Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Deval’s Mistakes and Brian Dodge’s Out of Touch Reaction

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This appears to be the story that wouldn’t die, and I am not convinced the reimbursement is going to stop the bleeding:

Patrick to Reimburse

You know you are in trouble when Brad Jones has exactly the right take on a situation.  The image projected by the administration is appalling. And reimbursement in a way makes it worse.  (“I’ll take the luxury car and the office makeover. If it becomes a PR problem, I can always pick up the tab.”)

Also, I did not know until I read this story that Diane Patrick is going to have the services of a $72,000 state-funded aide.  Mrs. Patrick is a partner at the biggest law firm in Boston.  She earns an extraordinary salary and the fact that her spouse is governor certainly benefits Ropes.  Perhaps the firm can use some of its considerable resources to help Mrs. Patrick manage her schedule.

Here’s hoping Deval can right the ship.  The disconnect between the inclusive campaign rhetoric and tin ear governing will be the administration’s biggest obsatcle in moving forward with a progressive agenda.  Deval can do better, and we deserve it.

However, in the race to demonstrate who is most out-of-tocuh, Brian Dodge of the Massachusetts Republican Party is way out front.  According to Mr. Dodge:

His reputation, however, is forever tarnished, especially as he continues to be chauffered around the state in a luxury car with payment higher than most mortgages.

The lease car is for a little over $1,100.  I would like to know where in Massachusetts I can buy a house with a $1,100 monthly payment.  Hell, if Mr. Dodge can find a ready supply of two-bedroom apartments in eastern Massachusetts for $1,100 a month, I’d say the Republican Party has solved the housing crisis in Massachusetts.  This guy is the latest exhibit of why the Republicans are not ready for prime time.  Torkildson needs to broom this guy and get somebody on board who knows what’s going on in Massachusetts.

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Comments

  1. Mrs. Patrick is a partner at the biggest law firm in Boston.  She earns an extraordinary salary and the fact that her spouse is governor certainly benefits Ropes.  Perhaps the firm can use some of its considerable resources to help Mrs. Patrick manage her schedule.

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    Does anyone think that if Mrs. Patrick’s law firm picked up the tag, the Mass GOP wouldn’t be screaming “what favors did her firm get in return for that”?

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    This is double-standard grousing. Jeff Jacoby is criticizing Deval Patrick’s house? Did he ever write a story about Mitt’s houses, or Kerry Healey’s houses? Did the state GOP complain about Mitt being “chauffeured” around in an expensive Ford Excursion, the largest SUV that Ford makes?

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    I’d like to know how much Mitt Romney spent redoing his office when he was elected. Does anyone know? Without that context, such reports are just hit pieces. What’s next — the Globe will report that the governor has — gasp! — a budget!!! With taxpayer money in it? How dare he get so uppity?

    • Like he took no salary.

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      Patrick needs to be aware that he is following a remarkably frugal act.  The contrast is what makes him look so out of control.

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      The odd thing is – Deval is no pauper.  It isn’t like Grace Ross was elected, and had no private funds for these expenses.  Why does he come off as feeling so entitled?

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      And I’ll say it once again – a scheduler is why God made interns.

      • in a Massachusetts state building with furniture owned by the state of Massachusetts. Who the hell should pay for it, Rhode Island?

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        Conveniently omitted from the context are the facts well known to reporters that the curtains were literally falling off the wall, and, at a press event a week ago, a table completely collapsed when a reporter put something on it.

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        It was an embarrasment, just like everything else about the office of Mitt Romney.

        • ….then we do indeed have the rickety furniture owned by the Mass. State House back in the Corner Office.

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          Read it again.  Mitt furnished his own office, at his own personal expense, no taxpayer money involved.  Please explain how his generosity – which Gov. Patrick is belatedly emulating – is an embarassment to the Office of Governor.

          • Just to clarify again, this is incorrect.

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            Romney purchased some items for his office in 2003, and in 2004 spent $25,000 of taxpayers money to refurnish it.

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            So you can’t say “Mitt furnished his own office, at his own personal expense, no taxpayer money involved.” in an attempt to say that Patrick did something wrong, because it is not true.

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