Keller @ Large: 'I've Seen Witch Hunts, This Was No Witch Hunt'

BOSTON (CBS) - As you heard in his news conference Tuesday, the Governor of the Commonwealth appears to be in something of a state of denial about his own competence in promoting and choosing cabinet-level staff.

Olga Roche was never up to the job as Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families.  She was not a star during her 30 years in the agency and, clearly, she was in over her head throughout this process.

"You're wrong that everybody in the Commonwealth wanted her gone," Patrick said to a reporter asking why Roche was kept on for so long.

"A lot of people were calling for a resignation, again, without making the connection between failure and fault and that ought to matter. It certainly matters to me. This is somebody with over 30 years of experience in this agency, a lot more experience than me and you and most people."

For the governor to repeatedly site some sort of "witch hunt" as the real source of the problem here is really outrageous.

I've seen witch hunts.

This was no witch hunt.

This particular official was legitimately criticized and was proven to be in over her head.

The other bad news is the governor is absolutely right.

This departure won't solve anything.

Related: Keller: Several Layers To DCF Failures

The problems at DCF will persist.

They're thorny problems, they're complex problems.  They've been around a long time and they're not going away overnight, just because Olga Roche is leaving.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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