Obama campaign manager David Plouffe has signed on as a consultant for Massachusetts Gov., and Obama pal, Deval Patrick’s (D) reelection campaign.
The Boston Globe’s Matt Viser reports that Plouffe will handle media strategy and messaging.
Plouffe and Obama senior advisor David Axelrod worked on Patrick’s 2006 campaign, which had a strikingly similar campaign message as Obama’s presidential campaign (Patrick: “Together We Can,” Obama: “Yes We Can”). The campaign, at least in some ways, served as a testing ground for the themes and techniques the Obama campaign used last year.
Obama and Patrick are reportedly close and share a similar background. Both have ties to Chicago and both have Harvard Law degrees. Patrick was also quick to endorse Obama last year before Hillary Clinton went on to trounce Obama by 15 points in the Massachusetts Democratic Primary.
Patrick was also rumored to be in the running for several positions in the Obama administration, including attorney general. His name again popped up as a possible Supreme Court nominee.
By most standards, Patrick could have a difficult reelection campaign. His poll numbers are in the tank and he appears to be taking the brunt of the blame for the Bay State’s budget woes.
One big thing Patrick has going for him is no big name challenger has emerged. State treasurer Timothy Cahill (D) continues to say he is considering running either as an independent or against Patrick in the Democratic primary. Only Christy Mihos, who failed as an independent candidate in 2006, has said he is running as a Republican next year. The Globe also notes that Mihos has hired Dick Morris to consult on his campaign.
The Massachusetts GOP, however, is waiting on whether Charlie Baker, a healthcare CEO and former aide in previous Massachusetts Republican administrations, will run. Baker has said he is considering it and appears to taking steps toward the race.