Is Deval Patrick Misreading The Moment?

Also: How the GOP is using the Kavanaugh playbook for the impeachment hearings. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [View in Browser]( | [Donate [WBUR]]( [WBUR](  [WBUR]( November 17, 2019 Dear Cog reader, Well, it's official: Deval Patrick is running for president. In [announcing]( his 11th-hour candidacy this past week, the former Massachusetts governor becomes the 18th Democrat in the race. At a time of deep and widespread anger about corporate influence, is a former governor who left public service for a private equity firm the putative savior of the Democratic Party? I think not, [writes Cog columnist Eileen McNamara](. Neither is Cog contributor Alex Green particularly enthused. [He writes]( that Patrick and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is also considering a late bid, are more motivated to protect the comforts they receive from this democracy than the principles that uphold it. Tufts political science professor [Jeffrey M. Berry strikes]( a slightly more optimistic tone. If Patrick can place well in some early primaries, and if he continues to emphasize his integrity and character, Berry writes, that there could be a path to the nomination. Crazier things have happened, I suppose. What do you think? How did you respond to the news of Patrick's candidacy? Or, were you too consumed by the impeachment hearings to even register the announcement? Let us know. You can respond to this email, or find us on [Facebook]( or [Twitter](. — Frannie Carr Toth Co-editor, Cognoscenti newsletters@wbur.org Must Reads url[How Deval Patrick Is Misreading The Moment]( At a time of deep and widespread anger about corporate influence, a former governor who left public service for a private equity firm is the putative savior of the Democratic Party? I think not, writes Eileen McNamara.   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    [If You Liked The Birthers, You’ll Love Impeachment Opponents]( Those who haven’t been persuaded by the damning reports of Trump's behavior are impervious to persuasion, writes Rich Barlow.  Support the news [The GOP Wants To Use The Kavanaugh Playbook For Impeachment Hearings. Let’s Not Fall For It Again]( Democrats have to find a way to elevate fact over affect, writes Steve Almond, to keep the focus on the president’s blatant abuses of power, not the GOP noise machine. [Sean Spicer Can't Dance. But There's Something Honorable About His Terrible Fox Trot]( On the dance floor, Sean Spicer looked like Fred Flintstone with arthritis, writes Joanna Weiss. But there’s something about his quest for redemption that’s a pretty American two-step. [Deval Patrick Is A Long Shot. But He Does Have A Path To The White House]( Deval Patrick's persona -- his character, integrity, compassion and demeanor -- would play well in a contest against President Trump, writes Jeffrey M. Berry. But first he has to win the nomination. Bookmarks “We don’t believe that conditions in the United States today resemble those of 1850s America. But we worry that the ties that bind us are fraying at alarming speed—we are becoming contemptuous of each other in ways that are both dire and possibly irreversible.” (“[A Nation Coming Apart]( The Atlantic) “Welcome to Massachusetts, here’s your Charlie Card and your paperwork to get on the ballot in New Hampshire.” (“[Warren, Weld, Moulton, Now Patrick. Anybody Else From Mass. Want To Run For President?]( The Boston Globe) “November reminds us that the membrane between life and death is permeable, an endless back and forth that makes something of everything, no matter how small, no matter how temporary.” (“[Ode to a Dark Season]( The New York Times) From the Archives [Why I’m Breaking Up With You, Boston]( You're too expensive, you lack social skills and you're really segregated, writes Anya Weber. I’m ready for a change. What about you?       If you’d like to write for Cognoscenti, send your submission, pasted into your email and not as an attachment, to opinion@wbur.org. Please tell us in one line what the piece is about, and please tell us in one line who you are. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📨 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news [WBUR]( [WBUR]  [WBUR]( [95289b97-66e8-43d4-a174-3bc3520a79a9.png]( [Instagram](  [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Want to change how you receive these emails? [Stop getting this newsletter by updating your preferences.]( I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. [Unsubscribe from all newsletters.]( Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2019 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved. You signed up for this newsletter at wbur.org. Our mailing address is: WBUR-FM 890 Commonwealth AveBoston, MA 02215-1205 [Add us to your address book](