Deval Patrick's campaign just distributed a letter from
their guy to the other Democratic candidates for the Massachusetts
governor's job.
Strategically, this is a good move on Patrick's part. If his suggestions are accepted, he gets
credit for keeping the race clean and helping the
MA Democratic Party out; if they're
rejected, he looks high-minded compared to his opponents. And, of
course, his proposals have substantive appeal as well.
Here's the full text--complete with the original formatting!
----------
Thomas F. Reilly, Democrat for Governor
Tom
Reilly Committee
270
Congress Street, 6th Floor
Boston,
MA 02210
Chris Gabrieli, Democrat for Governor
The Gabrieli Committee
164 Canal
Street, 4th Floor
Boston,
MA 02114
Dear Tom and Chris:
There can be no doubt that our Party’s divisive and late
primaries have contributed to the difficulty Democrats have had in winning the
race for Governor of Massachusetts. I hope you agree that too much is at
stake for our Party, our Commonwealth and, frankly, the Nation for us not to
learn from this history.
Yesterday, at the Victory ’06 launch, our Party chair called
for unity. All three of us stood with him in agreement that if we work
together we can deliver a Democratic victory in November. I believe that.
In that spirit, I am asking you to join me in committing to
a plan to assure a dignified, substantive primary, and a Democratic victory in
November. I propose three parts to the plan:
First, join me in agreeing to actively support the
Democratic nominee — whoever of us it may be —beginning the morning after the
primary vote. To be successful this year, we will not have the luxury of
prolonging our own differences once the primary is over.
Second, join me in a pledge against negative
advertising. Specifically, let’s agree not to name any other Democratic
candidate in any of our respective campaign’s paid advertising. Let’s
keep our focus on substance and vision, on why we, as individuals and as
Democrats, should hold the highest executive office in Massachusetts.
It is what the voters want and deserve.
Third, let's commit to at least one media-sponsored
debate each month between now and the primary. It can be on television,
the radio or the Internet. Let’s do some with Spanish and Portuguese
outlets, as well as in additional languages that may be helpful to
voters. We have real and principled differences in vision and
policy. Let’s give the voters a chance to choose based on substance, not
just rhetoric.
I ask you to join me in these three, simple concepts.
I believe this is a better way to present a spirited and exciting primary to
Democratic primary voters, and to ensure a Democratic victory in November.
I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Deval L. Patrick
Democratic Candidate for Governor