Deval Patrick: I view the experiences that I have had

It's time for democrats to grow a backbone and stand up for what we believe.

Deval Patrick

political time believe

Be present - and see what a difference it makes in your lives and in the world.

Deval Patrick

differences world

I've learned over the years that identity has a whole lot less to do with location or other people's expectations than with your own sense of self and self-confidence.

Deval Patrick

sense-of-self identity expectations

It's a free country. I wish it weren't.

Deval Patrick

free-country wish country

Let's go tell everyone we meet that, when the American dream is at stake, you want Barack Obama in charge.

Deval Patrick

stakes dream want

"Government" is the name we give to the things we choose to do together.

Deval Patrick

government names giving

Governor is the only office I've ever run for, and I did so in the first place because I felt that there was a contribution I could make right now in governing for the long term and by leading by values. I ran for a second term to finish the work we started. I'll finish this out and return to the private sector, which I enjoy and miss in some ways.

Deval Patrick

office running long

If you are ever going to move beyond where you stand at that moment you have to conjure a picture in your head of where you want to go.

Deval Patrick

moments want moving

We'll be competitive with organized labor, we're also competitive with regular, unorganized labor, working people who see their stakes and their future in the plans we're putting forward to move Massachusetts forward.

Deval Patrick

competition people moving

Don't tell me words don't matter.

Deval Patrick

matter

I very much believe in values-based leadership, and that the values that I believe in and try to govern by are transcendent values. They have nothing to do with race or even with political parties. Secondly, I think nothing substitutes for the power of the grassroots by showing them the courtesy of going to them where they are and inviting them to take part in the political process.

Deval Patrick

party believe thinking

I think that hope, that ability to envision, to imagine a better way, and then to apply yourself to it, is the way to climb out of a hole, is the way to build a better life, is the way to build a better community and a better country.

Deval Patrick

community country thinking

A great teacher who is full of excitement and love for her students can make all the difference in their lives.

Deval Patrick

differences and-love teacher

Mitt Romney talks a lot about all the things he's fixed. I can tell you that Massachusetts wasn't one of them. He's a fine fellow and a great salesman, but as governor he was more interested in having the job than doing it.

Deval Patrick

massachusetts fixed jobs

One great thing about being a black man is that if you put on a hat, you can move around unnoticed.

Deval Patrick

black men moving

We're Americans. We shape our own future. Let's start by standing up for President Barack Obama.

Deval Patrick

barack shapes president

I’m planning to stay in politics now, but, you know, George Burns worked until he was 100. I don’t know. I don’t want to be a Senator until I’m honored.

Deval Patrick

senators want

Anybody who knows me knows that I'm no attack dog.

Deval Patrick

know-me dog knows

For too long, Democrats have been telling people what they want to hear. I'm going to tell you what I believe.

Deval Patrick

long believe people

Hope for the best and work for it.

Deval Patrick

hoping-for-the-best

I view the experiences that I have had - both the tough ones and the pleasant ones - as gifts.