The Complicated Mr. Patrick--updated!

Published Feb 22 2007, 11:55 AM by Adam Reilly

Today in the Globe, Adrian Walker offers an excellent analysis of Deval Patrick's pseudo-apology yesterday (here's the Globe's write-up, and here's the Herald's). Some highlights:

We began with high-road Deval: "I spent all weekend trying to make some very hard choices. And I think it's just impossible to deal with the choices I'm asking agencies to make without making some of my own."
The contrite tone, alas, survived but a single question. In response to question number two ("Do you have any regrets?"), things got a bit surly.
"I am sorry that we have all spent the kind of time we have on what we've spent time on, and I'm sorry to have been responsible," the governor said.
In other words, I'm sorry that so many of you need to get a life.

Later:

What is troubling, though, is Patrick's inability to think any problem of his has anything to do with him. If everyone could just be as high-minded, as substantive as he is, everything would be fine....

The thing is, Patrick wants it all. He wants to be deep, yet stylish. He wants to be a populist, just one with an office out of Architectural Digest. He wants public affection, but public scrutiny makes him prickly.

One thing I'd add: Patrick's evolving explanation of why he leased the now-infamous Cadillac DeVille was reminiscent of the way he handled the Ben LaGuer story when it resurfaced last year. Governor, here's some friendly advice: don't comment until you've got the facts straight--and then put everything on the table.

UPDATE: I erred earlier in crediting the Herald with the scoop--that honor goes to Fox-25's Joe Battenfeld, who had the story on the evening of Feb. 13. You can watch Battenfeld's original report here.

New in the Phoenix: bigots, Brady, Jennifer Strange

Paternity test--updated version

2 Comments

Peter Porcupine said:

It highlights that he has not only never run for public office before winning, which explains campaign gaffes, but that he's never held public office before and is not ready for public scrutiny. We'll see how adaptable he is when he's attacked by a formerly friendly advocacy group over his budget next week, not 'getting' that the group still likes him but is beating their collective chests over the House and Senate budgets that actually MEAN something! BTW - WWWS (What Would Weld Say)? - Come down off your high horse...and take a ride in my Cadillac!

February 22, 2007 5:24 PM
John Hosty said:

I really wish the media would stop using Ben LaGuer's name as a tool of torment for Governor Patrick. Anyone who has done ten minutes of reading about the case on benlaguer.com can see that his case needs to be reviewed, but all the implications are poinsoning the water. It has gotten to the point that even the SJC has forgotten its job and started sking questions regarding DNA when they were supposed to be reviewing the fingerprint evidence that would have proven who the real assailant was. You know, the ones the state withheld from his origional trial, and then "lost"? I realize the need to scrutinize what the new governor is doing, but not at the expense of another man's justice. Thank you for your time.

February 22, 2007 11:51 PM