For that reason, I appreciate that this forum allows me an opportunity to state clearly a few points regarding the official position of the Deval Patrick campaign on matters of importance to convention attendees and observers and to share with you a communication I sent to our staff and organizers this morning.
First, our positions:
(1) We DO NOT support ANY rules or charter changes that could be put forward to change the rules of this competition and we would urge all delegates to reject this kind of last-minute gamesmanship and goofiness. Let’s focus on the candidates, the issues and the vision we offer as the whole world looks on.
(2) We urge all delegates who can – please come to Worcester tonight. Just an opportunity to hear Ted Kennedy and to strongly endorse the reelection of the greatest United States Senator in history is worth the trip. Tonight is Ted’s night – let’s celebrate with him.
Next, the message I sent to our staff and organizers earlier this morning:
Hey Friends –
Deval’s campaign has been built by you over these months and we are grateful to you for those efforts. The next 48 hours will be an important measuring stick for where we are as we focus on the primary in September. As I am sure you have heard, Deval as put forward our goal to ask every delegate in the hall for their vote much as we will ask every voter in September and again in November. As we ask you to work hard to win over new members for this grassroots campaign, I would ask you to maintain the sense of dignity and civility that you have exhibited so far. It’s worked – and it reflects the kind of candidate and the kind of man Deval Patrick is. Deval frequently reminds me of the words of his grandmother – “Remember who you are and what you represent.” If you keep those words in mind over these next two days, Deval will have a victory to be proud of and you will have established a foundation to build on starting on Sunday.
Thank you again for all you are doing. See you in Worcester.
Be proud of what you are doing. I am proud to be associated with each and every one of you.
John Walsh
Campaign Manager
Deval Patrick for Governor
Congratulations on a great rally. It was good fun to see everyone we’ve been working with and to catch up.
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Oh, and Barack was okay too. 🙂 He IS a rock star!
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“Remember who you are and what you represent.”
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Great words from a great lady and a timely reminder that not only do we represent Deval, but also each other.
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We are strong advocates for our candidates, and we should be, but at the end of the day, we’re all Democrats and this weekend we will celebrate that as well. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.
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If you are in the area of Senate District 39 – Worcester and Middlesex, be sure to stop by and say hey. I’m the senate district whip for Deval and I’d love to say hello to my fellow BMGers.
39? They have you guys in the arena next to the DCU center.
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I’ll be in Worcester 1 up next to the stage if you can find a taxi to get you up there.
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/joking… 🙂
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I’ll come look for you and introduce myself Susan.
I have met Susan and can definitively state that she is not worth the trip. She is mean and very abrassive! HA! I am kidding…I love that crazy lady from Beyond 495 exactly because she is so abrassive, she keeps waitresses sharp and guarantees your order is always correct because she makes them write it down. 🙂 She is worth the trip for sure!
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My lovely face will be cracking the whip for Mayor Murray in Middlesex 27 (I think that is the right number, it is Jehlen’s district). I would love to meet the BMGers as well to see just how cool we all are. I would especially love to meet SSL because she is the most enthusiastic Murray supporter on here! Go Murray!
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As for what John had to see, he reaffirmed exactly why I support Deval…this campaign is a class act on every single level. I was there last night and was excited all over again about the direction we are going to move Massachusetts.
I convinced my friend Steve to go to the Caucuses in Woburn ONLY to support Deval Patrick and whatever slate they had going on. Told him all he had to do was sit there an hour and vote and be done with it all.
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Well his ward is one of Pat Jehlen’s in Woburn – and when he got there – well let’s just say he walked out as a delegate himself for Deval Patrick!
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So being the type who loves to volunteer other people – the other day I was at a meeting and found out Murray needed a counter for your senate district and voila! There’s your Murray counter!
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I’ll be counting for Tim in 1st Worcester and I’ll make sure to come by and introduce myself!
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And SSL – if you’re reading this…..do I know you? Are you at the convention? I would love to see who you really are. Are your initials MM? 🙂
I threw it out there in the Convention 101 thread, and I’ll throw it out here. I would love to meet some BMGers tonight or tomorrow night. I’m volunteering for the party both days, but I’m excited for post gavel mischief. If anyone is interested in trying to pull off a meetup, email me at: robargeATgmailDOTcom.
rollbiz, I appoint you to find a place that can handle us, and we’ll do it — as long as I can designated-drive someone back to Greater Medford afterwards…
friday night is over…if anyone wants to do the atrium tomorrow, i’ll take a risk and throw my cell number out there
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774-262-5727. if i get a few calls, i’ll play.
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c’mon bmg. let’s party… ;0
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shift key still broken…sorry for no caps
“If you were at the Hynes last night, you witnessed one of the most remarkable political events that I have ever experienced.”
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“the greatest United States Senator in history”
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Put down the poms poms and tell us how Deval will work with the legislature to get things done. Or will he just be a Democratic version of Romney? Out of here for the first attractive opportunity on his way up the political ladder?
I believe I am the most enthusiastic Murray supporter but I would love to here more from the Murray people on BMG and help out with the campaign, it seems that BMG is Andrea central and we dont hear enough from the Murray crowd.
