So, what is Gov. Patrick up to?
Just because Governor Deval Patrick is home sick today doesn't mean the political rumor mill is taking the day, too. The political gossip du jour is that the governor may become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee — that is if the current chairman, former Virgina Governor Tim Kaine leaves the post to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jim Webb. Why else is Patrick "suddenly all over the map?" asks the National Journal.
Patrick has previously been mentioned as a short-lister for several Cabinet positions, including attorney general, Journal writer Kali Schumitz notes. But the DNC chairmanship, Schumitz adds, is "a more immediate position" in which "Patrick might be interested":
The next DNC chairman serves at Obama's pleasure, and that person could play a key role in Obama's 2012 re-election bid. After rewarding one key ally in Kaine, Obama might follow the pattern and bring on another long-time ally.
One important note: If Patrick did happen to become the next DNC chairmen, he wouldn't be required to relinquish his job as governor.
The governor has not yet commented on the speculation, but Twitter users have responded by coming up with their own far-fetched answers to the question, "What's Deval Patrick up to?" under the hashtag #devalrumors. Some of the best ones so far:
@afertig: Hiking the Appalachian Trail, but actually hiking. Not the other thing.@Amy_Goodrich: Back working for Coke to sue whomever revealed the secret recipe
@seanroche: Mayor of Newton when [current Mayor Setti Warren] moves on to bigger things
@JHKleschinsky: He's busy filming "Deval Patrick's Massachusetts." for TLC. Show airs this fall,
Globe file photo: Governor Deval Patrick at a press conference last month.
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