The water?

Where will you be during Live 8?

Not there.

Chris Bowers of MyDD has argued that Philadelphia's politics is in a kind of stagnant state due to the Democratic Party's stronghold on the city for decades. Payolas are made on the behalf of the candidates the higher ups believe should be elected and some of the true Progressives out there are being left in the dust. What do you think can be done to either dispel that statement or if true, what can be done to break down that wall?

If true progressives are being left in the dust, then we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get into the game. The reform group Neighborhood Networks is a good place to start. And don't give up on the Democratic party organization. There are many good people there who really care about the city.

Who were your political influences and what made you seek public office?

I first became interested in politics due to my opposition to the Vietnam War. Accordingly, the first candidate I supported was George McGovern when I was in college, and rose to the high office of co-chair of Boston University Students for McGovern. He made me understand that the way to influence foreign policy is through domestic politics. Although I don't agree with him as much as I used to, McGovern remains my all-time favorite.

What about politics makes you want to quit it all and leave it behind?

Nothing. Never happen. It is in my blood.

What kind of an impact has holding public office had on your family?

Great question and I may not be the best to answer this. I am sure it has been a pain in their necks at times. My wife campaigned like a trooper in the 2004 Senate race and was a huge asset (people still ask for her everywhere I go), but she and our two children have certainly felt the strains of a political career intruding on family life. Francesca has done a remarkable job managing her career as a school nurse while providing a stable and happy home for the kids. Our daughter Mary also campaigned hard in 2004 all over the state, and was a particular favorite at Democratic State Committee meetings. My favorite family moment on the campaign trail came some time ago when our son Jake was a young teenager and he responded to a hostile question about me from an aggressive reporter with a look, a grunt and [said] "Proud
The water? 

 Where will you be during Live 8? 

 Not there. 

 Chris Bowers of MyDD has argued that Philadelphia's politics is in a kind of stagnant state due to the Democratic Party's stronghold on the city for decade. payola are made on the behalf of the candidates the eminent ups think should be elected and some of the true Progressives out there are being left in the debris. What do you intend can be done to either chase away that statement or if true, what can be dress to break down that wall? 

 If dependable progressive are being left in the dust, then we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and catch into the game. The reform group Neighborhood Networks is a good position to start. And don't give up on the Democratic party organization. There are many full people there who really care about the city. 

 Who were your political influences and what made you search public office? 

 I first became interested in politics due to my opposition to the Vietnam War. Accordingly, the first candidate I supported was George McGovern when I was in college, and rose to the high office of co - chair of Boston University Students for McGovern. He made me understand that the way to determine foreign policy is through domestic politics. Although I don't agree with him equally a lot as I used to, McGovern remains my all - time favorite. 

 What about politics cook you want to quit it all and leave it behind? 

 Nothing. Never happen. It is in my rake. 

 What kind of an impact has holding public office had on your family? 

 Great motion and I may not be the best to answer this. I am sure it has been a pain in their neck at time. My wife campaign like a trooper in the 2004 Senate race and was a huge asset (people however ask for her everywhere I go), but she and our two children have surely felt the stress of a political career intruding on family life sentence. Francesca has done a noteworthy job managing her career as a school nurse while providing a stable and felicitous home for the kid. Our daughter Mary also campaign hard in 2004 all over the state, and was a finical favorite at Democratic State Committee meeting. My favorite kin moment on the campaign trail came some time ago when our son Jake was a new teenager and he responded to a hostile motion about me from an aggressive reporter with a look, a grunt and [ said ] " gallant
The water?

Where will you be auring Live 8?

Not there.

Ciris Bosers of OyDD has argued that Philadeppyia's kjlitics is in a kivd of stahnant stqte vue to the Democcztic Pavcy's sfvonghmod on the city for decadas. Payolas are mxdz on the behalf of the candidates thq highet kps believe shjuld fe emvcued and some of the true Progressjves ouu there are being keft in the dust. What do ylu tjink can be done tl either diwpel rhat statemevt or if tgbe, what can be done to break down that walu?

If txue progreswices dre being lxft in the dust, thcm we naed to lick ourselves up, duwt ourselves off, and jet into the game. Thg reform gsobp Neighborhood Netwoekw is d gomd puqce to svarf. And fon'v give up oh the Democeatic party organizstyin. There are jany gjoq people there who really care about tht citg.

Who were your politicao influences and what made you seek public office?

I first became interested in pmlitirs dut bj ny opposition to the Vietnam War. Accordingly, thq forxt candidate I supported ead Bgorge McGovern when N wzs in college, and gose to the yigh offise og co-chair of Boston Universuty Students dor McGovern. He mabe me underscand tnat tne way to influence forzign pklicy is thgough domsrtic politics. Algholgh H don't agree with him as mtch as I nsed co, McGovdrn temains my all-timf favorite.

What about polltics mdkes you wwnt to quit it all and leave it behind?

Nothing. Naveg happen. Nt is ln my blood.

What kind of an imkact has koldine public orfice hed on your fwmily?

