LIVE this Fri: Coakley, Capuano, Khazei, Pagliuca
The four Dems for U.S. Senate will be our guests Fri@1. They’ll be on seperately, in sequence. All four have been (and will be) on WBUR a numbers of times, but this appearance will be special in that we’ll focus on your questions and comments for the candidates.
Call-in during the program, and/or give us your questions on this comment thread.
BTW, we had the GOP candidates on a couple weeks ago. If you missed it, Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson come in at 28:00.
Remember: the primary is next Tuesday, Dec. 8th.
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Tuesday, December 1st…Question? would like to know the name of the book, “Letters???just reviewed today; author, “Mallon” sp.???
Thank you…soon to be a member, a donater to WBUR…
Hi John, I think you’re looking for “Yours Ever: People and Their Letters” by Thomas Mallon.
Thanks for listening to WBUR!
A question for Michael Capuano/Martha Coakley:
There seems to be a general consensus that you are doing a good job as congressman/attorney general. During the debate on Wednesday, there also seemed to be agreement between the candidates that all are qualified and capable, beyond a few differences of opinion. That being the case, why should voters remove you from your current post? If you are elected, what will you do to ensure that your current constituents continue to be effectively served by their congressperson/attorney general? Thank you.
P.S. If needed, my last name is pronounceed “deek”.
Question to the candidates: How to you break the hold that the con men of the opposition have on far too large a segment of the American people? Through twisted logic, half truths, and out right lies they have managed to convince far too many that every offered solution is dangerous. How will you deal with other Senators who will deny the sun rises in the east if they think it would mean agreeing with the President? Senators who would rather see millions remain uninsured if it means their contributors might have to do with a little less? Who opppose any judge as too liberal, merely on the basis that if the President nominates them, they must be too liberal? That oppose any effort at regulation? Etc. Etc.
Thanks for the opportunity to propose a question. There seems to be little real ideological difference among the candidates, so I think this election is less about WHAT each candidate stands for, and more about HOW each would approach the job. Therefore my question to each: Name a current U.S. senator (not from Massachusetts) who you admire and explain how that senator might be a role model for yourself.
Senator Kennedy played such a big role in increasing access to higher education and keeping an eye on the student loan industry, both public and private, and I think it is important that whoever fills his seat be just as proactive in this arena as Senator Kennedy was. One major problem that I see is the overwhelming influence that the private student loan industry has over policy. It is absurd that with interest rates at near-historic lows, former students are not allowed to refinance their loans like virtually any other debt. Where do you stand on student loan reform and how do you plan to take up Senator Kennedy’s fight?
Question for all the candidates:
Explain your decision-making process. For example, when there is a new bill, what steps will you take to determine the quality of the bill and how it will impact the issue? How do you envision yourself interacting with your Senatorial colleagues during this decision-making process?
Ted Kennedy was a hero and leader for people with disabilities, authoring the ADA and the right for a public education for children with disabilities. As the candidates seek the seat of Senator Kennedy, not a single one of them have uttered a word about the rights or concerns about people with disabilities. What do they know or support regarding the Senator’s rich history of supporting the cause of people with disabilities?
QUESTION TO ALL, but first the introduction:
I am an extremely disheartened Democrat. I have voted in every election 40 years. I was very excited when Obama was elected. With 60 Senators and an overwhelming majority in the house, I thought the Democratic party would really be able to make substantive, progressive change with the issues that, I thought, were important to all Democrats. Now all I see is centrist democrats threatening to filibuster an already incredibly watered-down health care bill. I see Obama becoming a war time president. I see that congress passed a smaller than needed stimulus package that only helped Wall street get back to where they were BEFORE the financial crisis….I could go on and on with the compromising, and lack of backbone and spine the democratic party has shown since Obama’s election. Finally the question, what makes it worth voting for any of you – if the Democrats can’t get it together with the 60 we got now – what difference will you make?
As a primary care physician, I am deeply committed to an overhaul of our health care system. As a lifetime strong supporter of a woman’s right to choose, I would never support restricting access to abortion, particularly for the poorest members of our society. I can’t imagine torpedoing health care reform because of that one issue however – is there something you all know that I don’t about how ammendment deals are made or the details play out? Can I safely vote for Coakley or Capuano wihtout worrying that we democrats will “loose” one of our crucial 60 votes on health care reform? I would rather have some health coverage for all Americans, even if I completely dissagree with the Stupak (sp?) ammendment, than the expensive, inneficient, low-quality situation we have now.
For Mr. Alan Khazei:You push the two state solution for Israel. Do you really believe that the Arabs can put forward a viable partner for “their” state within the fore seeable future? One that will not advocate continued pressure to push the Israelis into the Mediteranean?
One of the biggest problems I see is the disintegration of political discourse into polarized extremes of right and left and the shackling of real progress in Congress by the influence of lobbyists and special interests and their pocket books. The price of NOT acting soon on health care reform, environmental and energy issues is more astronomical than the short term costs of enacting legislation now. How do each of you think you can contribute to civil debate and constructive action in the Senate?
For Mr. Capuano:
Why leave the House where you have seniority, to become the 100th Senator? What do the citizens in your distract have to gain from this?
Would you champion public financing for elections?
Would you work to change Congressional procedures that allow totally unrelated amendments be added to bills as they travel through Committee?
