The news that former Gov. Deval Patrick is running for president on November 14 shocked many political analysts, particularly after last year’s reports that Patrick would still not seek the Democratic nomination.
In a story about the announcement, Michael P. Norton of State House News Service noted, “In December 2018, Patrick said he was not going to seek the chairmanship. He said at the time that he was overcome with support but’ knowing that the injustice of our election process would eventually splash back on people who love Diane and me, but who had never signed up for the ride, was more than I could hope.’
It reads, “Deval joined Bain Capital after he left the office to launch an impact investment fund. This new venture, Bain Capital Double Impact, has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in mission-driven businesses that target environmental and social benefits. His career has always been about resisting false choices, and his new program is meant to show that private firms can be a force for social good.
“Springfield-based political strategist Anthony Cignoli told Reminder Publishing,” After both Barack Obama and Donald Trump’s wins, we are in such new territory. With an audience that can be influenced by so many, perhaps too many, social media sites, anything can happen.
“On the plus side, Gov. Patrick has now saved at least $10 million or more to get in and escape the early horse race. Trump also has the advantage of knowing where to put himself politically, considering the directions that the other candidates have followed.
“On the negative, to compete in the states he can, he needs to raise an amazing amount of campaign funds quickly. He has to show himself to a country that knows him mainly not. And the biggest challenge, all the major agents in key states, even his highly accomplished friends, are already lined up with other campaigns, “said Cignoli.
Western Mass Politics & Commentary author and publisher Matt Szafranski told Reminder Publishing, “Gov. Patrick takes to the campaign trail a persuasive biography and impressive oratorical skills. No candidate can match the latter, I’m not sure. Nonetheless, the biggest problem for Patrick is that many of his most ardent supporters and former staff are already connected to other campaigns. I believe many would have signed up again if he had come in much sooner and climbed over broken glass to get him elected. We are now committed to others such as Clinton, Schumer, and Buttigieg. Nevertheless, Patrick managed to defeat the incumbent attorney general in a primary from near-obscurity in 2006.
Massachusetts has been heavily involved in the production of presidential candidates. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is among the top candidates for the Democratic nomination in 2020, while both Govs have been in the past. Michael Dukakis and Mitt Romney were on the final ballot to represent their respective parties. The Democratic ticket was also led by former Sen. John Kerry.
On Facebook, the announcement by Patrick was met with criticism. One person wrote, “I’m not interested in candidates who are jumping in and trying to spoil those who’ve done the hard work. Some opposed his corporate ties, but one person wrote, “A note to everyone that Howard Dean was our leading candidate at this point in the 2004 campaign. Deval Patrick is an excellent nominee to be accepted in the region. We need a robust exchange for thoughts, values, and leadership. “The announcement video was produced by Western Massachusetts natives of New York Sound and Motion Productions Edward W. Brown III and Horgan Associates ‘ David Horgan.
Michael P. Norton
