More bad news about MA Gubernatorial Candidate Deval Patrick

[TaleWgnDg]

.
"(Massachusetts Gubernatorial Candidate Deval) Patrick tied to company under fire
"Subsidiary's lending practices questioned
"by Frank Phillips, (Boston) Globe Staff | April 20, 2005

"Deval Patrick, who is vowing to fight for the underdog as he begins his run for the Democratic nomination for governor, last fall joined the board of directors of a large national mortgage company that has been criticized by state regulators and advocates for the poor for what they say are unfair lending practices aimed at low-income people and members of minority groups.

"The company, Ameriquest Capital Corp. of Orange County, Calif., acknowledged last month that authorities in 25 states were questioning the company about lending practices by its subsidiary, Ameriquest Mortgage. Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly's office said Massachusetts is one of those 25 states.

"The company also said it had settled a $50 million class action suit that charged it defrauded thousands of borrowers in four states.

"Ameriquest is a privately held holding company whose co-owner donated $5 million to a conservative political group that last fall produced ads that ridiculed Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry for switching positions. One ad showed him sailing back and forth on a windsurfer." (bold-faced type emphasis added by TaleWgnDg)

. . . more . . . http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/04/20/patrick_tied_to_company_under/

[Caution]

1. From my fiancee's best friend

quote
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Hope you are living splendidly : )
My mom sent me this press release. A very dear family friend is running for Govenor of Massachusettes so I hope you'll take a look at his site. I've Known this man since I was 16 years old, taught his kids Sunday school. XXXXX (personal info deleted). He lives on XXXXXX in Milton. If you want integrity and someone who genuinely cares about people - he's the guy. there's a link to his website at the bottom of the press release. This is a genuinely good human being - a novelty in politcs, huh? Anyway I encourage you to give him a gander. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Scroll down for the link.
Thanks.

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End quote

Somehow, I think I'll take the word of someone who has known Deval for nearly 20 years and who thinks the world of him over some vague notion that because he sits on the board of directors for a potentially shady company (and for what it's worth, sitting on a board of directors does not mean that you are involved in any way shape or form in the day to day business of the company). The fact that the co-owner of the company is a jerk doesn't make this guy one.

Right now he's got my vote onver the rest of the field based on the recommendation above over anything else. In the months ahead I'll be joining his campaign and hopefully getting to know the man a bit and I''ll be sure to let everyone know my impressions of him.

[TaleWgnDg]

7. I am curious about Deval Patrick . . .

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I am curious about Deval Patrick . . . I know him professionally. But neither I or the general public know about him regarding his stance on Massachusetts political issues. Other than Tom Reilly making political hay out of Patrick the other day regarding "no new taxes!" However, I toss that off as being Deval Patrick's political naiveté; thus, nothing serious. (See this DU thread.)

Patrick's gubernatorial website is void of any "issues" discussion as well. That was raised here at this DU thread.

In any event, my above Boston Globe referenced hyperlink URL was posted to inform DU voters about Deval Patrick. The Boston Globe is an excellent source of journalism.

My sole hesitation about Deval Patrick as a Democratic candidate for Massachusetts governor is that Patrick is an unknown to politics; thus, has not paid his political dues in the trenches of Massachusetts politics. Quite typically politicians in Massachusetts frown at someone not paying their dues. As such Patrick will have a hard time of it amongst the politicians in the Democratic Party.

I, however, intend to remain openminded as to whom I will vote. Thanks for your input. And I look forward to more from you.
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See also: http://edkra.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/14/21921/2255

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[woosh]

13. And Romney paid his MA dues?

[TaleWgnDg]

14. woosh, I strongly doubt that the MA GOP has another . . .

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woosh, I strongly doubt that the MA GOP has another . . . candidate such as Mittens who has "paid his dues" in the Republican Party, e.g., holding their rightwingnut banner of religion-into-law and their non-accomplishment of working diligently to bring "new corporations into Massachusetts" (Romney stated as such prior to being elected). Somehow or other I believe the GOP got what it deserves in this ill-speaking carpet-bagger from Utah.

I can think of no other GOPer, other than the now head of the Republican Log Cabin Club who is the former mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts and who ran w/ Jane Swift as her Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate. Can you? On second thought, will the Massachusetts GOP embrace a homosexual candidate for Governor? Now, there's a stretch away from Mittens! ROFLMAO

BTW, "paying one's dues" is political-speak for someone who has come up through the ranks, doing political grunt work, respecting the "rights" of party others along the way, and waiting patiently for their turn as a political candidate on up the political ladder of municipal and state offices. That's what political parties are all about. Tip O'Neil was on point when he said, "all politics is local!" However, once in a while, when the field lacks anyone of noteworthiness and eye-appeal, parties are known to jump to someone such as the lovely-coiffed Mitt Romney of Utah. But that seems to only occur whenever there is no one electable waiting his/her turn.

