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What Patrick's win says about 'Net activism and other thoughts

David Weinberger says Patrick's victory shows the power of the 'Net:

... This is also a win for Internet politics. Patrick ran a grassroots campaign that's making smart use of the Net. Plus, he's been more direct and more human than candidates often are, which, right or not, I take as being part of the Net ethos. Patrick is going to stir up some powerful enthusiasm in this state. ...

Gene Koo discounts the 'Net effect:

... For all the ballyhoo out there that Patrick "used the Internet" to organize, the truth is that he built a traditional grassroots campaign, something a lot of Democrats have forgotten how to do. I was there on Sunday in downtown Boston making calls for Patrick at Neighbor to Neighbor; in the next room were a volunteer making calls in Russian and the Chinese Progressive Association making calls in English and Cantonese. That's grassroots organizing.

Blue Mass. Group is, of course all over the Patrick win.

Dan Kennedy thinks Patrick is vulnerable on the tax issue.

Brian Christiansen is happy:

... Tonight, I witnessed a rare thing. Someone I voted for actually won. ...

Critical Exponent: Ahh, there's nothing like exercising your right to vote to make you feel virtuous.

Josh Ourisman, watching his first Massachusetts election, voices support for Christy Mihos.

Jay Fitzgerald says both Patrick and Healey's greatest strength is memory; Patrick that young voters will forget the issues of the Dukakis/Bulger days (or have no memory of them at all); Healey that people do remember the old single-party days.

Mass Marrier notes that one of the few incumbents to lose yesterday was Marie Parente, a Milford Democrat and gay-marriage opponent:

... She has been a hangnail on the finger of government as State Representative since 1981. ...

He also analyzes the Patrick win and discusses results in Boston, such as Maura Hennigan's win in the Superior Court Clerk (Criminal) race:

... It's clear that she just wants to use the job and voters to get something better. Then some functionary like Dello Russo will take over when she escapes to her perceived higher calling. I suppose in such a dour town, we deserve some comic relief.

Dan Kennedy notes Gabrieli's awkward appearance at Patrick's victory celebration:

It was classy of Gabrieli to show up (Patrick graciously gave Tom Reilly a pass), but couldn't someone have found him a place to sit?

New England Republican sets out some talking points:

... Deciphering Mr. Patrick's website is not really that difficult. It's a mishmash of contradictory policies, doublespeak, and things that just won't work. ...

Lis Riba is happy because no matter what happens, Massachusetts will make history in November - it will either get its first black governor or its first female governor.

Lance is stunned that Patrick even took the conservative towns of north Worcester county.

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