SACO — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick traveled to Maine Monday to give gubernatorial hopeful Mike Michaud a hand in rallying support.

The two hosted a grassroots organizing event at the Saco train station Monday afternoon, and spoke to a packed room of supporters.

“It’s very easy to pick on the current governor, but we’ve got to get beyond that,” said Michaud.

He said he wanted to move forward in a positive direction, and appoint the best and brightest to cabinet positions, regardless of what party they represent.

“Even though you might disagree on some issues, there usually is a common ground in some areas,” he said.

Michaud said that as a state senator, he met with both Republicans and Democrats in an informal way every morning, building up trust and communication, and as president of the Maine Senate, sponsoring legislation to raise the minimum wage that passed unanimously.

“That’s what we need as governor, someone who can work across the aisle to get things done,” he said.

Michaud said he wants to reduce dependency on home heating oil by 50 percent by the year 2030, using resources like solar energy and offshore wind power, and said he wants Maine to be the “food basket” for New England.

“We have a lot of potential in Maine,” he said.

He said if elected governor, he would propose legislation his first day on the job to cover the 70,000 people denied health care through the state by the Maine Legislature. This will save the state millions of dollars, hospitals will save money and it will lower health care costs, he said.

“Not only is it the morally right thing to do, but it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do,” he said. “It’s a win/win all the way around.”

The crowd cheered after Michaud’s speech, holding up, “I LIKE MIKE” signs.

“I am thrilled to be here today, to tell you I like Mike, too,” said Patrick. “We need Mike in Maine, we need Mike in New England.”

He said the state needs Michaud’s passion, experience, vision and style of public service. Patrick said the Republican approach to expand jobs is to cut taxes, shrink government, crush unions and wait.

The Democrats, he said, have a different approach, investing in education, infrastructure and innovation.

“It’s about investing in ourselves,” Patrick told the group.

He said since he entered the office of governor, job creation and educational rankings have improved in Massachusetts. Today, 99 percent of people in Massachusetts have health insurance, a measure that has increased state spending by 1 percent, said Patrick.

“It has not broken the bank, and we are healthier on a whole,” he said.

Patrick spoke of growing up on the South Side of Chicago. He said he grew up in a strong, supportive community and spoke of welfare as not a way of life, but “a hand up.” He said government needs to help people help themselves.

“I’m a Democrat because I actually believe in the American dream. I’ve lived the American dream,” he said.

Patrick told the crowd that people need to “turn to each other rather than on each other.”

“A good idea does not have a party affiliation. A good idea is just a good idea,” he said.

He told the audience to quit worrying about rhetoric, sound bites, polls, and who has the most money, because he won two races having less money than his opponents.

“It’s because the secret is you, it’s what you do. It’s great that you’re here. I love that you’re here, but this is not where the action is. It’s out there. It’s what you’re going to do after you leave here,” he said.

He told the crowd to “go out and talk to everybody you know,” especially those who don’t agree with you.

“I’m telling you, Mike is not running to be governor of the Democrats, he’s running to become governor of Maine,” he said.

Participants were urged to volunteer for Michaud’s campaign after the event, by knocking on doors or working at phone banks.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.