Chabot: Deval Patrick faces blowback for Bain work
U.S. Rep Jim McGovern, a stalwart progressive who endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren for president, fiercely defended former Gov. Deval Patrick amid far-left whispers that the 2020 newcomer is tainted by close corporate ties.
The two-term governor has faced heated criticism about his work with investment firm Bain Capital and mortgage lenders AmeriQuest since his last-minute entrance into the crowded Democratic presidential primary last week.
“I think that it’s unfair because that’s just not who he is,” said McGovern (D-Worcester), who was an early Patrick supporter when the political newcomer ran for governor in 2006. “Anybody who knows Deval shouldn’t question his integrity and commitment to the values of the Democratic party. No matter what job he’s in, he’s trying to help working class people.”
Patrick’s eleventh-hour entrance into the Democratic primary sparked a vicious intra-party tussle as loyal liberals worry Patrick will siphon off votes for Warren and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in New Hampshire. Patrick, once hailed as a far-left, grassroots agent of reform on Beacon Hill, now faces sharp questions from progressives regarding his work for corporations like Texaco and Coca Cola.
Warren even joined critics — suggesting last week that Patrick and potential contender Michael Bloomberg might have too-close-for-comfort relationships to their mega-buck pals.
“I’ve noticed that billionaires go on TV and cry. Other billionaires encourage their billionaire buddies to jump into the race. I believe that what our election should be about is grassroots,” said Warren, who began selling a “Billionaire Tears” mug this weekend.
McGovern pushed back on some of the characterizations Tuesday.
“Look, I’m out there campaigning as hard as I can to help get Elizabeth elected,” said McGovern. “But anybody who suggests that Deval is a sellout is just wrong. He certainly didn’t lose his soul to corporations and he’s still committed to progressive values that I hold near and dear to my heart.”
Massachusetts Sen Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) also said he’s been confused by the focus on Patrick’s corporate ties.
“Some members of the Democratic Party seem to be cherry-picking his past,” said Eldridge. “He campaigned on support of gay marriage and clean energy. I certainly saw him as a progressive governor.”
Patrick, who faces an uphill battle in the crowded primary field, dismissed questions about the issue during campaign stops in Iowa Monday.
“I for one am tired of the caricaturing we do of each other. We do it to companies, we do it to people,” Patrick said. He’ll be campaigning in South Carolina today.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/332hSij
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