In a University of Massachusetts poll eight years back, 40 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that "the government should not make any special effort to help minotiries because they should help themselves." Only 29 percent believed "government should make every effort to improve the social and economic position of minorities." [Emphasis added]

Deval Patrick has every right and reason to be especially invested in issues of race and affirmative action. Given the central role they've played in his extraordinary life story, he'd be a cipher to be emotionless about those subjects. But the million-dollar question for Patrick and his potentially history-making candidacy may well turn out to be this: Will his formidable cool burn off when blunt questions about his devotion to race-based remedies come up under the hot campaign lights, as it does over coffee in the muted confines of Rialto?

"Am I always gonna make the call in favor of the black person? That's ridiculous," he snaps, the brilliant smile suddenly gone. And without a trace of irony, Deval Patrick spits out the same angry question his harshes critics have been asking for years: "Why are we always talking about race?"

[Deirdre Fulton guest-blogging.]

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

[Patrick] has been quoted, basically, saying that the rollback is a bad idea. In other remarks, he's alluded to the fact that he wants to open additional lines ot spending, in order to fund what he calls 'core programs.' He hasn't come out with his tax increase plan yet. But he's given no indication in any way that he'll be a friend to the taxpayer....I think, if he had his druthers, he'd increase taxes.

BOSTON-Wednesday, April 12, 2006—The Deval Patrick campaign today announced that Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director Kahlil Byrd is leaving his full-time position to return to business and foreign policy interests he suspended when he joined the campaign. Byrd will remain a paid senior advisor to the campaign through the convention on June 3rd.

"As one of the top advisors who has been with us since the beginning, I will miss Kahlil’s support and advice," said Patrick. "But, as a former corporate executive, I understand that key business development decisions often can’t wait and I wish Kahlil well as he pursues his entrepreneurial goals," Patrick added. 

Byrd joined the campaign in March 2005 and has worked seven-day weeks since then, providing communications advice and input on strategy and execution of the overall campaign plan.

"Kahlil has been a key part of the team that has helped to take Deval from zero name recognition to the momentum we all now feel about our grassroots success," said John Walsh, Patrick’s campaign manager. 

Before joining the campaign Byrd helped launch the US operations of the African Public Broadcasting Foundation, an organization focused on creating a viable public service television network on the continent. He plans to return to this effort, and others, dedicated to creating sustainable media in the developing world.  

Byrd is also an International Affairs Fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, a position he deferred last year to work with the campaign.  This fellowship gives successful mid career professionals the opportunity to bridge the gap between thought and action in foreign policy.  Former fellows include Samantha Power and Condoleeza Rice. 

"I will be a part of this campaign—either as an advisor or a volunteer—until election day," he said. "Deval Patrick is the best candidate in this field and will make a great Governor—he will specifically be a great Governor for those like me who have an entrepreneurial interest and need someone in the corner office who knows how to create and keep good jobs in our state."

"My goal was to help Deval and the campaign team establish a solid communications foundation and to launch well," Byrd said. "Deval is inspiring people in the state and I think he has gathered a great team of professionals to take this campaign through the hard stretch run to November."

Reilly Releases 2005 Tax Returns

Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidate Tom Reilly today released his federal and state income tax returns for 2005.

Reilly, who filed his returns jointly with his wife, Ruth, a former Belmont public school teacher, has previously released his returns for the years 2002-2004, his current term as Attorney General. He has called on all other candidates for Governor to release their tax returns as well. To date, no other candidates have done so.

According to the documents, the Reillys' combined annual income for 2005 was $158, 248. They paid $35,280 in state and federal taxes, or 22.3 percent of their yearly income.

"It's pretty simple - this is a question of being open and honest with voters," Reilly said. "People deserve to know where our money comes from, what our financial interests are, and what potential conflicts we may have as Governor."

The release of tax returns has been a basic standard of openness for state and federal candidates of all parties. Every Democratic gubernatorial candidate released his or her tax returns in 2002. Massachusetts Republican Governors William Weld and Paul Cellucci released their income tax returns, as has President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Once again, you have misstated the circumstances surrounding the rule which allowed Chris Gabrielli [sic] to obtain signatures from about 20% more delegates than he might otherwise have been able to do. Contrary to your article, the add-on delegates are not appointed--they are elected by the Democratic State Committee. Jim Roosevelt, our counsel, is not aligned with any candidate. His ruling was made strictly on the basis of the history and the intent of the rule. It was not done to help or hurt any candidate. I am committed to running a Convention which is straightforward and transparent. You may feel that certain decisions help or hurt your particular candidate but everyone should know that I meet regularly with the campaign managers of all statewide candidates to discuss our actions in advance and to give them an opportunity to have significant input. The "resentment" which you describe among delegates has been difficult for me to find. But I am sensitive to these concerns and I encourage delegates to contact me if they wish to communicate with me or our staff about them.

