I sent out a questionnaire to the candidates in the 12th Bristol District race for the seat opened up by Canessa’s recent resignation. Keiko Orrall got back to me pretty quickly and answered all the questions in a very forthcoming way via a phone interview last Friday. Roger Brunelle Jr. did not respond despite two emails. I found that to be a bit crappy. Even a reply of “I’m too busy” is better than failure to respond at all.
I had clearance from Middleboro Gazette editor Jane Lopes to do an extra column about the questionnaire – providing both candidates were represented. Since Roger Brunelle Jr. did not respond, the best I can do is this blog post discussing Ms. Orrall’s responses based on the interview I did last week.
Generally Keiko is very conservative both fiscally and socially. Some of the answers are direct quotes – noted with “quotes”. Non-quoted text is my own recollection of her answers based on my notes and memory of the conversation.
Keep in mind that these are pretty tough and controversial questions. Keiko answered them honestly knowing that I wouldn’t like some of her answers – particularly the ones on social issues. Her opponent didn’t bother to answer at all.
Would you rate yourself liberal, moderate, or conservative in general?
Would you rate yourself liberal, moderate, or conservative on social issues? Please provide a position that demonstrates your answer.
Can you offer any specific ways to control spending in state government?
Can you offer any specific ways that municipal governments can control spending?
What is your position on global warming, green energy and/or the green economy?
Do you have any specific recommendations on improving the public school system?
Do you support “No Child Left Behind”?
What are your thoughts on Charter schools?
Do you support same-sex marriage?
Do you support a woman’s right to legal abortion?
How do you feel about privatization of government functions?
Do you have any opinion on the Pacheco law?
Do you think any changes are needed in state government employee compensation packages? If so, what?
What is your position on collective bargaining of state employee unions?
Do you think cities and town are legally obligated to fund the state portion of the Quinn bill if that portion is not funded by the state?
Do you have any plan for addressing OPEB liability?
Do you agree with Governor Patrick’s stance on the “Secure Communities” program?
What persons or organizations comprise the top five contributions to your campaign?
What issue(s) are most important to you and what specific solutions would you propose to address them?
Open question: Why should someone vote for you?
Themocracy
Thanks for sharing Keiko’s answers to your questions. While I don’t agree with her on stance on everything, I did have the opportunity to speak with her before the primary and I found her to be straightforward, thoughtful and sincerely interested in the state rep position to help her constituents – not herself.
I also had the chance to speak with her teenaged daughter and was very impressed with her as well. It says a lot about the parent who raises a smart, funny, thoughtful teenager.
I spoke to her when she was in our neighborhood campaigning. She talked to me for 20 minutes despite the fact she knew I was a Frawley supporter in the primary. Much of her social positions – which I don’t consider an agenda – I reject since they will have little impact in Massachusetts. She appears quite sincere and a hard worker. I am very much in tune with her fiscal positions since I consider that fundamental to getting my vote.
Why didn’t the gazette publish the survey? If Roger didn’t want to respond that is his constitutional right. It is our constitutional right to hear the information you have to present. Or doesn’t the Gazette believe in free speech?
I don’t think it unreasonable that Jane didn’t want to publish a story that only represented one candidate in the week before the election. Anyway – that was the deal I had to work with. Roger didn’t respond so I published Keiko’s answers in the only venue available to me.
If you sent the survey to both candidates and only one responded back what does that tell you about the possible of a response if he was to get elected? OOPS when the phone doesn’t ring that will be Roger returning our request for help. We have had more than enough of that kind of inactivity.
I’ve learned to accept that there is one or two .. .OK MAYBE three .. people in Middleboro that don’t like me. I’ll have change the site tagline to “Loved by most …”
Had to chime in…I think a NO-Response is a response. Seems the wind did not blow this acorn too far.
If the guy cannot answer a list of questions pertinent to this campaign from a newspaper columnist what will that tell us about his accessibility if he is elected?
Article in the Gazette about how hard he is working on this campaign so probably taking 20 minutes out is too much to ask. Gazette should have published the fact he did not respond as IMO that is a news story and speaks volumes about his candidacy.
I think it probably speaks volumes about the baggage he has with me personally more than anything.
One thing I haven’t heard from JR, he hasn’t brought up the Rotary project at all.
In fact he hasn’t mentioned one specific item about Middleboro.
That worries me.
Of course Keiko had time to reply to you. Since she’s getting a landslide of cash from the Republicans and all her views are a carbon copy of the replies of all other Republicans, she has all the time in the world to answer your questions while Mr. Brunelle was out there on the streets telling people who he was, what he stood for and working hard to earn the money to run his clean campaign. Keiko should answer why she sent out fliers filled with dubious misrepresentation and why she was incapable of running a clean campaign.
“working hard to earn the money to run his clean campaign”? Dude what is wrong with you? Brunelle got piles of money from unions the second he announced he was running. Attack ads against Keiko went out as soon as internal polling showed that he was in trouble. I have issues with some or all of Orrall’s social positions and am not here to cheerlead for her.
While Brunelle was “out there on the streets” telling people “what he stood for’ someone should have taken the time to post that crucial voter information on his web site because all that contains is ridiculous generalities – http://www.votebrunelle2011.com/issues/index.htm. Go read that and you’ll find out that hes’ in favor of casinos and supports the Southcoast Rail project. There is not one – not even one – original idea or detailed or specifics on any other issue.
You should contact Keiko with your concerns – I found her very approachable and refreshing in her honesty about her positions. If you think there is wrongdoing, you should contact the MA. Secretary of State who is in charge of elections. To be painfully honest, you sound like a ridiculous shill throwing a mixture of mud and sour grapes hoping that some of it will stick on Orrall. She won. The voters spoke and soundly rejected the union guy who I would bet outspent Orrall 10 to 1. Deal with it.