MUMS: Hello
Senator Leahy: Hi This is Matt, the Senator will be with us in a moment.
MUMS: That's fine. We're waiting for everyone to show up on our end.
Senator Leahy: Hi - this is Pat Leahy
MUMS: Hi. thanks for taking the time to chat with us!
Senator Leahy: It's the thing I look forward to the most - but you have to forgive my typing. I try to be a better Senator than a typist.
MUMS: That's fine. Do you mind if we start with our questions?
Senator Leahy: Please go ahead
MUMS: How do you feel about Pres. Bush's appointment of you and Senator Sununu to the UN? Congrats!
Senator Leahy: I appreciate the fact the President did that. President Clinton did the same one year and I spent time at the UN on landmine issues [working to ban them] and will again as well as famine and AIDS in Africa.
MUMS: That brings up a question we had for you. Would you consider the "Leahy Law" to be your biggest accomplishment since becoming a Senator?
Senator Leahy: The Leahy Law which banned the export of landmines is one of my most cherished accomplishments because it got a lot of other countries around the world to pass their own "Leahy Law" and that helped with the worldwide effort to ban landmines.
MUMS: What have you had to do to prepare yourself for your own re-election in Vermont this year?
Senator Leahy: In many ways you prepare by trying to do a good job throughout your term. Of course I do fundraising and have a campaign staff and talk with people all over the state. But because the Senate is in session most weeks my fellow Vermonters will decide whether to re-elect me based on how I do my job
MUMS: What do you think the Democrats should be doing better to cut Bush's lead in the polls?
Senator Leahy: I hope their will be a clearer contrast between President Bush and Senator Kerry. The Bush Administration inherited the largest budget surplus in history and has turned it into the largest deficit while millions have lost their jobs. That and the mistakes in Iraq should be more of the debate than Vietnam
MUMS: Could the deficit have something to do with financing the war?
Senator Leahy: That is a good question and it does have part of it - but the surplus was far greater than the cost of the war. A lot of it comes from greatly expanding the federal government and from giving an overly generous tax cut to the people in the top 1-2% of income.
MUMS: What is your prediction on who will win the presidential election?
Senator Leahy: I think the race will be very close in the last couple weeks - in Vermont Senator Kerry will win but nationwide it could be as close as last time when Al Gore got 500,000 more votes than George Bush but lost by one electoral vote. Every vote counts and of course I am supporting my friend John Kerry.
MUMS: If you were President, what would you do differently with the situation in Iraq?
Senator Leahy: I wouldn't have gone into Iraq in the first place - I would have finished the fight against al Quaeda in Afghanistan Instead the President went into Iraq where there was not a threat against the U.S. and diminished our ability to finish the very important fight elsewhere. Now we have to prove to the world that we have an exit strategy beyond just saying Mission Accomplished if we want other countries to help.
MUMS: Based upon the previous question, do you feel the electoral college is obsolete and have elections based upon popular vote?
Senator Leahy: There is much to be said for the electoral college so that we have real involvement in the campaign across the nation - but I do think it is time to have a real national debate about it.
MUMS: If you were President, how would you deal with North Korea?
Senator Leahy: I would be far more involved with China which has not brought enough pressure on No Korea. I would not make the threats the White House has - especially as they don't follow through. This is a very difficult area as they are the most closed society in the world. Also whatever we do has a huge impact on Japan and South Korea.
MUMS: How often are you involved with issues that effect Vermont directly? Are you working on anything that effects Vermont now?
Senator Leahy: I hope you realize that my answers only touch the surface of the very important issues you have raised which is the one draw back of these kinds of chats.
MUMS: We understand
Senator Leahy: I deal with Vermont issues every day and am in Vermont around a third of the month [and full time when the Senate is not in session]. Near you in Vergennes I have helped them get a huge contract at Goodrich which will supply many jobs. I'm on the agriculture committee and work with Vermont farmers all the time. Cleaning up Lake Champlain has been a priority and during the last 6 years I've brought around a billion dollars to Vermont to create jobs. I'm first and foremost a Vermonter and proud of my Vermont roots
Senator Leahy: I'm going to have to head back to the Senate floor but I've really enjoyed being with you.
MUMS: Can we ask one last silly question?
MUMS: What is your favorite color?
Senator Leahy: sure - after these great serious question you are entitled!
MUMS: Thanks so much for chatting. We know you are extremely busy! Good luck at the UN and in November.
Senator Leahy: Blue - you may notice my bumper stickers are blue - not because people told me to but just because I like the color
MUMS: thanks again
MUMS: bye
Senator Leahy: Thank you and I will be back in Vermont in a few days.