Running on hope -- and not much else

The Globe reports that Deval Patrick will campaign for Obama in key states, including New Hampshire.

Is that a good idea? They both have weaknesses for extravagant rhetoric (think: hope). They try to cast their lack of transferable experience as a bonus. And, despite their rhetoric, they’re both committed to the same failed policies to which Democrats have clung for the last 40 years.

By associating himself with Deval Patrick, Obama will only strengthen the impression that he’s a paper tiger.

In the last year, the citizens of Massachusetts have learned that it takes more than “hope” to govern a state, never mind a country. Let’s hope the rest of the United States doesn’t have to learn the same lesson.