The Globe columnists continue to pile on.
The Gotcha Shuffle: Patrick Gets Got
yellow-dog
| Wed, Feb 21, 2007
8:50 AM EST
(Pro-small business, pro-consumer. Good stuff. - promoted by Charley on the MTA)
Today it’s Jeff Jacoby, a day late and a dollar short. Yesterday, it was Brian McGrory looking down from Mount Olympus and handing out his sage advice. Last week it was I’m-mad-as-hell-and-I’m-not-going-to-take-it-anymore threats from Joan Vennochi.
Lesson: When the Globe complains about not using your post-election momentum, it’s a promise, not a threat, implied. A little more grandstanding, also known as “using the bully pulpit,” might have helped cushion the inevitable blows that have been landing for the last week or so over Governor Deval Patrick’s ill-considered purchases and piss poor response to the inevitable brouhaha. But it’s doubtful.
I’m a Patrick supporter, and though I’m still optimistic, I realize there is a huge difference between running for office and running an office. Patrick was pretty good at running for office. It remains to be seen how effective he’ll be as governor. His poor handling of the press was also evident early on.
Personally, I don’t have a problem with any governor redecorating his office or getting a slightly nicer car. (The full-time aide for his wife, however, seems a bit excessive, but time will tell if Diane Patrick is an active enough first lady to need one).
I do resent the headline “Patrick to repay taxpayers for decor.” When people use the word taxpayer, you know they’re trying to piss somebody off. Patrick didn’t redecorate his house. He decorated our governor’s office. Who else is supposed to make decorating decisions about it? Moreover, the governor’s office should reflect the dignity of the position. If that costs some money, so be it. And should an elected official foot the bill to redecorate state property? Do we only want to elect people who can afford to pay for their new desk, drapes, etc.? Again a little perspective is in order: what do other governors do?
The quality of our lives doesn’t depend on the symbolism the press chooses to inflate into news stories, but the actual work of our government depends on our leaders handling these symbols competently. Without such competence, it’s hard to get the actual work done. A month and a half into office, Patrick has been shockingly inept in his handling of symbolism and the press. His budget, which matters directly to our well-being, is due out soon. I’m optimistic that he’s got a handle on it, but I’ve got my fingers crossed.
–Mark
Discuss
52 Comments . Leave a comment below.that just because the Globe hacks have been assholes, that doesn't mean Patrick hasn't been incompetent at handling them.
The press are like poodles: quick to roll over for top dogs, but always ready to snap at perceived weakness. You've got to show them who's boss, and also toss them a bone, now and then.
...as Frank Phillips is not a choice. :~(
It's February. This is all they've got to work with, because Patrick is doing real work on the budget. We had a PR-heavy outfit here for a few years, and it didn't actually do anything that anyone cared about.
Yawn.
...but I fear that this is turning into a major image problem for Deval.
As someone who is an avid Deval Patrick fan, I will admit that the Governor has made a few rookie, amateurish mistakes with the car and the drapes, etc. Bad moves that send the wrong message in tough fiscal times.
In the larger scheme of things, though, I don't believe that these mistakes should amount to a hill of beans. And I certainly don't find any fault with him using the state helicopter for state business.
But, these little, "under your skin" types of issues reverberate with a lot of folks out there. And any new officeholder sets the tone as well as the public perception for their tenure in their first few months in office.
I think Deval has a problem here. I'm hearing a lot of nasty comments from friends/co-workers who voted for him. I hope he can put this behind him quickly, learn from the mistakes, and move forward with some major substantive initiatives...soon.
I agree with you, although I am sympathetic to Charlie's take on it. I do think a lot of it is made-up crap, but frankly look what captures the attention of the public lately -- Anna Nicole, Tom Brady's baby, Britney....
Stupid stuff ends up resonating. I don't like that perceptions are important in the work of governance -- often too important in the big scheme of things, but it is what it is. DP needs to work on that.
I do agree with Charlie that it's easy to overstate the "damage" that this is doing so early in his term, but I also don't think it's something to take lightly.
Have you seen some of the comments on Boston.com? Yikes.
Where is the "together we can"??? I still haven't figured out just exactly what that means?? ( nor have the majority of the rest of citizens of Mass , I'm sure). Does that mean being excluded from being considered from a $72,000 a year State job position as his wife's "administrator"? Why can't I apply for that State job??? aren't I part of "we"....or perhaps as driver of his Cadillac limosine? or perhaps As the contractor ( was that one put out to bid? ) for the $27,000 drapes? Together we can??? Together we can WHAT ???? Together we can watch yet another corrupt egotistical "politician" abuse the taxpayers??? Is that what "together" means??? Looking forward to what your explanation of what "together we can" really means. Thank youu
You sound like you're coming unhinged...
to the questions about "Prince Patrick" got any? We're listening......