BOSTON—Thursday, April 6, 2006—The Deval Patrick campaign today launched a new audio/video blog on its website.  Called "The Source," the unique new blog (available at http://blog.devalpatrick.com) will deliver timely and rich multimedia information directly from Deval Patrick, the campaign, and also from visitors to the site. 

One of the blog’s features allows users to download video and audio files of Deval onto their iPod. People can then listen or watch the program anywhere. For example, they can listen to a speech given by Deval while riding the Commuter Rail or show a video of him to their friends while meeting for coffee.

"The Source allows Deval to reach out to people directly through video and audio messages and information," said John Walsh, Patrick's campaign manager.  "In addition, it encourages people to join in the discussion. The video and audio capabilities also allow people across the state to see and hear from Deval on a regular basis and to send in their own information."

Some of the key features of the Source:

·        Media created by supporters. 
Visitors will be encouraged to send in their own content (videos or audio files) to the campaign.  For example, people might send in testimonials, questions for Deval, or their own thoughts on the issue of the day.  "The goal is to actually encourage commentary from our users," said John Walsh.  "If the content is good, we’ll put it up."

·        Rapid Commentary from Deval
When Deval feels he needs to comment on the news from the day, he will be able to quickly record an audio or video file and deliver his message.

·        Podcasts and ipod/MP3 player support
The Source’s Podcast is available on iTunes or via any other Podcasting system.  Users can download video and audio files of Deval onto their iPod. They can then listen or watch the program anywhere. 

·        On the road posts
Deval will be able to create new entries while traveling across the state.

·        Traditional blogging capability
As with traditional text-based blogging, users will be able to comment and discuss the content that appears on The Source.

"The Source’s multimedia capability gives Deval a powerful way to reach out directly to his supporters.  It also gives people an easy way to introduce Deval to their friends and family," said Charles SteelFisher, Patrick’s director of New Media.

I think I've captured Gabrieli's digressions from the prepared text, but I kept getting distracted by his mother-in-law Smoki Bacon's outrageously large glasses, so I may have missed a flourish or two.

Thank you all so much for being here today.

[Thanks his family. Smoki Bacon's specs are colossal.]

But I especially want to thank those of you who spent weeks traveling across Massachusetts, going door to door to collect the 500 signatures we needed to get onto the ballot at the Democratic convention in June. You know, a lot of people said it couldn't be done, but you did it. Thank you.

Now, I owe you an answer, so here it is: Yes! Yes, Massachusetts faces great challenges. Yes, it's time to start getting results. And yes, I am running to be the next governor of Massachusetts.

Now, I'm doing this for a lot of reasons, but more than anything, I'm doing this for one reason: I love this state. You know, I went to college here. I met my wife here. I'm raising my five kids here. And unlike Johnny Damon, I'm staying right here.

You know, when I moved here, I couldn't imagine any better place in this whole country to live. There's so much opportunity, so much history, such incredible people, and I think all of us who live here still feel that way. But when I look around today, I see jobs leaving the state. I see people moving elsewhere because they can't find an affordable place to live. I see the cost of just about everything skyrocketing. And I see too many parents worried the American Dream is fading for their kids.

But you know what I don't see? I don't see Republican governors getting the job done to solve our problems, and I'm tired of it. For 16 years, all we've heard is promises, but we still haven't seen results. We're 46th in the nation in job creation, we have the highest cost of housing, millions of tax dollars are wasted every year. And yet there's no accountability to voters and taxpayers.

Even so, without fail, every four years, Republican candidates for governor tell us balanced government alone is the most important thing. But what use is balance if the only result we get is stagnation?

Like so many people across Massachusetts, I'm frustrated with the lack of results we're getting from government--but I'm not discouraged. I refuse to believe that Massachusetts can't do better. And I will always believe that with the right leadership, government can get real results for people.

Real accountability for real results. Those principles have guided me my whole life. I've spent my entire career bringing people together and getting things done, and I'm proud of the results.

