11 AUG 08 / "Would Barack Govern Like Deval?"

Governor Deval Patrick’s problems began at the outset of his administration with a $1.3 million inaugural that spanned 4 days. He then shamelessly exhibited his keen appreciation of the finer things in life with a new Cadillac, expensive office drapes, and by starting the construction of a mansion in the Berkshires. These public relations snafus and others have been well-documented by the State House press corps and have tarnished the governor’s image as a Democrat in touch with the people, earning him the monikers ‘Governor Deluxe’ and ‘Coupe Deval.’ 

In the more serious realm of governance, the campaign mantra “Yes we can!” has been replaced by “No we can’t.” Patrick has not been able to check the power of the special interests in the state legislature and in Congress. Saddled with a $1 billion dollar shortfall, Massachusetts is now the national leader in per capita debt. Patrick says he's planting the seeds that will bear fruit in time, but other governors like Bill Weld and Mitt Romney were able to turn dire financial situations around rather quickly. To his credit, Patrick has attempted reforms, but he has been rebuked at every turn by members of his own party. Patrick is now endorsing a risky plan to issue billions of dollars in bonds to rebuild the state’s deteriorating infrastructure of roads and bridges, but his greatest failure thus far has been his inability to make good on his campaign promise to bring property tax relief. The bottom line is Patrick has thus far over-promised and under-delivered.