Patrick To Create Federal PAC

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is forming a federal political action committee.

The director of Patrick's state committee said the governor decided to form a federal committee to help coordinate and finance his activities on behalf of the national Democratic Party.

David O'Brien, who will be the director of the new PAC, said Patrick decided the fundraising committee would help him play what O'Brien called a "significant part in the country's discussion about our future."

The decision followed Patrick's recent meetings with top Democratic operatives, including Obama political adviser David Axelrod in Chicago and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine in Washington.

Patrick, who ran a successful reelection campaign during a tough year for Democrats, is being tapped to play a role in President Obama's reelection.