Research Briefing

Obama Using Speech Selling His National Energy Tax At M.I.T. Today As Excuse To Help Failing Democrat Governor

CONTINUING HIS CAMPAIGN TOUR, OBAMA USES SPEECH ON NATIONAL ENERGY TAX AT M.I.T. AS EXCUSE TO HELP HIS FRIEND, GOV. PATRICK

Today, Obama Will Hold Fundraiser For Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) After Delivering Speech At M.I.T. To Promote His Cap-And-Trade Scheme. “President Barack Obama is scheduled to give a speech on clean energy at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology while in town for a fundraiser for Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.” (“Obama To Give Clean Energy Speech At MIT,” The Associated Press, 10/21/09)

After Rallying, Fundraising For Gov. Jon Corzine, Bill Owens, Sen. Chris Dodd And DNC This Week. “President Obama has three days of political travel next week. On Tuesday, he’ll be in Manhattan for fund-raisers for the DNC and Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate in the NY-23 special election, which could see a D takeover of the seat held by Rep. John McHugh (R), named secretary of the Army by Obama. The West Wing hopes an upset in that race will be seen as a TIE-BREAKER if the parties split the NJ and VA gubernatorial races. On Thursday, the president will headline a rally for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine at Fairleigh Dickinson University. On Friday, Obama will raise money for the reelection of Sen. Chris Dodd and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.” (Mike Allen, Politico Playbook, 10/16/09)

PATRICK TURNING TO OBAMA FOR HELP BECAUSE OF ABYSMAL POLL NUMBERS THANKS TO HIGHER TAXES, BUDGET CRISIS

In September, Only 29 Percent Said Patrick Deserved Re-Election. “In a Suffolk University/7 News poll last month, voters with a negative view of Mr. Patrick increased to 45 percent, compared to a 42 percent favorable rating, with only 29 percent saying he deserves re-election.” (John J. Monahan, “Obama Visit To Prime The Pump For Governor,” Worchester Telegram And Gazette, 10/22/09)

In August, Only 19 Percent Gave Patrick Positive Job Rating. “In a survey of 445 residents, taken last month and released this week, only 19 percent of respondents gave him a positive job rating, while 77 percent rated it fair or poor. One percent said he was doing an excellent job. Those numbers are significantly worse than last month’s Globe poll, which also found him to be struggling politically.” (Frank Phillips, “More Bad Poll Numbers For Patrick,” Boston Globe’s “Metro Desk“ Blog, 8/14/09)

Compared To July, Where Patrick’s Favorability Rating At Only 36 Percent, Down From 64 Percent Last December. “Patrick’s favorability rating has dropped sharply over the past seven months, with just 36 percent of respondents holding a favorable opinion of him, and 52 percent viewing him unfavorably. As recently as December, 64 percent of voters viewed him favorably.” (Frank Phillips and Matt Viser, “Patrick Support Plummets, Poll Finds,” Boston Globe, 7/26/09)

Patrick Unpopularity Result Of Major Tax Increase And “Historic Budget Crisis.” “Governor Deval Patrick, fresh off signing a major tax increase and still battling through a historic budget crisis, has seen a huge drop in his standing among Massachusetts voters and faces a tough road to a second term, according to a new Boston Globe poll.” (Frank Phillips and Matt Viser, “Patrick Support Plummets, Poll Finds,” Boston Globe, 7/26/09)

Patrick Angered Many Massachusetts Residents By Preserving Jobs For His Buddies While Laying Off Firefighters. “Fire officials are fuming that high-paid pals of Gov. Deval Patrick have kept their cushy Department of Conservation posts while the agency is axing more than half of the state’s 30 forest firefighters... The layoff of 17 forest firefighters will leave just one per county and means the state’s 42 fire towers - perches used to spot flare-ups - will go unmanned, officials said.” (Dave Wedge, “Firefighters Crying Foul Over Deval Patrick’s Budget Ax,” The Boston Herald, 10/21/09)