Politics & Government

U.S. Senate Candidates Discuss Jobs, Occupy Movement, and DJ Henry

The five democratic senators looking to square off against Scott Brown met in a forum at Stonehill College Monday.

The five Democrats competing to take on U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) for his seat in Washington squared off in a 90-minute forum Tuesday night at s Martin Institute in Easton.

The forum, which was sponsored by the Joseph A. Martin Institute, Wickedlocal.com andWCVB.com, was intended as more of a discussion than a debate, according to Enterprise News and Patriot Ledger Editor Chazy Dowaliby, who moderated.

It was just that - as the candidates rarely disagreed on any issue.

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"I think the ultimate test is defeating Scott Brown," said Wayland Rep. Tom Conroy "That's what it is all about."

Conroy was joined on stage by Marisa DeFranco, a North Shore lawyer specializing in immigration; Attorney Jim King of Dover; Herb Robinson, an engineer from Newton; and Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard law professor.

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In addition to Dowaliby, the debate was moderated by Rick Homes, the opinion page editor for the MetroWest Daily News; Phillip Martin. the senior reporter for WGBH radio; and Janet Wu of WCVB TV.

When the candidates were asked about Warren's status as the leading fundraiser and the overall front-runner in the race, DeFranco responded.

"Money is not going to win this race," she said. "Democrats need to get real and talk to people on the ground. They need to pick a candidate who stands strong on their background."

Warren said that while she may have raised the most money so far, that won't be the most important issue moving forward.

"Marisa is right," she said. "I may get outspent, but I won't get out-worked. I'm out there every day."

DeFranco clashed with Warren regarding the city of Boston's decision to not allow Occupy Boston protesters to set up winterized structures.

While Warren's response to the question was "Everyone has to follow the law - including Wall Street," DeFranco believed the Occupy protesters should stand their ground.

"Rosa Parks broke the law," she said. "Yes, they should be allowed there, as long as they are peaceful."

When asked to grade the "Occupy" movements nationally and in Boston, DeFranco graded the national movement with a B and the Boston movement with an A+. King and Robinson graded the national movement with a C and the Boston movement with an A. Conroy graded both with B's and said there was "room for improvement." Similarly, Warren gave both movements an "Incomplete."

With the debate taking place in Easton, the candidates were asked about Easton native DJ Henry - who was shot and killed by a New York police officer last year, yet a  any suspects. Each candidate agreed that there should be more transparency in similar cases.

"There is a need for transparency," Warren said. "We should make facts public. We're well past the days when people can say 'we took care of this internally - trust us.'"

"I would make my calls," Conroy added. "As a U.S. Senator, you're going to get your phone calls returned. And, that's some of the leverage you have."

The five candidates all disagreed with the recent gambling bill passed by the Massachusetts State Legislature, although King and Robinson added that time would tell if the bill was appropriate.

When asked to grade President Obama on his handling of the economy, Conroy gave him an A. DeFranco gave him a C+. King gave him a C. And, Robinson and Warren both gave him a B.

All of the candidates agreed that one of the keys to reviving the economy were centered around the creation of green energy and moving away from dependency on oil.

"The first thing we need to do is stop subsidizing the oil industry," Warren said.

DeFranco added that deficit spending is necessary to get the U.S. out of its economic rut. Her comments were met with applause from the audience.

"We deficit spent to defeat fascism and win World War II," she said. "And, we need to do it again."


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