Welcome to DU, woosh.

[Caution]

16. Paid his dues? Like Barack Obama? Or Richard Morrison?

Being governor has nothing to do with paying one's dues. Being governor has everything to do with being on the side of the issues that best represents one's constituents.

Above and beyond this Patrick was a member of the Clinton administration so it's not as if he has zero political experience.

I'm not yet decided on Patrick yet (though I'll be visiting his campaign office later this week), but I certainly think that Reilly made more a fool of himself than of Patrick with his absurd claim of no new taxes. Anyone who lives in this state is well aware that this will never be the case with the next governor after the manner in which Romney has governed.

[Rockholm]

2. Gee, who are you, Tale? TomReilly?

You have yet to post one positve message regarding Deval Patrick. You may not like him, but you certainly like posting negatives re: Deval.

[paineinthearse]

4. Appears Reilly has been taking attack/negative campaign lessons

from KKKarl Rove.

I went to the state party meeting in Ayer last night. All the announced candidates for Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor plus Patrick were there. Our Consitiutional officers Reilly and Cahill were absent.

[TaleWgnDg]

15. I am not working for or volunteering for ANY Massachusetts . . .

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I am not working for or volunteering for ANY Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate for election in 2006. Nor have I given any campaign contributions to any candidate for election as governor of Massachusetts in 2006. I am not seeking employment or independent contractor jobs or payment of any kind from any candidate who may become governor of Massachusetts. Are you, paineinthearse, and have you, paineinthearse? It's been stated in another message board that you are.

With all due respect to you, paineinthearse, you seem so positively committed to Deval Patrick and so vehemently against other potential candidates, it would help us understand your position if you cleared the air by responding? For example, using your quotes: "KKKarl Rove . . . attacks . . . (by) Reilly" ???? Wha?

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"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever
may be our wishes . . . or the dictates
of our passion, they cannot alter the
state of facts and evidence." John Adams

***********************************




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edited to add: BTW, working for, volunteering for, or expecting a job or consulting work down the road from, a candidate seeking political office is okay. It's the way candidates get folks on their side . . . it's all quite normal and accepted. However, I merely want to know where paineinthearse's adamant adherence to Deval Patrick, at the disparagement of other Democratic candidates, lies. S'all.

.

[TaleWgnDg]

5. With all due respect, my DU posts contain information . . .

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With all due respect, Rockholm, my DU posts contain information. Information from reliable sources to inform DU voters. So that voters may know about the gubernatorial candidates. Particularly here where this candidate (Deval Patrick) is an unknown to Massachusetts voters. Nothing more, nothing less. I believe the Boston Globe is an excellent source of sound reasonable information. It's won many journalism awards due to such reporting. And the Boston Globe is willing to openly admit its wrongs when it does err.

BTW, no where have I stated any personal "dislike" for Deval Patrick nor preference for any of the gubernatorial candidates. The race has just begun and not all the candidates have entered as yet. I expect to have more announce other than these two, Patrick and Reilly.

Please do not attempt to construe anything into my posts other than what is expressly stated.



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edited to add: http://edkra.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/14/21921/2255

[Rockholm]

22. Yeah, information. Fox News contains information too.

It is the edited and slanted tone. I certainly am not trying to fight with you or piss you off. Just read your own headline.

[welshTerrier2]

3. poor paragraph selection

the DU 4 paragraph limit should not be an excuse to post a biased view of what the article contains ... allow me to add a few additional paragraphs:

In a statement to the Globe, Patrick said he joined the company's board to help Ameriquest deal with the allegations of predatory lending and to put in place policies that will protect low-income consumers. He denounced the anti-Kerry ads that Dawn Arnall helped finance as "pure trash." <skip>

Patrick, who grew up in a poor neighborhood in Chicago and attended Milton Academy and Harvard University, announced his candidacy for governor last week. He is the state's first significant African-American candidate to seek the governorship and has touted his work for civil rights causes and as the head of the US Justice Department's civil rights division under former president Bill Clinton.

