Posted on 02/17/2007 7:45:58 AM PST by ninonitti
Gov. Deval Patrick defended his use of a new taxpayer-funded Cadillac yesterday, saying that a less expensive Crown Victoria was not available, but an aide later said Patrick’s explanation to reporters was misleading.
Fielding tough questions about the car from reporters yesterday, the governor said the Crown Victoria model used by his predecessor Gov. Mitt Romney was no longer in production.
“I asked whether the extended cab version of (the Crown Victoria) was in production, and I was told it wasn’t,” Patrick said. “If that’s wrong, then take it up with the state police.”
An aide to Patrick said after the press conference the governor’s explanation was incorrect and sought to clarify his comments. Ford is currently selling a 2007 model of the Crown Victoria for about half the price of the $46,000 Cadillac DeVille.
The aide said state police had told Patrick’s office that the Crown Victoria is still available, but does not meet their security specifications.
In the end, the governor was offered a choice between the Cadillac DTS and a Chrysler 300c that would have cost about $37,000, or $9,000 less than the sleek Caddy he selected.
The Cadillac, which has tinted windows, blue lights and a siren, is leased by the state for $1,166 a month.
“There’s something strange going on with the self-image of this governor,” said Barbara Anderson of Citizens for Limited Taxation. “I think we’re getting an image of someone who thinks of himself as a monarch, rather than an elected official.”
The Herald reported yesterday Patrick was cruising in the Cadillac just days after it was reported that he was hopping rides in a state police helicopter.
The news comes as the governor calls for new local taxes and across-the-board spending cuts to cope with what he says is a $1 billion deficit.
Patrick strongly defended his choice of vehicles yesterday, saying it was a “trivial” decision that draws far more attention from the media than it does from ordinary citizens.
“But for your collective appetite for this, I don’t think most people pay attention to what I ride in,” Patrick told reporters.
Pressed on whether he was worried about the image created by the Cadillac, Patrick replied, “I was not unmindful . . . about that issue when we made the choice. 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.”
Still, some lawmakers kept up the criticism of the governor yesterday. “This isn’t really a time to have expensive taste as far as the perks of the office,” said Senate Republican leader Richard Tisei. “He clearly recognized the importance of symbols during the campaign and during his early days in office, so he’d do well to remember that as he moves along.”
I don't know if this former Clinton DOJ Civil Rights head is aware of how lame he's looked in his first 6 weeks in office but if this is any indication of where he's headed he's going set even lower standards for Massachusetts politicians than already exist.
This kind of behavior is acceptable in Massachussetts. Shame how this pivotal state for American independence has given us some of the most corrupt, anti-American, tax loving, manslaughtering, above the law group of finks this country has ever suffered.
I don't know if this former Clinton DOJ Civil Rights head is aware of how lame he's looked in his first 6 weeks in office but if this is any indication of where he's headed he's going set even lower standards for Massachusetts...
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Lower standards? Massachusetts? Is that possible? Between the Kennedys, Frank and Kerry -- ???
That's why left Mass a couple years ago.
All he needs now is a special subway car and Steve Martin as a costar.
This shrimp acts more like a UN bureaucrat than a Governor... and he's only been in power for 6 weeks.
“I asked whether the extended cab version of (the Crown Victoria) was in production, and I was told it wasn’t"
LOL, extended cab. No, that only applies to pickup trucks. There's not even an extended cab Cadillac STS. So, what's this idiot going on about?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
At least it's made in America. I reckon Volvo and Mercedes were on the list, too.
Okay, I can understand the tinted windows.
Does he have a need to drive to the grocery store with his siren on?
No mention of party affiliation so I assume the Gov is a DemocRAT...the party of Queen Bella Pelosi.
In a mature society, "civil servant" is semantically equal to "civil master".
LAZARUS LONG
Where did you end up, Brivette?
I know it's just a coincidence of names, but every time I hear Deval Patrick I think of Patrick Kennedy.
Corrupt and stupid. Apparently this is what your typical New England voter wants. Somebody just like themselves.
Hmmm, he should have gone with an Oldsmobile.......
To tell the truth, when I think Cadillac, I think Pimpmobile.
What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector?
The taxidermist takes only your skin.
MARK TWAIN
The man saved a the taxpayers a lot of money by selecting the $46K Caddy over the Bently.
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