Welcome Senator Lawson, and thanks for being here today.

Can you tell us how the health care debate has been playing out in FL-02? What do your constituents think?

Welcome to the Lake, Sen. Lawson.

Thanks for having me here. I think it has been hotly debated here this summer and I think there is a lot of misinformation out there. I think when you look at the situation of uninsured in this district you see a great need for reform.

Welcome to FDL this afternoon Senator Lawson.

How much overlap is there between your senate district and the Congressional District?

One of the myths the Traditional Media like to use is that the “Blue Dogs are voting their districts.” When Boyd is voting with the big bucks lobbyists and such, is he representing the district or the contributors? What do his contributors bring to the district?

Al Lawson???!!!! This guy is a pisser. I love this guy. When the FL legislature was debating the adoption of blatantly pro-Christian license plates (in the face of a budget deficit that threatened school closures which were only avoided by the influx of stimulus money) Senator Lawson offered an amendment to the budget which created a liceense plate (or “tag” as the call them here in FL) with his picture and the words “Can’t a Brother Get A Break” on the bottom. And it passed because nobody noticed!!

Luv ya, Senator!

As a technical note, there is a “Reply” button in the lower right hand of each comment. When you are replying to a specific comment, just click that “Reply” and it will pre-fill the comment number and commenter you are replying to.

We despeartely need this guy. My neighbor congressman, Alan Grayson is not, shall we put it mildly, standing strong for the public option. FDL & its $ raising allies need to pull the plug on that guy inm my view.

Great to have you here, we’re gonna help you win, with Jane Hamsher on your side, you have a remarkable force of nature which will help propel you to victory.

11 of the 16 counties, including the major populations centers of the congressional district. I feel he is voting with the special interests not the men and women of the district. I really do not feel the special interest, made up of large corporations really bring anything to the district. People are beginning to see the lack of connection of his contributors and the district. You saw it coming out in the town halls with him facing opposition on both sides of issue.

re; my #5 (in your leisure after the Senator is done)
http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/43918537.html

We just wanted to have Rep. Lawson on today for a chat, so that people could get to know him and explore his ideas on health care reform. The endorsement process is more complicated and hasn’t happened as yet.

Jane I am hoping to work towards your endorsment though. You have a great organization and dedicated readers.

Question Senator: Obama & the Democrats were helped tremedously by the huge turnout especially by minorities & young people because Obama being at the top of the ticket. Do you forsee a precipitous dropoff? Won’t that be to Boyd’s great advantage?

Throughout my legislative campaign I have always ran a grassroots campaign and focused on turning out minorities, young voters, and democratic voters throughout the district. We will work to ensure a large turnout.

The health care debate raaises a larger issue, I think. Between “getting something done” and standing up for principles. I think we can all agree that there are times when compromise is necessary in order to make progress. There are other times when lines in the sand need to be drawn.

Senator, any general comments on when you believe it’s best to compromise and when it’s necessary to draw lines?

Thank you so much Rep. Lawson, and we appreciate you being here. The first step in that process is what we’re doing now — letting people in our community get to know you and explore your campaign. I really appreciate you taking the time to be here and do that, and as you can see from the comments, others do too.

BTW, I think I need to apologize and clarify. In my first remark where I referred to Senator Lawson as a “pisser” I was talking about one humorous incident (which also made a point). He has a great reputation statewide for having the right priorities and courage to advocate realsitic, although unpoular revenue solutions to Florida’s budget crisis.

Sorry if there was any misunderstanding and I meant no disrespect.

While I understand that compromise is at times needed, the current health care debate must resolve in real reform not simply political expediency and window dressing. The bill of rights was a compromise but in it no one gave up their fundamental principals. The status quo is unacceptable with regards to health care.

no problem, liberal, I could tell from the rest of your post you meant no disrespect.

I hope The national community will do evertyhing it can to get get Sen lawson elected

Thank you, I really need all the support I can get. We are working hard to offer the Second Congressional someone who will fight like a dog not just be a blue dog.

I like the guy, Jane. He’s won elected office so he certainly has some kind of an organization in place. He’s no rookie. Tough race, though. But if people are educated to know the BD’s are biought and paid for…………….

On other issues how do you feel about the situation with Afghanistan?

How long has Boyd been in office? Was he a Blue Dog from the beginning?

Welcome, Rep. Lawson.

Thank you Jane for continuing this fight and reporting what is really happening: talk about gaming the system … so the Blue Dogs strip the cost-efficient measures out of the bill to allow it out of committee and THEN they get to vote against it on the floor because it isn’t cost-efficient. These dems are more hypocritical than the repubs. It’s really sickening.

Jane’s campaign is the only thing giving me any hope about health insurance reform these days. It’s really incredible how people are being treated so badly, how compromised “reform” looks to make things worse for everyone, how so many lies are winning the day, and how the corporations will probably be the big winners. And anything for the people may be delayed for years! It’s really hard to believe.