I spent 17 years helping dozens of innovative young businesses succeed and grow. In total, over $1 billion was invested in the economy, and we helped create over 100,000 new, good jobs.

These are real results, and I'm proud of them. [NOTE: This phrase, which you're about to see again, was italicized on the text handed out to reporters, so it's obviously a major point Gabrieli wants to hammer home. Oddly, however, he kept offering variations on this theme, which was a little self-defeating. Read on.]

I've always been passionate about education, and when I realized our kids spent only 20 percent of their time in school, I started my own nonprofit foundation devoted entirely to expanding after-school programs. Thousands of kids now have a place to go after school to learn and be safe...

I'm proud of the results, and they're real. [?]

It always bothered me how little Massachusetts pension money we actually invest in our own states. So I brought people together, and working with Treasurer Cahill, we convinced the state to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the local economy--money that's expanding opportunity and home ownership, and creating jobs in Massachusetts as we speak.

That's a real result, and I'm proud of that. [??]

When Mitt Romney threatened to veto stem-cell research--research that could cure diabetes, Parkinson's and countless other diseases--I joined with the Legislature, academics, doctors and parents to fight back, and we overrode Governor Romney's veto.

That's a real result, and I'm proud of that. [Sigh.]

And really, at the end of the day, that's what we want from our governor--results that help people.

Aren't you tired of all these politicians who stand in front of you every four years and make nothing but big pronouncements, like "Mission accomplished," or "No child left behind"? Please, find me one person who's for leaving kids behind. Aren't we all for better schools?

The bottom line is, leadership shouldn't be a competition to see who can make the grandest promises--it should be about who can get the best results. Results you can measure; results that are tangible; results that improve people's lives and make our state a better place to live.

Now, how do you get those results? You bring people together from all sides. Governor Romney was right to join me in calling for after-school programs, but he was wrong to oppose stem-cell research. When he was right, I worked with him; when he was wrong, I worked against him. In both cases, we've gotten results. As governor, I'll work with both Republicans and Democrats to get things done. I won't get bogged down in petty political battles; I won't make empty promises; I won't shy away from accountability.

When it comes to issues of principle, I’m going to give a clear answer. Gay marriage? I’m for it. Death penalty? I’m against it. Abortion? I’m pro-choice.

But when the issue is complicated, I’m not going to give you some meaningless, poll-tested answer that gets us no closer to solving problems.

Like on jobs--you know, you need more than a pledge to personally recruit jobs. You need specific ideas, like getting big pension funds and university endowments to invest in the local economy. Like investing in technologies most likely to create jobs of the 21st Century, such as stem cell research and renewable energy. And it’s the same on education. It’s a complicated issue. Blaming teachers doesn’t get us anywhere. And anyone who claims you can just throw money at the problem doesn’t get it. You need concrete ideas, like expanding learning time and encouraging enrichment through after school programs. Like making college tuition more affordable by making college savings tax deductible. Like creating magnet science and technology high schools for our most promising students.

Ideas like these--you know, they may not make the biggest headlines, but I know they’ll get big results. This is a time for serious leadership. We’ve got real problems here in Massachusetts, and we can’t just sit around and wait for Washington to solve them for us. We need a governor who will bring people together to try new things. A governor who will tell you where he stands. A governor with concrete ideas to make people’s lives a little easier. A governor who’s not going to promise everything and deliver nothing. A governor who has a proven track record of getting things done. A governor who’s going to hold himself accountable.

My name is Chris Gabrieli. And I’ll be a governor who solves problems and gets results. In this campaign, I’m going to travel all over the state, pounding the pavement, doing whatever it takes to talk directly to people and win this race. And I believe that if I do my part, and you do your part, then come November, we’ll have a great victory for Massachusetts.

My name is Chris Gabrieli. I’ll be a governor who solves problems and gets results. And I can’t wait to get started. Thank you very much.

The Massachusetts Miracle:
This New York Times graph on the Massachusetts health care bill can be cut and pasted into Gov. Romney's next prospecting spiel in Manhattan and Florida living rooms: "The bill does what health experts say no other state has been able to do: provide a mechanism for all of its citizens to obtain health insurance. It accomplishes that in a way that experts say combines methods and proposals from across the political spectrum, apportioning the cost among businesses, individuals and the government." LINK

The recently-passed Massachusetts health care bill makes it above-the-fold on the front page of the Washington Post. LINK

"'We insist that everybody who drives a car has insurance,' Romney said in an interview. 'And cars are a lot less expensive than people.'"

