Mass. Gov. Duval Patrick to Play Role in Debates

[illinoisprogressive]

In tomorrow night's democratic debate, airing on PBS, the new governor of Mass. Duval Patrick will do the introductions of the candidates.
This article is acutally 2 pages and talks about the fact that Patrick is a rising star in the party, that his endorsement carries alot of weight and is coveted by the candidates and that his style of campaigning is similar to his friend, Obama. but, they both share David Axelrod as their advisor.
from the article:

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In his first venture into the national political scene, Governor Deval Patrick has agreed to appear at a televised presidential debate tomorrow night to introduce the eight Democratic candidates.
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Patrick, just six months in office, will take center stage at Howard University in Washington, D.C., to spend close to five minutes on prime time to give some brief remarks and then present each of the eight candidates.
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His proximity to New Hampshire is of obvious significance," said Philip W. Johnston, former chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party who is backing Obama. "His grass-roots army could make a huge difference for a presidential candidate."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/27/patrick_has_a_role_in_democrats_debate/?rss_id=Campaign+%2708+stories+from+The+Boston+Globe

While most Patrick insiders are convinced he will endorse Obama, the governor must deal with the pressure that the Clintons are famous for applying. Patrick's career got a huge boost after Bill Clinton appointed him chief of the US Justice Department's civil rights division in 1994.