(More) bizarre behavior from the governor.
Firing an early salvo in the 2010 gubernatorial race, Governor Deval L. Patrick predicted yesterday that his opponents in next year’s election would use “fear mongering’’ and seek to prey on voters’ apprehension about their economic security.Speaking with reporters at a year-end press briefing, Patrick said that with state and national economic conditions the way they are, his challengers will try to exploit the public’s concerns in trying to persuade voters not to reelect him.
“Fear is going to be used as a tool in this campaign,’’ Patrick said. “You watch it. I will.’’
Patrick and his supporters made a similar assertion during his 2006 campaign, but back then it meant something different. In that campaign, many in Patrick’s camp were incensed at how his Republican opponent, Kerry Healey, sought to raise doubts about what a Patrick administration would bring, particularly on crime.
Yesterday, Patrick declined to be more specific about what he meant. He did not name his rivals - Republicans Charles D. Baker and Christy Mihos and Independent Timothy P. Cahill - nor did he cite comments they had made to prompt his political forecast.
“Make a marker and then watch it as we go along. I promise you,’’ he told media gathered in his State House office. “People are afraid right now, the people I meet who are out of work, the people I meet who are in homeless shelters, the people I meet who are at soup kitchens. . . . They are afraid about the future; they’re worried about that.
“And there are going to be people, because fear is a classic political tool, who will be saying, ‘My goodness gracious, if we stay on this course, you have even more to be fearful of.’ ’’
When challenged to elaborate, Patrick did not point fingers, but said his opponents’ political views would be the basis for their rhetoric.
“These are good people,’’ Patrick said. “I don’t mean to personalize this to any of the challengers. They have very different views and visions of government and of the future. And I think part of what they are about is that sort of, ‘You’re on your own - every man and woman for him or herself.’ ’’
How will he respond?
“I’m going to keep my cool,’’ he said, adding that he wanted to be able to look himself in the mirror after the campaign. “Win or lose, I intend to have my integrity and values intact.’’
UPDATE: More from Matt Margolis and the Herald.
SECOND UPDATE: More from Bowdoin College and the Herald.
THIRD UPDATE: More from Red Mass Group.