Charley, Bob (via speakerphone) and I sat down for about an hour with US Senate candidate Alan Khazei this evening. Many thanks to Khazei and his campaign staff for making the time to talk with us.
Our first question, as always, was why he is running for Senate, and why now. Here's his answer.
Perhaps the most obvious question about Khazei, as opposed to Capuano or Coakley, is the question of relevant experience. However, Khazei does actually have a legislative track record. Here is his description of it.
Later in the conversation, I raised the question of what Khazei would say to a Massachusetts voter who might be disinclined to vote for yet another "change" candidate with little or no experience in elective office. Here's part of his answer, in which he explains his view that a legislative position is actually a better fit for that kind of candidate.
There's lots more, but it's late and I'm tired. I'll get the rest of the interview posted tomorrow.
David, I appreciate your posting this thoughtful interview with Alan Khazei. As I have mentioned before, I am familiar with Alan’s impressive work at CityYear and passing national service legislation, and I find his bipartisan inside/outside strategic vision for American democracy to be appealing.
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p>Nevertheless, with the Republicans in Washington, DC essentially assuming a near universal obstructionist strategy on a wide variety of critical issues (e.g., health care, climate change, and a second economic stimulus bill etc…), I believe, were Khazei to be elected to the U.S. Senate, he would immediately encounter and become frustrated by a substantial and influential number Senate and House Republicans who appear to be in no mood for cooperating and collaborating on many of these key national political issues.
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p>Moreover, Massachusetts finds itself in such dire economic straits presently, I am afraid the times call for a “Senator Pothole” (the moniker first attached to former New York Republican Senator Al D’Amato from the Bay State), who would be able to use his knowledge obtain every last government dime for Massachusetts to help reignite our depressed economy and preserve our withering social safety net.
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p>While I believe Congressman Capuano probably is in the best position to serve as the Bay State’s “Senator Pothole,” minus any of the ethical baggage that ultimately cost New York Senator D’Amato his political career in Washington, D.C., I am pleased Alan Khazei has entered the U.S. Senate race because he is an important, democratic voice for reforming how we do politics in America.
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p>I do wish, however, Khazei had chosen to challenge Governor Patrick for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2010 because it is clear that he “has walked the walk” in successfully promoting a healthier form of politics and civic engagement in the nation; while, on the other hand, gubernatorial candidate and Governor Deval Patrick “has merely talked the talk” of effecting grass-roots, progressive policy change and reform in the Commonwealth.
The Colbert ReportMon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cAlan Khazeihttp://www.colbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorMichael Moore
American’s as young as kindergarten giving back to their country? Great, creating little socialists – just what we need:) Next thing you know they’ll want to help the President make the USA a better place to live;)
Heaven forbid.
What if I, Lasthorseman had the opportunity to interview Alan. I still have the skills to operate in the “normal” world.
I am incredibly intrigued by Alan Khazei. He is truly the only thing stopping me from going all out for Mike Capuano.
Though I was already 80% to 90% there at the weekend, listening to these interviews on Monday morning pinned down all the reasons my instincts were leading me to support Alan Khazei for Senate, made them clear.
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p>That day at work during lunch, I walked down the street to the new Lowell campaign office that had opened on Saturday, talked to the woman staffing the not-yet-heated office about what I could do to help the campaign the next few months and picked up some nominating papers.
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p>I have a lot of respect for the Attorney General and Congressman Capuano, but Alan Khazei seems by far to be the best fit for this job.