"Passionate sense of right and wrong drives Capuano" by Michael Rezendes, Globe Staff | November 16, 2009
Although Capuano denied threatening to kill Brown, he never denied threatening to kill her dog and, to this day, remains unapologetic....
Capuano’s supporters often cite his two-fisted style as a reason to back him....
US Representative Barney Frank, the Newton Democrat who is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee:
“It’s his aggression. If he thinks he’s right, he doesn’t care who he alienates.’’
Capuano has compiled one of the more liberal voting records on Capitol Hill. He voted against the authorization to invade Iraq, opposed the Patriot Act, and is opposed to the death penalty. He has also been a consistent supporter of abortion rights, gay marriage, and tenants rights.
But he is no reformer. A one-time Beacon Hill lobbyist (in the days before he was elected mayor of Somerville), Capuano has accepted campaign contributions from lobbyists and taken money from political action committees - organizations that make campaign contributions on behalf of special interests. He has jetted thousands of miles on frequent Congressional trips around the globe, many of them funded by taxpayers, others by corporate and special interests....
Capuano enjoys powerful status within the House. He is one of Nancy Pelosi’s most trusted lieutenants, even running her transition to power when she ascended to House speaker, and overseeing her effort to establish a new group to strengthen enforcement of congressional ethics rules. For an inside player, his interests occasionally run far afield, never more than with his founding of the Congressional Caucus on the Sudan, which he has used to direct attention to slavery and genocide.
But Capuano’s insider status has also generated controversy. During his nearly 11 years in Congress, PACs have donated about 35 percent of the $5.4 million he has raised in political contributions. And although most members of Congress accept PAC donations, Capuano has come under particular fire for accepting PAC money and individual contributions from the PMA Group, a lobbying firm that closed earlier this year after federal prosecutors raided its offices.
The firm is reportedly under investigation for using straw donors to mask illegal campaign contributions, and for giving dinners and other gifts to members of Congress in violation of congressional ethics rules. Two of the alleged donors reportedly under investigation - a sommelier and a golf course marketing director - donated a total of $4,000 to Capuano, according to records kept by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan organization that tracks money in politics. Capuano, meanwhile, says there is virtually no way to detect questionable contributions from individuals, except in hindsight, and is donating an amount of money equal to what he received from PMA - more than $100,000 - to Massachusetts charities.
Capuano’s connection to PMA was highlighted by a 2001 Vanity Fair article that recounted an evening when several congressman, one of them Capuano, were having dinner and singing songs at the Capital Grille, a Washington steakhouse, only two nights after the 9/11 attacks.
I'm sorry, but that sticks out!
Capuano says that there was nothing wrong with a group of congressmen eating out together at a time when all United States flights had been grounded. But in hindsight, what stands out in the article are the congressmen’s hosts: PMA founder Paul Magliocchetti and PMA associate Daniel Cunningham. And although Capuano says he has not seen Magliocchetti in more than a year, he defends his association with the man in typically combative fashion, saying, “He’s never done anything bad to me or the interests of Massachusetts.’’
Once again his fighting spirit - indeed, his anger - is on display. In opening remarks he vows that he would never “back off from a fight,’’ a promise that is quickly fulfilled when he is asked about a news item on ethical infractions by members of Congress and pushes back, never mentioning the criticism he has weathered for accepting PMA money. “I think innocent until proven guilty applies to legislators, too,’’ he says. There was nothing illegal about the special-interest-funded trip that Capuano and his wife made to Brazil in 2005. But it triggered criticism from watchdog organizations that are concerned about the influence of well-heeled lobbyists and corporate interests on members of Congress.
The $19,400 tab for the one-week journey was picked up by the Congressional Economic Leadership Institute, which is funded by an array of corporate sponsors, and Capuano and his wife were accompanied by several of their lobbyists during meetings with Brazilian business leaders and government officials. To the watchdog organizations, the trip seemed especially brazen because it was made in the wake of the influence-peddling scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe public officials, among other charges.
Congress has since banned special-interest and lobbyist-paid travel but Capuano is, once again, unapologetic. “I’m glad I went to Brazil,’’ he says, adding that he picked up valuable information on the country’s trade and energy policies. “They’re energy-independent. If they can do it, why the hell can’t we?’’
The roots of anger....
Item: A framed reproduction of a cartoon from his first run for Congress that shows him about to punch a hapless opponent in the face. (“I’m proud of being a hard-nosed politician,’’ he explains.)....
On the inside of the flier, there’s a photo of what appears to be a large, happy family. But in many ways it’s a reminder of the tragedies that struck the Capuano household and a possible clue to the anger that has propelled Capuano’s career. When asked, Capuano will say that his anger stems from his days as a young father, when he discovered there wasn’t a Somerville park clean enough or safe enough for his two young sons, or he’ll mention the lack of economic opportunity faced by many of his working-class Somerville constituents. But when he studies the photograph he is reminded of someone else, someone missing: an older sister who died of polio....
