Deval Patrick may well be the gift to the Massachusetts Republican Party that just keeps giving.
You can't blame the legions of devoted Democratic followers who swept him into the Governor's office. After Republicans Bill Weld, Paul Cellucci, Jane Swift, and Mitt Romney, they were ready for a change even though nobody really knew very much about Deval Patrick.
As it turned out, that lack of knowledge turned out to be a major advantage for Patrick. Unlike his rivals, Patrick hadn't made any political enemies. He was a clean slate. Not only that, but he had a calming and soft-sounding rhetoric that gathered hungry Democrats around him likes bees to butter.
The Patrick administration, however, didn't start well. His boastful inauguration itself became a showcase of what was to come. Instead of a graceful transfer of power, Mitt Romney had to leave through the back door the night before.
The high expectations were quickly dashed though by a series of terrible personal decisions. Expensive new drapes for the governor's redecorated office at the cost of thousands of dollars went over badly with the general public. Wasn't this the same fellow who had campaigned as a fiscal conservative? Then came the choice of a gas-guzzling Cadillac for his transportation. Oh yes, and then there was the cost of a personal secretary for Mrs. Patrick? Beyond that, the infighting between a Democrat in the governor's office and the Democrats in the House and Senate gave clear evidence that we were all in for some rocky years. Observers were left to wonder when the power clashes would eventually subside.
It was enough to make the most loyal of Democrats yearn for the good old days when a Republican sat in the governor's office. Given the sad state of the state Republican Party, however, it looked like it would be a very long time before that would ever happen again. The best that Republicans could hope for was that Patrick's performance would be so bad that even Democrats would be glad to see him go.
So, when Treasurer Timothy Cahill announced his departure from the Democratic Party to take on Patrick as an Independent, it seemed like that was the best that Republicans might hope for.
Of course Republican Christy Mihos had already tossed his hat into the race, but that candidacy would be hard for the party stalwarts to swallow. Mihos won the hearts of the populace by fighting toll increases while serving on the Board of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, but party regulars still see him as an unpredictable radical. So there are still formidable fences for Mihos to mend.
Enter Charles D. Baker, Jr. and it's a completely new ball game for Republicans, not to mention long-suffering frustrated Democrats and independents. Baker owns the respect of political insiders on both sides of the aisle. He can also inspire confidence among business leaders. Conservative Republicans may not be thrilled at Baker's libertarian tendencies, but at least he is one who can be influenced by reason.
Patrick's camp quickly suggested that Baker and Cahill would split right wing voters and guarantee the governor a second term. That assumes a loyal following among the Democrats, however, and polls tell a different story. The electorate wants competency over party affiliation, and this time there are some decent alternatives.
Baker's entry into the race brings new hope to people who miss the legitimate balance of political power between the branches of government. As a Republican insider, Baker knows how government works. Nevertheless, there is a real difference between being an insider and being out front. Baker's adversaries will have to dig up whatever dirt they can find. Lacking that, they may have to just create some. That's not nice, but it's politics.
What's coming can be counted as a true test of how well Baker can cope with the mud that will surely be tossed at him.
Frank Mazzaglia can be reached at fmazzaglia@aol.com.
