Vote From Your Consciousness

The title of this post was a great line delivered by Dion (rhymes with Lion) Robbins-Zust, at the State Senate debate sponsored by the Mass. Commission on the Status of Women last night in Pittsfield. He probably meant 'conscience', but I like it that way. Much more zen. Better political feng shui.

The debate was a timed, moderated format featuring Mr. Zust (officially Independent, but with a Green/Rainbow party affiliation) against Republican Matthew Kinnaman and Democrat Ben Downing, and moderated by Florida Town Administrator Susan Brown. There were about 50 folks in attendance, with the Downing supporters seated on the left side of the room, and the Kinnaman boosters on the right. Talk about feng shui.

Tara and I, being neither professional reporters nor particularly punctual, missed the first ten minutes of the show. I have notes on the rest, but think I'll just convey some of my general impressions about the debate and the campaign so far.

The whole affair seemed pretty chummy, as these things go. The Democratic primary debates were more rough-and-tumble than this one. Not that I was expecting a fistfight to break out (as much fun as THAT would be to write about), but there was a whole bunch of mutual agreement and stating positive positions on issues. Besides, Ben is giving away at least 3 inches and 25 pounds to Matt, so I think he'd lose in a fight between the two of them.

They discussed teen pregnancy, wind power, the role of arts in the economy, health insurance, the Community Preservation Act, the Berkshire Compact, and the availability of hi-speed internet. Ben and Matt talked a lot about education as economic stimulus and societal remedy. Dion talked a lot about shared parenting legislation. I mean, a lot. In response to Sue's questions about teen pregnancy, unfilled jobs, the Community Preservation Act, and even hi-speed internet access, he was able to work shared parenting legislation in there as a response. And...the Japanese. He was referring to the intense family culture that influences their society, and how it would benefit life here, but a) I don't see how a freshman state senator does much about that legislatively and b) if he continues that debating style, he's in danger of being labeled a single-issue candidate. His web site has a more comprehensive list of his positions, but during the debate yesterday, he really nailed that message. With big nails. And a big hammer.

We should be able to predict the tone of the final act now. Fortunately, it looks like none of the candidates will go negative. That's refreshing, although it's less compelling blogging. Matt will be using the word "experience" a lot, trying to subtly ram the age issue through to the voters, and stressing his career in education. Ben will continue the strategy that won him the primary: family history, experience working with legislators; youth and passion, and technology. Dion will probably work in a few more references to shared parenting legislation and spread the message that neither the Dems nor Repubs are providing anything but "hollow rhetoric" in lieu of actual responsible governance.

In short, I think Sue did a great job getting the issues out of all the candidates. I plan on bringing some additional, possibly more contentious issues up at the 10/24 W'town/North Adams Rotary Candidate's Event, and hopefully the 10/26 MCLA debate will feature some as well.

Keep in mind that all these guys are remarkably accessible (kudos!), so it's worth heading over to Dion's, Matt's, or Ben's web sites, and if you have a question or issue you'd like to raise with them, I predict you'll get a timely response.

If you're interested in my capsule summaries of each candidate's answers to the issue questions asked, let me know and I'll followup on this post. Or you can just watch the debate on TV. No commercials. I mean, that's cool.