I think Deval Patrick can help his and our cause as “Senator Patrick”. Deval Patrick is a relationship guy. In my view, that’s what he has demonstrated he likes to do, that’s what he’s good at, and he can be better at that as “Senator Patrick” than as “Governor Patrick”.
As much as I like Mike Capuano, and I do like him a lot, he is already an effective Representative. I think Deval Patrick stands head and shoulders above the other announced candidates. As senator, I think Deval Patrick can be more effective at mending fences and building relationships with the lege (because he is less threatening), while he can better leverage his strengths, his relationships with President Obama’s administration, and his skills as a campaigner.
I think Tim Murray can be a fine Governor. I think a change in leadership will help Massachusetts government. I think that Tim Murray can be more effective than Deval Patrick during the upcoming campaign, I think Tim Murray is a stronger candidate (less negatives, primarily) in the upcoming 2010 election, and I have more confidence in his leadership as governor after he wins re-election.
I think we get the best of both worlds — we leverage Deval Patrick’s visibility and strengths, and Tim Murray will be better able to reboot the present corner office (because that’s what’s needed now, I think) without the baggage that encumbers Deval Patrick as governor. Meanwhile, we avoid cannibalizing the still-strong congressional delegation that currently works very well for us.
Isn’t that what he’s best at? I agree the other candidates are already in the jobs they are best suited for, and they should stay there and do their jobs. Patrick, though, I agree is out of his element.
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p>And it’s “than,” not “then”, there.
Good catch.