We've received many comments in support of endorsing Deval Patrick's campaign, and a few against. We're posting the comments from dues-paying members, but all comments received were read and will be considered.

We are still accepting comments.

Comments received so far

I have read the case for endorsement of Governor Patrick, on the PDM web site. I agree with all of the points. Endorsing another progressive candidate with little to no chance of winning is at this point political suicide for progressive democratic groups in the state. Gov. Patrick has done a good job, especially in light of the very bad economic circumstances in the country. Independents and Republicans, and those who are confused and reactive, will vote for the Independent or Republican candidates, and it is crucial that Progressives gather and work TOGETHER to re-elect Patrick to stop any possibility of backsliding on the gains we have made in the last 4 years. We have enough to fight at the federal level, and ensuring that Patrick is re-elected will give Massachusetts the strength and support it desperately needs to fight the recent US Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United, to lobby for meaningful education reform, and to do many other vital things for the Commonwealth and its people.

Please endorse Patrick immediately! 

-- Carole Marcacci - Acton

It is the Blackstone Valley chapter's opinion that the PDM should endorse a second term for the Governor and Lt Gov. Our reasons are many, but here are the main ones.

1. LEARNING CURVE: Contrary to some ultra liberal posts on the state's web streams, we think you have to allow for some campaign promises not being met when the whole country nearly collapsed soon after the last election. What's the better alternative? - electing a health insurer or someone else who would have to start the learning curve all over again? Looking at the record, Deval is correct in pointing out the legislative record has been an improvement on those of all recent governors and under punishing conditions - most not the state's fault.

2. HEALTHCARE: Legislation, like science, is incremental in nature. Like Washington's efforts on health care, telling insurance companies what to charge is a tricky new area in government/ private corporation interaction. Some charge that the Governor could have capped the insurance costs earlier. Where's the facts on this? Don't blame the Governor for being well ahead of the national efforts, commend him. Governing is about the possible - Campaigns are not.

3. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Sure cuts are hard to bear, but who cut the state's revenue stream years ago? The legislature and the voters, not the Governor. Still, a balanced budget was patched together where other states failed and our bond rating shows that. The Governor's outreach to each town gathering to show us all the size of the problem and asking for input was a new and welcome effort in transparency and civic dialog. That was impressive and should not be forgotten.

4. DEMOCRATIC VALUES: I believe we the voters are the one's we've been waiting for to wake up and participate sensibly. What I hear instead from legislators is their phones are busy with irresponsible uninformed voters demanding they get services and get their taxes reduced. The governor in his campaign kickoff remarks states that Government should help people help themselves. We citizens have an obligation to future generations - we have to reward our representatives for thinking longer term, not just promising us our every whim. The news is full of people who got us into this mess blaming Democrats for not fixing it by rather trying to find ways to help the bulk of our citizens 

-- Jay Gilchrist, Milford

I also urge PDM to endorse the reelection of Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray. Peter Enrich summarized the accomplishments of this administration, the first progressive gubernatorial administration since 1988.

I will not add to Peter's excellent summary of accomplishments. It is well stated as usual. As a public school teacher in Boston, I certainly know the value of Patrick's support of education aid, and I also know the pressure he is under even in a Democratic-controlled government. He deserves credit for perseverance, and he deserves another term.

I will add the point that in times of economic crisis and social ferment, it is important for progressives to form a united front. I was joyful at the election of President Obama, as I was at the election of Governor Patrick. Naturally I wish they had accomplished more of our aims in their first terms. However, many of their initiatives take more than one term to be fruitful even in good circumstances, and these are not good times. They not only need more time but are under pressure now, as people yearn for faster solutions while, on the right, "teaparty" movements and anti-tax activists try to stir up popular fear and resentment. They would return us to the governments of do-nothings and know-nothings that we experienced for most the the last 20 or 30 years. Let the attacks be from the right, and let us continue in solidarity with progressive and moderate forces to continue the work Patrick and Murray have started. Breaking our solid progressive front will simply let right-wing politicians regain control.

I am solidly behind these wonderful progressive Democrats and urge PDM to stay the course, too. 

-- Thomas R. Díaz - Lexington

=== NO === 

How is it that casino gambling has risen to the top of the public policy agenda in Massachusetts? In a word: Gov. Deval Patrick put it there.

Do we need jobs? Of course we do. Does the state need more revenue to avoid cutting worthy social programs? Of course it does.

But there is a moral line that I will not cross. I am happy to say that every single interfaith organization in the state takes this very same position.

I was moved by the article in the March 20 Boston Globe about Kathleen Norbut, the founder of "United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts" (see http://www.uss-mass.org/). I think you will be too. I find myself much more comfortable with a former selectwoman from Monson than the Governor from Milton by way of Harvard law school.

I cannot reconcile my progressive principles with creating jobs that rely on people's weaknesses. The lottery that we already have is bad enough in its regressivity. We don't need to make it worse.

Can people gamble in Connecticut? Of course they can. Let them. Connecticut isn't where I live. But Massachusetts is.