In that job in 1996, Patrick persuaded Ameriquest to enter into a $4 million settlement with the Justice Department after the company faced charges that it and its affiliates engaged in discriminatory pricing practices. <skip>

[TaleWgnDg]

6. Am glad that you read the article . . . great!

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Am glad that you read the article . . . great! However, I shall play Devil's Advocate for a bit. What ELSE did you expect a person in such a situation to say? Any lawyer worth his/her salt would have a similar "defense" at the ready. And Patrick is a lawyer which is why I know him professionally. However, his "defense" may not remove any potential taint that may attach to him as inferred by the Boston Globe. In addition, Reilly may be in a situation that may not allow him to make any fertile comment if it's u/ investigation by his AG's office.

All that being said, does not mean anything negative or positive. Only a wait and see. Perhaps, the Boston Globe will be able to make future reports about this matter.

Further, merely because I quoted the first four paragraphs of a Boston Globe article does not, therefore, equate to a bias for or discrimination against the subject of the article, Deval Patrick! or any other candidate!

Again, I am posting information, from reliable news sources, about a candidate unknown to the voters, period. Typically, tis far better to glean information from reasonable journalistic sources in order to be an informed voter. An informed voter who may make up his/her OWN mind. Hopefully, other DUers will read and assimilate entire referenced hyperlinked URLs.



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edited to add: http://edkra.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/14/21921/2255

[welshTerrier2]

8. a non-denial denial ??

spoken like a very qualified attorney, TWD ... it's what we Watergate aficiondos call a non-denial denial ... your statement that quoting only the first four paragraphs does not "equate to a bias for or discrimination against the subject of the article" is certainly true ... but given other statements you've made on this subject, you MAY have a higher burden to establish your "journalistic integrity" ...

in another thread you wrote:

However, to run for governor? When his political "dues" haven't been paid? Political leap-frog in Massachusetts is, typically, suicide.

I doubt very strongly that Patrick has a chance of winning. So far the lead horse, un-announced, is Attorney General Tom Reilly. He's paid his political "dues."

sounds like you have a bias to me ... whether that bias, or preference if you prefer, manifests itself in what you posted about Patrick is left to your audience to assess ... such was the assessment I made ...

btw, regarding your point about dues paying, this theme just kills me ... it may or may not be true that a new guy has no chance ... but i find the idea that a citizen cannot aspire to (and perhaps win) any office more than tragic ... in fact, I thought the "insider bias" to run "one of their own" (i.e. a Party insider) against Romney was at least a part of O'Brien's problem ... I think voters are really sick and tired of insider politics ... oh, and of course, non-voters are too ...

this isn't to say we should automatically back outsiders or new guys ... but it does argue that we shouldn't allow the Party machinery to "stack the deck" ... and political types, e.g. DU'ers, should take no comfort in criticizing those without a deep political background and in relegating them to some lesser aspiration than the Governor's office ...

I am not on board with Patrick or anyone else yet ... but if the odor of another "annointing" wafts its way west out the Turnpike, sign me up for Plan B ... the Democratic Party, both nationally and within the State, needs a major infusion of democracy ... we should be making every argument we can to make this a fair fight in the primaries ... we should not be using language that creates "negatives" around those who seek to challenge the entrenched power ...

[paineinthearse]

9. we should be making every argument we can to make this a fair fight in the

I was speaking with a surburban city party committee member. There is strong "establishment" support that the nominee for constitutional office should not be chosen by registered democrats in a primary election, rather they should be annointed by a convention.

I wholeheartedly agree that the Massachusetts Democratic Party needs a massive infustion on small "d" democracy.

[TaleWgnDg]

12. paineinthearse, are you working for Deval Patrick as is reported . . .

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paineinthearse, are you working (or volunteering) for Deval Patrick for Governor as is reported . . . here in this message board (not to mention the numerous DU threads begun by you or commented positively by you on other's DU threads regarding Patrick's gubernatorial campaign):

http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t24241.html%3Cbr%20/t26205.html

[paineinthearse]

20. I am an unpaid volunteer, a town coordinator.

Thank you for being so alert and concerned.

[TaleWgnDg]

10. Attempts at reading b/t the lines . . .

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Your attempts at reading b/t the lines . . . is a dance of assumptions I refuse to partake. I find it unfortunate that you continue to do so.

1.) Again, a mere report of a Boston Globe newspaper article quoting its first four paragraphs does not equate to my bias for or discrimination against the subject of the article, Deval Patrick, despite your continued assumption of it being so.

