Cadillac-gate
I gotta admit: I can't get worked up over Cadillac-gate. Nor helicopter-gate. Individually, the stories don't push my outrage buttons. But then I read this. Collectively, the stories start to create an impression of an 'imperial governorship' that I find somewhat disturbing -- and it goes back farther than just Deval. Mitt's entourage -- with ear-piece wearing Staties and American-flag-on-lapel aides, all doing their best West Wing imitations -- never ceased to annoy me. Jane, Paul, Bill and Duke also had aspects of the trappings. But Mitt and Deval seem to have pulled them all together in a way not seen since ... Ed King. That's probably unfair. In fact, it is unfair. Deval hasn't yet charged lobster dinners to taxpayers. But he's got to be more careful on the image front. ... FYI: I've seen the Deval tax-ideas stories etc. But I still think we should wait to see his budget. That will tell all. ...

Political tidbits: Could two lawmakers really be this stupid? I'm afraid so. ... Great description of Michigan, where Mitt chose to launch his presidential run: "The place of warm childhood memories and no adult fingerprints." ...

Update -- Jon has more on Deval's growing image-gate. ...

Update II -- Reader No. 1 thinks it's more than about image:

Question for you and Jon Keller: at what point does an 'image' problem become a reality problem? The steady drip-drip of Deval's copter, caddy, $72k admin, not to forget a week-long inauguration, are all of a piece with his response to the Ben LaGuer history and previous efforts to get him to talk about tax and fiscal policy.

All of these happenings lead one to the conclusion that Governor Patrick thinks (knows?) he's better than you and doesn't have to acknowledge (much less accept) criticism or comment. That's not a problem of image.

Question: the more imaginative of our recent governors (Weld & Romney) checked out on the job ahead of schedule... even Cellucci, steeped in legislative habit, left early. Does anyone think a braino like Deval is going to stick around for the tedium of fixing our fiscal crisis? Remember, his first chopper trip was used for a trip to an art museum and a government swearing-in ceremony (The Hack-Progressive Alliance lives!).

Hub Blog's response -- To the first question, I need more drips before a certain reality can be confirmed. To the second question, I'm sure, at this early stage, Deval's already discovered the pure misery of dealing with our dear lawmakers. But I haven't seen anything yet to think he's checking out early. (In retrospect, it's obvious Mitt began his check-out at the time he presented his first budget -- recall the presidential ABC News-like 'message of the day' background at his press conference -- so, again, I say, wait till Deval presents his first budget. It should tell us a lot.)  ¶ 8:45 AM