| The candidates had made their opening statements, answered questions related to foreign policy, to domestic policy, and to energy policy. They had also answered questions posed to them by each other as well as members of the audience on various issues. Now, the final forum reached its conclusion with the candidates' closing statements in reverse order as the opening statements were made, which were also regulated to two minutes time. At any time if one candidate mentioned another by name, that candidate would be allowed a rebuttal of thirty seconds.
Tracey Brooks
"I want to thank all you for being here tonight, for staying with us. It's a very important time and a very important election.
"I'm running for Congress to undo the damage done by George Bush and the policies of the Republicans down in Washington. To stand up to those special interests who stand in the way of change. But most importantly to make our government accountable again. There are a lot of things that are being said about me out there right now, and tonight I'd like to set the record straight before you.
"My name is Tracey Brooks. I'm 38 years old. I'm single. I live in Coeymans, in the district. I've had the wonderful opportunity to work for Senator Clinton as her Regional Director and I'm proud of that. I've worked for the State Legislature. I am an attorney. I work for a law firm named Brown & Weinraub. I've represented people. I did work as a private attorney for a short time. I've worked in the public sector. I've worked in our non-profits, side-by-side, hand-in-hand, with the people who live in our inner cities. I've been in and out of crack houses and I've stood next to mothers holding their children while we were both afraid that we were going to be beaten and battered.
"I'm running for Congress to represent you. I'm running for Congress for that mother I stood next to because the policies of the Federal government did not help us that day. And I'm running for Congress to make sure that our government is accountable. So I invite you on this exciting journey that we are taking on this wonderfully exciting campaign. We have outstanding momentum. It's been a big week for us, I'm sure you've seen.
"I'm asking for your help, and most importantly, I'm asking for your vote. Because together we can end the War in Iraq. Together, we will provide health insurance for every person in our communities. And together, we will protect Social Security and we will close that donut hole in Medicare Part D, and we will make sure that we have long term health care, home health care, not only for our seniors today, but tomorrow. I'm inviting you to join me and vote for me, because together we will end this War in Iraq, we will stand up these bad policies of George Bush and we will make our government accountable.
"I'm Tracey Brooks, I'm running for Congress. A vote for me in September is a vote for change."
Darius Shahinfar
"I'm running for Congress to renew America's promise that America will be the nation of hope, freedom and opportunity again. Back here at home, that means that America needs to work for working Americans again, and it hasn't for a very long time thanks to policies down in Washington, politicians down in Washington who haven't cared about our needs, our everyday needs, down there.
"I'm running for Congress because to make America work for working Americans again, we as Democrats need to tell people that that's what we're about as a party. We're about rising tide economics and not trickle-down economics. We believe America works from the ground up, not the top down.
"My theme of renewing America's promise is such a good theme that you'll hear it at the Democratic National Committee this week. I won't charge you for it. But...this is a change election. And how do we make that change down in Washington? We have to send new people, new faces, people who aren't tainted by the system. Career politicians won't change things, lobbyists won't change things. People who refuse to take money from lobbyists, that's where we need to go. We need to make sure the special interests and lobbyists don't control the agenda down there. And we do that as candidates by telling you, pledging to you, that we're not going to do that, that we're not going to take money from lobbyists and special interest.
"And that's my pledge to you. And that's my pledge to renew America's promise, so we can make America work for working Americans again."
Paul Tonko
"Thank you, Robert. Thank you for job you did as moderator, as our time-keeper. Thank you to our hosts and, most importantly, for everyone attending here this evening so we can share thoughts with one another.
"Certainly, these are tough times for the countries. In the next years, I'm praying to think analytically, to insert planning into the work we do, and to defend what is right. Engineers building bridges will pick five solutions, and then only those that fit, only those that are correct. And so it's the training and the professional aspects that I bring to my goal in government.
"Also, these are tough times that require experience. Experience that has worked through a process. If any of us think that we're going to utopia, or that we can individually change the House or the Hill, it won't happen. We can work to make it happen. We can push to build a coalition. But we also have to be realistic about getting the change that we need.
