Thank you to all the people who responded to my column last week, Get to Know Me. I appreciated hearing from so many readers. Sometimes, when I write this column, I wonder if anybody reads it. It’s good to know they do.
I chose a timely topic for my column this week: debates. In the arena of politics, debates are the pinnacle, the ultimate showdown.
This week residents of Western Massachusetts were treated to a debate between Republican United States Senator Scott Brown and Democrat challenger Elizabeth Warren at the Springfield Symphony Hall. It was also televised.
This was the third in a series of four debates and was hosted by the Western Massachusetts Senate Debate Consortium. Westfield’s own Jim Madigan was the moderator of the debate. I was there to support my friend and colleague Scott Brown.
Before the debate began there was a massive standout on the streets of Springfield surrounding the venue. There were over a thousand people holding banners and waving signs. Some in the crowd had megaphones and tried to start their side chanting. The Firefighter Union had a big yellow RV with Liz Warren’s face on the side and they kept driving around and around the block beeping the horn. For political junkies, the preliminaries are just as much fun as the main event.
I watched the debate from the front row of the Symphony Hall. Senator Brown had reserved a section for his family and colleagues. Professor Warren had a similar section on the other side of the hall. There were over 2500 people in the hall. It was a unique perspective to watch such a historically and politically significant event.
When I got home, I compared notes with my wife who had watched the debate on television. To my surprise, she had a different opinion of the outcome of the debate than I did. Evidently, perspective matters. Seeing a debate live is very different from watching it on TV.
Americans also got the chance to watch a Presidential Debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney and a Vice Presidential Debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan. Being “in the business” of politics as I am, I watched both debates. Although I am unopposed in the upcoming November 6 elections and have nobody running against me I have also found myself engaged in several debates.
I was recently invited to participate in a debate at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston. I was the proxy for Mitt Romney and my opponent, fellow Massachusetts State Representative Linda Forry, stood in as Barack Obama.
We debated for an hour in front of several hundred high school students from across the Commonwealth. Originally a class from Westfield High School had been slated to attend but due to a professional development half day they couldn’t attend. Students asked the questions and we each had the chance to answer them as we thought our candidate would answer. It was great. I’ve debated before, as myself, but never stood in as another person before. I found it fascinating.
Then this week I was asked to come to Amherst Public Television to debate John Walsh, the Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party for a cable show. Every debate is different, and like anything else the more you do it the better you get at it.
Since a big part of my job as Westfield’s State Representative involves debating my colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives at the State House over legislation or budget amendments I welcome all the debate practice I can get.
There will only be a few more chances for the voting public to see their US Senate candidates and Presidential candidates debate. You may hear the pundits or even the candidates themselves say that this election is the most important election in American history. I believe every election is important. I hope you will take advantage of those opportunities before you go to the polls and cast your ballots.
I would like to conclude by offering my congratulations to the Kiwanis Club of Westfield on the celebration of their 90th anniversary.
Their mission statement says “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.” Nobody can deny that the Westfield Kiwanis have done just that. Whether it was founding the Boys and Girls Club or starting Little League baseball and softball in Westfield, or supporting numerous child-oriented organizations in Westfield, Southwick, or the hilltowns, the members of the Westfield Kiwanis Club can be proud that for 90 years they have made our world a better place. Congratulations. Here’s to 90 more!
Have a great week.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Maura Cassin may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803.
Email address: [email protected]
Website: www.DonHumason.org
