Deval Patrick says 'maybe' to a Pres. run

[Mister Mets]

That's surprising. His electoral record as Governor is pretty weak. And his wife suffered such severe depression that he considered quitting.

He has a background that could be strong in a primary: An African-American civil rights attorney from the big state next to New Hampshire. So I would love it if he ran.

[Mister Mets]

That's surprising. His electoral record as Governor is pretty weak. And his wife suffered such severe depression that he considered quitting.

Very true: 20% in '06 with a strong Independent candidate, 6% in '10 with an even stronger Independent candidate. Very weak for a Democrat in Massachusetts.

I doubt that would relay on the national stage though, his demographics make up for his electoral shortfalls.

Governorships are a bit different than Senate elections, and Patrick faced two fairly well-funded and known Republican opponents. After all, Republicans held the Governorship for 16 years before Patrick, so they had a pretty good holding.

He got less than 50 percent running for reelection in one of the most liberal states in the country, beating his Republican opponent by six points.

If a Republican had a similar record in Tennessee I'd be worried about his prospects as a presidential contender.

[Mister Mets]

That's surprising. His electoral record as Governor is pretty weak. And his wife suffered such severe depression that he considered quitting.

Very true: 20% in '06 with a strong Independent candidate, 6% in '10 with an even stronger Independent candidate. Very weak for a Democrat in Massachusetts.

I doubt that would relay on the national stage though, his demographics make up for his electoral shortfalls.

Governorships are a bit different than Senate elections, and Patrick faced two fairly well-funded and known Republican opponents. After all, Republicans held the Governorship for 16 years before Patrick, so they had a pretty good holding.

He got less than 50 percent running for reelection in one of the most liberal states in the country, beating his Republican opponent by six points.

If a Republican had a similar record in Tennessee I'd be worried about his prospects as a presidential contender.

In 2010. Voters don't care about this sort of thing.

It's not going to change the minds of any voter. The main problem is what it suggests about his political talents.