So, Rep. Lawson … I saw over at Huffington post thatn some dems are floating the meme that “the Repubs want to end Medicare.” That sounds about right to me in this toxic debate.

My question is: what ideas do you have for effectively countering the toxic lies that are sinking real reform?

It is important we keep America safe from terrorists. But when you take on a mission you have to have an objective and means to define the end of the mission. While it is important we keep America safe, it is also important we bring our brave men and women home safely.

Senator Lawson, if you held Rep. Boyd’s seat, would you sign on to the letter sent by 60 members of Congress to Speaker Pelosi saying that they will vote against any bill that does not have a public option?

http://campaignsilo.firedoglak…..ompromise/

Boyd was first elected in 1996. Boyd has always been a very conservative Democrat and has been active with the Blue Dogs since getting to Washington.

Do you believe that those who engaged in torture should be prosecuted and how high up the chain should it go?

I see Jane’s activities as key in helping some sort of progressive caucus to solidify. It’s my understanding that some members joing the Blue Dog caucus as a matter of organization and affiliation rather than agreement with the platform. So we lose people just for lack of a supporting organization on the hill.

Afghanistan is a mess. We can’t do any good there. It’s not much different from Iraq, only tougher. I don’t want it blamed on Obama but he’s not doing himself any good. The truth is BUSH lost both wars in early days ~ and didn’t even catch bin Laden. And now the country and the leadership is suffering with this too.

I am opposed to any efforts to abolish any public health care systems, such as medicare or our current veterans health care programs through the VA. We have to dispute the misinformation from republicans and blue dogs and clear the air immediately. John Kerry’s greatest mistake in 2004 was allowing the lies concerning his military record go unchallenged. We can’t allow out opponents to “swift boat” health care reform.

Yes there is no real reform without the public option. The Public option creates compitition; compitition creates accountability.

Welcome Senator Lawson. What are your views on single payer?

I support the current investigation, but it must be kept civil and cannot become a media circus like we often see in Washington DC. America does not torture, this is a basic value of our nations identity that we must protect.

Senator,

I know I speak for many others when I say we progressives are wary of “bait and switch” gambits when politicians have sought and received populist support through progressive blogs and their organizations. We’re seeing it play out at the highest levels right now. How can you do an end run around corporate money? How do you see yourself representing your constituents? What are the demographics of your district?

Welcome to the lake Sen. Lawson
Good luck in 2010 we need to run those Blue Dogs out of town on a rail.

Do you believe that reform is necessary with regard to regulation of the financial sector and if so what.

I recognize that the single payer will not pass Congress, however I feel it is an issue that should be debated. Just like every issue. When dealing with an issue as important as health care reform we must negotiate from both sides to achieve what is best for this country.

Now for the trifecta. What are your views on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Defense of Marriage Act and hate crime legislation?

I’m not ready to give up on the public option yet.
I’ll reserve judgement until I hear from the Prez on Wednesday

I am not ready to give up on the PO regardless of what the pres says.

Welcome, Senator Lawson.
How do you feel about the accountability movement in the school system?
In FL, for instance, 9th grade scores are not counted toward the school grades. Therefore, students are being pushed en masse into AP programs, since the schools get more money for AP students. These students are failing in large numbers…in other words, the accountability movement has created a school system that fails students for money, on purpose.
What should be done about the public school system?

The question was single payer–everybody in, nobody out. It suffered crib death due to willful neglect. The public option is another matter.

Thank you so much for saying that you would vote against any bill that does not have a public option, Senator Lawson.

Many people are trying to claim that Kent Conrad’s “co-ops” qualify as a public option. Do you believe that is true?

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/…..-op-costs/

Thank you for stepping up to challenge a Blue Dog. It is always tough to take on an incumbent.

Across the country we are looking at these challenges and will be supporting these efforts.

The leaders of our party keep moving the goals in terms of what it takes “to get things done.” Well, we are moving with the goals, they will not shut us down. Change will come.

Money is important in politics and I will receive the majority will be from small donors. I know my opponent is bankrolled by the big corporations; I want to be supported by the people with the “big” ideas. If you like what I have said here I would urge you to go to my website and donate to my campaign. It takes national grassroots support to beat a well funded incumbent.

How do I intend to represent the district? I have been serving the people of north Florida for the past 27 years and I have done so by getting out and talking with the people. Many politicians sit in their office and listen to lobbyist. I prefer to go out to the communities and listen to what my constituents need.

This is a largely rural district much like I have represented in my years in the legislature. This is a racially diverse district. In fact the congressional district has a larger minority makeup than my current senate district to which I have been elected 3 times.

Obviously we need better safeguards in the financial industry the Bush administration was forced to spend billions if not trillions in bank bail outs. This placed an unfair burden on tax payers, our children and our grandchildren that could have been avoided with better controls. Their are many issues that come with bank reform ending predatory lending (this includes sub prime and adjustable rate mortgages), controlling risk, and eliminating conflicts of interest. i also think Congress needs to do more to strengthen the FDIC so that our money is protected.

