This is one of the reasons why I think it is so essential that we elect Mike Capuano.
We are in the business of government – and what happens in Washington has a strong influence on state and local government. Most of you know my heart and soul is in local government, and the feds really have the power to enhance local services or bury us under inane unfunded mandates.
Mike Capuano is a former mayor and former chair of his school committee. The one thing you will find when you engage Rep. Capuano in a conversation about the problems facing local government and public education, he is knowledgeable and grounded in reality.
This is a case where we have one candidate with a strong track record. With Mike Capuano’s strong progressive record, and a clear commitment to Massachusetts cities and towns, why take a chance on a candidate without legislative experience?
And I appreciate an advocate for Rep. Capuano who is talking about, well, Rep. Capuano. I need to take time to ask Rep. Capuano about public education to hear what you describe, as he has chosen to ignore the issue with much of his campaign — it didn’t eve make his “top 8” list of issues on his website.
Now, I know you feel that there’s been some negativity from Capuano supporters, so I’m hesitant to say this, but I should note that Coakey’s issue page has the same problem:
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p>http://www.marthacoakley.com/a…
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p>I certainly agree that it’s a problem, and I definitely don’t mean to defend Capuano by pointing this out.
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p>Also, a decent (though brief) issue rundown for Capuano is here.
Coakley’s “issues page” is an abomination. When I sought a position…any position…on education, I was told it would be updated “in the weeks ahead”.
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p>And if Capuano were smart, he’d be trumpeting his vote against NCLB much louder than he is…
…seriously? Martha Coakley was first elected to Middlesex County DA…she doesn’t understand the importance of our cities and towns? She worked with law enforcement in each of the them. I have never seen Mike Capuano out my way, but Martha has been here plenty over the years. I have a deep appreciation for her commitment to public policy at all levels; international, national, state and local.
Certainly, Martha and her folks have worked effectively with local governments in law enforcement.
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p>My question goes beyond that. Even if Martha comes out with a platform on other state and local issues (such as education), they can only stake out a position as opposed to Capuano’s legislative record. I know Capuano understands the world where I live and work, and his record in Congress reflects that understanding.
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p>I’m just saying, I want the candidate with the track record and experience.
It was not easy to do that, given the vindictiveness and long memories of DCAM and the CJAM.
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p>I have also, over the years, seen her fight for the little guy over and over, as well as do so in a principled manner.
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p>Do I agree with her about everything? No. But then I do not practice litmus test politics, as I remind everyone here from time to time.
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p>Also, I will stick to positive statements about Martha Coakley and refrain from negative statements about Mike Capuano.
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p>As it happens, very little is as effective in alienating me as is negative campaigning.
I like Martha.
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p>I don’t think it is negative to say that Capuano is the one person who has a solid and consistent record in support of local government and K-12 education. He has been a legislator. He has a very strong track record. As a progressive, I just think he his the best qualified person for the job.
any negative or questionable issue raised about certain candidates automatically gets one labeled a swiftboater, negative, or otherwise defective. Given the personal nature of the defensiveness already, this will be a long slog.
In my view, this is one of those elections in which discussion of current issues are far more informative and constructive than resurrecting a sensationalized case from decades ago — a case that is still incredibly divisive, a case that still gratuitously pits fellow progressives against each other.
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p>The candidates can be readily differentiated by their current behavior and current public record. Mike Capuano is enthusiastic, aggressive, and passionate in his advocacy of issues that I care about. Martha Coakley is less so. I feel that Mike Capuano has been more effective and committed in his conduct of his current office than Martha Coakley.
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p>I enthusiastically support Mike Capuano because I think his stance, conduct, current record, and accomplishments make him likely to be a far better Senator than Martha Coakley.
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p>I think Martha Coakley might well be an adequate Senator. If she were running against John Kerry, I would support her in a heartbeat. She is, however, running against Mike Capuano. I think Mike Capuano will be a superb Senator.
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p>I like Mike.
Some of Mikes supporters here have been negative and seem like they are making anti-Martha votes and have a bone to pick with her. I think Mike would make the best Senator bar none and am strongly supporting him. That said if someone else beats him handidly in the debates I could see my primary support shift, and if someone else beats him in the primary then I will support the nominee. Until then I see no reason not to positively back my first choice until the primary is over. I like Martha, I disagree with her on the Hyde Amendment and Afghanistan, but she would make a far better Senator than Scott Brown (and a better Governor than Deval for that matter-I still wish she took him on). I also think that Mike Capuano has the experience and the record to lead and be a real force in the Senate, Coakley would be a solid Democratic senator but I just don’t see her making as big of a splash as Mike.
on tippy toe.
And then in due course, support the Democratic nominee.
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p>Are you watching the “Brown Brigade” at all? This will be a real election, I think, with some feisty Republicans for a change.
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p>So, I not only “just think” I prefer Martha Coakley, but admire her grit, her courage, and her loyalty to her staff. As I said, I don’t do litmus tests to choose nominees and no one issue is determinative for me.
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p>I really do not know Capuano at all; so it is a personal connection with Martha Coakley.
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p>Hopefully, both candidates would make good senators and “are who they seem to be” unlike the {shudder} experience I had supporting The Portrait of Dorian Gray for President back in 2005-2006.
What do you know about Marths position on education? Can you find it on her website?
I also met him a week ago in Arlington.
