Meaningless Things That Matter

Published Mar 28 2008, 03:53 PM by David S. Bernstein

Jon Keller has sussed out that Deval Patrick was on a book-pitch trip to NYC on the day of the casino vote -- and in retrospect, couldn't we have guessed that from the clues?

I don't think it means much of anything. But the story may matter nevertheless.

It's absolutely legitimate for Mass. residents to be wary of gubernatorial absenteeism, even to the point of hypersensitivity, after Romney, Cellucci, Weld, Dukakis.

Patrick's Obama-promotion travels have already helped fuel rumors that the gov has got things other than the Bay State on his mind. An autobiography will of course be seen by many as another piece of evidence toward that. So, as symbolism, a trip out of state, during a high-profile vote, to shop that book deal is pretty potent.

And the reason this all actually matters is that right now, the strongest weapon Deval Patrick has going for him is the perception that he's going to be around longer than Sal DiMasi.

True or not, there is a widespread perception on Beacon Hill that DiMasi is a short-timer at this point, and his move to follow Trav (and so many others before them) into the lucrative world of lobbying is only a matter of time.

If folks think that Patrick will stick around, fully engaged, for a good long while -- long after Sal is calling his golfing partners clients rather than contributors -- they'll be far more likely to see the benefit of helping move his agenda. Anything that works against that perception -- real or symbolic -- can only hurt him.

Kudos To Conley

Globe: Ralph Martin Not Running

2 Comments

Peter Porcupine said:

Aren't Sal's contributors and golfing partners actually the same people?

March 30, 2008 10:40 PM
bob said:

I think you are being a bit unfair to the gov. His out-of-state travels hardly compare to those of Mitt or the other absentee governors of the state, even if you are hypersensitive. I also haven't seen any indications that he works less than a full schedule, unlike some other recent govs. I don't see why anyone would or should care whether he is in town the day of the casino vote when the vote was already a foregone conclusion, thanks to DiMasi's sheep (as the Phoenix refers to them). It's not like it was a close vote and some last minute phone calls to the legislators would have made the difference. As for the idea that he's leaving, to do what exactly? I'm not sure that even the best jobs in the Obama Administration are worth giving up the Governor's office. Maybe Attorney General, but not much else beyond that. But perhaps he will join the Obama Admin. -- in its second term, right after he finishes up his second term.

April 14, 2008 5:42 PM