Deval Patrick essentially admits he's bored out of his mind.
Governor Deval Patrick traveled to New York City last week to shop a proposal for an autobiography among publishing houses, departing the state to pursue the book contract just hours before the House voted down his high-profile casino legislation on Beacon Hill.
Disclosure of the trip's purpose cleared up a mystery that has lingered since last Thursday, when Patrick aides said he had left Boston on unspecified "personal business" and repeatedly and firmly declined to discuss any details.
Patrick's proposed book would recount his dramatic rise from the streets of Chicago's South Side to the governor's office. Such a tale would draw comparisons to the immensely successful books written by his friend and political ally Barack Obama, whose "Dreams of My Father," and "The Audacity of Hope" have been long-time bestsellers.
Patrick's absence last Thursday raised eyebrows at the State House, where union members and a number of the governor's legislative allies on the casino issue remained throughout the day to follow through in their support of the bill.
Within hours after Patrick left Boston, the House, led by Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, crushed the casino proposal, by a 108-46 vote. In the heated run-up to the debate and final vote, a number of Democratic legislators sided with Patrick and defied DiMasi's strong lobbying.
Patrick's aides released a statement tonight, confirming the reasons behind the trip after it was reported by WBZ-TV and immediately pursued by other news outlets including the Globe. The Globe received independent confirmation of the trip by two people in the publishing industry.
Why do I get the sense that this will NOT sell as well as Obama's books? I think people would be better off spending their money on a much better political book, like, I don't know, say, Caucus of Corruption.
UPDATE: More from Michael Graham, Howie Carr, the Herald and Phoenix.
SECOND UPDATE: Gov. Patrick receives a $1.35 million book deal. If they market this book to African-American audiences, positioning Patrick as the Tyler Perry of American politics, perhaps the publishers can make their money back. Otherwise, this is throwing money down the toilet. More from Matt Margolis, Michael Graham, David Bernstein, Boston Magazine, the Herald and Red Mass Group.
THIRD UPDATE: More from the Globe and Herald.
