Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D-MA) stopped by Meet the Press over the weekend to discuss, among other things, the 2014 midterm elections, President Obama's roll in that historic defeat, the grand jury ruling in Ferguson, MO, and his own political future.
The following is what he said about running for president in 2016:
Outgoing Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has ruled out running for president in 2016, putting to rest speculation that an end to his gubernatorial career meant that he had his eye on the White House."I've thought about it, but no, I can't get ready for 2016," Patrick said on NBC's Meet The Press. "This is the first elected office I've held, and it has been two really challenging, fun term. But I didn't run for the job to get another job, just to do this job."
Remember, Patrick declined to run for re-election, a decision many presumed was a clear indication he was gearing up to run for president in 2016. Apparently, that's not the case. His decision not to run, however, had some rather interesting and far-ranging implications in his home state.
In one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races of 2014, Republican Charlie Baker narrowly edged Patrick’s heir apparent, Martha Coakley, in a stunning upset -- a GOP office seeker Patrick himself easily defeated in 2010 when he ran for re-election. This of course was a devastating blow to Massachusetts Democrats, who once again found themselves wondering what went wrong.
Nonetheless, as a two-term governor, Patrick would be an instantly credible -- and perhaps even formidable -- candidate if he took the plunge. His candidacy would also undercut the insufferable narrative that Hillary Clinton is the “inevitable” Democratic nominee, a development Patrick feels very strongly is turning off "regular voters":
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has also said publicly that she will not run. However, perhaps it’s too early to take either one of these Massachusetts-based candidates at their word.
With a wide open field, and plenty of time on their hands, the urge to go all-in may prove too irresistible to resist.