Thetford Academy Online Chat

Members of the Thetford Academy Seventh Grade Class
March 2, 2006

Senator Patrick Leahy: Incidentally, I do my own typing and I hope that I am a better Senator than a typist, so please forgive the mistakes.

Thetford Academy: Hello Senator. We are really pleased to be with you this morning. No problem about the typing. Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to be with us. Our first question comes from Patrick Eaton who would like to know what your schedule was like before meeting with us this morning.

Senator Patrick Leahy: Patrick, it has been a full one so far. I got up around 5 and read the emails that I had received over the night and most of the newspapers online. We had an early Judiciary Committee meeting on immigration, another meeting on money for housing in Vermont, a press conference on war profiteering, meetings with Vermonters - and this afternoon will be really busy.

Thetford Academy: Along those same lines, Alex McCusker would like to know how many hours a day you work on average.

Senator Patrick Leahy: Alex, most days I start between 5 and 6 a.m. with reading and sometimes the Senate is in session until midnight. There is something to keep me occupied most waking hours and weekends, like this one, I will be in Vermont with a schedule that will take me to many parts of the state. Everything I do is interesting so it really makes it easier.

Thetford Academy: Jules Pellerin and Oriana Pedone would like to know how you handle such a busy schedule?

Senator Patrick Leahy: Jules and Oriana, you get used to it. I also have a fantastic staff in Washington and Vermont who help all day long. I really enjoy what I do so it isn’t hard.

Thetford Academy: With such a busy schedule then, several students, Emily Cummings, Tyler Rollins, Dale Robinson, and Cailyn Jackson would like to know if you have time for hobbies? And what are they?

Senator Patrick Leahy: Emily, Tyler, Dale and Cailyn, I do have hobbies. I am an active photographer and will have an exhibit at St. Michael's college later this month. I take my camera everywhere with me even to meetings at the White House, on Air Force One, and everywhere in Vermont.  I have some exciting pictures. I also like to snowshoe, target shoot and scuba dive.

Thetford Academy: Getting to some more controversial topics, Kenzie Ganley and Ethan Chapman would like to know what you think about Dick Cheney's not mentioning the hunting accident right away? And why didn't he get arrested?

Senator Patrick Leahy: Kenzie and Ethan - I DON'T go target shooting with Dick Cheney! I do think he should have reported it immediately because he is the Vice President. President Bush's staff urged him to do so and he should have taken their advice.

Thetford Academy: Jacob Osborn would like to know if you've ever been part of a filibuster? If so, how did you do it? For how long? And why?

Senator Patrick Leahy: Jacob, I have, but rarely in my 31 years here. I joined in one on the Patriot act to push for some improvements in it. Some were made - but not enough. We don't have filibusters where someone talks for 20-30 hours anymore.  Instead, we take turns and I think the longest that I have ever spoken was about 2-3 hours.

Senator Patrick Leahy: Marley, I hope now that Justice Alito has been confirmed that he will know that he is there for all Americans and not just the few who got him appointed. I have strong concerns that he will not be as impartial as he should be, so I voted against him. There are 9 members of the Court and I have voted for 7 of the 9.

Thetford Academy: Zach Josler would like you to respond to this question: "If you represent Vermont, what exactly do you represent?"

Senator Patrick Leahy: Zach, that is an excellent question. I like to think that I represent the integrity that we Vermonters are known for. My ancestors came to Vermont over 150 years ago and I hope that I represent the honesty they strove for. As Vermonters, we have a strong sense of independence and I cherish that. Not every Vermonter will agree on every issue, of course, but I think they know my Vermont roots and conscience guide my votes.

Thetford Academy: Krystyna Melahn and Maya Newton would like to know whether you always knew what you wanted to be when you grew up?

Senator Patrick Leahy: Krystyna and Maya, I was born in Montpelier and I think that living across from the State House influenced me and got me interested in government. I did want to be a lawyer and went to law school.  After practicing law, I became a prosecutor in Vermont. I always knew that the one place Vermont's voice was equal to all other states was in the Senate, where every state has two votes, and I wanted to be there to be Vermont's voice.

Senator Patrick Leahy: I must tell you how impressed I am with your questions - it shows you are very bright students and obviously have very good teachers.

Thetford Academy: The final comment comes from me, the teacher. First of all, congratulations on your outstanding voting record in the Senate, which I read about in yesterday's paper. On a closing note, what do you think the Red Sox's chances are this year?

Senator Patrick Leahy: I am an eternal optimist.  From the time that I saw my first game with my father in Fenway Park when I was 7, I have rooted for them. I watched the game where they clinched the series from my home in Vermont and they could hear my cheer all over Vermont. Joe Deffner and the 7th grade - I send you my best.  I hope I see you in Vermont.