What committees would you prefer to be on?

I went to the website that Jane linked to in the post to find out more about you and where you stand on the issues. I was met by only two options, either donate or volunteer. Some of us have donated in the past, only to be disappointed later when our candidate won and let us down. Do you have another website with more information?

If you are elected will you be back here to visit on issues?

A co-op is a fine alternative to the private system, but it lacks the scope of the public option. By covering more people a public option spreads the risk and therefore lowers costs.

Olifieldguy,
We are currently working on the website and just have the splash page up at this time. if you want to send me an email at info@allawsonforcongress.com I will let your know when the full site is up.

Have there been any polls to see how popular/unpopular your opponent is among dems?

Ways and means, appropriations, energy and commerce, education and labor, financial services committee, small business committee, veterans affairs, and oversight and government reform committees are all ones I would be very interested in serving on.

Thank you Senator Lawson. I take it from your answer that you believe co-ops do not meet your definition of a public option.

Would you also vote against any bill that had triggers, meaning that a public option would only kick after the insurance companies had been given a chance to clean up their act? I ask because that’s key to the pledge we are asking members of Congress to take.

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/publicoption

We have not done any polling but my opponent has. Apparently his poll numbers show the race as competitive and a toss up in the primary. Allen Boyd’s opposition to President Obama’s agenda has hurt him among Democrats and I would expect polling to reflect that. He is more popular with his Blue dog contributors than with the voters of the district.

I am not a fan of triggers. My preference is clearly a public option. A public option creates competition. I do not like a watered down version, that only only makes private insurance clean up their act while people are looking.

I hate to run, but I have a campaign event to attend. If you have any questions you want answered please email me at info@allawsonforcongress.com and I will get back to you. I really appreciatte the passion you all have for making our government better. I can really use your support.

I agree with that: no triggers. Might make a good editorial cartoon. Healthcare on the ground & congress pulling the trigger for a coup de grace.

Just checked in. An honor to have been on line. Thank you, Mr. Lawson.

Jane,
Thank you so much for providing me this opportunity.

Jane, thank you for raising the profile of this race. I hope we will see more of this, both the primary challenges to BDs and the upwards profile of the challengers.

Good luck to you Sen. Lawson. We will be watching, and I am sure you will see grassroots money from this.

Did Obama carry FL-02? Do you know the stats? Is it considered a Democratic “safe seat?”

Thanks for coming Sen Lawson

But when you say that you would vote against any bill that does not have a public option, would you vote for “a public option with triggers?”

I think others here in the community will back me up here — this is very important to us.

REp Lawson…. thanks for being here.

I am happy to hear about you and am VERY excited about you running against Boyd… the scumbag.

ANd I’m happy to hear your strong words about the public option… altho this will HOPEFULLY be resolved by the time you make it to US Congress (!)… we need strong voices like yours on many progressive issues.

I may have missed it… but I would like to donate to your campaign today… is there a link?

What I find troubling about the idea of triggers is that I have no faith that Congress would actually pull them. If they aren’t ready to confront the insurance industry now, why should I have any faith that they will do that in the future?

Just saw your website in your recent post… will donate through it.

Here’s his ActBlue page.

Also, they would use the 30-40% claim denial and 20-30% profits as a baseline. In other words, they would have to actually get worse than they already are before maybe, someday, a trigger may perhaps be threatened. To which they will profusely apologize and cross their heart and hope to lie die that they will do much more better tomorrow.

I am sorry i was not clearer but I would not support triggers.

Thank you for letting us get to know you today Senator.

Sorry to pick nits, but “not support” and “refuse to vote for” are not the same thing.

Thank you Rep Lawson, we really appreciate it.

I would not vote for a bill with triggers, it does not get at the heart of the problem

Yes, thank you Senator Lawson. Clearly better than Boyd. You have my support. But to illustrate my point, support is not the same thing as donate and volunteer.

That David Simon quote from the other day makes the specifics of how they’d screw us seem irrelevant to me: [U]ltimately I have the utmost confidence in the ability of any ambitious soul anywhere to take what is not progress and what is not valid and to gloss it up and to say, “We’re doing a great job.”

If roughly the same conditions are in place when the trigger conditions are evaluated as are in place now, they’ll ignore the result just as they’ve ignored all the critics who have been pointing out the obvious now. Like Simon, I have faith that they’ll find an excuse that at least suits them and the news people who are willing to be sycophants for them.

Thank you. You have moved me closer to the other two options in my above comment. I don’t mean to be pig-headed, but you don’t learn anything the second time a donkey kicks you. Good luck.

I like that quote.

And thank you Jane for bringing this race to our attention. Indeed, for keeping us informed on so many things.

Welcome Sir! If you promise to be ant-blue dog I will do all I can to help you win! Our President needs all the help he can get!