Some Reactions

Here's what people are saying around the Boston media and the Internet about Deval Patrick's announcement that he's running for governor:

Blue Mass Group reports from Patrick's first post-announcement speech in Lexington yesterday.

I was impressed. I've been saying for a long time that we cannot just hand this nomination to Tom Reilly (or to anyone else, for that matter) - the nomination must be earned. That's exactly what Patrick is saying, and it's what he hopes to do. I have also said before that an "outsider" challenger like Patrick will be good for the process, good for the party, and good for whichever candidate ends up winning the nomination.

The Boston Herald editorial board welcomes Patrick into the race, presumably because this way they actually have a race to cover. Of course, they can't resist taking a swipe at state Democrats:

In this bluest of states, Republicans have controlled the Corner Office since 1990. Maybe contrarian Massachusetts voters just love divided government. Or maybe no Democrat has come up with a compelling message or a campaign that inspires. Now there's the challenge.

The Chimes at Midnight complains about Scot Lehigh's op/ed in the Globe:

Lehigh is advising Deval Patrick to look act and sound just like that ace parachutist from Utah, Mitt Romney. That would be the same Governor who is the the author & proud producer of the Commonwealth's current state of psychic humiliation and public stagnation.

Massachusetts Global Action, in a press release complains that Deval Patrick has too much "baggage" as a Coke executive. Though, to be fair, their complaints are more about the Coca-Cola company than Patrick himself.

“With his recent $2.1 million cash infusion from Coca-Cola and confidentiality agreement, we’re worried that he cannot have anything but serious conflicts of interests when it comes to water issues, labor rights, and the health of our kids.”

Attorney General and undeclared Democratic candidate Tom Reilly was quoted as welcoming Patrick's candidacy:

"I believe in competition," [Reilly] said. "Competition is good. It brings out the best in all of us."
Reilly said that he's concentrating for now on his job as the state's top law enforcement officer. But he all but declared his candidacy on the spot, saying "I made my decision -- I made it a long time ago, and I think everyone knows what it is."
"It's very early in this process, and there's a ways to go. I think folks know that when the time comes, I'll be ready for this race. I have a job, and right now I'm focused on that job," he said.

Some folks at The Daily Kos have noticed Patrick's candidacy and sparked a discussion on his merits relative to Reilly.

Left Center Left notices a striking similarity between Patrick's campaign slogan "Believe Again" and the slogan of a certain world-series champion.

Devone Tucker thinks that Patrick's sunk before he even begins after saying he's against "needless" taxes, rather than "new" taxes.