Thursday, 4:30 PM
Patrick speaks to national audience on CNN
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
Governor Deval Patrick appeared before a national audience this afternoon on CNN and talked to anchor Don Lemon about being the second African-American governor since Reconstruction.
The eight-minute and 30-second spot offered a condensed version of Patrick life story, including pictures from his childhood growing up poor on the South Side of Chicago and snippets from last week's inaugural address. Lemon asked Patrick what his election and the advance of other black politicians said about tolerance in America.
"People are hungry for leadership," said Patrick, speaking before a backdrop of the Boston skyline. "They are willing to take a chance on leadership that lifts them up, that is more hopeful, that is about a positive vision of our future." For a politician who promotes that vision, Patrick said, "People will look past all kinds of differences."
Patrick's predecessor, Governor Mitt Romney, was criticized for playing too much to a national audience and pursuing his presidential ambitions. Romney, a Republican, filed paperwork to form a presidential campaign committee the day he left office.
On CNN, Lemon talked about the praise showered on Patrick from national politicians such as former President Bill Clinton and Senator Barack Obama, a Democrat from Illinois, and then asked about the high expectations. Patrick downplayed the accolades and said people should expect more from themselves and their politicians.
Lemon then asked about early criticism of the governor, including the cost of his inauguration and his decision to restore Romney's budget cuts despite a $1 billion shortfall.
Patrick gave the same answers he has to the Massachusetts media, that his inauguration was privately funded and designed to be inclusive, and that he carefully considered the budget before restoring the cuts.
One last question from Lemon: Casino gambling in Massachusetts?
"It's a tough one," Patrick said with a smile. "But what I've said is I will take my time and listen to both sides."
