MA Gov Poll: Patrick Faces Uphill Fight

A new survey conducted by Opinion Dynamics for MassInsight confirms that Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) faces a steep climb in his bid for re-election in 2012.

General Election Matchup (w/leaners)
Cahill (I) 27
Patrick (D) 25
Baker (R) 23
Don't Know 24

Cahill (I) 29
Patrick (D) 27
Mihos (R) 21
Don't Know 24

State Treasurer Tim Cahill has switched from Democrat to independent with most expecting he will run for governor. But without Cahill in the race, Patrick would then trail one potential Republican candidate, former Harvard Pilgrim CEO Charlie Baker, 42-36, with 22 percent undecided.

The poll also found that Patrick's approval rating is perilously low, with 19 percent giving him a positive rating compared to 77 percent who disapprove of his performance. The survey of 445 registered voters was conducted from July 31 to August 3.

You can expect this race to get a lot of attention because in 2006, Patrick in many ways tested the themes that were central to President Obama's 2008 campaign. Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, is an adviser to Patrick's re-election bid.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2009/08/ma_gov_poll_patrick_faces_uphi.html

although he is a democrat i for one perfer a government official that i respect and from what i have read about Patrick i cant say i respect the man. Stay classy Patrick with the misuse of public funds on draping your office with unnecessary luxuries. If for the greater good of the state we lose a democrat to an independent or a republican then all the better...it will WAKE UP the democrats into getting back to whatever it is they should be doing....oh right, helping their constituents.

Although i respect the democratic ideals i am growing frustrated by those who claim to be democrats who do nothing but stand their with a (D) beside their name. I respect republicans for their action but stand in disgust by their ideals. If things dont change for the better for America by years end (healthcare reform is critical) then my respect for Congress is completely lost and so will be my dreams for a true America.

In the early months of Patrick's administration, a series of decisions the governor later conceded as missteps brought substantial unfavorable press. These included spending almost $11,000 on drapery for the governor's state house suite, changing the state's customary car lease from a Ford Crown Victoria to a Cadillac, and hiring a staff assistant (who had previously helped chair his election campaign) for the Commonwealth's first lady at an annual salary of almost $75,000. Emerging from a weekend of working on the state's budget and calling for cuts in services to taxpayers, Patrick responded in a February 20, 2007 press conference that "I realize I cannot in good conscience ask the agencies to make those choices without being willing to make them myself" Patrick subsequently reimbursed the Commonwealth for the cost of the drapery and furniture purchased for the state house, and the additional monthly difference in his car lease. First Lady Diane Patrick's staff assistant, Amy Gorin, resigned.

Later in the same month Patrick again came under fire, this time for contacting Citigroup Executive Committee chair, and former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin on behalf of the financially beleaguered mortgage company Ameriquest, a subsidiary of ACC Capital Holdings of which Patrick is a former board member. Both Citigroup and ACC Capital Holdings have substantial holdings in Massachusetts. Patrick attempted to deflect criticism claiming he was calling not as governor but as a private citizen. Later Patrick backed down, stating "I appreciate that I should not have made the call. I regret the mistake."

In December 2008, Patrick faced criticism from Massachusetts Republicans for the hiring of attorney and real estate consultant Dana Harrell to the newly created position of state Director of Real Estate Services. Harrell is a neighbor of Deval Patrick in Milton, and he and his wife have contributed to the governor's election campaign and to the Democratic State Committee. The appointment to the $120,000-per-year position came at a time when the state faced a $1.4 billion revenue shortfall which may cause Patrick to layoff 1,000 state workers and cut state aid to towns and cities.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deval_Patrick


Sounds like Patrick was acting greedy and uncaring at times. I would be okay with an independent winning the election there but not a Rethug. I live nearby in CT and we have a Repub gov though she is a moderate. She is not controversial but is trying to make cuts in the state budget I don't like. Either way, many incumbent governors face tough races due to the economy.

"greedy and uncaring? WTF

He made some rookie governor mistakes, a few bad appointments/hirings. BUT NOTHING MAJOR. fer chrissakes that crap kills me.

his major problem is the increase in the sales tax has people soured on him - in my neighborhood anyway.

One thing for goddamn sure is he is NOT 'UNCARING AND GREEDY'

:nuke:

most anticipating Christy M's campaign
I hope he hasn't lost any of that charm lol

Nobody knows who Mihos is except for Cape Codders, and Baker has his fingers all over the Big Dig mess as part of Romney's team.

Everything is wide open.

Lots of promises, lots of hopes, lots of "Together we can" all turned into a great big nothing. The kicker for me was that while the legislature was voting on the casino bill which was supposedly important to him, he was off in NYC pitching a book deal. Perhaps someday in Mass we will get some politicians who actually care about the state and see it as something other then a step-stool towards what they really want. Personally I am pretty disillusioned with all of them. The only people getting my assistance next election are outspoken progressives. Period.