Tim Murray was there and made remarks; the ladies, Silbert and Goldberg, were no shows although Silbert did send a representattive to speak for her.
Deval Patrick spoke and the energy is extremely high for him. He made the rounds to each table and many times got into lengthy conversations with those who showed an an interest in a topic.
Phil Dunklebarger, the man who is challenging Stephen Lynch in the primary was also there but he did not make remarks. I spoke to Phil and asked how his campaign was going(I would not be in his district): he said the campaign was going great in those parts of Plymouth County that are included in the 9th District and that 15% of every door he knocks on in Southie the occupants have resided there for less than 9 months. Southie is changing. He says things are going great for him in Brockton.
One more tidbit that bodes well for Patrick: a friend of mine was waiting in line at the bar and was wearing a Deval Patrick button. Another woman who was apparently waiting /watching her daughter(part of the Irish Step Dancing troupe) said to my friend “Is he going to be here?”pointing to her Patrick button. My friend said “Yes,he’s already made his remarks” The other woman said”Oh, I really wanted to hear him speak. What I’ve read about him I like.” My friend said “I think he’s still here, you could probably go up to him and meet him”
So, to Deval Patrick:You know you’ve connected when regular voters, not just activists, are trying to meet you.
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I hope that Deval doesn’t choose him as a runningmate, he’s the least energizing of all the LG speakers I’ve seen and certainly doesn’t seem to be able to help him in the polls… Kelley seems to be qualified for the job, just not getting the job.
He’d be crazy to choose one of the candidates at this point – why piss off the other three? He’s got enough to worry about, and if he wins he’ll run with whoever wins the LG primary. Any of the four candidates would make a good ticket with him, for various reasons, as has been widely discussed in other posts.
I must admit that as a Deval Patrick delegate, I’m always glad to hear about someone supporting him. I’m also pleased about this because I find Dr. Kelley to be a truly intriguing candidate among the group running for Lt. Governor.
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I’ve heard Dr. Kelley speak about his beliefs on the environment, affordable housing, jobs, education, and health care. I find myself excited at the prospect of a candidate who really seems to understand the issues among the average person. Every time I’ve heard Dr. Kelley speak, he has spoken clearly and effectively about his beliefs, regardless of the audience. It’s nice to have someone who is willing to stand up for what they believe in, no matter the situation.
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This endorsement speaks volumes about Dr. Kelley. He believes Deval Patrick is the man to lead Massachusetts into the future, so he decided to endorse him. Although quite a bold move for someone to do, it is the right move.
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I was also impressed with how he did in the straw poll in North Andover. As I read on BMG he ended up with 52% of the vote there.
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Bravo to Sam Kelley for supporting Deval Patrick so early on. As a Deval Delegate, I am proud that Kelley will support him. He has now earned my vote at the convention.
“As a Deval Delegate…he has now earned my vote at the convention.”
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That’s the point of the endorsement. Kelley knows that he needs to somehow get through the convention because despite his showing at North Andover, he’s not very well known throughout the state, and he does not have the political base of the other candidates. By endorsing Deval, many of the delegates will make a “false connection” between Kelley and Patrick and thus vote for Kelley. By false connection I mean only that because Kelley has endorsed Patrick it would seem that Patrick and Kelley share the same attitudes, values, political base, etc. even though this is not necessarily the case. That is, the endorsement is a pretty calculated move to gain the support of the numerous Deval delegates.
You’re not pandering for Patrick votes like afertig said, are you? Say it ain’t so Sam!
I see this as an honest and sincere move by Dr. Kelley, motivated by his strong belief in doing whatâs right for the commonwealth.
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Many of Deval Patrick’s and Dr. Kelley’s positions and beliefs (environment, health care, education, pro-choice, and gay marriage) are very similar – and that is probably where the endorsement is coming from.
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Looking back to when I first heard Dr. Kelley speak, he made a reference to a candidate who always speaks from the heart, who speaks about a vision of a reinvigorated Massachusetts, and who always receives a standing ovation after speaking. (He was talking about Deval Patrick)
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Having heard these words almost a month ago from Dr. Kelley, it does make sense as to why he made this endorsement last night and shows more evidence that he is a man who is governed by principle and will stand by what he believes in.
I don’t doubt that this is an honest move by Kelley; I don’t think he would endorse a candidate he didn’t believe in. And I do think he believes Deval is the best candidate — I happen to agree with him.
