Deval Patrick At Obama Campaign Office Opening

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick didn't mince words when he described the job ahead for Seacoast area Democrats to re-elect President Obama in 2012.

"Act like Democrats," and "Grow a backbone," is what Patrick told more than 100 Democrats at the opening of the first Obama for American New Hampshire campaign office on Portsmouth's Brewery Lane Saturday afternoon.

Patrick said people will have to decide if government has a role to play to make people's lives better.

"This election is about character, the character of the country," said Patrick, who will be campaigning hard to help President Obama win re-election.

Patrick also took a few jabs at his predecessor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

With the support of the Massachusetts Legislature on Beacon Hill, Patrick said his administration has been able to pass policies that have spurred economic development and new jobs. He said during the Romney administration, Massachusetts ranked 47th in job creation and now ranks 6th.

He also said that Romney vetoed funding for the state's health care reform law that Romney helped pass and that Romney banned stem cell research during his tenure as Massachusetts governor.

Patrick also appealed to his fellow Democrats to work hard to elect more Democratic members of Congress in 2012 so President Obama can have the tools he needs to pass his policies that would create more jobs nationwide.

"We ought to not be talking about changing out presidents," Patrick said. "We ought to be talking about changing the Congress."

Patrick said Democrats will have to work hard to reach out to those who have been dispossessed by the economic downturn and feel like they no longer have a stake in what happens in Washington. Patrick said he met many people with the Occupy Boston movement who expressed those feelings.

Before Patrick left Portsmouth, he said Democrats have to reach out to everyone, regardless if they are Democrats, Republicans or Independents, if they want President Obama to win in 2012.

"It's not a party thing," Patrick said.