(Massachusetts) Robert Reich endorses Deval Patrick for Governor

[paineinthearse]

By email.



On September 19, 2006, the Massachusetts Democratic primary for Governor will be held and the winner that day could play a major role in the direction of this state.


After 15 years of Republican rule in the Governor’s office, we can elect not just a Democrat, but a Democrat who will make us proud--my friend Deval Patrick.

Deval could have led a private, comfortable life, but he chose a more difficult and rewarding path. He chose to run for public office and motivate others to get involved or re-involved in politics. Judging from the 1,850 volunteers who have already signed up, Deval is having a substantial impact. He will have active operations in every community in the state by next summer.


Robert Reich

But there’s more. Deval is attempting to run a unique campaign, one in which --

-- he appeals to our better nature, not our worst

-- he supports Democratic values of fair play, equality and opportunity

-- he has the listening skills and imagination to find bold, creative answers to problems of unemployment, inadequate education and costly health care

-- he is the rare Democratic candidate who knows what makes businesses tick, and whose corporate experience has prepared him to create and keep good jobs in Massachusetts

-- he reminds us of the forgotten and vulnerable in our society, even if it makes us uncomfortable

-- he tells us the truth, not what he thinks we want to hear

-- he is inspiring and exciting and reminds us of the type of leaders we can be proud of

-- he brings to the Governor’s job a unique blend of leadership in the public, private, non-profit and community sectors.

I knew Deval from his outstanding work in the Clinton Administration as the Justice Department’s chief civil rights prosecutor. While I was Secretary of Labor, I saw Deval investigate and prosecute attacks on churches and synagogues, give life to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and implement the most effective fair lending enforcement program ever, which helped thousands of people get financing to buy their first homes.

Deval’s life journey is extraordinary, yet a classic American story. He grew up in a desperately poor and segregated neighborhood, worked hard at Harvard and Harvard Law School, joined the Clinton administration, and later became chief counsel to the Coca-Cola Company.

Please get involved NOW to help Deval win this race--a race with local and national implications. Please make a contribution to Deval. Volunteer to work at his headquarters or in your town, neighborhood or school. Email your friends, family and co-workers.

And keep up with his campaign by visiting his website often: www.DevalPatrick.com.

As I learned from my own campaign for governor, politics is, unfortunately, expensive. Deval needs to be able to compete financially.

I urge you to do your part and send him a contribution of $50, $100 or whatever is right for you. The maximum contribution per person is $500 per calendar year. Please do it today. As a non-incumbent, he has start-up expenses that officeholders don’t.

One year from now, we want to be able to say that we helped Deval Patrick run a race that was successful and honorable.

Let’s put an end to 15 years of Republican reign, and elect an independent-minded, compassionate, and courageous Democrat.

Thank you for your continued support for Deval.

Robert B. Reich
Cambridge, Mass.

Robert Reich, a professor of social and economic policy at Brandeis University, was the Secretary of Labor in the first Clinton administration.

[ET Awful]

1. Good :). Deval Patrick will make a fantastic Governor.

He impressed the hell out of me at the state convention a few months ago, and I'm definitely supporting him.

[Totally Committed]

2. Reich is right: Deval Patrick will be a great Governor for MA!

Mittens Romney has been catastrophic for the state.

TC

[paineinthearse]

3. Mittens is a pompous ass

...with no political future here or nationally.

I hope he runs for re-election.

[safi0]

4. Isn't Massachusetts'

Attorney General running and isn't he the odds-on favorite.

[paineinthearse]

5. Tom Reilly is also running

He is the party's "heir apparent"; Deval Patrick is the "upstart".