If this thing is embraced by Howard Dean and Newt Gingrich, say, what does that mean for Romney's future?

Forget that fighting-gay-marriage stuff. This is going to be a political gold mine for Mitt.

Dear friend,

 
I am writing with news that I would like to share with you personally, because of your support for my work and my candidacy for District Attorney of Middlesex County. After great soul-searching, I have decided to suspend my campaign for D.A. and to seek re-election to the state Senate.
 
We made great gains in this campaign since launching it last year.  I have been humbled by the support we received from the State Police Association and numerous other police and public safety organizations, as well as from mayors, Congressmen, union leaders and colleagues in the legislature.  From the very first day, we were successful in articulating a compelling vision for the office, raising money for the campaign, and building a top-notch organization throughout Middlesex County.  I have no doubt that we would have been successful on Election Day.
 
However, the rigors of working more than 100 hours a week on the campaign have imposed major burdens on my young family.  At this time in their lives, the children need more time with their parents.   And I cherish my time with them.  I simply could not justify the sacrifices involved in running for this office, when there is so much that I can continue to accomplish in the Senate.
 
In the Senate, I have strived to provide leadership on public-safety issues and serve as a voice for people who need a strong advocate.  Moving forward, my priorities are cracking down on domestic violence and identity theft, addressing bullying and violence in schools, and advancing progressive priorities on a variety of other issues.
 
Of course, I will have to run for re-election in a field with several challengers.  I will be going door-to-door throughout my Senate district, asking my constituents for their vote so that I may continue working for them on Beacon Hill.  I hope to count on your continued support.
 
Again, I want you to know how much I appreciate the commitment you have made to me and my career in public service.  Thank you.
 
Sincerely,

Cape Wind officials held a press conference downtown this morning, to warn the public that back-room deals in Washington, DC threaten the future of their proposed offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound.

It looks like Alaskan representative Don Young's amendment, which would have killed the project immediately, is off the table, but it's been replaced by a compromise amendment, proposed by Alaskan senator Ted Stevens, which singles out Cape Wind, and gives ultimate last say to the state.

Here's the language of the new amendment, which has Cape Wind president Jim Gordon worried that five years and $20 million are about to go down the drain:

SEC. 419. OPINIONS REGARDING WHETHER CERTAIN FACILITIES CREATE OBSTRUCTIONS TO NAVIGATION.

In any case, under the following conditions, in which a person requests the Secretary of the Army to take action to permit a wind energy facility:

(1) where the proposed site of the wind energy facility is within the area commonly known as Nantucket Sound; and
(2) the permit sought is under the authority of section 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899, popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899 (chapter 425; 33 U.S.C. 403).

The Secretary of the Army shall only issue such permit if the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the adjacent state concur in writing, after the date of enactment of this Act, that no obstructions to navigation will result from the proposed structures or activity. The Commandant and the adjacent state shall provide in writing a determination on whether or not the proposed wind energy facility presents an obstruction to navigation within one year of the date of enactment of this Act or for requests made after the date of enactment of this Act the written determination shall be made within one year of the request for the permit. If no written determination is made by either the Commandant or  the adjacent state within the above specified time the Secretary of the Army shall proceed as if the non-responding entity has issued a written determination that no obstruction to navigation will result from the proposed structures or activities. The determination of the Commandant and the adjacent state shall not be arbitrary or capricious.

This provision shall expire five years from the date of enactment of this Act.

It begs several questions.

• Why are two Alaskan congressmen targeting this project, and this project only? (Is it because the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, which vigorously opposes the wind farm, retains a lobbyist who has worked closely with Don Young in the past?)
• If the state had final say, what would be the procedure? Would the legislature have to sign off, or would it just be up to the governor?
• If the governor has total veto power over energy projects, does that give Deval Patrick (the only official gubernatorial candidate who supports the wind farm) a boost?
• Why the five-year expiration date? Is that how long the authors think it will take to permanently kill Cape Wind?

For the record, Scot [Globe columnist Scot Lehigh] asked me about this issue two weeks ago in a general context. I have a long history on this one, having released my income tax returns in all 5 of my campaigns for the legislature. Also, it was a major point of contention between me and my chief opponent in my 1996 run for Congress. While I certainly do not intend to talk about this issue unless asked, I also do not intend to pretend that I have no position after 32 years of espousing one.