"Let's talk about the change. When those who said I couldn't get it done, I got it done with mental health parity., fighting against insurance lobbyists. When they said I couldn't give them consumer protection, the utilities fought it, we got it done. When we were working on Power for Jobs because again the utilities said it's not gonna happen, we got it done, saving hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of jobs in this state. And when they said that we couldn't revamp the education age distribution because the powerful education sector's population equity to the south of this state were going to stop it, we got it done. We fought hard, we fought with experience, we fought with analytical analyses, we went forward. That's what we need now in this country. We need experience for tough times.
"As an energy person, as an engineer, assigned to the Chairmanship of the Energy Committee, to lead NYSERDA as it's President and CEO, I can hit the ground running. And energy impacts all of us, in a household, in a business setting, to create the competitive edge for American business and to get us out of the War in Iraq, which I pledge to do if you elect me your Congressman, along with getting universal health care, getting the energy crisis resolved with new hope, new opportunity for our children, and our workers with a green collar job opportunity that we will grow with an energy revolution. A century ago, this district housed the City of Schenectady, which was dubbed the city that lights all the world. They produced an energy revolution. We can do that again from this CD, moving us forward, with wonderful opportunities."
Phil Steck
"Well I certainly would agree with Mr. Tonko that New York State government is not utopia. And I wouldn't think that the answer, if we want to address our problems in Washington, is to conduct business in the same way it's been done in our New York State government. I don't feel that as an energy consumer in this state that there's a lot of protection for me. And I don't think that having the second-highest energy costs in this nation shows a lot of accomplishment. I think that one thing, as we've been saying, is that that is not a record of change. It may be a record of many things. But change it is not.
"I also would point out that candidate Brooks has talked about Brown & Weinraub. That's a lobbying firm. That's most of their business. If you go online, you can see it for yourself. And if you want to have a Congressperson who's on the payroll of a lobbying firm, then certainly Miss Brooks would fit the bill. I've worked on issues of concern for women. I've actually litigated cases under the equal pay act, not just talked about it.
"If we want to get health insurance reform, we can't elect people who are taking tens of thousands of dollars from health insurance companies. I've been a worker for change all my life as an attorney, in government, and as a political activist. I've built coalitions for change in my community, and that's exactly what I'll do in Congress."
As soon as Phil Steck was done speaking, Tracey Brooks quickly asked "Can I rebut?" having been directly addressed by Phil Steck. While the moderator noted that there were no rules for rebuttal during opening and closing statements, he allowed Tracey Brooks thirty seconds for rebuttal.
Tracey Brooks: Rebuttal to Phil Steck's Closing Statement
"Brown & Weinraub is a law firm. It is not a lobbying firm. There's a lobbying firm that has a similar name. I work for a law firm in Albany, New York. I'm a lawyer. I'm a member of your community. And I'm asking you join the excitement of our campaign as we move forward, to make change happen not only in the 21st Congressional District, but in our nation."
Soundpolitic Blogger's Note
At this point, moderator Robert Ward announced that the forum had come to a close to a long-held and raucous round of applause from those in attendance. While he attempted to again make note of the many organization that had made the event possible, the seal had been broken on a whirlwind of conversation in the audience that completely drowned out his voice.
I did catch that the debate would be broadcast on public access cable, but I didn't hear anyone mention a transcript would be available. Instead of rubbing elbows with all the volunteers, voters, and elected officials that were still around, I bolted back up the hill to get started working on this transcript.
This was by the far the most definitive debate amongst the four definitive candidates for Congress in the 21st Congressional District, the only one in which candidates were actually given the opportunity to debate each other. While the four major contenders seemed very similar when it came to policy, a full transcript shows numerous nuances that could be definitive in differentiating the candidates.
Thank you for taking the time to read through the full transcript of the final forum between the Democratic candidates in New York's 21st Congressional District. If you are so inclined, here's a little something extra for your funny bone: the explanation of why the fifth candidate, Joseph Sullivan, did not attend, and it's wacky connection to this blogger, from Capitol Confidential
To Democracy For The Hudson Mohawk Region (DFHMR) and Bethlehem Neighbors For Peace (BNP) Kate Powers, Bruce Bushart, and Robert Ward
Thank you for inviting me to participate in your 24 August 21st Congressional District Candidate Forum.
