as he says, than waving the protest flag.

For example, Baker’s initial reaction to the likely passage of the House bill yesterday was to say he hoped they would “reconsider” the vote. Reconsider? No, they’re not going to do that, governor.

Baker later released a statement promising to “continue to advocate” for Massachusetts, but statements aren’t good enough. Something’s got to change. The wonky, nerdy approach isn’t working. Massachusetts appears to be getting the shaft under the GOP’s new health care plan and it’s not clear whether the state will fare any better with the U.S. Senate.

It’s highly unlikely that Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are going to have much input into the debate. Not as long as they are bashing Trump and GOP leaders on a daily basis.

That puts all the onus on Baker. He has taken some initial steps, like writing a letter of opposition to the first GOP health care bill. But he needs to take a more public role in the coming weeks.

Here are just a few things the Republican governor can do to make his case:

Lead a bipartisan trip to Washington, and bring along health care industry leaders and ordinary people who would be adversely affected by the bill.

Hold a press conference in front of the Capitol.

Meet privately with GOP Senate leaders.

Testify at a Senate hearing. Conjure up the spirit of Ted Kennedy.

Baker doesn’t have to join the Trump resistance movement to prove his mettle. But he does have to answer to his constituents and next year they are going to vote. And they’ll remember whether Baker stepped up his game at a crucial time.