For the re-election, she isn't overwhelmed that new Sen. Scott Brown snagged Ted Kennedy's seat in some of the same towns in her dictrict. She recognizes voters' confusion and anger in the hard economic times. She figures that the special election differs substantially.
Rep. Tsongas explained her views and votes on the PATRIOT Act and don't-ask-don't-tell. She sees both of them working toward progressive ends by processes that are already underway.
She discussed some of her successes from the Armed Services Committee, in areas as diverse as body armor, sexual assault in the military, and enabling the National Guard to attract doctors and dentists.
She also discussed differences in how the House and Senate operate, seeing her chamber push through numerous progressive reforms that stall in the Senate. For example, one they have been able to pass, thereby beginning to pressure the other body, is ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act). She said after the House passed it, she congratulated our Rep. Barney Frank, who had led the effort. She said that he told her, “You know that was Paul's bill,” referring to her late husband. He had introduced the first form of that bill as a U.S. Senator in 1979.
She certainly came prepared to take on a whole bevy of questions and had some good specifics. Take a listen, folks, lots of good stuff.
We’re not confused. Perhaps you are. Lawrence, a city in your district, has an unemployment rate of 18%.
You’re not shocked by Senator Scott Brown winning the safest government seat in electoral history. Wow, you really don’t have a clue, as I mentioned to you in Tewksbury after their bipartisan breakfast last March. Nice event Tewksbury!
Don’t you read newspapers in Charlestown?
If you’re discussing your “successes” on the Armed Services Committee, let’s discuss your failures too.
Trying to take credit for a bill from 21 years ago is just indicative of just how useless you are.
Your support of the medical device tax is going to ruin lives and employers in the Merrimac valley
So please! Tell me, when are you going to begin doing FOR not TO your constituents?
My advice is to retire to Charlestown, before you become the joke Martha Coakley is.
billxi
Lawrence voted for Coakley, 65%.
Did the rest of the district vote?