Shake It Up: Deval Patrick's Chief of Staff Leaves

Just when you think Governor Deval Patrick is out of surprises, he comes out with another one - his chief of staff, Joan Wallace-Benjamin, is leaving, and Patrick already has a replacement on deck.

Doug Rubin, whom the AP describes as "one of the chief architects of Patrick's winning campaign strategy," will take over the post. Blue Mass Group quickly called Rubin "a very good choice."

The entire change suggests that even when a politician wins an election, he still has to keep winning votes. Wallace-Benjamin was the head of a nonprofit before joining Team Patrick, but putting a campaign strategist in charge might cut down on incidents like Drapegate, Caddygate, and Citigroupgate. (With all that, we feel like we're forgetting something …)

Wallace-Benjamin will go back to being the President/CEO of the Home for Little Wanderers, which helps at-risk children.

Given all the turnover in the Patrick Administration, you might wind up in working in his office yourself. If you'd like to play make-believe, you can buy the Guvnah cap in the Bostonist store.