Fast-forward to Sunday and a fundraising BBQ in Pepperell. Deval was there to meet and greet and answer some questions from the attendees. I was waiting for my chance to say hello when Deval spotted me. He looked right at me and said, “Don’t go anywhere,” before returning to his conversation. When he finished, he turned to me.
I held out my hand for a handshake, but he drew me into a hug. He asked about my hospital stay, confirmed that is was routine, and inquired about my current state of health. He then shook hands with my husband, calling him by name. As he turned to leave, he said that they’d try to get me work on a similar project.
A cynical mind would say that Deval’s campaign people had briefed him on the details of the important attendees at the BBQ. Am I that important – next to local and state elected officials, including Jacquie Doherty and Mike Festa? Or is Deval’s memory (of a conversation he must have heard second-hand) that impressive? In either case, the hug was real, and the compassion and concern were real.
I have supported Deval Patrick for Governor based on his courage, commitment and intelligence, along with his politics and a well-run campaign. I now add compassion to the list.
Carrie Little, Lowell
Then we can promote this to the front page.
I was standing right next to Carrie and her husband when this happened.
… this is amazing. I don’t know what it is about Deval, but he could just be that figure I’ve always wished I had… you know… an idol!
Deval is by all appearance a genuine guy who really wants to do well by himself and his community. Like Gabrieli and Reilly are. It’s a shame that in three weeks we’ll lose the chance to have two of them still at work for us.
I wouldn’t bet on it. First, I hope and assume that each of them will work hard to elect whoever the winner of the primary is. Second, they’ve each made noises about bringing the others into their new administration, which would make all kinds of sense if it’s done right.
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Regardless of who wins, I doubt we’ll see the last of any of them anytime soon!
but I doubt it. First of all, what’s open? I doubt they’d go for a seat on the governor’s cabinet, and the only stuff available until 2010 is state legislature. There’s also worries of the odor of a loser…Gabrieli would have gone 0 for 3, Reilly would have lost the race he was “supposed to win,” and Deval would have pulled a Dean-style crash and burn.
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I imagine they’ll bump around in low-profile corporate boards or non-profits, but Nixon could only pull a Nixon because it was back then. I just don’t see how they stay in the public eye — Edwards is having a time of it, and he’s coming from a much higher profile.
at least for faces if not for stories.
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I’ve been at events he was at 3 times now. Last night was a fund raiser for him and he did recognize me from the other events. So this doesn’t surprise me.
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Is he perfect? No, but of the 3 he is without doubt the most progressive.
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I do wish he had better commercials and I told his strategist so last night. Using the “Some say” straw man is way to Cheneyesque.
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If there was a way of recording some of is working the crowd in a speech the way he did last night into a 30 second commercial he’d be a winner without doubt.
Bill Clinton had that same gift for names and faces. It is said that when he talked to you, you felt like you were the only one in the room. If Deval Patrick has that gift then it will benefit him greatly.
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I will not venture a guess as to whether or not Patrick was aided by his staff. I know that this type of thing can go on but I am not saying the Deval is a Benny Hinn. I believe that Deval probably did remember the worker’s name and was concerned for her.
I was playing poker with some guys in Watertown. I had Q-Q and the flop came 5-7-9 unsuited. Some guy – I think he’s a pipefitter – went all-in. I was tempted to call, but Tom Reilly’s clear blue eyes twinkled, and ever so faintly, he shook his head “no.” I took the hint and folded. So glad I did. The guy flipped over his 6-8, he’d flopped a straight. Tom Reilly is swell.
but funny.
Texas politics? Alabama politics? Something red. Very red.