That is who SSL is. And jconway if you wanna duke it out for biggest Murray supporter I am ready to throw down whenever! 😉 I mean if you need testimonials to my Murray mojo just ask Susan or Lynne or sco or David.
Actually, I’d say that Deval is the one candidate in this race who has actively promoted his positive vision for the future from day one through the present. I have seen no signs that he is trying to use this as a stepping stone. Do you have any evidence whatsoever to back up your conjectures?
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Unfortunately this is the type of mudslinging that we have seen from other candidates lately. As for climbing the political ladder, well, I’d just refer you to the work history of each candidate. I think Deval least fits that category.
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http://tomreilly.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=124&Itemid=78
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http://devalpatrick.com/bio.cfm
That was fairly nasty.
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I suggest you go back to Deval’s policy statments – early policy statements. You will discover that he not only expressed his general thinking, but was also quite specific about particular initiatives. So much so that in fact both other candidates copied him almost verbatim.
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Recall that complaints against Reilly were that he had nothing to say on the issues. Gabrieli, until a few weeks ago, had nothing to say at all.
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The one point with which I have disagreed with John Walsh and also Deval Patrick, for that matter, is that they have refused to lower the campaign to the sort of mudslinging and backdoor politics that have marked the other two candidacies, and have concentrated on the issues. Both Walsh and Patrick obviously are wiser men than I, I just sometimes wish they weren’t.
That was fairly nasty.
I suggest you go back to Deval’s policy statments – early policy statements. You will discover that he not only expressed his general thinking, but was also quite specific about particular initiatives. So much so that in fact both other candidates copied him almost verbatim.
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Recall that complaints against Reilly were that he had nothing to say on the issues. Gabrieli, until a few weeks ago, had nothing to say at all.
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The one point with which I have disagreed with John Walsh and also Deval Patrick, for that matter, is that they have refused to lower the campaign to the sort of mudslinging and backdoor politics that have marked the other two candidacies, and have concentrated on the issues. Both Walsh and Patrick obviously are wiser men than I, I just sometimes wish they weren’t.
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Folks – we have got to get it together. For the first time in years, we have a real opportunity to take the corner office. Unfortunately, we are replaying the same sad song over and over again. Our intraparty skirmishes that leave the nominee bleeding and half dead for the Republican machine is going to leave us with the same outcome. Eyes on the prize, my friends. Let’s stop challenging the credentials of people who weren’t with us the last time and ask them “why” instead of pilloring them. Let’s put the issues on the table instead of the games. Let’s leave all the political oneupmanship at the door, for once – and win.
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Otherwise – we’re toast in November.
I am with you all the way – really. So let’s talk about education, jobs, developement. Let’s talk about the widening gap between rich and poor. My point was that is the basis of Patrick’s campaign.
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I really did mean it when I said that Walsh and Patrick were wiser men than I in insisting that the campaign be run at a higher level.
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While we might not agree on every issue, I certainly agree with John’s recent post about the convention getting underway here in Worcester tonight.
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First, Senator Kennedy is a leader without equal. For decades, he’s stood up for the hard-working people of this state – standing up for real increases in the minumum wage, getting health care for all and protecting our natural resources (like Nantucket Sound … see, John, we do disagree on some things).
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And, second, our campaign also believes no rules should be changed from the floor at this convention. I’m glad to see your campaign, too, is going to play by the rules agreed to long before this weekend.
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Hope everyone enjoys the convention. And, remember, vote Reilly on the first ballot — despite what you read or hear, there’s only going to be one ballot.
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All the best,
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Sean Sinclair
Campaign manager
Reilly for Massachusetts
Thanks for posting your thoughts here. As I’m sure you know, we’d love to have you join us as often as your schedule allows.
only to be attacked at this site. Either there are too many students on the blog with no real life experience or too many socialists that have lived off the fat of the land far too long and are desperate to protect their entitlements.
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My primary concern with Patrick has been disclosure , taxes and other left wing ideas.
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It is now up to others to pass judgement on the data on the disclosure form. Patrick HAS proven that he can afford the $27,000 per month mortgage payment. I am NOW satisfied that he will not face a financial hardship as Governor and ACCEPT the explanation.
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Patrick has also been able to transform Civil rights into a profitable business model and has made a fortune in the process. He has explained some of the details .Since there is no revelation that anything was done illegal or immoral beyond normal business practices ,I can live with his post justice department endeavors. Kudos to his intimidation skills. The Cokes and Texaco’s of the world deserve it and if he was able to squeeze $10,000,000 out of the deal , nice job. Ameriquest, well, time will tell . Me thinks he needs more splaining to do
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But, it all doesn’t really matter because two years from now I do not believe we will be addressing him as Governor Patrick but as Senator Patrick and P.S. there will be a Governor Reilly.
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RML, you’re back. I confess I almost missed you.
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Sounds like you have seen the light and are now a Patrick devotee. (just a joke.)
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Anyhow, good to hear from you.
otherwise the fanatics take over the discussions and drown out the objectivity.