Another week, another political clapfest. Governor Deval Patrick's State of the Commonwealth may have lacked the drama (what are the firefighters going to do?) and surprise (dismantling busing) of Mayor Menino's State of the City, but it did showcase Patrick's trademark optimism and plans for progress. Now how are we going to pay for it?

Bostonist arrived unfashionably early, and with no idea of where to go. Thankfully, after three or four consultations with the very friendly State House staff and the guidance of the State House News Service, we were seated in the House chambers and told the speech was going to begin in 90 minutes. Remember showing up at the advertised time of a party in college, being the only one there and then checking your watch 400 times before someone asks you to go buy ice? It was like that, except with doctor's office jazz playing on a P.A. system.

Read all about Patrick's plans for the Commonwealth after the jump!

Things got underway when Oladunni Oladipo--who is maybe ten years old--did a stunning rendition of the national anthem. (Question: if she gets a record deal based on that performance, can Gov. Patrick include that in his job creation numbers?)

Patrick framed the issues facing the state as a need to include more people into "the American Story." He talked about his roots on the rough side of Chicago, and the way his life was transformed from poverty to affluence. He said that the way to make that kind of change possible for more people is to create better schools, more jobs, and increased civic engagement. He's "impatient" to see progress being made, but repeatedly declared that "Massachusetts is on the move."

The governor is very good at projecting economic empathy, and he can talk about social class and stratification in a way many politicians can't. He shifts easily from technocratic policy solutions to statements like,

"Parents in cities find it hard to dream about college for their kids, and parents in suburbs have nightmares about how to pay for college for theirs. The poor are in terrible shape. And the middle class are one month away from being poor, and deeply anxious about it."

Gov. Patrick's policies intiatives--investment in education, job creation in the life sciences, ending homelessness--seem fairly unobjectionable for all but the most anti-government citizen. But, the problem, as always, is where the money is going to come from. Two of Patrick's revenue plans--passing the casino bill and closing corporate tax loopholes--are going to be huge political challenges.

The night celebrated Oladunni Oladipo singing about the dream of America and Patrick talking about it. But can the governor navigate Beacon Hill and bring his agenda to life? The voters are impatient too.

Here's some Blair Witch-quality documentary footage from last night: