Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Gabrieli doesn’t get it

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From this morning’s Brian McGrory column

I ran into Gabrieli in Brighton a little after 8 a.m. yesterday, before he was aware that Healey was airing the ads. The hint of frustration in his voice was because Patrick was floating ahead in the polls. “His slogan is `Together We Can,’ ” he said of Patrick. “He doesn’t say what we can do. Together we can do what?”

I almost feel bad for him.  He really doesn’t know what we can do for this Commonwealth when we work together?  It’s kind of sad.

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Comments

  1. The point you are missing is that you have to know “WHAT you are going to working together on.”

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    That is Gabrieli’s point.

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    Working on WHAT?

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    Getting Coke out of school?
    Putting Coke in school?
    Taking care of special interests?
    Not taking care of special interests?
    Working on “Feel Good” Slogans?
    Not working on “Feel Good” slogans?
    Getting tough on crime?
    Getting “soft” on crime?

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    As Mondale said, “Where’s the beef?”

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    What’s the difference between the “together we can”slogan
    and Chauncy Garner in the movie “Being There” when he says the the “new growth comes in the Spring” in the garden? I mean the character playing the President of the United States is all goo goo eyed over Chancey and Chancey’s talk about a freaken garden in his backyard!

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    The question is: IS there any There There?

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    If Deval gets to debate Kerry Healey, if he performs like he did with the questions Reilly raised, he’ll be labled “wishy washy” or worse, “a flip flopper.”

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    Obviously he didn’t know what his position was until he got back to the office and John Walsh straightened him out…

    • This notion that Deval is all style and no substance could not be more wrong.

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      1) Deval Patrick has had more detailed policy proposals on his web site, for longer, than any other candidate in this race. Indeed, the fact that he was thinking critically, honestly, and in-depth about the issues facing our state was the reason I was drawn to support him initially over Tom Reilly.

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      2) An important skill of any executive is the ability to motivate and lead a team to achieve objectives. Deval’s oratorical skills should not be disregarded as some “marketing ploy”. In fact, these skills combined with his unprecedented grassroots support are precisely what will enable him to be an effective, independent Governor. While Chris and Deval may be rather close on the issues, I don’t see Chris as having that same charisma or leadership potential.

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      Now, I don’t think I’ve ever learned anything of substance from a 30-second television ad or a campaign sign. If Chris is going to criticize the “Together We Can” slogan, he might as well look at his own “Results”. I mean, both are equally vague. Who doesn’t want “Results”?

  2. I think it’s indicative of Gab’s personality that he brought this up. I’m not pointing this out as a good or bad thing necessarily. It’s just exactly what I would expect him to say.

    • He’s a hands-on business and nonprofit leader; his whole resume is about bringing ideas to fruition. He probably finds Deval’s marketing department rhetoric just the kind of stuff he’s spent a career outperforming. 

  3. I say this as a Patrick supporter and volunteer.

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    Gabrielli’s criticism of Patrick here is that Patrick is not playing the game of dueling ten-point plans. (To which I say, he’s got that right.) Of course, Patrick has detailed policy proposals, but they are not on television every day.

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    In your quote, Gabrielli is criticizing Patrick’s message and expressing frustration that it is working. Of course it is frustrating: if only Patrick would come and play on Gabrielli’s turf, Gabrielli would likely win the primary.

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    Maybe there is something that he doesn’t get, something about ends and means in politics, but it’s a real stretch to say he “really doesn’t know what we can do for this Commonwealth when we work together.”

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    Let’s be fair.

  4. Gabs doesn’t get it.  Just like many others before him.  That’s almost all you need to know about his candidacy.  He’s playing old school, losing politics.  Attacking the majority of the Democratic party activists five days before a primary ain’t gonna get you nowhere.  If it does win you the primary, it’s a false win that will be exploited by those who are far better at attacking the Democratic party. 

  5. The hint of frustration in his voice was because Patrick was floating ahead in the polls. “His slogan is ‘Together We Can,’ ” he said of Patrick. ‘He doesn’t say what we can do. Together we can do what?”

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    Together we can – BEAT GABRIELI!

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