I owe you and the public an explanation of why I did not attend.
First, I noticed in the advance publicity for the forum, that DFHMR had already endorsed Phil Steck.
Second, I knew that the audience would largely be made up of aides to the four other candidates, and members of your two groups, who would not be receptive to my message or positions on the issues. Few minds to be changed or votes to be gotten here.
Third, local media coverage of a number of earlier 21st District candidate forums was either non-existent, or at best, superficial.
Fourth, The most campaign coverage of the 21st District campaign has been produced by a Steck volunteer: Soundpolitic whose postings appear on The Albany Project , Daily Kos and other progressive (leftwing) blogs. Soundpolitic can hardly be said to be objective in his previous debate coverage. He also, told me that he would invite me to participate in an in depth interview, by him, which would be posted before the September 9 Democratic primary. Soundpolitic has not kept his promise. His coverage of the earlier forums has become increasingly hostile toward me.
Soundpolitics coverage of me can best be summed up in the comment of another leftist malcontent posted in reply to a notice of the 24 August forum which appeared on Capital Confidential Blog"
"Sounds like this will be a good debate, except for the facts that precious time will be wasted on the joke candidate and that it's being moderated by a former flack for the Business Council. See you there."Comment by devtob - August 22, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
All that aside, when Sunday dawned, I had every intention of being your 24 August forum.
Well, why wasn't I there?
It was a beautiful August summer day. My first campaign stop was the German-American Society picnic at Schuestzen Park, Cherry St., Albany. I was dressed casual in shorts, a short sleeve shirt and wore my Aussie wide brimmed hat.
A great crowd, 400 or more, were in attendance. Lovely German music was performed by The Mountain Top band. My 92 year old friend, Paulis entertained with songs in German.
The German food was great: brats, kraut, German potato salad and rye bread. The pitchers of German beer flowed like an artesian spring.
I told stories of how the Irish dockworkers protected the German immigrants who landed in Williamsburgh, and other parts of New York, from attacks by the Nativists No-Nothings in the mid 1800's, and of the German farmers who settled Nassau County and elsewhere on Long Island. Also, of the Albany O'Connell's who spoke German to customers in their old South End tavern at Fourth St and S. Pearl, and how this was the start of the Irish-German coalition that built the Democratic Party in Albany.
The time just drifted by in the soft summer breeze.
So, there you have it. I was among people I could relate to and visa versa.
As I read this mornings media coverage of your Sunday forum, I was convinced that it all turned out for the better, for you, the other four Democratic contenders, and me.
Each were where they were most at home.
By way of summation for the 2008 Democratic Primary Campaign for Congress 21st District NY, I have included the attached chart, based on candidate websites, that sorts oot the 4 other candidates and myself on priority issues.
Thanks again Joe Sullivan
Emphasis added.
For the record, there will be no Soundpolitic interview of Joe Sullivan for the following reasons: this is indeed a progressive Democratic blog and Joe Sullivan is very conservative. Also, at previous debates, I covered his statements accurately, as they were ignorant and insulting to many members of the audience. Also, for the record, he is hilarious. Case in point: I nearly fell off my chair laughing when Joe mentioned both me and my step-grandfather, the 92-year-old singing German, Paulis. What a small world!
It's your loss, Joe. I would have quoted you just as extensively as anybody else here, but I'm very glad you saved me the time it would have taken, and also glad you enjoy my step-grandfather's music as much as I do. I'll buy you a good German brew when this whole thing is over, and that's a promise you can hold me to :-)
The Soundpolitic interview with Phil Steck will be posted before the primary, and the usual State of the Race has been delayed due to illness and heavy canvassing for a candidate not in this race, David Weiss for State Senate but will mostly likely be up one week before primary day. Thanks again, and don't forget to vote on September 9, 2008. |