You all seem to have good Progressive values, but can you say something we have not heard already towards convincing us that you will make a difference in Congress?
Thank you.
For all candidates:
Do you support casino gambling in Massachusetts?
As a locally elected official, I am very concerned about the state of the Massachusetts economy, especially support for education and job creation. What can you do from Washington to support quality education and economic development? Thank you.
For all 4 candidates:
Last year Mass. voters(including myself) voted to decriminalize marijuana possession. How did each of you vote on this?
Recently Prez. Obama asked the DEA to refrain from raiding medical marijuana dispensaries. What are each of your stances on this. Thank you.
For all four candidates: name one issue where you can find bipartisanship with Republicans, even if it means breaking with the traditional Democratic party line.
A question for all four candidates: I believe Congress often fails to resolve important issues because its members are too beholden to the lobbyists who fund their election campaigns. Where do you stand on public financing of congressional elections?
A.G. Coke-Lee better be elected, not as much as she would make a good Senator, but we get rid of a tribble A.G. The State is infested with Drug problems with a lot of Overdose death. Try to find an 800 number for tip. Many of Financial prosecution is done by Secretary Galvin office. wrt her ad about missing children, there are only 8 and mostly above 16 years old who may be run-away adult from where they originally came from.
The Federal Election Commission’s website makes available a list of PAC’s that have donated to each of the candidates’ campaigns. None are listed for Mr. Pagliuca or Mr. Khazei, but AG Coakley’s campaign has accepted contributions from, among others: Home Depot Inc. ($10,000), Pepsi ($2,500), SUN Healthcare ($5,000), TEVA Pharmaceuticals ($2,000), Vanguard Health Management ($5,000), and Verizon ($5,000). Rep. Capuano’s campaign has accepted contributions from, among others: AFLAC ($1,000), Boeing ($1,000), the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers ($2,500), Eli Lilly ($5,000), Liberty Mutual Insurance ($2,500), Travelers Insurance ($3,500), and oddly, something called the “Poker Players Alliance PAC” ($2,500).
Given the significant national debates surrounding aspects of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and given that whoever wins this election will have an important role to play in making laws that regulate these industries, what can these two candidates do to guarantee to individual voters that the corporations who have contributed heavily to their campaigns will not have undue access to them, and undue influence on their decision-making process?
Steve Pagliuca says getting health insurance legislation passed is “personal” for him. As a partner in Bain Capital, with a stake in for profit hospital chain Hospital Corporation of American which was bought by Bain, is he talking about a personal business stake. How much does he stand to profit from conscripting 30 million new medical insurance clients.
For Martha Coakley:
How do you square a defense of people’s First Amendment retained rights with the gag order you extorted from Cheryl Amirault LeFave?
And ditto forcing her to give up her right to sue the Commonwealth and yourself personally for abuse of the legal process?
Many of the settlements of “ritual rabbit-killing cases” and other hysterical “child abuse/daycare center” cases were in the $2- to $3-million range, whether imposed by a jury or by negotiations between defense lawyers and municipalities. Did you make the agreement contingent upon letting LeFave get out of prison to save yourself a very large judgement? Or do you just like the exercise of power over people with no bargaining position?
I’d say your conduct in the Fells Acres/Amirault cases disqualifies you from practicing law and from holding elective office. Ask Dorothy Rabinowitz if she agrees with me.
bw
Martha
Could you share with us your view of the controversial Cape Wind project that has been up for discussion now for several years.
For Steven Pagliuca:
According to the Boston Globe, in 1994 you supported Mitt Romney in his run against Ted Kennedy, and in 1996 you supported Weld in his run against Senator Kerry.
Why should we believe that you will make progressive, liberal decisions as Senator when you worked against Sen. Kennedy himself?
Is there a way to reduce imprisonment nationally? Like regulating marijuana (then controlling against smoke in rental buildings)?
Thanks to 8 years of stubborn incompetence, the world’s finances are in a shamble, we were mired in the wrong war, and our very climate is in crisis. How should a senator prioritize his/her time to be as effective as possible?
Mr. Capuano-
Other than channeling the rage of the masses- What was the purpose of berating the CEO’s of the big banks earlier this year in Congress. Is this your way of incenting them to increase service- products- opportunity in the Commonwealth?
I thought it made you look like a crank!
Congressman Capuano-
You are an angry man.. Does that strategy work for you?
I agree with Festus.
Why should we take Mr. Capuano out of his job – he’s already doing a service to the Commonwealth – instead of leaving him there and voting for Martha Coakley?
I’ve been impressed with your performance in the debates/information sessions but am concerned about your participation in votes in Congress. This was reported as being quite low. Can you explain please.
Nice Non Answer…Michael….
For Alan Khazei–
how come you haven’t run for other local offices (or have you, and I just don’t know)? Why are you starting with the Senate?
All the Democrat canditates are left wing and quite extreme persons that pretty much think alike. It is conceivable that someday that Massachusetts will be represented by a middle of the roader, or even a moderate conservative? If so, then I can again vote.
Alan Khazei:
Can you please elaborate on your experience with the legislative process in Washington so that voters can understand why you are qualified to represent the people of MA in the United States Senate?
AND;
What makes you a unique candidate and how will the voters Benefit from your Big Citizen approach?
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