Deval Patrick Nominated to run Again

Gov. Deval Patrick, center, his wife, Diane Patrick, and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray celebrate their nomination to run for the corner office for a second term during the state's Democratic nominating convention held on Saturday June 5th, at the DCU Center arena in Worcester, Mass. Pic by Rogers Muyanja/Ajabu

Rogers Muyanja, Ajabu Africa News, posted June 12, 2010

WORCESTER, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick received the overwhelming endorsement of Democratic activists at the party's nominating convention that was held on Saturday June 5th, at the DCU Center arena.

In his address to thousands of delegates, Patrick who was nominated along with his running mate, Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray urged Democrats to help him accomplish what he started when he said "We worked hard four years ago to change the guard, now it's up to us to guard the change,"

With emphasis on his administrations score on job creation and improvement of state infrastructure, Patrick reminded delegates of the times his administration took office saying four years ago when hope was in short supply, young people and jobs were leaving the state.

“Roads and bridges were crumbling... still, Tim and i asked you to hope for the best and to work for it. And because you did, because person by person block by block, town by town, you built a movement for change, because you believed, Massachusetts is on the mend and on the Move." Hes said this amidst applause from the delegates in attendance.

Patrick sighted the state's implementation of health care reform, job creation in a tough time, continued support for school funding, transportation overhaul bills among others as some of the steps taken by his administration with satisfaction they will make a better Massachusetts tomorrow.

Gov. Deval Patrick gives a speech during the Massachusetts democratic convention

He said there had been setbacks due to the stumbling economy, but he emphasized recent signs of recovery. “I won't be satisfied until we bear our generational responsibility. And you shouldn't be either.” He remarked.

He expressed an understanding of the dissatisfaction of some choices he's made when he said “I know some of those choices have made even some of our traditional allies uncomfortable. But this job and these times demand more than making each other comfortable. They demand that we face the few hard choices before us with candor and courage, because doing so today will make us stronger tomorrow."

Patrick’s nomination has been seen described by some African community figures as an extended boost to the affection he holds for them. “He’s not forgotten his roots because he holds us dear and understands our problems,” said pastor Ben Opara a renowned African evangelist in Lowell and a former contestant for a council seat in Lowell, Mass..

Pastor Opara added that Governor Patrick and his administration have done well given the economic situation under which he took office and the visa vie the improvement in the state’s infrastructure, economy and other sectors.

“There have been some short comings which he himself admits to but the progress surpasses them, which keeps us believing he can do more,” said Pastor Opara. He added that his stand on the new health care law is another element that portrays him as a focused and dedicated leader who’s in office to serve the people.

Another evangelist Pastor Torli Kruah of Zion Mission church in Dorchester, welcomed the governor’s nomination saying he’s instilled many positive changes in the state as well as helping in job creation.

He however showed dissatisfaction with the way refugees and immigrants have been handled in regard to what he called the civic and economic life of Massachusetts.  “We call on him to improve on this forum so that these groups of people can have a say on issues that concern them.

In his address at the convention, Governor Patrick found the time to attack his opponents in the upcoming contest due in November when he said. "I won't be satisfied until we start treating others the way Scripture teaches us to treat them, as we ourselves would want to be treated even if they are new to this land."

He went on to target Charles D. Baker, running as a Republican, and state Treasurer Tim Cahill, running as an independent. “Cahill and Baker will take us back to the past,” He said. “They need Massachusetts to fail so that you will once again buy their empty promises.”

Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray gives a speech during the Massachusetts democratic convention

State Rep. Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill) said Democrats are optimistic as party leader Patrick had done his job on the party’s accomplishments such as pension, ethics and transportation reform.

“It’s been a very difficult economic climate. There’s been high unemployment numbers and the governor has been very sensitive to that during the election year,” Dempsey stated.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) urged fellow Democrats to show voters their accomplishments. “We as Democrats don’t have the luxury of sitting on the sidelines and throwing rhetorical bombs,” he said. “We have to provide the answers. We, as Democrats, find real solutions.”

Edward “Bud” Caulfield, a Lowell city councilor and state delegate, said the governor’s boost in the polls has helped to lift the party.

“Gov. Patrick’s sincerity is a huge boon. He wants to see the state do well,” Caulfield said.

In other contests, Steven Grossman won the convention's endorsement for state treasurer, while Boston City Councilor Stephen Murphy received enough delegate votes to vie against him in the September primary. However, none of the state candidates who included Guy Glodis, Suzanne Bump, and Michael Lake garnered enough votes to be endorsed which means they will all appear on the primary ballot.

Four more: Supporters indicate that they will give Governor Deval Patrick a shot at four more years at the state's top position.

Murray, praised the administration's record saying "When we were elected, we never expected to be governing in the worst economic crisis America has seen since the Great Depression. But that’s what we faced, and we didn’t pass the buck," he said. "We’ve kept teachers in the classrooms, police on the beat, firefighters on the job, and in doing so we’ve held the fabric of our communities together." Murray added amidst cheers.

He criticized Baker for his work as a top fiscal aide for Republican governors while the cost of the Big Dig project rose, as well as his work as a health insurance executive, saying Baker had refused to take responsibility for the roles he had played.

Meanwhile, State treasurer Tim Cahill, who is running for the corner office as an independent, stood outside the convention with about 100 supporters.

Several recent polls have shown Patrick with a double-digit lead over Baker who's been ranked second, with Cahill, the state treasurer who left the party last year, in third place after a withering blitz of attack ads launched by the Republican Governors Association.

Patrick’s lead in the surveys reflects several good months for the governor, during which the economy has been rebounding and he was able to play high-profile leadership roles in the spring floods and the drinking water crisis. With the five more months left to the race, Patrick’s standing could shift again by the November election.

The convention also included a tribute to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy that included speeches by Patrick , US Senator John Kerry, and Kennedy's widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, remembering Kennedy's work and calling on the gathering of activists to continue on it.

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