The Daily's decision to endorse Deval Patrick for governor most likely is no surprise, but comes with some qualification.
Patrick's support on campus began in the nascent days of his campaign when Attorney General Tom Reilly was looking to be the Democratic nominee.
With a little help from his rivals and more skill of his own, Patrick brought Massachusetts Democrats and Tufts Democrats together and looks poised to become the first Democratic Governor of Massachusetts since Michael Dukakis left the corner office in 1992.
It's been a long time since the Democrats have held the top job in the commonwealth, and it will be very interesting to see how well Patrick uses the opportunity once he takes office.
This concern is legitimate. Patrick is a political novice who lacks familiarity with Beacon Hill. He will face a friendly, overwhelming Democratic state legislature upon arrival into office. We hope he will work with legislative leaders like House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Senate President Robert Travaglini and Republican leaders to pass sound legislation for the good of Massachusetts.
Yet, if the Bush years have taught us anything, it's the danger of one-party rule. Now with a strong Democratic majority, it's not a stretch to believe that hubris and overreaching could leak into the state's political process. Regardless of which party holds the upper hand, this situation is unhealthy for any legislature and can certainly harm the future of Massachusetts.
An independent-thinking Governor with bold ideas distaste for political bloodletting can maintain a vigorous and active legislature. We hope Deval Patrick is this leader.
In a campaign somewhat lacking in actionable policy ideas, Patrick campaigned on the amorphous ideas of unity and a spirit that "together we can" achieve more.
It's true that these notions set a potentially positive tone for his term in office, but without any policy initiatives behind them, these words are simply meaningless rhetoric.
Massachusetts' governor needs to do more than spit platitudes and a change in tone isn't the only change that Beacon Hill needs.
We're heartened that Patrick supports already popular initiatives blocked by Governor Romney.
We hope Patrick's efforts to push through the Cape Wind project and funding for stem-cell research pass swiftly and decisively to give his term the legitimacy it needs to tackle more complex needs like health care, tax reform and immigration reform.
We truly hope that "Together We Can" will be more than just a slogan.
However, there should be some further words of caution before the victory celebrations begin.
Republican governors have been elected for the past 16 years because they stand out to voters as a check against the whims of a single-party legislature. Regardless of what side of the aisle the new governor sits on, this trend is essential and must continue.
If there is one legacy of the Republican years in Massachusetts, let it be the independence in the governor's office.
But Patrick's campaign and governorship should not merely be a vessel for the great and mighty liberal ideas of many Boston and Cambridge dwellers; Massachusetts is a far more complex place.
If Deval Patrick is to be a governor of everyone, he will likely have to say no to those of us on the left bank of the Charles River from time to time. While this may be difficult to swallow, let us hope that it ensures that everyone in Massachusetts has a voice in the statehouse.
Patrick's trajectory, from the south side of Chicago to stand poised to win the governorship of Massachusetts is nothing short of remarkable.
For the next four years, let's hope his political accomplishments make equally significant history for Massachusetts.
