Particularly alarming is the claim that the AG and Governor Romney have the same position on stem cells and gay marriage. The AG has a long record supporting civil rights for all, and has increasingly called for advanced and enhanced stem cell research.

The letter is below, but I wanted to see what people think about it. The last thing progressives need to do is slander each other.

With the gubernatorial primary approaching, many Arlington democrats will find themselves questioning whether to cast a primary ballet for Tom Reilly or for Deval Patrick. I would like to use this letter to strongly urge Arlingtonians to consider Deval Patrick.

The issues surrounding this election are critical; the financial health of Massachusetts hangs in the balance. When casting your ballot, remember that Tom Reilly certified an anti-gay petition put forth by the Massachusetts “Family” Institute. Remember that Tom Reilly has “flip-flopped” on the death penalty, Deval Patrick remains firmly against capital punishment. Think of the millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases and think of how both Governor Mitt Romney and Attorney General Reilly have played politics with stem cell research.

When at the polls, consider Deval Patrick’s roots, from the southside of Chicago, the first in his family to attend college. Patrick was not handed a political career, he earned it. As a member of President Bill Clinton’s Justice Department, he served as the first assistant attorney general for civil rights.

This is a critical time for Massachusetts: the state is in one of the worst financial crises that it ever has been in. We need a strong, compassionate leader and Deval Patrick is just that person.

Colin R. Campbell

Morton Road

Member

Deval Patrick Media Team