My opponent, in a recent radio debate, exclaimed “I’ve been a co-sponsor of this legislation for six years.  My opponent and I have the same position.”

My response caught him off guard.  

“In the six years that the incumbent has been co-sponsoring this legislation,” I challenged, “the number of his fellow co-sponsors has plummeted to less than half of the all-time high number of co-sponsors, which was tallied in the year 2000.  He has said nothing publicly in defense of medicare for all when his Democratic party leaders attempted to remove the issue from its platform.  It’s not a surprise that his party leaders want it removed; they are happy to accept donations from lobbyists and corporate officers who profit by keeping things just the way they are.  He has not come to the defense of the legislation when well-funded opponents have spread misinformation about it.  Nor has he done anything to educate his peers in the legislature to secure more co-sponsors and then actually pass the legislation.  I’ll provide a different kind of leadership.”

My incumbent opponent did not have a response to this attack of his lackluster advocacy.  His political playbook did not have a chapter for the scenario he found himself in.  Radio listeners found it refreshing.

The Massachusetts District Attorneys Association (MDAA) sent a letter to candidates on Oct 7 asking for support for legislation that would require budget parity between public prosecution and public defense offices.  They expressed concern at disparities that have grown in the last eight years.  The letter claims that 8 years ago District Attorneys offices received $78 million and the Committee for Public Counsel Services received $51.  For FY 2010 the District Attorney office appropriations were $92 million, while the CPCS appropriation was $168 million.

One item that struck me in particular was the amount of private outsourcing that was reported, which I shared with the Berkshire District Attorney when I met with him on October 18. He told me that presently 90% of the caseload that is handled by CPCS is given to private contractors, who are called ‘bar advocates.’ It made me think of Halliburton!

The MDAA requested that I e-mail my thoughts on their proposal to them, which I did today.  The text of the e-mail follows.

At the last moment, a two-way debate to which I was invited last month turned into a solo televised interview, when my opponent cited a misunderstanding between himself and the debate sponsors regarding the date.  The sponsors are attempting to re-schedule a real debate, which I have said I will attend.  The forum proceeded last night as a televised 30 minute interview.  The following section  is the prepared text of my opening statement.

You can view the full interview via a link from my web site.  You can also find it directly on PCTV where you can perform a search for ‘4th Berk. District’ and it should come up.

The moderator asked me questions about education, single payer health care, public transportation, and others.  I made sure to talk about tax fairness.  The SHOW ID is 13991.