Senator Barack Obama is gaining momentum across the country, running on a platform of hope and change. Sound familiar? Here in Massachusetts voters responded to those same campaign slogans and promises when they elected Governor Deval Patrick.
They both have political ties in Chicago, are alumni of the same law school and both are breaking race barriers in America.
We’ll look into how similar their campaigns and backgrounds really are. What do you think? Did you vote for Patrick? Will you also vote for Obama? Or will you need more than a message of hope to cast your vote?
Listen to the full show:
Plus, a web special: Listen to a song about Barack Obama by Black Eyed Peas artist will.i.am.
Radio Boston: Obama and Patrick - do they share similar messages?
Airdate: February 22, 2008
Guests:
Todd Domke, Republican Political Analyst
Jeffery Berry, Professor of Political Science at Tufts University
David Kravitz, Co-Founder of Blue Mass Group
Adam Reilly, Political writer at the Boston Phoenix
Alan Solomont, Chair of the New England Steering Committee of Obama for America
Now that the ground has thawed let’s go on an archaeological dig. What are some of the latest big local discoveries? What do historical artifacts teach us about our past?
yes — Patrick’s and Obama’s campaigns appear similar.
I supported Patrick until he came out with his disastrous casino proposal. I am disappointed that his other campaign promises are not materializing either.
I worry that Patrick’s message of change was just that–a message to get himself elected. That’s why I take Obama’s message with a grain of salt.
I refuse to join the herd of ecstatic fans.
All the talk about who invented the term, ‘Together, we can’ is a real laugh. Back in the 1980’s that was Honeywell’s rally call in its own business strategy. It is not exactly an original phrase. This is a very meager attempt by Obama’s opposition to undermine him and his campaign. The more of this nonsense that pops up only makes the political process look amateurish.
Shelley wrote in with this email:
“One thing I find in some ways interesting, is that great speakers and great
leaders can be both good and ill intentioned. I want to know what the
actual actions are going to be. How… the Why, the What and what it will
cost. I remember that three of the world’s best known speakers all asked
for destruction of democracy and their own societies in the end. Adolph
Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Ze Dung, all were very effective and valuable
speakers, but their actions truly showed how they felt and their actions
showed where they truly wanted their intentions to show.”
Jonathan adds via email:
“It is unfortunate that Patrick has let people down. However, Obama
has more political experience having worked in the Senate and working
together with the other side. In addition to this Obama does have
concrete plans for nearly every issue. He does speak well, but he
also has a plan to back it up.
Jonathan”
Governor Patrick has made some remarkable progress in his short time in office! I would challenge anyone who supported his campaign to be involved in the grassroots advocacy that is needed to keep the momentum going.
With the Governor in office, Massachusetts issued bonds to rebuild schools and libraries, reorganized the governance of the Board of Education, negotiated progress on tax revenues to fund increases in education (such as a cigarette tax increase and closing corporate tax loopholes), and built consensus on investment in the life sciences industry in massachusetts to help rebuild the economy and bring back jobs. DiMasi deserves credit as well, for putting the interests of Massachusetts first and working cooperatively towards solutions that have broad support.
The Municipal Partnership Act is one of the Governor’s proposals that would help cities and towns but it needs citizen support. One piece of it’s legislation passed thru the legislature, but it could be further strengthened to allow cities and towns to more easily fund employee healthcare cost through the state’s GIC (the state’s health insurance program).
Too many people think that you vote for a candidate and then expect him/her to make problems disappear without remaining involved, but Governor’s need support of citizens to talk to their legislators so that new policies can be implemented through grassroots support.
Deval Patrick and Barack Obama share this same view — that ordinary citizens (rather than big money interests) can make a difference if they get involved and remain involved — and it works! Go to http://www.devalpatrick.com and you can help make a difference.
I’m supporting Barack Obama because of his substance & leadership and because he understands how to communicate in a way that will inspire young Americans and engage all citizens to be involved in getting America back on track. It’s time for us to do our part as well.
Barack Obama is in a class of his own as a leader with exceptional judgment, insight, intellect and integrity–in addition to being a great speaker. A careful examination of his experience and record shows that he has already demonstrated judgment and leadership ability well beyond those who have been conventionally labeled as more experienced.