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August 30, 2006
Power Lunch with Marty Meehan
I had a nice conversation and lunch with Congressman Marty Meehan today. We broke bread at LaBoniche, where we enjoyed a far-ranging discussion of 1.) the Massachusetts gubernatorial race; 2.) the November congressional races; 3.) the 2008 Presidential election; 4.) the war in Iraq; 5.) immigration; and 6.) retirement.
The congressman and I may differ on our world views, but we always enjoy a stimulating conversation. I can honestly say I've come away from our lunches with some meaningful information. Meehan works very hard at keeping himself informed on defense issues and quality of life issues that impact all Americans, not just Massachusetts residents. Meehan actively engages Republicans in his congressional dealings, and the dialogue helps him to understand both sides of the issue. Most of the time, Meehan tries to build bipartisan consensus but it isn't easy in these days of partisan politics. He admits that Congress is divided on many important issues and it is harming the nation. A lot can be laid on the war on Iraq, but Meehan readily admits that having one party in control of both legislative branches of government is making harder for new ideas to filter to the discussion level. It shouldn't be a Democrat-Republican thing, says Meehan. Instead, everyone should be heard. I agree. Unfortunately, things in Washington don't work that way.
For what it is worth, I'll take each subject in order and give you some Meehan insights. Here goes:
1. THE MASS. GUBERNATORIAL RACE: Meehan is a longtime friend of AG Tom Reilly and naturally would like to see him win the September primary. Can he do it? Meehan says Reilly's people have to get out the vote to counter Deval Patrick's liberal base, which is more prone to vote in the primary. The key could be Chris Gabrieli. "He's surging in the polls and if that translates into votes, it could hurt (Tom Reilly) and make Patrick the winner," said Meehan. The next two weeks of campaigning will be interesting, he added. "There hasn't really been any negative campaigning. It remains to be seen if the candidates change course with such a close election likely."
2. NOVEMBER CONGRESSIONAL RACES: Meehan believes the Democrats have a good chance of winning control of the House. He believes Bush policies in Iraq, which are proving unpopular in many polls, will bring out the vote in key matchups and give the edge to Democrats.
3. 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: This was the most interesting aspect of our lunch, besides the delectable grilled chicken salad I had the pleasure of eating. Meehan speculated that it would be a great Democratic nomination process if Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John Kerry, and former Sen. and Clinton VP Al Gore decided to throw their hats into the ring.
Wow! Now that would generate excitement as a battle of heavyweights and different ideas. I beleives this is exactly what the Democrat Party needs to win back supporters of all stripes. Meehan believes Hillary Clinton has the inside track as of today — and a lot of campaign cash — but that her moderate positions may cause liberals she has courted to flee her camp. "She's doing a Joe Lieberman," said Meehan, recounting Lieberman's centrist views on Iraq and national security that led to his defeat in the recent Connecticut primary.
Meehan said Gore, if he decides to run, might turn out to be a stronger candidate than Kerry. The former vice president has made a comeback of sorts with his high-profile crusade on global warming and his pointed condemnation of Bush policies concerning the war on terrorism. Meehan, however, wasn't writing off Kerry. If the anti-war movement continues to grow and take hold, Kerry would emerge in a stronger spot. "It will be interesting to watch what happens after the November election," said the congressman.
As for the GOP race, Meehan thinks Sen. John McCain of Arizona has a better than 50-50 chance to win the Republican nomination. McCain is well-liked in the Senate although he does have "a temper", said Meehan. The congressman has worked well with McCain in the past, particularly on campaign finance reform. Meehan speculated that McCain would be smart to tab Florida Gov. Jeb Bush as his running mate. When I said, 'aren't people tired of having the Bushes around?, Meehan replied, "The goal would be for the Republicans to lock up Florida and Texas, key electoral states. If Hillary wins Florida and Ohio, the Democrats win."
I suggested that former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former congressman Newt Gingrich would make for interesting candidates. Meehan thought that Giuliani would be done in by the GOP right wing for his liberal stance on abortion, but remained intrigued by Gingrich. "He's a very smart guy and lately he's been hammering the Bush administration on mismanagement of the war. He'd definitely shake things up," said Meehan.
4.) THE WAR IN IRAQ: Meehan called it an absolute mess, not just from a U.S. perspective but also from an Iraqi one. "I can't understand why a person would be a suicide bomber and be willing to kill himself and innocent Iraqis. It still makes no sense," said Meehan. He said he still believes Iraqis want a national government. "They want to succeed. They have pride. But the ethnic hatreds go back centuries and it might take centuries before that is rooted out." America is caught in the middle of it.
"We can't walk away overnight," said Meehan. "However, we have to be working toward the day we do leave the Iraqis in control."
