EaBo's post on BlueMassGroup about Deval Patrick's approval numbers had me so worried that this is how I spent my evening (and, yes, I'm a nostalgic dork!).
Look, Governor Patrick has some lousy approval ratings - for now. These things fluctuate. The Governor had a bad few months, pushing for policy that was anathema to many of the people who got him elected. He lost that fight and it's time to move on - even he realizes it.
Since then, we've seen plenty of outreach and a back-to-the-basics attitude. Subsequently, there's been a great bond bill, a life sciences bill and soon to be a renewable energy bill passed on Beacon Hill, all of them pretty good and all of them done within the last 30-40 days. We even witnessed a solid first effort on closing the corporate tax loopholes, though there's clearly some kinks that need to be worked out by the Senate, after some last-minute maneuvering by a particular Representative who ought to know better (come on, Representative Bosley, don't ruin your positive karma for leading the charge in the casino battle).
Will the Governor's work and back-to-the-basics outreach with the citizens who got him elected show up in the polls yet? No. Grassroot efforts take some time. If, at the end of the summer, the Governor's approval ratings are closer to 40 than they are 50, then there may be something to worry about. But, given the recent success on Beacon Hill and if the Governor keeps reaching out to his constituents, listening and acting on their behalf, then there won't be a problem. People don't say "polling is just a snapshot in time" for nothing.
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4 comments:
Ryan,
One of the downsides of the blogosphere is conservatives with an axe to grind and too much spare time are way over-represented.
EaBo is a xenophobic Republican hack who's been ranting about Deval since before he took office. ANYTHING he says should be taken with a large grain of salt. Same with his source (Jon Keller).
Never forget: EaBo and PP are not opinion leaders; they just post a lot.
I figure idealistic left-wing students who have a lot more free time than us working folk are over represented in the blog world. You say tomato, I say tomato.
Anon2:24,
Excellent point. Please change "conservatives" in my first sentence to "loud mouth idiots."
The posters at RMG, for example, are mostly 1) Republican officials (some with state jobs), 2) know it all students, 3) Retirees. All of them seem to post 24x7.
BMG has a similar infestation of over-posters.
It's hard to keep up with conversations as a working stiff.
BTW, I recognize several of both groups as perennial Globe letter to the editor writers. At least the Globe edited them.
This is the only blog I go to, generally I disagree with everything here, but the tone is generally pleasant. I don't have the internet at home. It's interesting to see points of view from the other side.
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