Democratic State Convention—III

Now Marty Meehan, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, welcomes everyone.  Talks about the University.  Notes that Massachusetts is an innovation based economy and that the University is leading in developing that innovation and over the long run 66% of graduates remain in Massachusetts.

This year 34% of the students were the first in their family to graduate from college.  We need to make sure we sustain this.

Now it is Lt Gov Tim Murray's chance to talk.  He gets lots of applause.  Reflects on the fact that Massachusetts rolled back the red tide of revolution (although he did not use that term).  The purpose of our politics is to reflect our values and to honor the brave men and women in uniform, to provide good schools and to leave this commonwealth a little better off than before.

Now he honors the folks who were active, in the various way in pushing issues and candidates, by having folks stand up for the activities.  Now the pitch to reelect Barack Obama and to replace the current US Senator.  The 2012 campaign is here, now.

Now the introduction of Governor Deval Patrick.  Standing ovation.  Reflecting back to 2005 and the Convention in this arena and addressing this Party and saying "Yes We Can".  We have weathered the economic storm better than most, our students are top in the nation and more folks have health care.  Thank you to the teachers and state employees and health care workers and then on to other workers.

We are on the right track, a track to a better tomorrow.  The Republican track is very different.  The Bush Administration gave us the largest increase in government in our history and the largest run-up of debt.  National Republicans have abandoned any sense of balance.  We Democrats need to be better than that.  We need to be clear what we are for.  I am proud to be a Democrat.  So, the bigger question is "What do we believe"—"equality, opportunity and fair play".  We believe in opportunity for all and not just for the rich.  In crisis turn to each other and not on each other.

If we want to win in 2012, recapture our second senate state and keep Barack Obama in the White House, it is time for Democrats to grow a backbone and stand up for what we believe.

Re education he notes that the best indicator of a good education is a good teacher, which Democrats believe.

Republicans are against Unions and we are for having Labor at the table to make Government smarter.

Not of our decisions have been right, but the times are not about making people comfortable, but about standing up for our core convictions.

The American Dream is up for grabs.  The very notion that has made us the envy of the world.  As an American and a member of this Commonwealth I am not yet satisfied.  We need jobs and peaceful neighborhoods, and thus we need more equity in tax policy and tranquility on the streets.  Now is no time to be satisfied.  There are real people to be satisfied.

Politics is not like the weather.  In politics we shape our own future.  It is what we must do together in 2012.  We need to reach down deep to understand what we stand for.

Uses the example of the tornado survivors, surrounded by their neighbors—community.  In campaigns what undergirds all is what kind of community we are trying to build.  We need to keep returning to our values.  In 2012 we will win because we deserve to win and we will then build the loving community we need to.

This time around the sound seems a lot better.

Regards  —  Cliff