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But this “endorsement” seems to me to do more for Kelley than it does for Patrick. The people who have both heard of and support Kelley are probably the people who already support Deval Patrick. It’s possible there are Kelley supporters who were unconvinced and will now support Patrick because of the endorsement. But it seems to me that there are many more Patrick supporters and delegates who may not have made up their mind about the LG race. By giving his nod to Patrick, Kelley will probably gain some delegates at the convention. It’s no doubt a good political move, but I don’t see it as exceptionally bold or daring. And while Kelley may be a great guy and honestly believe in Patrick, I don’t see this coming out of the bottom of his heart, but rather his need for more delegates.
“Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose…”
Deval Patrick will not be stupid enough to support Sam Kelly if he wants to win at least in September. Kelly will not have enough support to make it through even June, and Deval will look like someone with no “political skills” if he made this decision. I am not even sure Kelly will be able to get 10,000 signatures to get on the ballot.
I think this is a pretty courageous move by Dr. Sam Kelley in endorsing Deval Patrick for Governor. The way I heard it is that Deval Patrick was most appreciative and gracious in accepting Sam Kelleyâs warm and sincere endorsement.
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I received a copy of the press release regarding it, so without further ado:
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March 18th, 2006
FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE
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Dr. Sam Kelley endorses Deval Patrick in Courageous Move
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Lieutenant Governor Candidate Kelley endorses Governor Candidate Patrick
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Dr. Sam Kelley, a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, surprised the Democratic world with a strong endorsement of Deval Patrick. The bold endorsement took place Saturday night at the Annual St. Patrickâs Day Dinner of the Plymouth County Democratic League at the Country Club of Halifax before an overflow crowd.
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Sam Kelley in his strong endorsement of Deval Patrick said, âDeval Patrick and I share most of the same ideas, beliefs and visions for Massachusetts. We have been speaking about the hopes and aspirations of all and I am convinced that he will be an outstanding Governor.â He continued, âDeval is a true leader, who understands the needs of the Commonwealth and will govern with dignity, credibility and common sense leadership.â
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In a recent straw poll in North Andover, that has annually picked the winners in the September Democratic Primary of the candidates, Dr. Sam Kelley and Deval Patrick each handily won the poll, with Patrick winning with 55% of the more than 200 people in attendance and Kelley garnered 52% of the vote of the four person field.
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Patrick and Kelley have each been crisscrossing the State speaking to thousands of people interested in politics and picking up support from all corners of the state.
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âIâm running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe in Massachusetts, I believe that you deserve the right of healthcare, our children deserve quality education, and I believe that we all deserve the guarantee of public security,â Kelley said.
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A doctor by training, Kelley is the Medical Director of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and the founder of a healthcare company that delivered services to more than 10,000 seniors in Massachusetts.
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For many years, Dr. Kelley has served on the board of advisors of the Human Rights Project. He assessed children suffering from poverty and war by traveling to Central America, Africa and the Middle East, including Iraq. âWe need our government to be able to provide public security that protects the people of Massachusetts from natural disasters, like hurricanes, flooding, criminals, sexual predators, or the forecasted Avian Bird Flu pandemic.â
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Dr. Kelley served on the Presidential Task Force on Healthcare, working with President and Mrs. Clinton. Kelley served as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Jim McDermott(D), the leading healthcare advocate. Dr Kelley and his wife, Maria Infantine-Kelley reside in Cohasset.
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Though often credited as being the healthcare expert, Kelley has been outlining his vision for improved early childhood education, safer streets and neighborhoods, and an investment in job creation through economic development. Call Dr. Sam Kelley or his campaign Manager Bob Colt at 617-314-7382 for further information.
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Over the past couple of months Dr. Kelley has really begun to impress me(Framinghamdem lets have the intelligence to spell the man’s name correctly especially seeing as its posted about 30 times on just this one topic). I notice a lot of similarities between Dr. Kelley and Deval on issues and vision and above all sincerity and genuine character. Sam, don’t let the nay-sayers get you down, you’re behind the right guy; just stay true to yourself and people will respond as I have. Dr. Kelley and Deval are the real thing, intelligent, caring, and straightfoward on their beliefs and visions. I think that a Patrick/Kelley ticket would be a tremendous breath of fresh air for stilted Mass. politics.
Its not about a breath of fresh air (though I think all the candidates would provide this to an extent), IT IS ABOUT WINNING.
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Massachusetts has had Republican Governors for wayyyy too long. Kelley doesn’t add anything to the ticket, be it with Patrick or Reilly.