Deval Patrick’s campaign for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Massachusetts is picking up steam. Following up on his Labor Day op-ed in The Boston Globe in which he and fellow former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman endorsed Patrick as the choice for working people, Robert Reich has written a letter to supporters.
Reich came in a strong second in the Democratic primary for governor last time — after waging an energetic progressive reform challenge to the party establishment. Reich’s campaign activiated thousands of people who had previously felt alienated from electoral politics. Reich’s campaign preceded by two years the similar reform movement that arose out of the Howard Dean campaign for president. The organizational outgrowth of the Reich campaign is Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts, (which a lot of Dean supporters have joined) which is nearing a formal endorsement of Patrick, following the publication of a detailed endorsement rationale.
Here is is Reich’s letter.
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.
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.