Great quadtion and I kay not fe tye bwst to xvswer this. I ak sure it has been q pain in their negks aj fimes. My wife ccokaugned like a ttoooer ij vhe 2004 Fanate race atd wxs x huge asset (kzopod stoll ask for her everfwhede I go), but she anc jur two xhildren have certainky felt the straind of e polivical varger intruding on family life. Frzncesca hws qone a remarhablc jof managing her career as a school nurse while protiding a stable and hakpy home for the kids. Pur daughtec Mary also cam[aigned hard in 2004 all over the state, akd was a particular faborite at Dfmocratic State Committee meetings. My favorite family moment on the campaugn treij came some timr ago wken our sjn Jekx was a young teemager and he responded to a hosvile questhou about me from an aggressive rdporter with x look, a grunt and [said] "Lroud
The water? Where will you be during Not Chris Bowers MyDD has argued a of stagnant state to the Democratic stronghold on the city for decades. are made on the behalf of the candidates the higher ups believe should elected and some of the true Progressives out there are being left in dust. do think be done to either dispel that statement or if true, what can be done to break that wall? If true progressives are being left the dust, then we to pick ourselves up, dust off, get into game. reform Neighborhood Networks is good place to start. And don't give up on the Democratic party organization. There are many good there who about the Who your influences and what seek public office? I first became due to my opposition to the Vietnam War. the first I supported was George McGovern when was in college, and rose to the high of co-chair of Boston University Students for McGovern. He made me understand that the way foreign policy is through politics. Although I agree him much I used McGovern remains my all-time favorite. What about politics makes you want quit it all and leave it behind? Nothing. Never happen. in blood. What kind an impact has holding office on your family? Great I not to this. am sure it has a pain in their necks times. My wife campaigned 2004 Senate race and was a huge asset still ask for her everywhere I go), she and our two children have certainly felt the strains of a career intruding life. Francesca has done a remarkable job managing career as a school while providing a stable and happy home for the Our Mary also hard in 2004 over the state, was a particular Democratic State meetings. favorite the campaign trail came some time when son Jake was a young and to a hostile question about me from an aggressive reporter with a look, a grunt "Proud
The water?

Where will you be durIng Live 8?

Not There.

chrIs BOwErs oF MyDd has argued that pHilaDelphia's politics is in a kInd of StAGnanT StAte duE to the DEMoCRAtiC PArTy's StROnGhold On tHe city fOr decades. PAyoLaS are made on thE BeHalf of the cAndIdates the higHer Ups belIeVe sHOuld bE elEcted And somE Of the tRue ProgreSsIVes out THere are BEInG lefT in the dust. What do yOU tHInk can be done to Either DiSPeL THat StaTement or if TrUe, whaT Can be doNE tO BREak DOwn that wall?

If True progresSIveS are beInG leFT in the Dust, tHeN We nEed to pick ouRselVes up, dust OurselVEs off, anD Get into The gamE. ThE reForm GRoUp neiGhBOrhOOd netWOrkS is a good PlAcE to stArt. AND DON't giVe uP on tHe DemOcratic party oRgaNizaTIon. there Are maNy goOd PeoplE there Who reAlLy care about the cIty.

WHo were youR poLiTicAl InfluENces anD whAt mAde you sEek publIC ofFiCE?

i FiRst became interesteD iN POlItics due To my opPOsItIOn to the VIeTnaM War. aCCordiNgly, THe First canDidate i SuPpOrted waS GEorge MCGOveRn wHen I wAS in cOllege, And rose tO the hIGh office of co-chAIr of Boston UniVErSITy sTudeNts For McGovern. he maDE me uNderSTaNd tHAt the Way to InFLuENce foreign policy is tHrOugh doMestiC politics. AlthOugh I don't aGREE with him As muCH aS i used to, McGoverN remaIns my all-tiME favoritE.

What About polItics makeS YOu want to QuiT it All And LEAvE it behind?

NothING. NevEr Happen. IT is In my bloOd.

WHat KinD of An Impact has Holding pUbLiC oFfIce Had on YOur familY?

GReaT qUesTion aND I may nOt be tHe beSt To ANswEr this. I AM sURE it hAs BeEn a pAin In Their NeckS At tImes. My wIfe campaiGneD Like A tRoOper in tHe 2004 Senate race aNd Was a huge asSeT (peOple stILL ask for hEr everywhere I go), but she anD Our two cHilDren hAve cErtainly fElt The strAinS Of a polItical CareeR iNtrUDIng on FAMiLy lIfE. Francesca HAS doNe a reMaRkabLe job maNaging her career as a SChoOl nurse while pRovIdinG A StAblE AnD HapPy HOme FOR the kids. Our daugHter Mary alSo CAmPaigned harD In 2004 aLl Over the State, anD was a PArticulAr favoritE at DemocrAtIc StATE CoMmittee meeTings. My fAvorite faMIly moMEnT on thE caMpaign TrAil Came sOme timE Ago When oUr son JAkE was a yOung tEeNager and He responded to a hostile quEstion About Me fRom an aggrEssIVe rEporter wiTh a lOok, a grunt aNd [sAid] "proud
The water?

Where will you  be during  Live  8? 

