Welcome to Firedoglake – glad you could join us!

Hello, it’s a real privilege to be here and I look forward to answering your questions and having a great discussion.

Welcome to FDL, Jonathan. I know you’re an astute guy. Maybe you can help us understand why Democratic Insiders would try to shut down the primary process?

yes, Welcome to the Lake. And best of luck in your campaign and your book

Well, on the one hand, you can say “why indeed?” But, I would suspect that the answer is that the current occupant of the seat was never voted on by the people. Rather, she comes to the seat because of, in fact, an inside arrangement. Having said that, I am perplexed in one sense–if you are confident in your positions, why not take on all comers and show your leadership skills and vision–and let the voters decide.

You talk about supporting Obama and on pushing him along in a more progressive direction. Where do you think he needs the most pushing?

Jonathon welcome to FDL this afternoon.

Are you currently in elective office in NY anywhere?

As a progressive, do you ever get tired of the efforts needed to overcome the road blocks thrown out by people who prefer to anoint candidates for office (such as Gillibrand)?

Have you been “enjoying” the debacle in the NY State Senate this week?

Thanks Elliott. The book “The Audacity of Greed” was really something I had in mind to do for some time and started working on before the financial collapse in September–well, actually, the collapse of Wall Street since the financial collapse for working people has been going on for three decades.

Ok I’m a slow typist so I’ll answer as fast as possible!!! First Howie, then dakine01

Hi Jonathan .
If I could vote for you I would , good luck in the New York race !!

Look, there was no doubt it was a great step forward to watch Barack Obama take the oath of office–I was lucky to be in D.C.
Here are the two things I would star with.
Health care: I have been a single payer advocate for a very long time and still believe in it–it’s the only moral and sane economic solution to the health care costs that are killing us–literally–
The president said during the campaign that if we could start from the beginning, he would favor single payer.
Huh?
Then, the logical conclusion is that the only reason you aren’t pushing for it now is the POLITICAL decision not to take on the insurance industry, even though the majority of the people are for it.
I’ll post this and then give number 2

Take all the time you need to answer.

As a technical note, in the lower right hand of each comment box, there’s a “Reply” button. Click on the button for comments you wish to reply to and it automagically pre-fills the comment number and name of the commenter you are replying to.

Makes it easy to follow along the conversation.

Number 2 is trade. This is an area that I have worked on for many years. We should not be trapped in the frame of “free trade” versus “protectionism”. That is a false dichotomy. Everyone is FOR trade. It’s just a question of the RULES of trade. So-called “free trade” deals are simply about protecting investment and capital. I am glad that the president is somewhat hesitant to push through the Panama and Colombia deals. But, I wish he would give a speech–I’d write it for free!!!–where he would try to change the frame…

ah got it. tks

Welcome Jon!

During Jon’s last campaign I was chairwoman fo the Steering Committe for Democracy for Long Island, our regional DFA. Jon came to one of our meetings and was such a hit that one of our memebers immediatley began organizing a fundraiser for him.

It was shortly after the bicyle tour.

I’m so glad to see that you back at it.

Thanks– great answer. I know you’ve been mostly involved in labor and economic issues. I want to ask you, where you differ with the new administration on their Afghanistan policy. If you beat Gillibrand what would you do to try to change direction there?

Thanks for your questions.

No, I am not currently in elective office. I have been elected mainly to union office over the last two decades, primarily as president of the National Writers Union. But, frankly, my whole life has really been about building movements–which I believe electoral campaigns should ultimately be about–so I haven’t been constantly looking to run for office.

In terms of road bloacks, it’s unfortunate that progressives and movement people can’t readily run for office because of the money barrier. NYC is a bit better at the municipal level because of the city financing program that matches 6-1 donations up to $175 and that makes it possible for “regular” people to run. There is no such thing at the federal level.

As for Albany–it’s quite sad. I was just at a press conference for Domestic Workers United, which is a group that I’ve been working with for a long time to pass a bill of rights that would cover 200,000 domestic workers–the people that make the economy run on a daily basis. They had a good shot at passing the bill. But this nonsense in Albany has now stopped it. So, the games, corruption and petty politics as a real effect on real peoples’ lives.

