Is Maura Healey becoming just another drive-by governor?

We’ve seen this movie before.

Healey showed up in western Massachusetts on Wednesday for two quick events to survey flooding damage in that part of the state, and hours later was off to Atlantic City of all places for a governors’ conference.

Then her office announced that after the conference, she’d be traveling to Michigan and wouldn’t be home until Sunday. Details about the Michigan trip were scant but she plans on Friday to meet with the “Michigan Women’s Commission” with other fellow governors. Maybe she can join them for a game of hoops.

This comes as more torrential rains are possible later this week which could impact the already flooded areas of western Massachusetts.

Healey has been out of state now overnight for four full weeks of her brief tenure as Massachusetts governor, leaving either Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll or Secretary of State William Galvin in charge.

That’s a downright Romneyesque record. And that’s not a compliment.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney basically gave up on being a full-time governor two years into his term, deciding instead to run for president.

Romney was infamous for showing up to disasters in his Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency jacket, just long enough to look like he was in charge. Then he’d be off again on another out-of-state trip to burnish his national credentials.

But Healey hasn’t even been governor a year before jetting off to out-of-state trips and vacations. It’s a little disturbing.

Healey appears to be interested in establishing her national credentials as one of the first openly lesbian governors in the country. What could be in her future? Possibly an appointment to the Biden administration or a run for an open Senate seat?

The problem is you actually have to be governor and establish a record before deciding you want to be a national superstar.

Former Gov. Deval Patrick stayed largely at home for his first four-year term, then in his second term seemed more interested in going on trade junkets out of the country than governing in Massachusetts.

The late Paul Cellucci worked diligently in his first term but eventually gave in to the travel bug – he was eventually appointed Ambassador to Canada.

But again, Healey has only been in the Corner Office since January. It’s way too early in her term to spend a month out of state.

Voters deserve a full-time governor who is there when disaster strikes or a budget needs to be passed. Healey spent just a few hours in western Massachusetts and got her face in front of the TV cameras before departing to New Jersey – not long enough to really see and feel the impact of what people in that part of the state are experiencing.