Anyone have any inside info on Deval Patrick?

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

I have never heard of him before last night. He gave a really good speech last night though and is on MSNBC right now. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders. How is he working out as governor?

[elixir]

1. Funny you should ask. Deval came into office with, I think, a lot of promise and hoopla

Lots of great ideas and, I have to say, I think he's a better speaker than Obama. Nothing personal, just my take.

The only problem is that he hasn't been able to get the MA pols to fall in line behind him. It seems he can't quite get the right relationship - the give and take - that's required to get things done. He's championing some great causes he just has to work on his "friend" skills.

[Mass]

2. No, he has to work to break the machine. He is working on it.

Hard to do after years of entrenchment, but it cannot be done if it is not even tried.

[MethuenProgressive]

3. Nice speeches against Boston "insiders", made big promises, has got nothing done.

Hmmm...

[MonumentMan]

4. deval

He's the Massachusetts governor, kind of came out of nowhere after Mitt decided not to run. There was a crowded field of democrats and really no heir apparent on the Republican side (Kerry Healey, Mitt's liut. gov lacked the political fame of several prior Mass. Republican governors), and Deval had a very Obamaesque "Yes We Can" type of campaign.

Harvard undergrad and Harvard Law educated, and a formal trial attorney. He's had some rough patches and a possible political tin ear for a few months but I think he's doing better and learning fast on the job. I do believe that this is the first time he's serving in public office, but I may be mistaken.

Among the criticism from the right, he was attacked for his voice, his fancy style of dress, his tax and spend mantra, and his time as a trial attorney (and some controversial cases). Typical stuff, really.

I'm glad to see him getting some national exposure, although he certainly doesn't carry the local cachet of a Kennedy or even Kerry yet.

[Armstead]

5. Lot of promise -- Doing okay I guess

I'd give him a B, so far.

He ran a great campaign based on grass roots support. He got off to a rocky start as governor, but found his equilibrium.

Hasn't made any great strides yet, but may once he gets accustomee to the job and finds his mojo.