In today’s Boston Globe there is a fine article on Diane Patrick.
The article has the usual background information about where she grew up and how she met Deval, but there is one comment that I believe serves as a mission statement for why so many people of all backgrounds and political experience have decided to support Deval Patrick for Governor.
In spite of what other candidates or their surrogates may say about this campaign, and how it’s overrun with so-called, “extreme left activists” it’s not. Oh sure there are a lot of experienced activists, and there is also the support of many of the so-called “state Democratic establishment.” Who else was surprised to see Martina Jackson at the convention with a Deval Patrick pin on her lapel?
There were many first time delegates for Deval at the convention. In my town our delegation was a clean sweep for Deval and for all of us it was our very first nominating convention.
We were inspired to run as delegates not because Deval Patrick gave us a voice, he reminded us that we had one, and he encouraged us to go into our communities and use them. That’s a grassroots force that no amount of money can buy.
Behind every good man is a great woman. I’ve had the opportunity to speak briefly with Diane Patrick and she is one hell of a woman. By fellow Deval supporters Diane is often referred to as Deval’s secret weapon. I’m glad that the Globe has written such a great article about her, and let the secret out.
Share your Diane Patrick stories here.
We had Deval here in the Berkshires yesterday for an event, and I never had time to get to read the “paper” — someone told me about the article, but I forgot till I saw your post.
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It’s a great story, and it resonates with what I know about Diane. I can’t remember when I first met her — a year or so ago, at some campaign event or other — but over time I have gotten to know her better and have come to like and respect her a great deal. The second time I saw her, she not only remembered who I was, but she went out of her way to thank me for my volunteer work. I can see why she and Deval get along so well; they’re like peas in a pod in many important ways.
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A few months ago, the Berkshire Brigades (our county-wide Democratic organization) sponsored a Candidates Night at which all of the statewide candidates appeared. We held a pre-dinner reception for Deval downstairs from the main event, which was attended by a large percentage of the people who showed for the dinner. As Deval was addressing the crowd, Diane walked in behind the people listening to him, and he caught sight of her. He stopped in mid-sentence, smiled affectionately and exclaimed, “Diane!” He then introduced her to everyone. It was a moment that gave us a glimpse into their close relationship, and it felt warm and genuine.
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Susan, I know you were at Faneuil Hall in March, and I’m sure you remember Diane’s wonderful introductory remarks. When Deval came on, he joked that maybe after he’s done his stint at Governor, she would make a good candidate to succeed him.
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Diane is more than an asset to the campaign (though she is that!). She adds depth to the definition of Deval’s character. The fact that such a fine woman is his life partner, and that they so obviously share affection and respect for each other, tells me volumes about his values and his convictions.
Sounds like your event out in Lee went very well. I was at the Town Hall event in Chelmsford last weekend and it went very well too. Good attendance of about 200 folks. Many of which had never seen Deval.
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Yes I sure was at the Faneuil Hall rally in March. You got some amazing pictures during the rally including one Diane during her remarks.
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I was a whip at the convention (boy, did I feel whipped! that’s a LOT of work!) but I spent a lot of time running back and forth between the convention floor and the trailer and when Diane wasn’t talking to folks on the floor, I’d see her at the trailer — not just standing around, but answering questions and letting people know where to go. She helped me more than once.
I met her at a Candidates’ Night in Bridgewater last winter. Deval had to do some school or sports thing with one of his daughters, so Diane was filling in for him. When I spoke with her just before the event, she seemed so soft-spoken and unpretentious, I thought that maybe she would come across as shy or ineffective as a speaker.
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Boy, was I in for a shock. She was strong, funny and on point. Deval is right. She would make an excellent candidate. She is going to be such an asset to the campaign as it moves into the final stretch. I don’t know much about the other candidates’ spouses, but I truly doubt they will be able hold a candle to Diane when it comes to public speaking.
I worked with Diane at Harvard and we had interactions on various issues. I thought she was all of the things people are saying on this site but we really didn’t do anything “after work”.
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But one day, as we were crosiing harvard yard after a meeting, she turned to me with a great smile and said: “I want you to come to my party tonight. It’s supposed to be a surprise birthday party but deval is throwing it and he doesn’t know you so you weren’t invited. But I want you to come!”
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well i went and had a great time and fell in love with deval but became a friend of that lovely lady.
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