Thank you for making this race, sir — primaries are where our Democratic party defines its values, goals, and prospects. I look forward to watching, and helping, you carry the progressive banner in 2010.

Can you tell us what tactical lessons you learned from your 2006 candidacy against then-Senator Clinton? Is there anything you’d do differently next time?

Hi, Cynthia: great to see you again.

You know, you brought back a general memory–while 2006 was tough in the sense of resources etc., I LOVED campaigning because I got to meet people like you all over the state. Really, you have to like the process of campaigning or don’t do it :):):)

Tks Teddy. It’s hard to make too many general observations about the race against now SOS Clinton because she was a unique candidate. But, because of her uniqueness I think the issue of MONEY was even more pronounced. Check this out–the day of the election polls showed that 2/3 of the people agreed with me on the issues but 2/3 of the people had no idea I was running. That was all about the lack of an ability to advertise and get our message out.

btw, if i am missing a question because of the scrolling down, please nudge me!!!

To pile on, on Howie’s question, if you win, what would you differently than Gillibrand?

Also, folks, if you are thinking of inviting Jonathan to an event, a meeting of an organization, or THROWING A FUNDRAISER FOR HIM, you will be treated to such a refreshing experience. Jon is one of the most “handler” free candidates I have ever seen.

I have been a single payer advocate for a very long time and still believe in it–it’s the only moral and sane economic solution to the health care costs that are killing us–literally–

thank you!

for me this is a major human rights issue, and i’m no longer supporting any candidate who won’t actively support universal health care (which is not the same thing as universal insurance). and single payer is the only way i see we can pay for universal health care.

that we can afford to provide health care for every resident, and yet don’t, is profoundly wrong.

Tks for the question. Afghanistan is seen as the “good war” by some. I think that is insane. My view is that we are making the same mistake we made in Iraq, with different flavor. We are buying into the “war on terror” frame which leads people to think “oh, let’s go bomb these people into oblivion”. Have we not learned yet after all these fiascos that a foreign power can NEVER win, in the long run, a military campaign. I believe we need to engage with the government, civil society, tribal leaders, and the resistance forces and try to bring some measure of stability to the country–but armed conflict will not do it.

So, what plans do you have to overcome the incumbent’s money advantage this time? I don’t think she will be any less well-funded than Clinton was, do you?

Do you think this primary will become a two-person race between you and the incumbent? Will other progressives be pressured out? Have you any strategies to marginalize the incumbent? One opponent to another appointed Senator called him Acting Senator throughout the campaign — I liked that. Perhaps she should be called Paterson’s Senator, to link her to the very unpopular governor?

Senate campaigns in New York have cost almost unimaginable amounts of money. Just this morning Open Secrets reported that the bankster establishment is pouring more money into Gillibrand’s campaign than into any other campaign in the nation! This is pretty shocking. How are you going to compete for airtime? And, beyond that, does American democracy have much of a chance of thriving– more so say than Iranian democracy– if we continue to allow the special interests to buy off the politicians?

Sir,

My husband was a Vietnam vet who survived torture and suffered from his injuries for over thirty years until his fatal heart attack four years ago yesterday. Dan left me a mission, to stop torture as the law, policy and practice of the United States and to have those responsible heald accountable.

I have two related questions for you:

1) What will you DO to ensure that there is an independent, open and thorough investigation into all those who wrote the Bush definition of torture, all those who made it the law, policy and practice of the United States, all those who approved the torture, all those who ordered the torture, and all those carried out the torture, with indictments and prosecutions that are recommended?

(All American adults must know what has been done in their names,
and those responsible must be held legally accountable.)

2) What will you DO to ensure that there is an independent, open and thorough accounting of all those held in US custody since January 21st, 2001, all those renditioned, and all those disappeared, including the women and children, and their treatment.

(All American adults must know whether these human beings are still even alive.)