"We're listening." Multiple Personality Disorder: sabutai's right -- Ronco and RRRM is the same person.
Total sentences: 11 Total question marks: 27 (2.45 per sentence) Total grammatical errors: 15 (1.36 per sentence) Total relevant points: 0
And am I the only one who suspects Ronco is RRRM's secret identity????
attention. Your statistics are actually quite flatering. I'll be available for autographs in Harvard Square this Friday Ronco
didn't work out too well for John Kerry.
The campaigns were very different in other respects. Kerry communicates his nuances; Patrick communicates his values. Also, our local press mostly* liked Patrick; the national press tolerated Kerry.
* The Boston Herald, is that a newspaper?
Really?!
is the reaction on boston.com message boards. I know they are frequented by a select group of people, but so is bmg, and as I'm living out of state I don't know which is more representative of the general population. (Probably neither...)
The Globe message boards--the political ones--are usually dominated by one-handed right-wing typists.
off your face, sign your trust fund check and then come to the shocking realization that Deval is an "empty suit". Hey we all screw up at one time or another right? Governor "feel good" sold you a bottle of liberal "snake charm oil" so OK . Tell your sister over there with the grey hair "bun" to put her knitting down ,sign her trust fund check and have a talk with you as to how you can do so damage control with your Cambridge liberal friends who have also figured out that this is just another "politically correct" liberal "darling" Jesse Jackson ,Al Sharpton, Osama Obama ( as Ted K would say)loser.
PS... someone just ripped off the front tire of your $3200 bicycle in front of Charlies Kitchen
The trailer is nice and toasty, and Sis is in the mood.
"snake charm oil"
that is so great.
smile : )
How inept the media is... and how Deval didn't see this crap coming. He certainly proved in the campaign that he's better with dealing with people than the media - he wasn't really great at dealing with the media ever, it was just that he was such a strong candidate that most of the newspapers, etc. sided with him anyway.
I don't know. I think it's time we create a blog-wide op-ed or something and send it to the Boston Globe, dealing with what is and isn't an appropriate use of money, how Deval's administration has really been doing, how his actions have thus far 'resonated' with his message, etc.
My crazy-conservative brother has been having a field day with all these things, one after another. We, as a movement, need to figure out how to stop the press from eating our guy alive... or we'll NEVER have the chance to see his initiatives come alive. Seriously, the media could kill any chance of some of these tricky-to-pass initiatives, like allowing towns to use a meal's tax, etc.
This story is on the wire now.
the Governor is being a little self-deprecating about it all. He seems to be poking fun at himself here. That is a good start, and -- I think -- a good way to begin to put this hopefully rookie mistake behind him.
If I were his communications director, I'd urge him to be as self-deprecating as possible right now.
Remember, the press always let Weld get away with anything because he was a charming, river-diving whack job.
What I find encouraging is that Deval Patrick can say I am sorry, and I made a mistake. In public, even.
Look at Harry Spence. Kids die and he still cannot admit to any mistakes!
And Romney! He never admits to any mistake, ever ever ever.
So right there, I find Deval Patrick saying he screwed up puts him ahead of the pack... My .02
AmberPaw isn't the only one here who has a beaten a fast retreat behind this relativity defense.
You all might want to think twice about hanging your support for the as-yet unproven governor (unproven as a governor, that is, as opposed to as an orator) on the fact that he's an improvement over the most despised MA politician in years. Because you know what? Reilly and Gabrieli would have been a damn sight better than Mitt, as well.
Jeremy
First, I am absolutely NOT beating a fast retreat or any retreat.
I tell my family law clients - often - that it is the strong who can admit to making a mistake. My saying the same thing about Gov. Deval Patrick does NOT constitute a "retreat" because you call it a retreat. Faint praise? Not even that. In "guy culture" it seems to take real guts to every say "I made a mistake".
First guts - maybe later glory. Only time will tell and seven weeks in - no one can say much about a legacy.
Oh - and I agree, either Reilly or Gabrielli - or for that matter Mihos - would have made better governors than Romney in fact made...
Brian McGrory's was the worst of those: Jacoby's better because he's out and out blatantly a conservative ass.
I've been in New Hampshire for a week so I hadn't really seen any of this til now, except a little of that Cadillac stuff, but all of it's silly and non-issues. (Just as Jane Swift's helicopter use was IMO). The press is just bored.
I think people are getting defensive and unnerved already.
1. Cadillac The state police wanted him to get a cadillac, so he did. I don't see a problem with that. He probably wasn't even involved in the decision making process -- he has more important things to do.
