Blue America Welcomes Paul Hodes (D-NH)
By Howie Klein Thursday Oct 22, 2009 3:00pm
Today Blue America is hosting an old friend here at Crooks and Liars, Representative Paul Hodes. Paul first came onto our radar in 2006 was he was campaigning-- successfully, as it turned out-- against entrenched incumbent Charlie Bass in New Hampshire. Blue America endorsed him and has been gratified to see him consistently standing up for working families in the House of Representatives. He was one of the Democrats who put his foot down and refused to vote for the Wall Street bailout, TARP. He believes, firmly, that the government has to watch out for Main Street and for American consumers by reigning in the excesses of Wall Street. "I voted against the Wall Street bailout because I didn’t believe we should bail out the big banks while middle class families are hurting across America. I'm working-- fighting-- for tougher regulations on credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and big Wall Street banks so Wall Street’s greed will never be able to hurt middle class families again." When AIG's irresponsibility, unregulated avarice and gambler's instincts got them in trouble and they came looking for money from the government, it was Rep. Hodes who pointed out that to American taxpayers AIG "stands for arrogance, incompetence and greed."
Today, he's asked us to let our readers know that he'd like anyone who was considering donating to his campaign during this live blogging session, instead donate to the No on 1 campaign in Maine. Paul isn't a frightened, mealy-mouthed congressman tiptoeing around equality with a "separate but equal" non-solution for marriage rights. You don't hear him talking about domestic partnerships. He favors equal rights under the law for all couples regardless of gender. "The legislation passed in New Hampshire," he reminds us, "will ensure that all Granite Staters have equal rights under the law. And the law is consistent with the spirit of New Hampshire expressed in our state motto ‘Live Free or Die.’ Marriage equality gives equal justice to New Hampshire residents. I will continue to work for those same principles as a US Senator and I am a proud co-sponsor of the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act."
Please join us in the comments section below and let's talk with Paul about why he's demanding a timeline in Afghanistan and a public option in the health care reform bill-- and anything else you'd like to ask someone who's been serving in the House and wants to move over to the Senate.
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Paul, welcome to Blue America and welcome to C&L! Before we get into the matter of marriage equality, something really important has come up today that I have to ask you about. I know you're a firm supporter of the Public Option for health care reform. Are you supporting the verson that Ways and Means passed? The one everyone has been referring to as Medicare plus 5? It’s the thing the Speaker’s office, the CPC, labor, HCAN, etc have been whipping people on for the last 48 hours.
Thanks, Howie. It's great to be here tonight. I am a strong supporter of a robust public option. I represent a rural state and I want to make sure that New Hampshire's Medicare reimbursement rates are not negatively impacted by health care reform. So, I have been pressing for a robust public option and for addressing the inequities in Medicare reimbursement rates that impact rural areas.
Does that mean you're supporting Medicare + 5 or opposing it? I'm not sure if I understood
I am a strong supporter of the public option but I want to read the final bill to make sure that New Hampshire is treated fairly.
If there is a public option, will the government entity or entities which provide the option be allowed to fight for the interests of its shareholders (i.e., we the people)--- or will it be crippled from birth in order to prevent it from competing too effectively with the big insurance companies?
The purpose of a robust public option is to ensure access to many who are shut out of the system and to create real competition for big health insurance companies. Having a public option means more choice, lower costs, and more control for the American people over their health care.
Glad to see you here, and I'm curious how the lay of the land looks politically in New Hampshire (in addition to what must be peak color right about now). APART from the economy and healthcare, what are people in NH asking you about as you campaign around the state?
And welcome again on behalf of the whole staff here at C&L....
Believe it or not, in many parts of the state, the leaves are past peak. Folks who have been talking to me are concerned about jobs. It's important that we focus on helping small businesses that are the engine of job creation especially in New Hampshire. People are concerned that Washington is caught up in political games. I believe we were sent here to deliver on the change the American people voted for and that is what I am focused on.
Paul, most Democrats running for Senate seats seem to duck the question about marriage equality the same way Obama did when he ran for president-- wrapping themselves in a cloak of religiosity and claiming they support domestic partnerships or some other "seperate but equal" type model. How is it that you wound up taking such a principled stand and openly speaking up about full and unvarnished equality... and in a purple state no less!
Because I believe that our state motto "Live Free or Die" applies to everyone. Simply put, discrimination has no place in our government. I believe we should repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and give equal rights to every American. The Constitution says we are all equal before the law and that is my guiding principle.
I just want to make a quick plug to support the Vote No campaign in Maine. Please support their efforts to end discrimination.
My wife was denied health insurance today. We hope to be ok, but want you to know that we support your efforts re health care reform. My question - why have Democrats not talked more about the useful and important role of government over the years? It seems that the old President Reagan sound bits about government being only bad is still accepted by many people as gospel.
One of the things I often talk about is reconnecting American citizens to their government and making sure government works for them. I think what people want is effective, efficient government and that is what I will fight for as the next Senator from New Hampshire.
I'm in VT. Thanks for standing up for working Americans and for equality!!
Thanks for joining us tonight. It's great to hear from you.
But I do! I know you're here to mainly speak about health care and equal rights but is there anything that the House can do to get Eric Holder to do his sworn duty of prosecuting those who waged an illegal war of aggression and instituted an illegal policy of torture. This seems like such a basic component of a democratic civilized society I don't see how this nation can ever move forward progressively until that issue is dealt with.
I believe the Attorney General is investigating and dealing with serious criminal activity that may have happened. The good news is we have an aggressive, independent Justice Department who is serving the people of this country and not political ideology.
I only wish they could be even more aggressive and expedient on this one.
