Setti Warren: Solid on jobs, deficits, health care; soft on Mars

Friday before the weekend, David and I sat down with Setti Warren, current mayor of Newton, former Kerry staffer, Iraq war vet (Navy intelligence), FEMA official under Clinton, and now Senate candidate. My initial impression is that he’s a serious candidate:

• He has the requisite political skills: The gift of gab; charisma; a strongly presented, concise, and persistent message; a sense of being well-grounded and good-humored.
• He refers aptly and relevantly to his biography and background;
• He communicates passion and emotional engagement; and —
• He shows a healthy and correct impatience with the failures of Scott Brown to represent our interests in the Senate.

We asked him, Why run for Senate? Warren believes this will be one of the most important elections in American history, and that Scott Brown doesn’t represent the interests and values of the state. Warren relates his family background: His father grew up in Harlem but a police athletic league program got him out. His father entered the military, and his parents bought their house in Newton due to the GI Bill. He believes that government should actively help the middle class, and those who aspire to middle class. Warren says this is the major contrast between him and Scott Brown: How they view their obligation to pass on the opportunities afforded to them.

Warren is critical of Brown’s lack of independence in the Senate: voting 87% of the time with GOP leadership in the Senate, and questioning the science of global climate change.

I asked about the possibilities of withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq. Warren supports an increase in intelligence work, diplomatic engagement and development of democratic institutions — including food supply and public health — along with a drawdown of troops “as quickly as possible.” I asked how quickly is “as quickly as possible” … and Warren’s remarks were vague — typical of discussions of this type. I hope for more specificity in the future, and Warren promises that. Let’s stay tuned.

David asked about Libya: What is the scope of the mission? Is there any question of the President’s actions under the War Powers Act? Warren supports the President’s intervention in order to prevent a massacre. But he also wants the President to keep the public well-appraised as to the scope of actions. Left unsaid was discussing the legal legitimacy of the intervention, and I think one can assume that Warren would not push that line of inquiry in the Senate.

David asked about how the debt-ceiling dynamic could change going forward: Even if the debt ceiling is raised soon, who’s to say we won’t be back having this same discussion in two years?

Warren stresses the combination of deficit reduction, job growth, and debt. Investment in jobs should include renewable energy and infrastructure — he cites the MBTA and high-speed rail as infrastructure areas that need investment.

He cites health care costs as a major driver of deficits, and tweaks Scott Brown for wanting to repeal the health care law, which would save billions.  Unlike any of the candidates in the last race, Warren understands that we can reduce the quantity of health care — and therefore costs — while improving outcomes. (This is kind of a big deal, a concept which is lost on many timid politicians who are afraid of demagoguery. Perhaps this is an example of how our Governor and legislature have really led the discussion on this issue.)

With regard to deficits, Warren points to bloated defense boondoggles like the F-35, reducing the nuclear arsenal, and space-based Missile Defense (SDI). (“Until we’re invaded by Mars,” I countered. You can already imagine the GOP ads: Setti Warren lives in a pre-War-of-the-Worlds mindset. He’s soft on Mars. What do you expect to fight Mars with, spitballs? Indeed, this could torpedo the campaign.)

With regard to taxation, he would restore the Clinton-era tax levels for the top 2%, and eliminate tax loopholes for major corporations, pointing to GE paying no taxes last year. “My opponent in this race is not serious about deficit reduction,” he says.

Like other Democrats, particularly the Governor, he sees opportunity for local businesses in the area of energy conservation — for example, National Fiber in Belchertown, which produces cellulose insulation and mulch.

I asked if he would support the Independent Payment Advisory Board for Medicare, which is one of the most signficant means to control Medicare costs — even in the face of opposition from the Mass. Biotech Council, who is heavily lobbying his old boss Sen. Kerry. He said he would support the IPAB, but be willing to talk with Coughlin. (Make of that what you will.)

David asked how Warren would respond to GOP attacks that he simply wants to spend more money. Warren mentions that Massachusetts received $4 million for the Economic Development Administration, which created 600 jobs. Scott Brown then voted against the reauthorization of funds. “They’re not serious about job creation”, he says of Brown and the GOP.

And indeed, that’s Warren’s overarching theme, the line of attack you can expect to hear going forward: They’re not serious — about job creation, deficit reduction, controlling spending … whatever it is they say they’re trying to do. It’s a decent line, and certainly there’s ample evidence in the record to work with.

But even if the GOP is unserious about its own goals … What do we want? Warren seems to understand that this message needs to complement a positive message of possibility and shared gain. I’m still waiting for that “aha” moment, when I hear that perfect angle vs. Scott Brown, the line that really draws blood. Given his evident skills, Warren’s as likely to deliver it as any.

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