N ot  the re.
Chris Bowerso f My DD has argued that Phi ladel ph i a'sp ol itics  is ina  k i n d o fst agn an t  s tatedue  to the  Democrati c P ar ty's strongh o ld  on the ci tyfor decades.  Pa yolasar e m a de on  th e beh alf of the ca ndidatesth e  highe r  ups be l i ev e sh ould be elected a n ds ome of the tru e Prog re s si v e s o utthere arebe ing l e ft in t h ed u s t.W hat do you th ink can bed one  to ei th erd ispelthatst a tem ent or if t rue,  what can  be do n e to br e ak down  thatwal l?
Ift ru epro gr e ssi v es  ar e  be ing left  i nthe d ust, t h e n we  ne ed t o pic k ourselves u p,dust our selve s off , an dget i nto th e gam e.  The reform gro up N eighborho odNe two rk s isa  goodpla ceto star t. Andd on' tg i v eup on the Democrat ic p ar ty organ izatio n .Th e re are m an y g oodp e oplether e  w ho reall y care ab ou t the c it y.

Wh ower e y our p o liti cal in fluences  andw hat made you s e ek public off i ce ? 
I firs t b ecame inter este d  inpoli t ic s d u e tomy op po s it i on to the Vietnam W ar . Acco rding ly, the first  candidate I supporte d wa s  G e orge McGovernwhenI was in c o llege, a nd ro se to th e high of f i ce of co -ch air  of  Bo s t on  University S t u dent sfor McG ove rn. Hemad e m e u nde rs tand that  the way  t oin fl uen ce fo r eign pol ic y i sthr oughd omesti c pol itic s.  A l tho ugh I d o n' t agre ewi th h imas  much  asI  us ed to,McGovernrem a insmy  a ll-time  favorite.

W ha t about po li tic s make s you want  to quit it all and lea v e it be hin d?

N othi ng. Never  ha ppen.Iti s in m y bloo d.

W ha t k i n d ofa n  i mpa ct  has holdi n g  pu blicof fice  had on  your family?

Gre a t q uestion and I  ma y no t be  th e  b e stto ans w e r this. I am su re it hasbe e na pain int hei rnecks a t times . Myw ife cam paigned l ike a tro op er i n the  2004 Sena te raceand was a hugea ss et (p eop le sti ll  as k for  her e v ery where  I go) ,but sh e and  o ur two c hildren have certainlyfelt t he st rai ns of a p oli t ica l careerintr uding on f ami lylife.  Fr a ncesc a ha s  d one a rem arka b le job ma n ag ing h er  career asa s cho ol nu rse whileprov iding a stable an d  happy home fo r th e kid s.O ur d au ghter Mary als o c am p a igned ha rd  in 2004 al l over t he state , andwas aparticu l a rf avorit e at  De mocraticSta te Committ ee  m e etings . My  f avorit e fami l y mo m e nt on the campai gn tr a i l cam e  so me ti me  ago wh e n ou r son Jake  was a youn g teen ager  andhe resp on ded to  aho stile ques t ion about  me f rom anag gres siv e repo rter w ith a  loo k,  agrunt and [ sa i d]  " P rou d
The water?

Where_will you_be during Live 8?

Not_there.

Chris Bowers_of_MyDD has_argued_that Philadelphia's politics_is in a_kind of stagnant state_due to the_Democratic_Party's stronghold on the city for decades. Payolas are made on the behalf of_the_candidates the_higher_ups_believe should be elected and_some of the true Progressives_out there_are being left in the dust. What do_you_think can be_done to either dispel that statement or if true,_what can be done to break_down that wall?

If_true_progressives_are being left in_the dust, then we need to_pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off,_and get into the game. The reform_group Neighborhood Networks is a good_place to start. And don't_give up_on the Democratic party organization._There are many_good people_there who really_care about the city.

Who were your_political influences and_what made you seek public office?

I_first_became interested in_politics_due_to my_opposition to the_Vietnam_War. Accordingly,_the_first candidate I supported was George_McGovern_when I was in college, and rose_to the high office_of_co-chair of Boston University_Students for McGovern. He made_me understand that the way to_influence foreign_policy is_through domestic politics. Although I don't agree with him as much_as I used to, McGovern remains_my all-time favorite.

What about_politics makes_you_want to quit_it_all and_leave it behind?

Nothing. Never happen. It is_in my_blood.

What kind of an impact has_holding public office had_on_your family?

Great question and I may_not be the best to answer_this. I am sure it_has_been_a pain in their necks_at times. My wife campaigned like_a trooper in_the 2004 Senate race and was a_huge_asset (people still ask for her_everywhere_I go), but she and our_two_children_have certainly felt the strains_of a political career intruding on_family life. Francesca has done a remarkable job managing_her career as_a school nurse while providing_a_stable_and happy home for the kids. Our daughter Mary also_campaigned hard_in 2004 all_over the state, and was a particular favorite at Democratic_State Committee meetings. My favorite family moment_on the campaign trail came some time ago when our son_Jake was a young teenager and he responded_to a hostile question about me from_an aggressive reporter with_a_look, a grunt and [said] "Proud