Chris Coons’ Interview with U of D Radio Show
I saw this on dKos,where this UofD student hosting a program called Broadside Radio posted that he had the chance to interview Chris Coons this week about some of the big issues currently facing us and the government — like education policy, energy policy, foreign policy, filibuster reform, security. This is pretty good — Chris is clearly prepared and focused here. I haven’t had much of an opportunity to hear Chris in person over the past few months , but I imagine that we are listening to pretty standard campaign stuff here. The first part is a little over 9 minutes long and the second part is almost 4 minutes long, so definitely give a listen:
The interviewer here also has a blog — the Starboard Broadside.
For progressives, I’m not so sure that there is much here, except in the portions that deal with alternative energy, but then I’m on record with thinking that a real progressive agenda won’t sell here anyway. Certainly much of Chris’ positions are better than the fake moderation of Mike Castle (and his allegiance to his party rather than to the people who live here), but for the progressives among us, get used to not hearing much of your agenda addressed.
What is good, though is that Chris is not running on the shortsighted anti-government platform that is largely the view of the people who are currently not in power. Because they certainly do believe in government (which is why they are fighting so hard to be a part of it), they do that largely to protect the streams of government funds going to their friends and funders. Like the Homeland Security or the Department of Interior (all of which are being called on by even the anti-government groups to be more visible and take better charge of their missions) or Medicare and Social Security which even the teatards don’t want to give up there is a role for government to play and hat won’t go away. The thing to watch for are the grownups in the room who don’t pander to either the shortsightedness or the bundle of resentments that all too frequently passes for a considered political opinion.
I don’t get Coons trying to “out middle of the road” Mike Castle. Castle owns the sleep walkers. Coons’ only path to victory is to energize Democrats. I want to like Coons, but he is making it pretty tough.
Wow. He was prepared and focused for an interview with a college kid? Way to go. I’m glad Dave Hoffman is earning his big bucks.
Totally whiffs on education (at 2:00 of clip 1). No clue at all. He is ignorant about the fact that high stakes testing is still at the core of the accountability matrix under Obama-Biden. Flat out ignorant. Too bad he can’t get informed on such a critical issue. Duncan is truly a pure NCLB advocate with the insane infusion of competition for dollars. I suggest Chris Coons go do some homework on the facts. If he still holds his positions after getting informed, then he can’t have my vote.
I don’t want to give the interviewer an out, just said “OK” when the answer was done.
@John Young: I want to apologize for that. I totally agree with you on education, and I was disappointed by his answer as well. I only said “ok” and moved on because the interview started late and he said he only had 15 minutes, so I wanted to cover as much as possible. I was kicking myself as much as anyone for saying “ok” because normally I try to press people on their answers. I was also caught slightly off guard because I’d expected a longer answer and wasn’t sure what to say next because I was trying to figure out whether or not to bash Arne Duncan. I wasn’t very happy with how rushed I felt in general on this interview.
Sorry to disappoint.
Sincerely,
Bill Humphrey (a.k.a the interviewer)
@anon: I’ll be the first to admit this wasn’t my best interview, but I also don’t appreciate the implication that I’m a know-nothing. I think if you listen to my other interviews, you’ll find I do a serious show and prepare well. Example w/David Waldman (MP3)
This seemed like a quick interview and I don’t imagine you have alot of room for exploration when you have a time limit. I hope you have a chance at a longer interview with Coons.
@cassandra_m: Yes, that was a problem. Usually my interviews are longer-form with a less rigid timeframe. I will be posting my interview with John Carney (on energy and the environment) probably later tomorrow, and that interview got down to a lot more depth (on a narrower range of issues) because it’s 28 minutes long.
Bill,
I appreciate the response. I do not think it was a bad interview at all. I just get all excited about ED issues. Glad you agree that Duncan is someone to be very concerned about…..
Next time, press him!
Thanks,
John
“engage”, “coordinate”, “do more wisely and smoothly”, “coordinate”, “connect”, “robust”, “average folks”, “working people”, “tough”, “human rights”, “core values”, “defend”, “U.S. is critical”, “bring insight”, “lay groundwork”, “bring a new style of leadership”, “democracy”, “new direction”, “proactively”, “muscular”, “challenge”, “new technology”.
Coons says nothing. But he sounds reassuring when he says it.
@bill: I was responding more to cassandra’s wide-eyed fanboy attitude. I expect any Senate candidate to be prepared for an interview, any time, any place. If they want my vote, they’re going to have to take this stuff seriously! I consider preparing for an interview the bare minimum level of committment from a candidate. Especially someone with professional D.C. consultants and media types and support from the White House and DSCC.
Coons certainly isn’t a Michelle Rollins, who – according to Delaware Politics – didn’t want to be recorded during some recent candidate forums. I’d be curious how Rollins would respond to an interview request from you!
i’m just curious, did you have any questions you werent allowed to ask? were you told you couldn’t ask about certain things? did he know he questions in advance?
hmmm must have been on to something here. Why would chris coons have been given questions in advance? Were there things off limits to the interviewer?
No, he was *not* given the questions in advance, as I wrote them the night before at like 2 AM. I was not given any limits, although they vaguely hinted they wanted me to ask about some announcement… which I presume was the education one. He fumbled that answer anyway, so I don’t know what the point of asking was, really.
The only limitation was that when he got on the line, he said he had 10-15 minutes, so I had to rush a bit.
Does that answer your questions?
Sincerely,
Bill Humphrey (the interviewer)
good to know sir