PEABODY — A lot, but not everything, has changed since Gov. Deval Patrick's successful 2006 campaign.
And at the beginning of his campaign stop yesterday in Peabody, the governor told residents of the Brooksby Village retirement community about a bipartisan friendship that survived his first term.
"Mrs. Murphy is here, and Mrs. Murphy, you know, is Kerry Healey's mom," Patrick said. "We got to know each other during the last campaign, and I had a crush on her then, and I have a crush on her now. It's wonderful to see you here," he said to Shirley Murphy, who is a Brooksby resident.
Healey is not the competition in 2010. Instead, Patrick is facing challenges from Republican Charlie Baker of Swampscott and State Treasurer Tim Cahill, who is running as an independent.
Patrick drew an estimated 200 people to Brooksby's clubhouse meeting room. He touted his first-term accomplishments and answered questions on a range of issues, from bullying to casino gambling.
"I'm not seeking a second term as some sort of reward for the first," he said. "A second term, in my view, is about finishing what we started." He said he would work toward further "closing the achievement gap" within the state's public schools, making health care more affordable and creating new jobs for the unemployed.
"I was very impressed," John Tisdale said after Patrick finished. Tisdale described himself as a Republican whose focus was more on conservatism than party. "I think (Patrick) fits with my philosophy of taking responsibility for providing things for the next generation."
The event was one of many Patrick is hosting throughout the state. He has appeared in Lawrence, Boston and its Chinatown, Springfield, Norfolk, Boxborough, Somerville, Worcester, and, last month, Salem. In Peabody, Patrick was introduced by Jeffrey Simon, director of the Massachusetts Recovery & Reinvestment Office. Simon's father-in-law is a resident of Brooksby Village.
On bullying, Patrick highlighted the recently signed anti-bullying legislation but also stressed that the law was not the only solution.
"Being in a community is understanding the stake we have in each other," he said. "We as adults have to start acting like adults, and we have to take some responsibility for those kids, even if they're not ours."
On health care, Patrick told attendees not to worry.
"You shouldn't be rattled by health care reform at the national level because it's modeled off what we have here. It's very familiar to us," he said. "We still have to bend that cost curve, as they say."
Patrick promised not to lower the state's high academic standards to qualify for federal funding.
"I have absolutely no interest in backing away from those standards," he said.
The governor reiterated his support for up to three destination/resort casinos because they create more jobs at higher wages and benefits.
"I really appreciate the depth that he goes into when he answers questions," Joyce Thornburg said. She left feeling that "we're in good hands."
"He seems to have a good, deep understanding of all of the problems we are facing," Bill Collins said. "I was grateful he came."
Collins pointed out how wise it was for politicians to stop at Brooksby Village, which is a polling station in Peabody.
"Eighty percent of the people in this room will vote," he said.
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