***************************************
But even here, in his own kitchen, drinking coffee with his wife and a reporter, Capuano’s anger simmers just below the surface. He bristles when asked why he accepts campaign contributions from political action committees and lobbyists. “I don’t have a bunch of millionaire friends. I have no choice,’’ he says, adding that he favors publicly financed campaigns as a means of ending donations by lobbyists and PACs. And he smolders when asked if he remains friends with Paul Magliocchetti, founder of the PMA Group, the shuttered lobbying firm under federal investigation that has donated money to his campaigns. “How do you define ‘friend?’ ’’ he asks.
At one point, Barbara Capuano intervenes, resting her hand on the reporter’s arm: “You’re going to clean up his language, aren’t you?’’ In fact, Capuano rarely drops an expletive but anger is the fuel that makes him go. When asked what triggered his interest in running for mayor, he does not hesitate. “I got mad,’’ he says, recalling his fruitless search for a park fit for his young sons. Then he adds, “I’m still angry. I’m angry about a lot of things.’’
--more--"We don't need an ANGRY INSIDER, do we, Massachusetts?
Also see: Slow Saturday Special: Capuano the Crook
The War Pimps of PMA
Massachusetts Meets Its Next U.S. Senator
At least he is consistent, huh?
"Pagliuca takes on foes on health care; In a notably tepid Senate campaign, he provokes heated replies by rivals" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | November 20, 2009
The placid campaign for US Senate was jolted yesterday by an unusually heated exchange, as Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen G. Pagliuca criticized two of his rivals over health care and both of them immediately fired back, with one directly attacking Pagliuca’s wealth.
“I’m certainly not going to take any lectures from someone who gave money to George Bush and supported Mitt Romney against Ted Kennedy, has hired lobbyists to block Wall Street reform, and made a fortune in part by gutting KB Toys, a great Massachusetts company, costing thousands of workers their jobs and their health insurance,’’ US Representative Michael E. Capuano said shortly after Pagliuca held a press conference in Boston to criticize Capuano and Attorney General Martha Coakley for pledging to oppose a national health care overhaul if it restricts insurance coverage of abortion....
Capuano’s response, in the form of two written statements issued shortly after Pagliuca spoke, was a bit loose with the facts: Pagliuca was not among Bain directors involved in the KB buyout and did not serve on KB’s board of directors. But the exchange shows the degree to which the campaign’s temperature has risen with just 18 days left until the primary election....Hey, he's a politician (not that the newspaper should be hurling stones)!
--more--"
"Candidates spar at BU forum over green credentials" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | November 18, 2009
Seeking to woo environmentalists, the four Democrats running for US Senate held a virtual green-off yesterday, touting the gas-friendly vehicles they drive, the clean energy policies they support, and their own minor contributions to saving the planet....
During a 90-minute forum held at Boston University and sponsored by several environmental groups, all the candidates said more should be done to combat global warming, and all said they would promote public transportation as a way to lower carbon emissions. And, in a significant break with the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the man they are running to succeed, all have said they support a wind farm in Nantucket Sound....
The four Democrats, who will face off in a special primary election Dec. 8, differed slightly on how they would vote on a pending climate change bill, which currently includes incentives for nuclear power and offshore drilling....
All four candidates said they oppose such drilling....
All of the candidates professed to recycle....
“Based on what I’ve done to clean up the environment, I actually think I could probably drive around in a Humvee for the rest of my life and still be on the positive side of having cleaned up the environment,’’ said US Representative Michael Capuano.
Oh, WHAT ARROGANCE! This is the SAME GUY going on TAXPAYER-FUNDED, CARBON FOOTPRINT SHOPPING TRIPS!
But Capuano also fessed up to having “some of the most inefficient heating boilers in my home you can possibly have. Not because I like it, but because I haven’t got the $30,000 it’s going to take to fix it.’’
Pffft! What a prick!
City Year cofounder Alan Khazei repeatedly chastised Capuano for taking campaign donations from lobbyists and political action committees.... Khazei suggested he wouldn’t meet with any lobbyists if elected, prompting Capuano to jump in and ask, “Does that include the lobbyists for the Sierra Club?’’ Khazei paused briefly before answering, “Yes.’’
************************
Capuano said [he] drives a Ford Escape.... Capuano said that while he can’t afford a campaign car, four people crowded into his car to attend the environmental forum, a feat, he said, that “ought to count for something.’’
You ain't getting any points from me.
Asked to name environmental heroes, Capuano said, “I don’t know. John Audubon? I haven’t got a clue.’’ When a panelist pointed out that Audubon also shot birds, he quipped, “They wouldn’t sit still to be painted. What can I tell you?’’
