The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: Former governors give advice to Patrick

The new governor recently joined five of his predecessors for a photo shoot, reflecting decades of corner office experience.

With Deval Patrick were three-term former governor Mike Dukakis, Republicans Paul Cellucci and Mitt Romney. There was Jane Swift, who was an acting governor, and Bill Weld, elected twice in the 90s.

Could there be a better group to guide Patrick?

Andy Hiller, 7News Political Editor
"If you had one piece of advice for the new governor, what would it be?"

Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts
"Just follow your instincts, [and] listen to people you feel closest to."

Jane Swift, former governor of Massachusetts
"My advice would be follow your heart."

Paul Cellucci, former governor of Massachusetts
"I would say when it comes to scheduling, set your priorities, schedule around the priorities and make sure you get plenty of time for your family."

Mike Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts
"No politics on Sunday. Sunday is [a] family day, and I mean it."

Andy Hiller, 7News Political Editor
"How can he tell his friends from his enemies?"

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
"His friends are the ones that he rarely hears from."

Mike Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts
"You do not walk into the governor's office with enemies. You walk in with an opportunity to do great things, and the vast majority of people in the state -- whether they voted for you or not -- really want you to succeed."

Jane Swift, former governor of Massachusetts
"Eh, your friends will always be walking towards you."

Paul Cellucci, former governor of Massachusetts
"I think that's pretty good advice."

Andy Hiller, 7News Political Editor
"What's the biggest surprise that he has ahead of him?"

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
"He's going to have a lot of fun dealing with the Legislature. It's going to be a real blast."

Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts
"I think the relationship with the Legislature is always going to be an issue, and I think that's worth a lot of work."

Paul Cellucci, former governor of Massachusetts
"I think the intensity and the spotlight. He got a little bit of it during the campaign, but every word he says will be listened to."

Jane Swift, former governor of Massachusetts
"He'll be surprised, Andy, that you not as nice as you seem."

Andy Hiller, 7News Political Editor
"Any Statehouse secrets you can tell him?"

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
"Actually, the fireplace in the governor's office leaks smoke into the Boston Globe's office, so it's a great place to burn green logs."

Mike Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts
"There is an inside staircase that takes you up to the fourth floor... So, when I wanted to get home -- and I used to take the T to get home at 6 p.m., ‘cause I insisted on having dinner -- interior staircase, fourth floor, down the hall, down the elevator, out the door."

Paul Cellucci, former governor of Massachusetts
"Where the Republicans used to meet in the library when we wanted to have a secret meeting. No, I’m not going to tell him."

Jane Swift, former governor of Massachusetts
"Make sure you jiggle the handle on the toilet."

Andy Hiller, 7News Political Editor
"And of all the perks a governor gets, which is the one he's going to like the best?"

Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts
"The schedulers."

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
"He's gonna like being able to read on his way to work, and that's something which is a real great and fun thing."

Mike Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts
"The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your fellow citizens. I mean, that's what the job is all about."

Andy Hiller, 7News Political Editor
"Where's the best place for a governor to get lunch?"

Paul Cellucci, former governor of Massachusetts
"I had a few favorites: Felipo's, Legal Sea Foods, Tecchi's... Those are all pretty good."

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
"In my office."

Mike Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts
"At your desk."

Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts
"At your desk."

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