Cape Politics

I Like Mike

Mike Capuano should be our next U.S. Senator.

By Spyro Mitrokostas

"I like Mike because he is the most experienced candidate for the job."

With the news that former Governor Michael Dukakis is breaking with tradition and endorsing a Democrat in a statewide primary, it would be a good time to focus on a very important election that is only 10 days away.

You would think that replacing Ted Kennedy, "Lion of the Senate", would be monumental struggle between titans of Massachusetts politics. But this race is anything but.  And only 1 in five voters will vote, about the same as the number of voters who even know there is a special election on December 8th.

The field has a lot to do with it. 4 decidedly un-noteworthy Democrats. I'm discounting the 2 Republicans, because this is Massachusetts after all. 

He is considered a leader in Congress, as one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's most effective Lieutenants.

If you believe the polls, Martha Coakley, the State's Attorney General is leading with those who say they will vote (note: not actually vote). Followed by veteran Congressman Mike Capuano, business owner Steve Pagliuca and community organizer Alan Khazei.

Pagliuca and Khazei critics have questions about how they made their fortune (raiding pension funds) and who (don't ask who) they raise their money from.  Pagliuca and Khazei will end up being the spoilers in the race; Pagliuca from the right, and Khazei from the left. Otherwise we would be focusing on a two way race.

I like Mike because he is  the most experienced candidate for the job.  He is already a legislator in the Congress he now wants to serve in the Senate.  He is probably the most experienced legislator to run for the US Senate from Massachusetts in 50 years.   He is considered a leader in the House, as one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's most effective Lieutenants.

Martha Coakely is not a legislator. Neither are the other candidates. Coakely is a cautious prosecutor.  Pagliuca is a rich investor and Khazie is a social activist. They are, after all, applying for a job as a legislator.

I could live with many portfolios as long as the candidate grasps the seriousness of the national issues at hand. Again, I like Mike because he understood that the War in Iraq was wrong, based on fabrications by Bush/Cheney. He voted against it.  He stood up against the assault on civil liberties known as the (ironically named) Patriot Act as well. 

When he was in a position to speak the truth, he did.  The others weren't even in the game.

"Congressmen get money for their districts.
Capuano got money for his state. And lots of it."

Congressmen get money for their districts. Capuano got money for his state. An lots of it. For all you fiscal conservatives out there, when its federal pork, it's money that would otherwise go to Texas, Florida or California. I like Mike because he will continue to bring home the bacon for both our aging infrastructure and our new industries. Just like Senator Kennedy did.

Mike Capuano was the Mayor of one of our gateway cities. He built public parks in poor neighborhoods where there were none. He did this admittedly because he had kids and no back yard. I like Mike because he has kids and can see the future through the next generation's eyes.   I don't trust candidates who don't have kids. They will not do the right thing for the next generation. They are too busy placating the current one. Pagliuca and Khazei also have kids.

Cape Wind is about the next generation.  It's about a vision for the future, and not the view of the few.  All the candidates support Cape Wind.  But which one is best suited to see it gets built?  I'll bet on Mike.

Capuano is for the "Public Option" and for Universal Healthcare. And because he was in the thick of the fight for healthcare reform in Congress, I like Mike to make it happen in the Senate.

"If Martha Coakley were not a woman, what would her base of support be?"

Mike Capuano was an early supporter of Deval Patrick for Governor, when the Democratic establishment was lining up behind Tom Riley. Martha Coakley again lined up with the Democratic establishment in Massachusetts by endorsing  Hillary Clinton for President.

If Martha Coakley were not a woman, what would her base of support be?  If we were all to look past gender, the way we now look beyond race and ethnicity, what would be the most compelling reason to vote for Martha Coakley?

Do you just want someone who will vote in Congress the way you would like them to?  Or do you want someone who will be a leader in the Senate, for Massachusetts and the country? I like Mike to be that Senator.

VOTE in the POLL "Which Democrat will you vote for US Senator on Dec. 8?" here.