Ha, ha.... ha.
And the candidates did some fancy footwork to deal with a question about whether they would loosen federal protection of seals in response to complaints from fishermen who say a rebounding seal population is harming their catch. Capuano said that while he’s not yet in favor of allowing seals to be killed, “fishermen are an endangered species.’’
--more--"
Keeping that temper in check, 'eh, Mike?
"Going negative has risky allure for Coakley rivals" by Matt Viser and Frank Phillips, Globe Staff | November 19, 2009
At an environmental forum this week, Capuano was visibly annoyed at Khazei. Capuano rolled his eyes and shook his head at times, at least twice blurting out lines directly challenging Khazei.
He never did the same with Coakley....
--more--""Foreign trip experience in Senate race varies; Coakley less well-traveled; Capuano goes mostly on policy-oriented jaunts" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | November 29, 2009
In the short campaign to succeed Edward M. Kennedy - who spent part of his childhood in London and was a leading international voice on a wide range of foreign policy issues - the public discussion has focused mostly on domestic issues such as health care and the economy. But foreign policy is likely to take center stage this week, because President Obama plans to address the nation Tuesday night about Afghanistan, and the four Democratic Senate candidates in Massachusetts have a televised debate scheduled during the hour before the president’s speech.
A chief role of a US senator is to weigh in on matters that have an impact across the globe, including the ratification of treaties; the senior senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kerry, is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The four Democratic Senate candidates, who will face off in a primary election Dec. 8, have had no significant foreign policy differences, but bring very different kinds of personal experience to the debate....
US Representative Michael E. Capuano has traveled the globe, albeit often on the taxpayer dime, meeting with presidents, prime ministers, and American troops....And so he could GO SHOPPING!!!
Capuano had never traveled abroad before being elected to Congress - “Money is a limiting factor in life, isn’t it?’’ he says - but began traveling heavily shortly after his election, starting in his first summer with a visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan. His district includes Watertown, which has a significant Armenian population....
Not surprisingly, Capuano, as the only member of Congress in the Senate race, has the most policy-oriented travel experience. He has visited troops in Kuwait and injured soldiers in Germany. He met with President Shimon Peres in Israel, President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, and President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan. He has also sat with Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein, US General George Casey, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, and members of Parliament in Kenya.
In 2006, Capuano traveled to Sudan, where he met with government officials and expressed outrage over their treatment of citizens and the genocide in Darfur. In February, he was in Afghanistan with a delegation that included US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
“I understand fully well that as a member of Congress I can meet with presidents and heads of state, [and] I’ve taken advantage of that. It’s not the only reason to vote for me, but it is part and parcel that, on Jan. 20, I would hit the ground running and the others wouldn’t.’’
--more--"
So who likes him?
"Diane Patrick to endorse Capuano for Senate seat; Cites his support for husband’s campaign" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | November 21, 2009
Capuano has received several other key endorsements from prominent women, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Kitty Dukakis, wife of former Massachusetts governor Michael S. Dukakis; and former state representative and lieutenant governor candidate Marjorie Clapprood.
--more--"
Related: Ex-Governor Dukakis backs Capuano for Senate
Who doesn't like Mike?
"In snub, 4 Somerville politicians back Coakley" by Jonathan Saltzman and Michael Levenson, Globe Staff | November 28, 2009
In a slap at a native son, four prominent politicians who have represented Somerville in recent years endorsed Attorney General Martha Coakley for the US Senate yesterday over US Representative Michael E. Capuano....
He must have pissed them off.
Capuano’s campaign responded by releasing a list of other prominent Somerville politicians who are supporting his candidacy.
--more--"So what do the POLLS say?
"Coakley leads, but electorate unsettled; In Globe poll, 50 percent remain undecided; Capuano running 2d, but far behind AG" by Frank Phillips and Matt Viser, Globe Staff | November 22, 2009
Attorney General Martha Coakley has a solid lead in the four-way Democratic race for the open US Senate seat, but with just 16 days until the primary election, nearly three-quarters of likely voters have yet to decide who they will support, according to a Globe poll.
Coakley gets the support of 43 percent of respondents when asked who they would vote for if the primary were held today. US Representative Michael Capuano has support from 22 percent of the likely voters; Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca from 15 percent, and City Year cofounder Alan Khazei from 6 percent.
The poll indicates Coakley is in a position of formidable strength among the state’s likely Democratic primary voters. Fully 71 percent of the respondents viewed Coakley favorably. She is by far the best-known candidate, with 91 percent name recognition. She is the candidate the likely voters see as the most qualified, best able to understand the problems of people like them, most desirable to have a beer with, and most likely to win....
Yeah, Mike might blow a fuse and the last thing you want is an ANGRY DRUNK!
