Rasmussen Reports, in their latest Massachusetts survey, found that Governor Patrick continues a serious slide in the polls. It is reflective of the Suffolk poll that had similar results a couple of months back. Some of the notable findings from Rasmussen:
Sixty-five percent (65%) now disapprove of Patrick’s job performance, including 39% who Strongly Disapprove.
Tough number for the Governor. It is not too late to get that reversed, but the economic problems besetting the Commonwealth make a political comeback a little bit harder.
Just 33% of Massachusetts voters say they are at least somewhat likely to vote for the Democratic incumbent if he seeks reelection in 2010.
That number speaks for itself. And Rasmussen adds a little insult to the survey:
Forty-nine percent (49%) say Patrick’s Republican predecessor, Mitt Romney, did a better job as governor, while 32% say Patrick is the better of the two.
Romney outpolling the Governor? Talk about kicking a guy when he is down. The Sunday Tribune did a story penned by Ken Johnson and Taylor Armerding. The story has comments from several observors, myself included. It reviews some of the clear mistakes made by the Governor that have caused his sinking numbers, with commentary from both sides of the aisle. There is no question that the Governor has been dealt a terrible hand by the gross mismanagement that preceded him. And there is no doubt that he has made some key political errors. But the Governor has told the truth about the fiscal situation, and has made the choice to try to avoid kicking the can down the road further. I do not agree with all of his prescriptions, but he has been quite honest about what ails us. And maybe, as Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini, points out, the public is not quite ready for that type of conversation. It is still to early to write him off, in my opinion, but a turnaround must happen relatively soon if he is to reverse his political fortune.
Read the Tribune story here.
Bill Manzi.com 
Your Honor,
I left a commentary on this matter on the next entry. I did not think you would enter it here.
No mater what happened before he ran on real estate tax breaks (I knew he had no intention of providing one), and knew all about the problems at hand. Between you and I, I wonder if he is a capable manager. His history indicates good legal skills. Got voted in on hype. “Yes we can”. But, “No he can’t”.
I liked your part in the piece. In the end you gave him “maybe we can”.
Loved the Romney reference. Apparently, the public does not share your attitude toward Romney.
Jules
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Mr. Mayor:
I disagree with Jim Fiorentini: the public is always ready, but they need to hear more than a mantra, less handwaving around hard numbers. Our Senator was infinitely quoted on transportation reform saving 6.5B over 20 years, the Senate president said closer to 2.5B. You could throw a bus through that kind of credibility gap. Neither seem to know how many jobs and what kinds of jobs will have to be cut to achieve their numbers. I’m beginning to suspect none at all. It’s the magic of “future efficiencies”!
I think the public is also saying that this is a bad time to raise taxes when they have no real sense that the promised efficiencies haven’t been addressed. They would say this if times were good and we weren’t in deep recession and most people’s jobs still not safe. Gas taxes from 25 to 19 to 10 cents: spin the wheel, pick a number. Are we playing Lotto?
It’s not that they’re talking too much: they’re talking too little, not to each other, and not to us. Or, perhaps, all they’re doing is talking. And not acting.
Reform is going to mean job cuts, pension cuts, medical savings. It’s going to hurt, yes, but get on with the program!
One thing public officials should never do is take the public for granted.
-FM
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