Deval Patrick’s CNN interview keeps his hand in Democratic politics – By Jordan Graham (bostonherald.com) / Aug 5 2018
Mulling presidential run
Former Gov. Deval Patrick is continuing a series of high-profile appearances across the country ahead of the midterm elections and as he weighs whether to run for president in 2020 with a one-on-one interview on CNN this morning.
“You’ll probably end up seeing him do a few things like this,” said Doug Rubin, a longtime Patrick adviser. “He’s going to try to get active in 2018 in places where he can be helpful.”
Today, CNN will air a one-on-one interview with Patrick and Jake Tapper on the network’s flagship Sunday morning interview show, “State of the Union.” The interview marks just the latest in a series of moves to up Patrick’s profile and help Democrats hoping to win key elections in November.
Rubin said there are no secret motivations for Patrick’s appearances.
“All he’s focused on is his day job and the 2018 midterms,” Rubin said. “This is part of that effort to try to be helpful and talk about what he think needs to happen for the Democratic Party.”
Last month, Patrick flew to Texas to campaign for Colin Allred, a Democratic House candidate. He also gave a speech at the NAACP convention in San Antonio. Patrick also campaigned on behalf of Doug Jones during his successful bid to replace Jeff Sessions in the Senate. Earlier this year, Patrick gave the commencement address at Bentley University.
Rubin said Patrick is hoping to help spread a message that Democrats stand for more than just opposition to Donald Trump.
“The governor feels very strongly that the Democratic Party has to be about more than an anti-Trump message,” Rubin said. “There has to be a positive vision about what the Democratic Party can do for people.”
Still, Patrick has helped stoke the speculative fire of a possible presidential run. Earlier this year, he told a Kansas radio station running for the Democratic nomination is “on my radar screen,” and has reportedly told advisers he will make a decision on a possible campaign by the end of the year.
Erin O’Brien, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston, said appearances such as the one today allow Patrick to have some momentum and remain relevant to the public and party leadership if he does decide to run.
“These sort of moves allow him to keep doors open,” she said. “You keep all your options. I think he’s doing a very effective job.”
