CP: Right. You know, when Paul Wellstone was in the US Senate, he was the Democratic Party's biggest pain in the you-know-what. Only after he died in that tragic plane accident did the Democratic Party and his Senate colleagues finally recognize that he was the conscience of the party. But while he was alive, he did not make himself extremely popular in Democratic circles. And yet, what he did was lay the groundwork. He laid the groundwork for our current opposition to the War on Iraq. He laid the groundwork for our current opposition and my current opposition to No Child Left Behind. What he did while he was alive was he laid the groundwork for pushing out on universal health care and pushing out on living-wage legislation and really restoring the respectful role of America in foreign policymaking. That is the legacy of Paul Wellstone. It is the legacy that I seek to continue.
ND: Well, as Sen. Wellstone discovered while doing all of this, the system will only let you go so far. In your mind, when you visualize yourself beating Rick Santorum and representing Pennsylvania in the Senate, do you envision the possibility that there are going to be walls against what you are trying to do?
CP: Oh, of course. Naturally. Absolutely. There are many entrenched interests that I present an immediate threat to. But the threat I present is promoting democracy. The walls of resistance are fundamentally anti-democratic. Democracy is not easy; it requires sacrifices. And I'll go to a conservative for one of the most famous quotes about democracy: It was Winston Churchill who said that democracy is the worst political system in the world - except for all the rest. I think that's a profound statement. Democracy really requires a lot of work; it's not a spectator sport. It's a process that is as American as any process in the world, but it requires Americans to stand up and to demand more of ourselves and demand more of our government and more accountability on the part of private and corporate interests and to demand more rights so that all Americans are able to enjoy the full fruits of our liberty - every citizen.
ND: That's great; that's all true. However. As you've said, the system has a lot of people who are invested in keeping things the way they are and enshrining into law the beliefs and values of one group: the Bush Administration and those who support it. I mean, seriously, do you think the Senate can handle having in its midst an honest, principled person dedicated to the truly American values of equality and liberty for all?
Article comments
1 - Dave De Vetter
I truly believe that Chuck Pennacchio is our only hope of beating Santorum in November. He will actually represent the people's interests instead of giving in to the corporations and righ-wing religious extremists. I hope everyone who reads this visits his site and contributes to his campaign or signs up to volunteer (even if you don't live in PA, there's much you can do). We're an all volunteer campaign fighting for the future of democracy.
2 - Austin
that site is www.chuck2006.com
3 - Natalie Davis
Chuck's name in the essay, as does the Pennacchio button graphic, links to the campaign Web site.
4 - Brenna Lorenz
If you have a chance to hear Chuck speak, absolutely do go. He will have you jumping out of your seat ready to do battle. You can't imagine how wonderful it is to hear a candidate talk sense!
When people ask him tough questions, he doesn't hedge, waffle, change the subject, flinch or dodge. He answers head-on, decisively. He's going to make mincemeat of Santorum.
This man is a true leader.
5 - Natalie Davis
Yes, Chuck is a principled, empowering presence. And a straight shooter. But the fact remains that the Democratic powers that be, including a lot of the major Democratic blogs (Kos, MyDD, etc.) are pushing the centrist-conservative Casey. That makes it crucial for progressives to spread the word far and wide throughout Pennsylvania: Casey is nothing more than a pale image of Santorum. He does not support the basic issues so crucial for Pennsylvania and that represent core Democratic values. I understand that people are used to caving in to the right wing; they're accustomed to bending over for the conservatives and losing for their self-degradation. But come on - a progressive can win and god knows, a change is needed YESTERDAY. It's time for a real progressive, a real people's candidate. If Santorum is destined to win (and I maintain that he is NOT), isn't it better to lose standing tall rather than on one's knees? Casey is the candidate for the acquiescent, the cowardly, the weak. Pennacchio is the candidate for the courageous, for those who want power to rest in the hands of the PEOPLE rather than the fatcat, money-motivated pols. Spread the word.