“Be angry, but channel it in a positive direction. It’s easy to be against things. It takes tough-mindedness and courage to be for something.’’ So said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in his State of the Commonwealth address last night.
With these words Patrick seemed to be offering his analysis on Senator-Elect Scott Brown’s victory in Tuesday’s special election, the results of which were less than 48 hours old as Patrick took the podium. Patrick’s speech also sought to woo the electorate to his agenda and to portray himself as an agent of change.
But if Patrick is, as his words suggest, saying that Tuesday’s results amount to little more than an amorphous “No,” cried out in frustration, he is sadly mistaken.
Patrick’s remarks indicate he doesn’t understand that Scott Brown articulated an agenda. Brown took stands on a variety of issues in this election and he was loud and clear about his beliefs. Brown also displayed “tough-mindedness” by not reacting to the barrage of negative campaigning against him. Instead, he remained focused, positive, and on message. On Tuesday, the majority of the voters endorsed Brown’s “positive direction.”
To suggest that the voters who elected Brown are little more than an angry mob that didn’t understand what they were doing when they pulled the lever for Brown is insulting to the citizens and is just the latest example of the political tin ear that Patrick has displayed during his first three years in office.
For Patrick’s sake, let’s hope that his words are simply a linguistic ploy designed to save face and to avoid saying “I get it and I’ll change.” He could say what he’s saying and still adjust his own approach to government to reflect the more open, moderate, and bipartisan approach articulated by Brown.
Perhaps, however, the Governor really is missing the point. Perhaps he is making the mistake of missing the message simply because he doesn’t like what it said.
If Patrick really thinks that Brown and those that voted for him just two days earlier are just angry, clueless, and solely “against things,” then the Governor may be in for a very tough campaign of his own this year.
“Be angry, but channel it in a positive direction.” That’s exactly what the voters did on Tuesday, Governor.
With these words Patrick seemed to be offering his analysis on Senator-Elect Scott Brown’s victory in Tuesday’s special election, the results of which were less than 48 hours old as Patrick took the podium. Patrick’s speech also sought to woo the electorate to his agenda and to portray himself as an agent of change.
But if Patrick is, as his words suggest, saying that Tuesday’s results amount to little more than an amorphous “No,” cried out in frustration, he is sadly mistaken.
Patrick’s remarks indicate he doesn’t understand that Scott Brown articulated an agenda. Brown took stands on a variety of issues in this election and he was loud and clear about his beliefs. Brown also displayed “tough-mindedness” by not reacting to the barrage of negative campaigning against him. Instead, he remained focused, positive, and on message. On Tuesday, the majority of the voters endorsed Brown’s “positive direction.”
To suggest that the voters who elected Brown are little more than an angry mob that didn’t understand what they were doing when they pulled the lever for Brown is insulting to the citizens and is just the latest example of the political tin ear that Patrick has displayed during his first three years in office.
For Patrick’s sake, let’s hope that his words are simply a linguistic ploy designed to save face and to avoid saying “I get it and I’ll change.” He could say what he’s saying and still adjust his own approach to government to reflect the more open, moderate, and bipartisan approach articulated by Brown.
Perhaps, however, the Governor really is missing the point. Perhaps he is making the mistake of missing the message simply because he doesn’t like what it said.
If Patrick really thinks that Brown and those that voted for him just two days earlier are just angry, clueless, and solely “against things,” then the Governor may be in for a very tough campaign of his own this year.
“Be angry, but channel it in a positive direction.” That’s exactly what the voters did on Tuesday, Governor.
No chance Deval gets re-elected. None. Nada. Zilch.
ReplyDeleteUnless I'm wrong.