Will I vote for Deval Patrick? That is a question for another day. Today I am asked if PDM should endorse Governor Patrick for re-election.

I cannot in good conscience vote for PDM to endorse him. I urge anyone else in PDM to ask themselves whether the Governor has lived up to your progressive principles and whether he has earned PDM's support. I really don't think he has. 

-- Randy Block - Newton

YES, YES, you have got to be kidding to even consider Grace Ross unless the commitment is to lose the election and to lose active members! 

-- Carol Caro - Brookline

I write today to urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to endorse Deval Patrick for governor of Massachusetts.

While I recognize that there has been some disappointment from progressives on his difficulties in advancing some issues which we hold dear, in my opinion he has been remarkably effective despite the parlous economic situation facing the Commonwealth and the nation. He has maintained the bond rating of the state, a remarkable achievement given the economic issues we face. He has maintained, as best he could, the health care reform laws of the Commonwealth, despite significant pressure to relax some of the mandates in the laws (especially with respect to the benefits available to immigrants, which the legislature cut with craven abandon, and which were partially restored only because of the governor's leadership on the issue). He has guided the state through the Great Recession with skill and leadership, if not without some bumps in the road along the way. As the recession continues into 2010, we see that Massachusetts is leading the way in job recovery, with "green" jobs in energy and efficiency increasing, and the biotech and information tech sectors maintaining their strength.

I firmly believe that Mr. Patrick deserves a second term; I believe his effective leadership in the service of the less-fortunate will continue to be needed as the recession continues, and will be more needed than ever as it begins to lift and pressure from better-funded, more politically connected groups to "ease their burdens", which many of us see as being fairly light, inevitably ensues. We need a strong and effective advocate for those with no other advocate, and I believe that Deval Patrick is that advocate now, and will continue to be that advocate in the future.

Thank you for your kind attention in this matter. Please endorse Deval Patrick for governor in 2010.

-- Thomas A. Amoroso, MD, MPH, FACEP - Somerville

Yes we should endorse and work for Patrick. 

-- Deborah J Bernstein - Billerica

PDM should absolutely endorse Deval Patrick. I will admit I have been unhappy with some moves in the field of education i.e. increase of charter schools, but I feel we cannot afford to lose this voice to Charlie Baker. 

-- GERALDINE MCGOVERN - Worcester

We strongly support Governor Deval Patrick to be reelected for second term.

He has a proven record for being on the right side of most issues that represent the values of Progressive Democrats. At times such as these, he improved the overall performance of State government - not an easy task, as we all know.

We would be proud to work for his reelection. 

-- Barbara and Martin Winters - Becket

This founding member is overwhelmingly in favor of endorsement 

-- John Moynihan - Swampscott

Governor Patrick has done a splendid job of selecting competent, dedicated people within his administration, he is working well with the statehouse, and he has learned the ropes of political management. These are significant accomplishments that represent an investment of time and attention that we should not discard. Even if someone else should claim more progressive ideals, no one (except, possibly an ex-governor) can immediately have the capability Patrick now has to govern and govern well. Let's endorse him, enthusiastically. 

-- Robert Lund - Lexington

I am definitely in favor of endorsing his candidacy 

-- Martin G. Evans, Professor Emeritus, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. - Cambridge

I think we should endorse Patrick. I would be very opposed to endorsing Grace Ross in spite of her progressive credentials. Her chances of winning would be small to non-existent in a state that just voted for a Republican for Senate. 

-- David L. Kaufman - Arlington

Of course, Progressive Democrats in Massachusetts should endorse Governor Patrick. Grace Ross doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning anything, let alone the top spot in Massachusetts . She's a diversion, and a sure formula for defeat. If anyone here thinks she is going to get 51% of anything, they have to have their heads examined.

You need 8 million bucks to run any viable race. grace got any cash? because mainstream democrats won't give her a penny. Hello?

We are going to have a difficult enough time warding off the Tea Party whacos and Scott Brown's endorcement and support for Charles Baker (R).

The state is now 51 % ironically unenrolled and the Republicans are charged up.

Let the tea party run a candidate and split the Republicans. 

-- Art Carmen - Chelmsford

We are strong supporters of Governor Patrick and feel that Massachusetts needs his continuing steady leadership. In these particularly turbulent and trying times our State is moving in the right direction and Governor Patricks achievements by far outweigh his less successful actions highlighted by his critics. He has proven to be a Governor who cares more for the people of Massachusetts than for his personal agrandisement. 

-- Barbara and Martin Winters -  Becket

Cast my vote for a PDM endorsement of Deval Patrick, our progressive governor. A vote for any other only divides progressives and will result in our losing our progressive governor. Deval Patrick may not be perfect or all we thought he would be when he first ran, but Deval in office is far better than a more pure Grace Ross losing and our having to go back on defense with a repug governor who wants to gut government. 

-- Andrew M. Fischer - Brookline

yes! 

-- John Moynihan - Swampscott