2.) An assertion that a political party may favor a candidate who "has paid his dues" in state office over an outsider is, again, not a bias for, or discrimination against, any candidate.

3.) Merely because I stated "However, to run for governor? When (Deval Patrick's) political "dues" haven't been paid? Political leap-frog in Massachusetts is, typically, suicide. I doubt very strongly that Patrick has a chance of winning" does not then mean I am for or against Patrick.

4.) However, assertions that a candidate who is a present office holder should be ruled out because s/he has "entrenched power" as a politician is unreasonable, biased, and discriminatory, as well as works against those who aspire to, after serving diligently in office, attempt a higher political office. Similar is your assertion of "stack(ing) the deck" and "annointing (sic)."

It's hoped that you will forego reading between the lines and attempting to insert non-facts in other's postings. It's pointless. After all, welshTerrier2, particularly here where both of us, hopefully, look forward to a good, solid Democrat in the corner office on Beacon Hill whomever that may be.

Finally, my Dilbert humor is not saying that you are hallucinating, welshTerrier2; instead, it's my attempt at making light of these DU postings.

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[TaleWgnDg]

11. Some DU posts have raised questions about Patrick and Coca-Cola . . .

.

Some DU posts have raised questions about
Deval Patrick and Coca-Cola Company . . .
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=158&topic_id=3988&mesg_id=4004
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x3988#4005
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=158&topic_id=3988&mesg_id=4006
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=158&topic_id=2599&mesg_id=3827

Here's the online (EDGAR®) U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required SEC Form 8-K filings dated April 1, 2005 (and other April 2005 dates) regarding Deval Patrick's secret (non-disclosure) agreement, non-compete agreement, agreements not to sue, release, independent contractor (consulting) agreement with Coca-Cola, non-disparagement agreement, and multi-million dollar "special compensation" paid, and to be paid, plus "out-of-pocket expenses" incurred, to Deval Patrick by Coca-Cola for services from April 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005:

http://edgar.brand.edgar-online.com/EFX_dll/EDGARpro.dll?FetchFilingOrig1?SessionID=U6edIDYNNDgBP_f&ID=3594309

"EDGAR® is a federally registered trademark of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). EDGAR Online is not affiliated with or approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EDGAR Online is a product of EDGAR Online, Inc."

[Caution]

17. In big bold letters....I think you meant that a single DU poster has

repeatedly mentioned this. If you are going to use propaganda techniques to raise questions about Patrick, please don't be so transparent about it.

So basically Patrick did work for Coca-Cola, was well compensated, signed a non-disclosure agreement and was paid for expenses incurred. Sounds liek just about what happens when one works.

While I appreciate the info you have pointed out, your manner in doing it makes you appear to have a negative agenda when it comes to Patrick.

[TayTay]

18. Couple of Questions on Deval Patrick

My husband was telling me about the day he had yesterday at the Statehouse and he said Deval Patrick's name came up. (It was Mass School Committee Day on Beacon Hill. And a great chance to see old friends and ask about what's going on for next year.) Anyway, Tom Reilly's name came up and how he is somewhat lacking in the personality/excitablilty factor. Then we talked about his asinine baiting of Patrick over no new taxes. (Is he running as a Dem or a Rethug?) Then we heard that Reilly is pro-death penalty and Patrick is strongly anti.

Are these two latter things true? (Because the Reilly lack of personality is beyond reproach.) What is Patrick's position on taxes in MA, the idiotic repeal of the MA tax that Romney is still trying to push (even though we are so out of money we are taping into the Contingency funds for $360 million just to make ends meet.) Is Patrick willing to collect the corporate taxes that Romney won't. (Afraid to piss off Grover Norquist? Please.)

Anyway, I am undecided on who to support and it's still early. Is Patrick going to show up for the Issues Con? I assume his people will have a table, right? I'm just beginning to look around and I am looking for some answers. Thanks!

[paineinthearse]

19. Issues Con?

If you mean the platform convention, yes, he will be there. He will also be in Worcester next Tuesday evening. See his appearance schedule at www.devalpatrick.com

[TayTay]

21. Again, I have got to stop posting

when I am being interrupted. It is affecting my typing skills (LOL?)

Yes. I meant the gathering in Lowell in May, which will be my husband's 5th con, and my very first ever. I like the fact that Howard Dean will be speaking after Teddy Kennedy. That seems like it will be fun and interesting.

But I seriously want more info on Patrick. Can't make Worcester, so I will check other appearances and see if he is coming to the Lowell area. Thanks for the post.