“In so many ways, I have lived the American Dream,” Deval Patrick told the MA state Democratic convention in May, “because I got a better chance in Massachusetts. And I was taught that success is not what you get, it’s what you give. So, I am running for governor because I want a better chance for you and everyone else in the Commonwealth.”
Since then, the story of Deval Patrick’s rise from poverty on the South Side of Chicago to the corridors of power in Washington and corporate America — and his vision of public service and reengaging citizens in public life — has inspired people across the Commonwealth, and mobilized an extraordinary volunteeer base. He has a long way to go in gaining general name recognition, but there is no question his campaign is gaining momentum.
Patrick is certainly the talk of the Massachusetts blogosphere. Sometimes the mainstream media pays attention the gubernatorial campaign as well. And sometimes, the coverage is almost as inspiring as the candidate.
Attorney General Tom Reilly, the campaign front runner, spoke to a gathering of Democrats in the Berkshires recently — but according to several accounts I have heard from people who were there, the place was swarming with Patrick volunteers — visible in their bright green campaign tee-shirts. Whats more, the roads leading to the event were teeming with enthusiastic Patrick supporters holding signs. Word has it that the Reilly folks seemed rather dispirited. Blogger Nohomissives has an account.
This episode was reminiscent of the way that Patrick supporters were so strikingly visible at the Democratic State Convention in May — it was clear that the Patrick campaign had utterly out-organized the supposedly unstoppable, richly-funded Reilly. But it was also evident that Patrick’s campaign was not all signage and tee-shirts. Patrick outshone Reilly from the podium with a speech that electrified thousands of convention delegates who cheered and gave him a standing ovation.
The Berkshire Eagle also reported on the event, but made no mention of the extraordinary presence of the Patrick campaign at the event.
Fellow blogger Margie Ware, a Patrick supporter and a member of the Democratic State Committee has a somewhat different take on the Berkshires event than what I have heard from others. After hearing Reilly’s speech, she thinks that Reilly is becoming a better campaigner — although she credits Patrick for the improvement. Patrick supporters should take note, she says. An interesting string of comments followed.
On July 30th, Patrick’s hometown newspaper, The Milton Times published remarkable profile by Gail Osgood that details the 49 year old candidate’s personal story and offers insight into his insurgent, uphill campaign for governor.
“In 1956, Deval Patrick was born in his grandmother’s bed in a tenement in one of the toughest black neighborhoods in the South Side of Chicago. Today, the Democrat from Milton, hopes to become the state’s first black governor and the first Democratic governor since 1990.”
“Mr. Patrick…. is in the midst of an edgy, grassroots campaign, which focuses on rebuilding a sense of community in the state, and engaging people in citizenship. His is also a hopeful message, about beating the odds and restoring faith in the state’s civic leaders. He brings a fresh perspective, excitement and an enthusiasm to politics that many say hasn’t existed in quite some time….”
“According to [state] Sen. Brian A. Joyce, there is no question Mr. Patrick has an uphill battle leading up to the primary. He’s not a current office holder, he’s not tied to interest groups of any particular political doctrine and, of course, he doesn’t have the $3 million war chest like that of Att. Gen. Reilly’s. However, Sen. Joyce said, as long as Mr. Patrick has sufficient money to be competitive — he has a hugely committed volunteer-base that grows each week across the state and contributions are steadily rising this early on — he believes he’ll win.”
“‘Deval is a bright, principled and kind person,’ said Sen. Joyce. ‘He would be an extraordinary governor…. His perspective includes experience growing up in a single-parent family, rich with love but poor with material possessions,’ he continued. ‘He would bring an interesting and broad perspective.'”
“Mr. Patrick and Sen. Joyce have been friends and neighbors for years. Sen. Joyce said he’s proud to be one of Mr. Patrick’s first and strongest supporters.”
“‘I guess in politics you meet a lot of people who can be affable and smooth, yet you have a sense that behind closed doors, they kick the dog,’ said Sen. Joyce. ‘Deval is the most genuine individual you’ll ever meet. What you see is what you get. There’s no pretention and there’s no hiding values.'”
“‘It’s been a long time since any of our political candidates or leaders have inspired people,’ said Sen. Joyce. ‘I do believe he has the ability to inspire people, both in and outside of government. I think he has the ability to, like a JFK, get people interested in having a civil discourse on issues that impact daily lives.'”
Meanwhile, The Boston Herald recently ran an insightful account of the youthful energy at Patrick campaign headquarters:
“The secret weapon of Deval Patrick’s campaign for governor is the energy and enthusiasm of 27 young interns from across America who mix hard work and high spirits as they try to make history in Massachusetts.”
“You sense the mood the minute you enter the headquarters of the state’s first-ever serious black candidate for governor, in a sub-basement off Milk Street in downtown Boston….”
“Patrick largely attributes what he hopes will be a rise from ghetto to governor to his family, especially his late grandmother, Sally Wintersmith. He treasures her stories of defying Jim Crow laws in her native South. She would go into segregated restaurants and if management agreed to serve her, she’d signal other members of the family to join her. Once when told she could only eat in the kitchen, she replied, ‘I don’t even eat in the kitchen at my own house.’ And stalked out.”
“With that kind of pride and pluck in his blood, no wonder Patrick is attracting so much youthful energy that makes his headquarters hum.”
There is no question that the campaign has energy and action all over the state. Not only is the scrappy insurgent campaign raising what Sen. Joyce called “sufficient” funds, but a formidable statewide volunteer base is getting established early. Two days ago, nearly 50 people packed a the theater of a small school in Northampton for the first meeting of campaign volunteers from the western part of the state. I was there and can say that the group there was as impressive a collection of campaign veterans and enthusiastic neophytes as you will ever see. At the Northampton meeting, state field coordinator Nancy Stolberg noted that campaign has coordinators for each county and numerous state senate districts and cities and towns. Door-to-door canvassing has already begun in the city of Arlington to introduce the candidate, and get people thinking about the upcoming governor’s race.
Some campaign’s are long on hope and short on strategy, resources and organization. I can say that this campaign is not one of those. Deval Patrick’s campaign is certainly long on hope — and not just for electoral success — but showing people that there is hope in politics and effective government; showing people that “grassroots” is not just a slogan invoked by those who know the mechanics of politics, but sometimes seem to forget what politics is for.
Deval Patrick is not even close to a household name. And except in Massachusetts, he has attracted little attention in the blogosphere. But I think, based on having met the candidate, listened to his speeches and the Q&A that followed on several occasions; observed the campaign up close, and based on my personal knowledge of many of the campaign’s key volunteers, at least in my part of the state — Deval Patrick’s race for governor of Massachusetts will be one of the most talked about, reported on and influential races for any office anywhere in the United States in 2006. He is progressive, pro-choice, pro-marriage equality, anti-death penalty — and he has a good shot at being the next Democratic governor of Massachusetts.
[Crossposted from FrederickClarkson.com]