2. Drapes Romney left the office with a crumbling decor so they made it respectable. I have no idea how much respectable drapes cost to fill large windows in a state house, but I'm sure it isn't cheap. But again, I very highly doubt deval was involved in picking out drapes.
3. Staff for first lady His wife needed a staffer. She or another assistant probably chose who they were comfortable with, and I'm sure that person is the best at what they do. It is a little expensive, but I'm going to reserve my judgement on the issue until we find out if it was justified.
These are all standard political character attacks and I'm more interested in his policies as governor.
Thus far we've seen:
A "cave in" to pay raises for an already overpaid and corrupt House of multi term professional"politicians"
Limiting of full disclosure of the criminal records of convicted felons to prospective employers
Awarding a $72,000 State job (unposted or opened to application) to his campaign fund raising manager.
An incredible disdain for fiscal responsibility with personal excesses cars, furnishings, helicopters, etc.
Rescinded the training/authority of State Police to detain/arrest ILLEGAL aliens.
Stopped te removal of the tolls and toll booths on the Mass Pike West of RT 128
Prince Patrick has already declared his intent to provide drivers liscenses to ILLEGAL aliens.
Prince Patrick has FAILED to provide the 1000 police officers he promised.
Prince Patrick has FAILED to releive local property taxes.
This Governor will undoubtably be the biggest disaster for the State of Massachusetts since Michael "tank helment" Dukakis... God help Us!!!
"Prince" Deval! That is silly.
Expecting property tax relief in the first seven weeks of an administration? That is juvenile.
Suggestion: pay attention to your spelling. Notice this Governer hasn't even submitted his first budget yet!
No one expected Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. At least I sure did not.
Oh - and Dukakis was not a disaster. Sorry. We differ on that too. There was better mental health, better funding for education, more treatment beds, and in fact, a culture of improving state services, rather than the "meanie" attitude of those young immortal social darwinists who haven't run into their own walls. Yet.
Are you serious? People are still laughing at the little fool in the tank during his second year of being absent from the State in pursuit of his Presidential delusion(and you bash Romney?)Meanwhile in the 2 years he was "MIA" the State crashed down the proverbial toilet of debt..remember? or do you have "liberal selective memory"?
Prince Patrick though is truly "Duke redux" . He undoubtably will surpass Dukakis' incredible failure many fold. Frankly, Ill be surprised if he isn't impeached and run out of town long before four years go by.
As a social ideal, it was a lovely concept. As a practical matter, it was a disaster. Turning hundreds of mentally ill out onto the streets, making them responsible for their own medication when they remembered, to wait while those halfway houses were set up, was just cruel. Too many are still waiting, sleeping in the forest. And because of Dukakis, the institutions were sold and have been converted into luxury condos.
After the movie Titticut Follies, there was an groundswell of rage about how we treated our mentally ill. People were committed - often inappropriately for family reasons rather than medical ones - and the idea was by mainstreaming them into society, with a network of halfway houses, they could be rehabilitated. Problem is, the institutions were emptied, NIMBYism prevailed, and the halfway houses never materialized. I'm maried to a MSW who worked in the system at the time.
how Dukakis had the power to deinstitutionalize every state in the Union at the same time, all by his lonesome.
He was small but mighty, that little guy.
"Oh - and Dukakis was not a disaster. Sorry."
Furlough?
hey Amber You're a lawyer right? Do you think a convicted murderer (without the possibility of parole) should be let out of prison on weekends?
smile :)
He was honest, thorough, hard working and well educated. Some of what happened on his watch was good, some was not. As to the rehash of Willie Horton, a few comments.
First, not every attorney does criminal law. As it happens, I do not do criminal law. Fish again.
Second, under Dukakis, there WAS a real attempt to make Massachusetts a better place to live, and a honest attempt to pay for items that would do so.
Were some flawed? I am sure. Anything done by humans is going to be flawed. Any big change will create problems as well as solve them. I expect that the folk who read this list can themselves provide lists of Dukakis administration initiatives that succeeded - and others that failed. No one way street.
What I do know is that there was actual discussion, engagement, openness, and hard work, consistent hard work.
Now, Mitt Romney and George W. Bush - I consider both of them disasters.
Perhaps we shall just have to agree to disagree - intelligent folk can do that - have a real discussion, remain soundling like adults - and disagree.
After 7 weeks in office? Cripes, I know you're ticked off that he got elected - the incessant name-calling makes that quite clear - but get a grip. Nobody can overhaul the state's tax system in a couple of months.
Imagine if Romney, Swift, Cellucci or Weld bought $12,000 drapes or upgraded their car like Deval did - the BMG crew would be going nuts. I find it very funny that most people here are defending the bad choices that Deval has made.
