The Deval Patrick Inaugural: A Netroots Celebration

Deval Patrick was inaugurated today as the second African-American and the first Netroots governor in American history.  The ceremony was very grassroots oriented and a first in many ways.  Here is my first hand account of the day, and why Deval's election is so significant for all of us.

The tradition in Massachusetts for hundreds of years has been for the Governor to be sworn-in inside the State House in front of a joint session of the General Court (our state legislature, the oldest continuously functioning elective body in the world I will have you know!).  It used to be strictly an insider's only affair not open to the public.  This of course would not do for a Netroots governor.  So today, for the first time in history, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was sworn-in in a public ceremony held outside the State House with thousands of people looking on.

I got there about 9:00 this morning and staked out a position about 50 feet away from the podium, which was set up at the bottom of the stairs in front of the State House.  The imposing gold dome of the Capitol was a fitting backdrop for the day's events.  The day began with a procession of the General Court, Governor's council, and state Constitutional officers down the steps of the Capitol to the dais.  The Senate President then opened an official session of the General Court, which was held outside right in front of us!  Then, Lt. Governor Tim Murray processed, followed by the man himself, Deval Patrick.  After some preliminary speeches and swearings-in, it was finally Deval's turn.  Deval's right hand was placed on the "Amistad Bible" which was held by his wife Diane Patrick (The Amistad was a slave ship whose "cargo" mutinied and sailed the ship to the USA.  John Quincy Adams argued successfully before the Supreme Court to allow the men of the Amistad to go free.  See the Steven Spielberg movie for the details).

Afterwards Deval gave about a 15 minute speech that was as rousing and thoughtful as his campaign stump speeches.  He linked the struggle of the men of the Amistad, who had been kidnapped from Africa, with the struggle of every man, woman, and child in the Commonwealth to build a better life.  He talked a little about policy, but mostly the message was his usual one of hope, change, and inclusion.  I had a lump in my throat during the whole speech, and had to wipe away tears several times.  The Senate President then asked for a motion to adjourn, and in the ensuing voice vote I couldn't help but yell, "Aye".  That may be the only time in my life I get to vote in the State Legislature.

Afterwards, again being true to his word as a man of the people, Deval and Lt. Governor Tim Murray formed a receiving line inside the State House.  For over two hours the citizens of the Commonwealth filed by (including me) to shake his hand and wish him well.  I stood in line for 2 hours to do this, but it was worth it!

I don't think enough Kossacks fully appreciate the significance of Deval's election.  He is a true progressive working with a legislature that is > 2/3 Democratic.  The road to implementing progressive reforms here in Massachusetts is wide open.  Massachusetts is going to be our progressive incubator, where we will find out if we can truly govern, and which of our policies do or do not work. The New York State of then governor Franklin D. Roosevelt served that purpose in the early 1930s.  He used what he learned there to heal the damage of 12 years of Republican rule.  I pray the lessons Deval will learn in Massachusetts will help us heal the damage from the most recent 12 years of Republican rule.

I am now off to the Inaugural Ball :-).