With gratitude,
Standing for justice and accountability,
For Dan,
Heather

As it is for me.
You know, I am a UAW member and, as well, I’ve been doing the “talking head” thing recently on CNBC on the auto stuff. It drives me nuts that the wingers as well as some LIBERALS, keep trying to blame the problem on the workers. There are three problems that drove the auto industry down. 1. Mismanagement. 2. a stupid trade policy. but 3. and most important, the lack of single payer. These companies are under a crushing cost of tens of billions of dollars of health care costs that they would not have if we had single payer two decades ago. So, yes, this is a human rights issue BUT I believe we must push the economy sanity argument as well.

I think Howie and Teddy are asking related questions so if it’s cool let me answer those in one post. If I don’t satisfy u, pls folo up!!!

Jonathan, You are one my favorite people in politics today. Best of luck with the campaign!

When you are a US Senator, do you think you’ll be able to hold true to Liberal ideals on every vote, and if not, what can you say to a certain contingent (like many here at FDL) that fly off the handle if a politician compromises on some votes here and there?

For instance, Obama’s history shows he’s very aware and supportive of Single-Payer, yet I don’t see how he alone could march in and make that happen any time soon. Instead, he’s insisting on a “public option,” which millions will choose and will likely diminish the health insurance industry hopefully to extinction. Many Repubs (and fake Dems like Conrad) know this’ll happen and are screaming bloody murder now about the public option. To me, this seems like very shrewd political maneuvering by Obama since if he led with Single-Payer, he’d get nowhere and perhaps end the debate with no chance of enactment.

As Senator, if you support moves like this from Obama most people here at FDL would be pissed at you. If you rigidly hold to Single-Payer and nothing else, meaning not compromising, you’ll probably get nowhere given how corrupt the Senate is currently. How do you navigate these choppy waters? Is it just an issue by issue basis?

So, to start, I refer to the current occupant of the seat as the “caretaker Senator” because I believe someone who has never been elected to a seat is in fact just holding on to the seat until THE VOTERS get a chance to weigh in. For all the differences I had with then-Sen. Clinton, to her credit, she had been elected by the voters in 2000 and you had to respect that.

I’ll post this and continue on the topic.

Teddy and I always ask related questions. We tend to think alike on lots of issues– and campaign finance is certainly one of them.

well said and i completely agree re the economic sanity argument.

i do not know if this will only be a two-person race. We will see. However, next week, my campaign will launch an initiative ENCOURAGING more people into the race. I honestly believe that debate is good–I happen to enjoy it (hey, I’m a New Yorkers after all)–so we want to encourage that great debate. I beleive voters, if given a chance, will vote for me but, if they don’t, so be it–the person who wins the primary will have stood before the voters and been chosen.

more on this coming.

Final point about money, I think…
look, I really think I will win or lose based on whether we can build a large grassroots base of donors who, like the Obama campaign, were able to give say $100 only today but perhaps are able to do so over the course of time more than once. There is no question that my opponent will have $25 million–mainly from corporate related interests.

I will be judicious about pushing this too much…but here it is:
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/22431

Hi, I am going to answer your question now but let me reread it carefully.

Thanks very much :)

Wow. That is an incredible statement–to be so committed to justice in the memory of your husband.

I believe Bush and Cheney should have been impeached and removed from office. Unfortunately, it became an insider debate—i.e., oh, we can’t do that because the people will say it’s just politics.

But, I really do believe in the rule of law, not men (by the way, isn’t that what the Republicans always preached “law and order?” hah). So, I believe all those who have broken the law must be brought to account.

And also we absolutely have to have an accounting of the people who were “renditioned” I don’t even like that term because it obscures, through the language, that in our name people were kidnapped, taken against their will and then thrown into a black hole to be tortured. It make me furious.

Uh, do you think that Biden, Rendell, Schumer and Emanuel call themselves “progressives?” I would guess that it would depend on who was asking and why.

Bonkers: this is a very thoughtful question. Look, sometimes you make compromises to get stuff done. But, other times you hold fast to something because a compromise is simply not acceptable. To me the single-payer issue is a one of morality AND, as I said earlier, economics, If I was in the Senate today, I would launch a filibuster to block any bill that is not single-payer–and I mean a REAL filibuster where you stands and read for days at a time. Now hopefully I would have allies like Bernie Sanders and Sherrod Brown to stand with me.