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p>Rep. Capuano was very clear on his reason for voting against No Child Left Behind in 2003 – and he had the same critique in 2009. He cites this as his biggest difference with Senator Kennedy. He saw the NCLB law as a well meaning attempt that is filled with unfunded and often unreasonable federal mandates. His position wasn’t all that popular on the hill in 2001, but every year further validates Capuano’s original position.
Unlike some people who have attacked Mike for lock step voting with the leadership he is really independent minded and votes on the issues. He really does his homework on bills he votes for or against. He voted against NCLB because he knew it would be a step backward for education and he did so when there was intense pressure from his fellow Democrats, especially Ted, to vote for this bill and work with the new Bush White House. He did his homework on Iraq and threw political considerations out the window to oppose a policy he thought was wrong. He voted against the leadership and the Democratic platform by voting against harmful and wasteful farm subsidies and cited in his reasons not only the economic wastefulness but also the damage it does to the environment and third world economies. I have have seen very few Congressmen that are as approachable and as knowledgeable about the issues (Barney Frank being one of them).
I couldn’t have said it better. The local perspective and experience holds big sway with me. Both the Congressman’s approachability and breadth of knowledge have me supporting his candidacy over the other, impressive in their own right, Democrats. He is precisely the balance we need for our US Senate ticket. When Kerry moves on (and I would encourage him to do so) I would be delighted to support Ms. Coakley for US Senate with the vision of an eventual Capuano – Coakley team in the US Senate. He would have the experience and network to mentor her. She would have the additional time to expand her knowledge of national and international affairs and grow into a fine US Senator, which is clearly her goal.
I suspect most new Senators start out as having a home state perspective, but as they get more comfortable both in terms of knowing the issues and being politically safe they branch out more. John Kerry was a minor national celebrity already when he was elected stemming from his Vietnam testimony, but had also been elected to statewide office so presumably was in touch with the state to some extent. Of course, you really broaden your horizons when you have one eye on the White House. Keep in mind too that it seems the Framers had this in mind for the Senate. The House was the chamber that was supposed closer to the people and their communities while the Senate was for big picture things. Hence only the House can initiate tax bills, but only the Senate gets to ratify treaties and confirm judicial, diplomatic, and administrative appointments. I am a supporter of Capuano’s as well, but I don’t have reason to be concerned that the other candidates won’t be in touch with our needs.
A senator from Massachusetts.
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p>The real Massachusetts.
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p>Great outreach!
that the poor widow from Louisiana chose for us? A constituency of one family isn’t quite wide enough is it?
At least based on recent endorsements the Kennedy’s seem to be backing Ted’s old friend Khazei.
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p>If, as you alledge, the interests of Massachusetts (whatever you think those are…) are not being represented by Senator Kerry you can, however, be assured that when Lichtenstein sees Senator Kerry they might be impressed that Massachusetts still makes serious politicians as opposed to what Lichtenstein might see from those all-hat-no-cattle fools from, say, Texas. I had thought, that the voters of America might have made that same distinction, but… alas.
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p>Of course, last I checked, Commonwealth soldiers were continuing to fight in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Boston Jews still had an interest in middle-east happenings and Massachusetts companies were rather smitten with the global economy… Methinks a Senator who’s interests and knowledge extends to these affairs would, in fact, be representing Massachusetts with distinction.
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p>To the extent that this logic has any traction whatsoever, the inhabitants of Capuanos present district might beg to disagree. They might want a Somerville rep, rather than some fella who’s barnstorming around the state seekiing to represent ‘others’. Following this logic, Coakley emerges as the candidate to fulfill this thinking since hers, at least in terms of populations, her election would represent a differential of zero: she already represents the entire state…
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p> Or, conversely, they may be proud to send Capuano unto the Senate to show the world (including Lichtenstein) what Somerville is made of… regardless of what, if anything, he’ll ‘bring back home.’
The former antiwar activist John Kerry voted to give GWB the authority to send those soldiers and Marines to Iraq. That is emblematic of one of Kerry’s shortcomings.
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p>Ms. Coakely serves all of the state, it’s true. I’m not ready to say she represents its residents.
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p>Kerry is also a former soldier as well as an anti-war activist. Why emphasize one, and not the other? I think it’s been pretty clearly established that Kerry trusted the assurances of Colin Powell, another former soldier, to his peril. I wish Senate votes could all be reduced to black and white, but alas… I think any ‘shortcomings’ Kerry has lie only in relation to some unreal expectations on your part, but that’s probably way OT here…
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p>A fair point.
No, he’s a former sailor. If he trusted Powell, he screwed up, fellow soldier or not. I knew Powell was lying, and I was only an enlisted soldier. A smart officer like Kerry should have seen through the smoke, and I believe he did. His vote was made with an eye on the Presidential campaign; the Powell thing is a convenient excuse.
My opinion, which is based on observing John Kerry closely for forty years is worthless?
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p>In case you think I’m hiding behind anonymity to express these opinions, be advised that I have sent them to Kerry’s office under my own name. Whether his staff ever passed them on to him, I don’t know, but I doubt it. There is no way, of course, for me to actually speak with the Great Man, since that same staff so diligently insulates him from the hoi-polloi.
to get elected. Obama did it too and now he has to face the clusterfu@% in Afghanistan. IMO
If you didn’t hear it this morning you can read it here.
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p>This print version reads well, but reporter Fred Thys paints a sound picture of an honest, kind and principled public servant, with lots of ambiant sound that is very colorful and informative about the power of an insider at the same time.
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p>Radio at it’s best.
Great stuff. I loved the “Bringing home the bacon” soundbite.
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p>In contrast, Lehigh’s column was terrible.