Behind The Mic With Joe Mathieu: Mass. Becomes Incubator For Obama Policies

BOSTON (CBS) - The president could have gone anywhere for Wednesday's event. Just think of all the town hall meetings and kitchen table conversations he made during the health care debate a few years ago.

But he's coming to Boston. And specifically Fanueil Hall – the place where it all began.

Indeed the Massachusetts health care law became the blueprint for what is now known as Obamacare. That is not a political myth. In fact, the same man helped to design both laws. He is MIT economist Dr. John Gruber. I spoke with him Tuesday and he described working separately for former Governor Romney and President Obama.

This story helps to illustrate the unique relationship between Massachusetts and the Obama White House.

Our state is nothing short of an incubator for policies adopted by this president. Not just health care, but also victims' rights, gun laws and even same sex marriage.

And it's not just because our state is full of Democrats.

You've already heard the President is friends with Governor Patrick. They're said to have a special relationship that includes sharing ideas and even lines from speeches.

But it's more than that.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030 political analyst and Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh points to the President's advisors.

"The fact is President Obama and Governor Patrick share the same political consultants. A number of them who helped get Governor Patrick elected also helped to get Obama elected as a senator and then as president," she explains.

So it's no mystery why policies here end up there.

In other words, we are the canaries in the President's coal mine.

Something to consider the next time the governor rolls out a major policy proposal for Massachusetts.

Follow Joe on Twitter @joemathieuwbz

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