so I can sit in my big arsled tricked out caddy.

It just looks bad regardless of whether it is or not. Let us see the list that they could choose then we can decide if that's the same choice we would make for our family if we were in the same financial position as the state.

What's Next? Escalades for all of the State Park Department vehicles?

it would seriously send a message if he would ride around in the same car the previous governors rode in, rather than a luxury car with heated seats. his rational (sp) for riding in a caddy is that the crown vic had not heat. that is very hard to believe. and as far as romney, like him or nor, he made his own fortune. bain capital was his company. patrick is as rich as, if not richer, than romney. i guess a crown victoria is below his standards. also, i loved how he blamed the stated police when questioned on his new car.

can anyone defend his paying 72k to have someone arrange his wife's schedule? i dont think people are beating down the door to hear Mrs Patrick speak.

"I took a lot of counsel from the state police, and when I consider the balance and the range of decisions I have to make, this is not one I would spend too much time on."

he contradicted himself quite nicely. he also stated that they dont make crown vics anymore. that is akin to saying they dont make honda accords anymore. either he is lying, or incredibly out of touch.

Screw what the State Police want. The Governor should set a good example by using a fuel-efficient car.

1. From the Globe --

Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said Romney also used sport utility vehicles in special situations.

"Depending on the circumstance, both Deval Patrick and Mitt Romney have access through the State Police to special-use vehicles, such as large capacity SUVs," Fehrnstrom said. "But those are not their regular autos, and they are used infrequently."

2. Why are you comparing him to Romney? Stop diverting from the real issue. He's the head of the government. If he had told the state police to keep looking, they would have.

He told every one of his departments to cut 5 to 10 per cent of their budget. The he proceeds to increase his costs. $200 a month is $200 a month. Also a $500 one time cost to fix the heater is a heck of a lot cheaper than $1166 a month. Driving that Crown Vic until it fell apart going up the Hill to the State House would have sent a message that he's serious about getting the finances under control.

Heck, just commandeer the SUV that Romney supposdely used on special occassions. That vehicle should still be around.

And above all, stop leasing these vehicles. Someone is laughing all the way to the bank. I wonder who has these vehicle contracts?

If your family was spending more than it made and needed a new vehicle, what would you do? Even with limited choices, the sane answer is keep the costs as low as possible.

Are they kidding? From the Globe's article today, February 21:

Aides declined to permit a Globe photographer to photograph the new furniture or the draperies, hung at the enormous windows overlooking Boston Common.

...

The governor's aides declined to provide a breakdown of the costs of the furniture. An administration source who asked not to be named confirmed that the drapes cost $10,000.

Now, I feel like stories are being spun to fit the moment:

In his statement, Patrick said he replaced items that Romney had personally owned and taken with him when he left office. But Romney left behind drapes, a desk, and other furniture, according to Eric Fehrnstrom, a spokesman for the former governor. Kyle Sullivan, Patrick's press secretary, later said that the drapes left behind had fallen off the wall because of crumbling plaster.

Now, let's see the social secretary replaced with a part time *volunteer* from the supporters and then we can get down to the real work of fixing this state.