There are 3 things I look for in a Governor; someone who agrees with me on the major social issues of the day, someone I think can run the state effectively and efficiently, and finally someone who will do a good job being the face of the state to the rest of the country and the world. I could never support Mitt Romney because he fails the first test since his social policies are diametrically opposite of my beliefs, but I am glad that we have a governor who is seriously being mentioned as a presidential candidate. Massachusetts keeps losing political clout with our population losses and we need strong political figures to keep the state as politically important as it has been in the past. While I supported John Kerry in the last election, even I must concede that he ran his campaign terribly and he has as much charisma as wheat toast. Ted Kennedy is not getting any younger so Massachusetts democrats need a new face for the future. Judging by my aforementioned criteria of 3 things I look for in a governor, only Deval Patrick meets the third criterion of being able to represent the state on a national level. (I think he fulfills the first 2 criteria as well that is why I am supporting him) If you want a governor who will do a solid job running the state, vote Chris Gabrieli. If you want a governor who will do a quality job running the state and that has the charisma to become a national political figure, vote Deval Patrick.