Obama will campaign for Patrick

The Hiller Instinct: Obama will campaign for Patrick

Posted: 10/05/10

In our most recent 7News-Suffolk University poll, 64% of registered voters says Patrick and Obama are very or a lot alike...while 30% say they're little or not at all alike.

But when we asked does that make you like Patrick more or less? 26% said more...35% less.

Hiller asked, "Any chance the trip could politically backfire on you?"

Patrick: "No."

Patrick and Obama have been exchanging endorsements and support for years, beginning before Patrick was first elected.

Our poll says Obama is more popular than Patrick in Massachusetts--but the president's influence among Democrats here is suspect after he campaigned for Martha Coakley and she lost to Scott Brown.

Hiller: "As you know, some Democrats are not asking the president to campaign with them."

Patrick: "I'm not one of them."

Hiller: "Did you even think about not asking him?"

Patrick: "No, no, no...it was wonderful that he offered."

VIEWER VOICES: Will the President's visit help or hurt Governor Patrick's chances at re-election?

At this point, the president needs Patrick as much as the governor needs him, perhaps even more.

Because if Patrick loses, the conventional wisdom may become that Obama can't win in 2012.

I'm Andy Hiller & that's my instinct.