In 2002, as part of his consideration about what position to take on going to war in Iraq, Mike Capuano literally stood out on the street in a bunch of different locations all over his district, holding a sign that asked people to tell him their opinions on the matter. (I’m totally not making this up. I believe he had one in Spanish as well.)
That, to me, is the epitome of constituent services. I am not saying that I think every elected official needs to vote 100% with the opinions they hear from the people they represent (what’s up, same sex marriage?), but I absolutely think they have the obligation to learn what those opinions are and the reasons behind them.
It’s true that anyone can pick up the phone and call their legislator’s office, but we all know that the fact of the matter is that very, very few people do. But you know what lots of people do all the time? Go to Dunkin’ Donuts. By putting himself out in the midst of the people in his district and facilitating that dialogue in a setting where he knew he would get feedback that would never reach him otherwise, Capuano showed not just a willingness to interact directly with his constituents, but an understanding of how to do that. I think that’s the heart of this matter for me.
One of my brothers enlisted in the Marines two years before 9/11, and in 2003 he was sent to Iraq. I’m thankful every day that he came home safely, but I haven’t forgotten the fear and the dread that lives with you all the time when someone you love is in the middle of a war. I also haven’t forgotten that just because that someone is away, it doesn’t mean that you suddenly get to spend half your life lobbying for them to come home. Pretty much, you go to work. And you go grocery shopping, and you go home and you fall asleep praying that the phone doesn’t ring in the middle of the night. The fact that Capuano took the time and initiative to seek out and engage with people who were both more likely to be directly affected by this issue and less likely to be proactive about discussing it with him is a big part of the foundation of my support for his candidacy now.
So yes, in tomorrow’s Sarah Palin of Senate elections, I’ll be voting for him – and I’ll be proud to do so.
I think I will copy and paste this into my final outgoing email tonight to friends. Do you mind? It is a true testament to a man who proudly represents his constituency, and cares strongly about the issues.
And hopefully you did not wait for my tardy permission. I’m glad you liked the post; I probably should have written it earlier but hopefully at least a few people will have seen it before tomorrow. Good luck with your last-minute cajoling…I’m doing mine as well. Ah, democracy.
Wonderful story, wonderfully told!
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p>Link is: http://i48.tinypic.com/n3n1ir
dont know Mike Capuano would only be more impressed they knew about him. I worked in a small tough Somverville community health/addiction clinic when he was mayor. He was incredibly supportive to both the clinic and to the neighboring businesses who didnt like the clinic. He talked to people at Dunkin Donuts about our little disputes. Good guy.
Thanks. Hope your brother comes home soon safe and sound.
While we will be stuck with a mediocre rather than a great Senator for MA, at least the 8th district will still have a great Congressman. My parents made a good point, they were both solidly for Coakley from the get go, for both it was the balls she had in taking on the Kennedy’s, her anti-corporate populist message, and they both felt we needed a woman in the Senate. But they also felt Mike was doing fine where he was, that there weren’t many great people to replace him. Ironically for a lot of people it might have been their desire to see him stay where he is, at least in the 8th, that deterred them from voting. I didn’t quite see the logic then, and still don’t, but while Mike might be a lot more effective in the Senate at advancing the progressive agenda, he also won’t have the time and the safety of some obscurity to poll people at the local Dunkin Donuts. He won’t be able to respond to every caller. Perhaps its better to allow a tireless advocate for his constituents to keep fighting for them. Coakley, was always aloof and perhaps the Senate is a better place for her than it is for Mike.