I asked Meehan what he would do if he were President (he smiled broadly, showing me the ambition in his eyes.) "First, I would get more countries involved in the process of helping Iraq. Strong U.S. diplomacy hasn't happened and it has hurt us. We need to engage the Arab nations and convince them to take leading roles. We need to listen to them. We have to build trust ." said Meehan.
Second, Meehan said, is increased training of Iraqi security forces by Arab partners, like Egypt. "Let the Arab nations come in and help us. American troops are targets for insurgents of all sorts, even when we do good things. We've got to try and get out of the way and let others gradually take over. The key," said Meehan, "is a higher level of international diplomacy by the United States."
6.) IMMIGRATION: Meehan is disheartened that Congress failed to approve legislation after much work went into a compromise plan. "It's better to do something than nothing, right? We just left it hanging once again after both Democrats and Republicans worked hard to put together a plan that would tighten our borders and resolve a major problem." Meehan said the worker visa proposal had merit. "Give immigrants a chance to work toward U.S. citizenship. Most are peaceful and harding working. They do work that most Americans don't want to do. They are building families right here. We can't just pack up 13 million of them and tell them to leave. It's not going to happen. It would be impossible to even think it could happen."
7.) ON RETIREMENT: Meehan said people who are counting on Social Security as their only financial option for retirement are making a big mistake. "Reform has to come eventually, and that means that benefits will have to be reduced. We just can't afford the payouts that will be demanded," he said. Meehan said Americans have to save more of their hard-earned cash. "It's getting more and more difficult with the strains on family budgets, but we have to save a portion of our salaries. We can't think that government will continue to provide when the changing demographics say otherwise."
Once again, it was a fine lunch (we split the $32 bill). I commend U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan for being so open and candid in his views. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, you have to agree it's refreshing to hear a lawmaker deliver a straight answer to a question.
Now what do you think?
Posted by JimC at August 30, 2006 2:01 PM
Comments
1) Mass Gubernatorial race - the only negative campaigning has come from Reilly, and for the most part that is directed towards Healey, so whoever wins the Democratic primary should have a good shot at Governorship, with so few bridges burned.
2) Agree, although I suspect you do not (as you seem to think that Lieberman's position on the Iraq misadventure is centrist).
3) Too many re-treads there, someone else needs to step up.
4) Bush has let Humpty Dumpty fall (or pushed him off that wall), and now all that "king's" horses and all his men, will be unable to put it back together again.
5) It appears that the Senate had a reasonable plan, but the House killed it. Maybe next year, if he is right on No. 2 above!
6) Agree. SS future benefits are projected on average wage growth, which traditionally (before the Bush Jr. presidency) exceeded cost of living growth by about 1%. Changing the formula to COLA would reduce future benefits, but would provide the same relative benefit that today's retirees receive, and wouold likely erase most of the projected deficit. Can such a simple solution be agreed to in Congress? The problem seems to be the Bush push to privatize, moving the guaranteed benefits to Wall St. He may have given up on this, but his recent pension reform bill may be even better for the Street, as companies will exit the defined-benefit plans in favor of 401-K contributions.
Posted by: JP at August 31, 2006 11:19 AM
JP, your last point about retirement plans is well taken. Yes, private companies have already begun eliminating defined pension plans while creating 401k plans for employees. Congressman Meehan has done a lot of research on this subject, and it shows that putting the investing onus on employees through 401K plans is not necessarily a beneficial idea. for people who understand finances and can make solid choice, a 401K is a good option. But a vast majority of workers don't spend any time to learn about investing options or how the market works. These people, said Meehan, are at risk of making terrible choices on their investment savings. Mostly, these are low-wage workers who find it difficult to save in the first place. I've viewed some of the congressman's material on the subject and it is scary, even for people who have the time to track their investments. Defined benefit plans are often well-managed and result in income growth from paid professionals. But workers are left to the mercy of their own choices when running their own show.
Posted by: jim campanini at August 31, 2006 2:05 PM
i find it interesting that a conversation took place over lunch about presidential politics and mitt romneys name never came up. marty meehan is a good politician.
Posted by: dave at September 1, 2006 9:49 PM
Dave, it just goes to show you that Massachusetts Democrats don't take Mitt seriously. Maybe they do elsewhere, but not here. Come to think of it, I didn't mention his name either and I'm a registered Independent. Mitt has been a disappointment in many ways, although he has gained some stature with his recent spark of leadership concerning the Big Dig. Maybe his investigation of the $14.6 billion project is his way of adding jobs to the state and he will finally deliver on at least one of his promises.
Posted by: jim campanini at September 1, 2006 10:40 PM
Hello Jim,
Mitt Romney has done nothing for the
middle and lower class of Massachusetts.
Mitt Romney is a rich politican and his
only concern is his ego, and promoting
his own agenda.
Everything he does is political and ad-
vancing his causes for the rich.
bill deignan
Posted by: Bill Deignan at September 3, 2006 8:25 PM