But, and this gets to me second point–a filibuster that might end up failing does do one thing: it helps build a public movement and education around single payer because, believe me, we will be back here again once it is clear that we have no solved the health care issue with something less than single payer.

And that bring me to Obama. In one sense, I/we can critique him–but he is a politician, with all his skills and capabilities, and we can’t expect him to stick his neck out if there isn’t a mass movement that has his back.

btw, let me apologize to all for typos or grammar errors along the way. I’m typing as fast as i can to get you answers but…it’s not my strength :)

I beleive voters, if given a chance, will vote for me but, if they don’t, so be it–the person who wins the primary will have stood before the voters and been chosen.

What a novel concept!

To have the gumption to invite debate on the issues and competition is most commendable.

Cynthia–the broadest answer to what I would do differently is to suggest perhaps that folks take time to peruse our website: http://www.jonathantasini.com

I think you will see a very different vision of the world based on what I’ve done by whole adult life.

I would say, lightly, that asking me what I would do differently from the caretaker Senator brings to mind 2 responses:

1. You tell me–what exactly does she believe in that is a solid core principle that won’t change based on expediency? I think they are trying to figure that out because on her campaign website, under issues, you will see “Coming soon”

2. I certainly can tell you that I won’t get an “A” rating from the NRA, nor will I get money from the tobacco lobby.

I guess I feel very comfortable in debating. It’s not that I will convince everyone but I won’t feel like I’m going into a debate trying to figure what to say that will get people to agree with me. I am who I am. And the voters get to make that choice.

I don’t know if they call themselves progressives. Question is: are they? Also, “progressive” is a very mushy term. It came into vogue because people were afraid to call themselves “liberals” or “socialists”. Now everyone can be a “progressive”.

Thank you for the answer.

Were you aware that Khalid Sheikh Mohammad’s seven and nine year old sons were kidnapped and given to the CIA, who acknowledged that they had them in 2003?

We don’t know whether they are now even alive or dead.

I look forward to your active support and advocacy on the issues I raised.

I should also mention that I am organizing a March for Accountability in DC on Saturday, September 5th, which is the Saturday of Labour Day Weekend. You, and all those commited to justice and accountability,would be most welcome :)

With gratitude,
For Dan,
Heather

I had no idea re the sons. Obviously, they did that to try put pressure on Mohammad by threatening the sons.

You have my pledge that I will be there to hold those who broke the law accountable.

For Dan. And for our nation.

I really like the contrast you present between a candidate welcoming others into the race and a caretaker whose powerful surrogates busily discourage others from running. If we had a real media, this would get some attention.

Jonathan, the Senate, which was supposed to be a kind of House of Lords institution, has always been, from the very beginning, a very anti-democratic piece of our government structure. It was seen as a check on the “passions” of the mob. Have you considered running for it as an opponent of it– on a platform of abolishing it entirely? It would save billions of dollars. And people hate politicians. Last weekend I was shocked at the number of people who were elected to the European Union Parliament campaigning against its existence. I can’t think of more than half a dozen members of the Senate worth anything at all.

Howie: Dahl made that argument in his book. I actually have a lot of sympathy for it. Though in general if we were going to have a battle over restructuring the system, I’d argue that the effort should be on moving to a parliamentary system and eliminating the first-past the post election system

Joe Lieberman, who Harry Reid and Dick Durbin say is “with us on everything except the war” announced today that he opposes a public option in the current health care debate.

Will you introduce a resolution to strip Lieberman of his seniority and committee chair in the organizing caucus meeting of the 112th Congress?

Do you think Gillibrand’s argument that she had a more conservative voting record in the House than she does now because she wanted to represent her constituents, is gaining any traction in New York? Are people seeing her as an opportunist with no values or as someone who wants to be a true representative of the people who elected her?

Can I just get rid of Lieberman instead?

You’re really fantastic, and can’t wait to see you on the Floor. We got YOUR back!