I am a lifelong Dem that bought into Deval's rhetoric, and I'm still `waiting to see his initiatives to come alive'. Since his swearing in, I've been waiting to see some leadership and progress on the issues that he was elected to deal with, but from all accounts, it seems that his administration had no idea how to govern.
I think folks around here will agree that I'm pretty steady as a Democratic critic of Deval's, but he's been governor for only 6 weeks. He's going to make rookie mistakes, and he's still getting to know the job. I doubt Romney left him much in the way of transition, since he didn't know what was going in the state while he was still officially governor.
If Deval is still "learning the job" as the summer ends, I'll be right there with you. But he's not going to turn the state around before he has drapes in the windows.
will want is a 757 aircraft like "Pelosi One" that the incredibly egotistical ,self important" Madam Speaker demands to ferry her family and her "entourage" across the country at a cost of $300,000 a trip! to taxpayers!! Can you believe the Chutspah of this woman??? Who the hell does she think she is?
What is it with these Democrats who run on platforms of fiscal responsibility , gain office and then immediately shower their egos with perks and excesses? I think I'm going to be sick.
Also, try to make sense. The House Sergeant at Arms made the determination of an airplane as was done with Hassert when he was the speaker. Plus the latest update that they idiot who pushed the story in the first place FL Rep. Adam Putnam (R) only explaination on why he lied and pushed an untrue story..."the first break [Republicans] have had from the media in driving our message since before the Mark Foley story broke."
So what's the message?
http://abcnews.go.co... This egotistical witch still wants a huge plane.
Get yourself updated.
Tony Snow for the White House briefing on Feb 8th
Q You called the Pelosi plane issue a "silly story" this morning. Shortly thereafter the RNC put out a statement saying -- calling it "Pelosi's power trip" and that she's "non-stop Nancy seeks flight of fancy." Are you calling that --
MR. SNOW: Well, I'll reiterate our position. The question -- the RNC has put out a statement on Speaker Pelosi and travel arrangements, and I'll just repeat our position, which is, as Speaker of the House, she is entitled to military transport, and that the arrangements, the proper arrangements are being made between the Sergeant of Arms office in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Department of Defense. We think it's appropriate, and so, again, I think this is much ado about not a whole lot. It is important for the Speaker to have this kind of protection and travel. It was certainly appropriate for Speaker Hastert. So we trust that all sides will get this worked out.
Quote from the Sargent of Arms on the same day:
"In a post 9/11 threat environment, it is reasonable and prudent to provide military aircraft to the Speaker for official travel between Washington and her district. ? The fact that Speaker Pelosi lives in California compelled me to request an aircraft that is capable of making non-stop flights for security purposes, unless such an aircraft is unavailable. This will ensure communications capabilities and also enhance security. ? I regret that an issue that is exclusively considered and decided in a security context has evolved into a political issue."
Just rehashing old news here .....
The damage is done. Pelosi has garnered an "image" as an egotistical, power crazed woman.
No way is this guy for real. I smell an alter-ego here. Of all the red to purple folks I know here in MA, none would torpedo our own boat with this kind of rubbish. Whoever you really are... KNOCK IT OFF!
should have been elected Governor... someone who KNEW the job. The people can't afford the luxury of some clueless bungling "trainee" taking six months to figure out where the men's room is in the State House.
The "limosine liberal" moonbats with their knitting ,ponytails and big trust fund checks have voted in a totally incompetent empty suit as we've already begun to see. Kerry Healy looks better every day, doesn't she?
and its Healey, as I remember.
At least you didn't call her Sherry!
I'd be thrilled if he'd just learn how to spell limousine.
I hope he writes letters to the editor -- every time he opens his mouth, he makes liberals and Democrats look better. He should have his own tv show.
The drapery kerfluffle makes me ask: What do we want from the State House as a building anyway? It is a historic, beautiful building. No doubt that governors through the years have wanted to make it pretty. That's supposed to be its function.
Otherwise, I ask as devil's advocate: Why not sell it? It could be condos. Or it could be a museum to the deprecated idea of self-government as we look at the portaits of cronies that plaques say under them, "Indicted", "Convicted" and "Drove a Tank".
Deval and his aides could work in any one of the decaying state offices around the city or perhaps in any leased office space available, if we are only concerned with efficiency. What's that, never heard of that?
Sadly for us spendthrifts, as long as the State House stands, things like drapes and plaster are unavoidable. At least, we in Salem have found the same to be true with not only one but two historic government buildings that we own so we know full well what that's about.
One wonders why the state never established any kind of non-profit foundation for the upkeep of the State House--including draperies.
If we can't manage that without rancor, I think condos and a museum would be a better idea anyway; at least the former would be more in line with our values.
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