DENVER -- In a short lunchtime speech, MA Gov. Deval Patrick (D), a close political ally of Barack Obama , offered a critique of his own party, heralding the latest political era as one defined by the “declining significance of party.” “First of all, I’m a proud Democrat,” Patrick said. “But I am a frustrated Democrat and have been for a long time because we have until recently said little about why we should [govern].” Voters crave an understanding of the differences between the two major parties, he said. “As long as we have tried to blur that difference as a political strategy I believe it has hurt us,” Patrick said. “And I believe it has been a particular problem right now.” Adding, “I believe what people are looking for is visionary, positive leadership. Not the answer to every problem in everybody’s life.” Duval said voters also want political leaders who have the “ability to articulate the destination we should be headed as a country, and to galvanize people to that destination,” he said. “I think young people are particularly open to that.” “In our campaign in [Massachusetts], and in Barack Obama’s campaign nationally, what he has done, I believe, is invite people who have checked out to check back in,” he said. Although the participation of new voters in presidential politics is doing little to stop the campaign from becoming increasingly partisan and visceral, Patrick cited his home state as an example of the “declining ...
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DENVER -- In a short lunchtime speech, MA Gov. Deval Patrick (D), a close political ally of Barack Obama , offered a critique of his own party, heralding the latest political era as one defined by the “declining significance of party.” “First of all, I’m a proud Democrat,” Patrick said. “But I am a frustrated Democrat and have been for a long time because we have until recently said little about why we should [govern].” Voters crave an understanding of the differences between the two major parties, he said. “As long as we have tried to blur that difference as a political strategy I believe it has hurt us,” Patrick said. “And I believe it has been a particular problem right now.” Adding, “I believe what people are looking for is visionary, positive leadership. Not the answer to every problem in everybody’s life.” Duval said voters also want political leaders who have the “ability to articulate the destination we should be headed as a country, and to galvanize people to that destination,” he said. “I think young people are particularly open to that.” “In our campaign in [Massachusetts], and in Barack Obama’s campaign nationally, what he has done, I believe, is invite people who have checked out to check back in,” he said. Although the participation of new voters in presidential politics is doing little to stop the campaign from becoming increasingly partisan and visceral, Patrick cited his home state as an example of the “declining ...