But seriously–this would be the perfect issue to dump him and there is no reason to worry about his vote. I suspect after 2010, Dems will have above 60 votes.

Can you talk about any pressure that’s been brought to bear on you to leave the race? Are you seen by the powerbrokers as a threat? Have any offers been made?

How about stripping him of his Senate seat based on accepting bribes? His household makes an immense amount of money– between Hadassah’s lobbying from Big Pharma and his own $2,391,719 from the Medical-Industrial Complex and $1,036,302 from Big Insurance. People who accept that much money from these crooks shouldn’t be allowed to vote of their issues.

I just noticed when I was getting the figures for Lieberswine, the top recipient of Insurance money this year is Kistin Gillibrand ($1,470,371)– more than Lieberman’s entire career!

I can only reflect what I see in the polls and general political landscape. When she was first appointed, two thirds said they had no opinion of her. Now only one-third say that and most of those previously undecided have slid to “want someone else” as her basic support is still the same (I think it’s 20 percent–I apologize that I can’t grab a link to the polling…I believe it was Marist and I could be slightly off on the numbers but I think the trends are accurate).

I would say people know when someone is simply changing their views to get elected or when it’s real. I don’t buy the district argument for different reasons.

First, it’s one thing to evolve. It’s another thing to do 180 degree turn.

Second, what does it say about the quality of my opponent–or any politician–when they say, well, those were my principles then but now to get elected to some office I’m going to be different. My model is political life is Paul Wellstone, for many reasons. But, one big reason was that he said what he believed in liberal Minneapolist and in more conservative rural Minnesota and he got lots of votes from people who didn’t necessarily agree with him but liked the fact that he was honest and said what he believed.

Lastly, I would argue that we make a false choice by saying that we can only stand for X when we talk to a certain group but we have to change our language and beliefs when we talk to another group. People are going to say that I am too “liberal” to be elected statewide. You know what? Let me go make the argument about single-payer ANYWHERE IN THE STATE and I will have people of all stripes voting for me.

We intend on making a very clear distinction about where we get our support vs my opponent’s support.

Because of the offers, I am currently researching real estate in the Riveria, shopping on-line for my Gulfstream jet and picking out a co-op on Central Park to replace the rent-stabilized apartment I’ve lined in for 22 years.

But, no, no pressure, no calls…

Wow– the vested interests sure seem to be lovin’ Kirstin! She’s the #1 recipient in Congress for so many industries my head is spinning:

Lawyers/Law Firms- $3,359,621
Real Estate- $1,541,017
Insurance- $1,470,371
Securities/Invest- $1,439,407
Commercial Banks- $716,700

By the way, if anyone wants to become a Facebook Fan of the campaign:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/…..2313580301

and that’s just for 2010!

Do you think you can get any support from the national unions or have Schumer and Biden gotten them all sewn up for Gillibrand already? She seems to be taking an awful lot of money from the folks who will do anything to kill Employee Free Choice and other union priorities.

Excellent question. I have already had conversations with key labor people in the city and I think a number of them are open to endorsing me. There is no history, or commitment to the caretaker. But, it will get down to money–again. This is how people evaluate candidates, as you political observers know. I am confident I can make my case to the voters and win their support over Gillibrand. However, whether that case can be made, and how labor looks at the strength of the campaign, will come down to dollars.

Which is sad. Not just for me. But I can think of literally scores of really terrific people who should be in office, and would like to run, but will never do so because of the financial barriers.

And as you have astutely pointed out, Howie, in your reciting of the flow of money to my opponent, the question really is: when it comes down to fights and votes a year or two after the election–fights to really chance the economic system–where will she be when those powerful interests cash in their chits. I think that’s really a rhetorical question.

Jonathan, do you have a professional campaign together?

meant to say “change the economic system”

Yes. I have hired a full-time fundraising director. I have a senior campaign advisor on-board, as well as a call-time coordinator and an event person. Right now, the focus has to be–and believe me i wish it were not the case–fundraising. So, I spend 20 hours a week just calling people on the phone asking for contributions (we’re just 10 days into that process as the campaign has just kicked off but that will be my life).