I'm really thrilled you could join us.
How important an issue is Afghanistan going to be in determining who the next senator from New Hampshire is? Are you getting a feeling from your constituents one way or the other about this one yet? Do they just want to let President Obama do whatever he thinks best or are they ready to say "pull out now and the hell with it?" Or something else?
Unfortunately, there are no good or easy answers to the conflict in Afghanistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan need to be considered jointly and addressed with a comprehensive strategy to protect our national security that clearly defines our mission, sets guidelines and benchmarks, and contemplates an exit strategy.
Public opinion is down on the war and it's interesting to know how they feel.
I am hearing a lot of concern about raising troop levels and concern that we not repeat mistakes of the past.
And that is why it's in America's best interests to get the hell out of there. Unless someone has a time machine to go back and correct those mistakes. Because they were of such a serious nature that they can't be fixed after the fact. At this point I can honestly say I really have no idea what the hell our military is even trying to accomplish there but I'm certain that they can't do it. Unless of course they're trying to get the opium production back up and running in which case their mission has been completed.
While the issue of health care and the economy are on everyone's minds these days, what do you consider your top three priorities? What will you be focusing on trying to change/improve for New Hampshire?
Hi Rep. Hodes,
I don't really have anything to say, so I just wanted to say Hi. I've followed your votes on TARP, PATRIOT Act Reform, Telcom Immunity, Healthcare, etc... and have agreed with you pretty much across the board. It's great to have someone in office that listens to their constituents, understands the constitution, and isn't afraid to break with their party to vote their conscious.
Good luck in your run for the Senate seat.
Hi Rep. Hodes,
I thought of a question to ask...
In 2008 PEW Research conducted a study that showed more than 1 in every 100 Americans in the United States is behind bars. For Black men aged 18-34, this number is 1 in 9. This is more prisoners than every other country in the world, including China. It is an enormous drain on our system financially, and we aren't necessarily safer for it (our homicide rate is significantly higher than many European countries). What do you plan to do about this? Reforming the war on drugs is good start, but even so this only represents a small fraction of the problem as a whole.
Thanks
http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/report_de...
Paul, you've been elected to Congress twice and you're in the middle of your second term. Do you get the feeling that Dick Durbin was correct when he said the big financial interests own the Senate? Is there a way to address the real fundamental questions that plague our society without addressing genuine campaign finance reform as a way of putting an end to special interests simply buying the government?
And by the way, I want everybody to know who's reading this tonight, that in the nearly 4 years Blue America has been operating, Paul is the FIRST AND ONLY candidate who didn't ask for donations and is instead asking everyone to donate to Maine's referendum, No on 1.
I have signed on to help Senator Durbin with his legislation to reform our campaign finance system. Thanks again for having me tonight and please help the No on 1 campaign in Maine.
Thanks Mr. Hodes for doing what is correct for middle America. Thanks for not turning your back on us after the election.
Good evening Congressman Hodes,
Several outspoken financial experts have stated that OTC Derivatives need "Effective Regulation" and a "Transparent Market" or there is going to be a repeat of the last 'Financial Meltdown.'
As a member of the Oversight and Government Reform and the Financial Services Committees, how would you implement this reform?
Also, the news media reports, there is a standing-army of 2500 Financial Sector Lobbyists, Federal law states that tax payers money can not be used to lobby congress, why are the banks receiving federal bailout dollars still employing them to lobby against these reforms?
How is this law (1989, Byrd amendment) enforced?
Have any hearings been held?
Today, I voted for historic consumer protections and it passed out of the FSC. I believe that sunlight is the best disinfectant and we need transparency for the derivatives market. You can expect to see landmark legislation from the committee on derivatives shortly. I believe that the more transparency that we have in derivatives the better.
I also believe that financial institutions that are taking taxpayer money should not be spending it on lobbying Congress.
Paul, you and I were both entrepreneurs in the same business; we both started independent record companies. Mine was a punk rock company and yours was a children's music company. Now it appears that the American record business-- once a multi-billion dollar earner-- is circling the drain. Is there a role for government to save this industry?
I am a strong supporter for government funding for the arts. It's important that we act to stop piracy of intellectual property and I am for net neutrality for the freest flow of information over the internet. The digital revolution has challenged our traditional notions of copyright but I believe that we must protect creative work. I am confident that even though there is a lot of change in the music business the industry will work through this difficult period and continue to thrive.
Please donate if you can...
This is Julius, pro-active for the public option. I am watching the Democrats knuckle under to GOP pressure to "show me the money". Punishing doctors, who are getting the lowest reimbursements from Medicare, in this latest vote, demonstrates the weakness of the Senate leadership. I can only hope that you will stand strong for principle and fairness and for change in the leadership.
, There is so much on the plate , its hard to know where to start , is it jobs ( and can the outsourcing be brought back thru import tax ) , is it offshoring business HG to defer paying taxes , is it people losing everything , is it H/C , is it the WARS , what tough choices , where to start ? .
btw is that an old Gibson you have there ?
There is an awful on our plate. The ability to multi-task and understand the connection between various issues is important for a good representative.
The guitar in the picture was actually made by Chip Wilson who used to live in Burlington, VT and has worked for Borys and now lives and plays guitar in New Orleans and writes for vintage guitar magazine.
Well, it looks like I have to run. Thanks so much for having me here tonight. I hope to do it again soon. Again, if you can, please donate to the No on 1 campaign in Maine. It is an important vote this November. Thanks again for hosting me.
Paul, thanks for stopping by today and answering our questions. Let's be sure to get back for a session later in the campaign.
or will they be able to skate again?
keep the progressive push going.
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