Deval Patrick

71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton. He is the state's first African American governor and the second African American to be elected governor of any US state.

“Why not you?” - 11/15/2011

Transcript

“Why not you?” I mean, one of the things that happens in our political environment is that we look to the– and this is not a dig on people who are in politics. But we tend to look to the existing politicians for our candidates. There are some fabulous candidates out there, but it's time we all step up. I appreciate, I look out and I see so many people who are involved in campaigns and so on, and so helpful, and I'm grateful. And some of you hadn't been involved before, and that's terrific.

I met a guy today in Washington who is from Springfield. He's about my age. He told me his mother has lived in Massachusetts for almost all of her 70-some-odd years and had never voted and wasn't registered. And the first time she ever registered to vote was in the primary in 2006, when I ran the first time, so she could cast a vote for me. And she put a lawn sign out as well. I love that. And I think the next challenge I want to people is, How about you? You're asking me the question, you go run. How do we help you build a grassroots movement? How do we help you offer that kind of leadership? How do we help you find your voice and say what you think you can contribute if that's the way you want to contribute.