And, of course, there will be stages where we bring on a full-time campaign manager, field director etc.

But, it will depend on…here it is again…money…

I was getting sick just now when I was looking at all the millions and millions of dollars she’s managed to get from the big special interests– it was mind-boggling. And then the bell rang at my front door. It was the postman. Among other things he handed me a letter from Gillibrand asking for small donations.

That’s hilarious…and a bit scary, huh?

Do you think we should amend the Constitution to require direct election of US Senators to vacant seats? This appointment process sure got exposed for the rottenness it is in 2008. Several good possibilities were eliminated from consideration for Administration appointments, I’m sure, because their states have GOP governors. A the same time, all the vacancies created were filled, universally, in controversial ways.

ABSOLUTELY. I am totally against this appointment process. A few of my supporters from 2006 suggested that I apply for the appointment–Paterson had some weird process where people could fill out applications. I had not a single thought that he would somehow pick me (though, humorously, his father is a partner in the law firm that has represented me in some “day job” stuff and I know Basil well). But i thought the process was sad.

And you know, between the Illinois and NY situation–not to mention Colorado where it was less messy and sleazy–I think we might have a national constituency for that.

Do you think you would be able to work on a colleagial basis with fake Democrats like Ben Nelson, Max Baucus, Evan Bayh and Blanche Lincoln? I know it would be impossible for me to since I would always worry that they were running to the Republicans with suggestions for how to outflank Democratic initiatives. And then there’s Lieberman.

Howie, I think you’re well aware that Senator Gillibrand is a co-sponsor of EFCA in the Senate as she was in the House in 2007.

I should note that I am proud to be doing netroots outreach for Senator Gillibrand’s 2010 US Senate campaign.

I think being “collegial” is not in contrast to being steadfast in opposition to what they stand for. I did have one fantasy thought though–if I was in the Senate today amid this health care debate, I’d threaten to read on the Senate floor the list of contributions from the insurance industry that were flowing to politicians of both parties. I suspect that might not make me popular.

But, I think this “collegial” stamp has been put there for the very reason to stifle honest debate. And that’s nonsense.

I wasn’t, Todd. Thanks for reminding me. I figure we’ll ask her about the concept of taking the kinds of money she’s taking from these special interests and still not falling into the kinds of traps that Democrats like Blanche Lincoln have fallen into– supporting them a little at a time.

LOL! I do that on my blog almost daily

Lucky you!

Look, I think there is a rumbling out there, partly because of the financial collapse that obliterated trillions of dollars of wealth. Peoples’ ears are open in a way that I’ve not seen in a long time. And they are very smart in knowing that money pays for access and votes and reflects peoples’ principles and values.

More on Senator Gillibrand’s record: in the House she voted against TARP twice; as Senator she has voted for the Credit Card Bill of Rights, voted for cramdown and vowed to support a public option for healthcare (and opposed the 7 year trigger.) Senator Gillibrand’s actual record flies in the face of the suggestion that she is in the pocket of the big corporations, banks and insurance companies.

I am proud to be doing netroots outreach for Senator Gillibrand’s 2010 US Senate campaign

No problem.

Look forward to it!

Todd: rather than debate that point which we can go around and around on, I’d actually like to give some advice. When you say “Senator Gillibrand’s actual record flies in the face of the suggestion that she is in the pocket of the big corporations, banks and insurance companies”, by mentioning the “big corporations, banks and insurance companies” again you are just reinforcing the frame in peoples’ minds. Read Lakoff–it would help your candidate.

Jonathan, thanks for coming by today. Great answers to all of our questions. I think you made a lot of friends today. And Todd, thanks to you too for coming by. I wish you would have been here earlier.

It’s been a pleasure.
if people want to folo up with me directly for more info, you can email me directly at jtasini@economicfuturegroup.com

or visit the website http://www.jonathantasini.com

It’s been a real privilege and keep up all the great work you do.

(now to go ice my wrists!)

Thanks, Jonathan, for this inspiring chat. I look forward to hearing more from you as the campaign gets underway. Best of luck to you.

tks teddy