Analysts chime in: Patrick’s town hall tour a good political move

Gov. Deval Patrick's (D-Milton) announcement on Wednesday that he will begin a five-week, 11-stop town hall tour across the state has been billed by his office as a way for the governor to tell the people of Massachusetts how he has worked to change the state government. Gov. Deval Patrick (D)

"It's a chance for him to highlight how he's worked and the administration has worked to make the government more accessible to the people of Massachusetts," said Rebecca Deusser, a spokeswoman for Patrick. "It's an effort to show people that their state government belongs to them. And it gives them a chance to talk directly to the governor about the issues that are most important to them."

But perhaps even more than being a simple give and take of ideas, the town hall series will likely benefit the governor politically, many analysts say. The town halls allow Patrick to brandish the populist brand of politics he developed during his 2006 campaign that resonated well with voters. And, with the unveiling of his new education package, Patrick's ability to drum up support for the reforms could be critical to its success.

"Patrick was elected as a populist, and as someone who had strong grassroots support from average folks across Massachusetts," said Michael Shea, a Boston Democratic strategist. "With these tours he gets to reach out personally to people, shine up his ‘man of the people' credentials, get some local press on what he's accomplished, and actually get some feedback from real people."

"I'm frankly amazed he hasn't done more of this, and use his organization to influence the legislature," Shea added.

Warren Tolman, the former state senator and current Democratic strategist, agreed and said Patrick's brand will help him "re-energize his base a little bit," he said. "When you're not in campaign mode, you're not with them as much as you'd like."

Analysts from the other side of the aisle have taken note of Patrick's strength connecting to voters in more intimate settings. "Gov. Patrick's strength has been his charisma and appeal to the grassroots," added Dan Winslow, a Boston Republican strategist and former chief legal counsel to then-Gov. Mitt Romney (R).

Winslow added that "it is a smart strategy to get the governor out of the statehouse where he has suffered many missteps and back to his strength in the cities and towns." Patrick has suffered a few political setbacks since taking office, most notably his thus far unsuccessful efforts to bring casinos to Massachusetts and his failure to follow through on his campaign promise to replace police officers with civilian flagmen at construction sites.

"Perhaps at these town halls, Gov. Patrick can explain why he has failed to accomplish the many promises candidate Patrick made," said Barney Keller, spokesman for the Massachusetts Republican Party. In particular, Keller added, property tax relief and cutting $735 million from the state budget are two promises on which Patrick hasn't taken action since being sworn in. These town halls, Keller said, are a political "gimmick."

If his campaign is any indication, Patrick may be ready and willing to tackle these tough questions, said Doug Hattaway, a Boston Democratic political strategist. Hattaway consulted on Patrick's 2006 campaign but no longer works for the governor. "Sure, he may get tough questions out there, but he can certainly handle that," he said.

Voters will respond positively to Patrick simply because he showed up, Hattaway said. "[The town halls] show he's willing to listen to other points of view, and I'm sure he'll really take them into consideration. I don't see any down side to getting out there and talking with constituents. The fact that he's listening is the whole point for most people."

Tolman also said that Patrick has recovered from those missteps and the town halls are "a good way for the governor to tell his growing list of significant accomplishments." In particular, Tolman said the signing of the Green Communities Act on Wednesday is a "huge accomplishment" and "a significant statement for Massachusetts." And, he added, as PolitickerMA.com reported Wednesday, Patrick's approval rating has been on the rise.

And perhaps most importantly for Patrick's political capital, the town hall series will provide Patrick a golden political opportunity to tell voters directly he isn't interested in leaving the governor's mansion for a post in a possible Barack Obama White House administration. Patrick's close relationship with and early endorsement of Obama have led many to speculate he is eyeing a position in Obama's cabinet. Patrick has stated he is not interested in any such position and plans to run for reelection in 2010.

"The town halls are a good way," Tolman said, "to dispel the notion that he's leaving."