Off to Vote for "Obaba"

Future Democrat driving to the polls in a zero-emissions vehicle.

Profile of Patrick/Obama Media Consultant

Christopher Hayes has an article on AlterNet about Senator Barack Obama's political advisor, David Axelrod, who was also Governor Deval Patrick's media consultant in his campaign. I've always thought that comparisons between Obama and Patrick were superficial, but there's no denying the similarities between their messages.

Given his rhetorical skills, Harvard Law pedigree, up-by-the-bootstraps bio and, well, his race, it is hard not to compare recently elected Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to his friend Barack Obama. Both men entered crowded primaries in which they were definitively not favored. They both inspired a kind of personal pride among supporters that is rare in politics. On the evening of Obama's convincing primary victory, the crowd and the candidate joined in chanting, "Yes We Can!" and if you listen closely to video of Patrick rallies, you'll hear the crowd chanting the very same thing. When Patrick looked into the camera in one ad and said the state's problem wasn't a "deficit of dollars but a deficit of leadership," it was hard not to hear echoes of Obama's oft-used line that the country's biggest problem isn't a budget deficit but an "empathy deficit." And in Patrick's most effective ad, he stands on a stage delivering an impassioned speech to a crescendo of applause as Obama sits on a stool just behind him, nodding approvingly, his head perfectly framed in the shot.

Which brings us to something else the two men share: David Axelrod, the 51-year-old reporter turned media consultant who was the key media strategist for both men's campaigns. He's the one who wrote those ads, framed that shot and came up with the "Yes We Can" tag line. "I don't bring these messages to candidates," Axelrod says when I point out the similarities. "I look for candidates who exemplify and reflect those messages." In the cases of Obama and Patrick, he says, the work is a collaboration. "They take and improve on what you bring them; they deliver it well because they believe in it. It's like riffing with great musicians."

The rest of the article focuses on Axelrod's coming of age as a consultant in Chicago, and it's worth reading.

Patrick Rally With Barack Obama Tonight

Tonight is the big pre-convention rally/fundraiser at the Hynes Convention center for Deval Patrick with special guest Senator Barack Obama (D-IL). It should be a great event, and I'm really looking forward to hearing both of these dynamic speakers one after the other. I'm sure there are a lot of people in Boston who were at the '04 DNC and heard Obama's keynote live. I watched it on TV, but both my wife and I were blown away. I hope the Senator's return to Boston is just as memorable.

Adrian Walker mentions the event today in his column. Here's what Patrick himself is saying about it:

"He represents the future of not just the Democratic Party, but of enlightened American leadership," Patrick said of Obama. "He's a thoughtful, serious person who's looking to be a problem solver, not just a partisan." He pauses. "Also, he's a rock star, and we can raise a lot of money."

The rest of that column is well worth reading and the beginning of a discussion of why some are reluctant to discuss race in the context of Patrick's candidacy.

If you'd like to go to the rally, you can get a your ticket on the 3rd floor of the Hynes Convention Center today between noon and the event start. The cost is $50 a ticket. They'll take checks or credit cards, but not cash. Doors open at 6:00PM.

Obama and Patrick

Throughout his campaign, Deval Patrick has been compared to Illinois Senator Barack Obama. I always thought those comparisons were easy given that they are both African-American, Harvard lawyers and electrifying speakers, but ultimately superficial.

Well, today, Senator Obama gave the keynote address at the Harvard Law School Celebration of Black Alumni, where he received the Harvard Law School Association Award. Before breaking into the meat of his speech which focused on the Hurricane Katrina aftermath and the "Empathy Deficit" in government, Obama made the comparison himself. I don't have the exact quote, but the Senator recalled that in his own primary, many people thought he was the best candidate, and would be the best Senator, but doubted his ability to win a contested primary against several other popular figures. He then mentioned that there was someone there that a lot of people thought would make the best governor, and pointed Deval Patrick out to the crowded room. With that endorsement, I have to imagine that Patrick had a pretty good fundraising weekend.

Update: The Boston Globe has more information on the speech.

Update Update: The address can be viewed in full online here. Realplayer is required, of course.