An event billed as a celebration of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's life doubled as time for the major Democratic candidates running for his Senate seat to campaign among the party faithful gathered at City Hall's War Memorial auditorium yesterday.
"We'd like to think of this as a celebration of life - a life that has touched everybody," said Martina Jackson, co-chairwoman of the Newton Democratic City Committee, which organized the event as part of its annual brunch festivities.
All of the Democratic Senate candidates during yesterday's event framed their campaigns - at least partly - on continuing Kennedy's legislative work. The only major senatorial candidate not at the forum was also the only Republican in the race: State Sen. Scott Brown of Wrentham.
The party primary elections are on Dec. 8, and the special election for Kennedy's seat is Jan. 19.
U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-8th, said he first entered politics to help make his hometown of Somerville a place in which residents wanted to stay. Growing up, he said one mark of success was to be able to move away from the city.
Capuano painted himself as an experienced politician familiar with the details of municipal government - he was Somerville's mayor before getting elected to the House - and willing to compromise when necessary to get legislative work done.
"When you see something that is wrong, I think you have an obligation to say it, and fight against it," said Capuano, who joined the House 11 years ago.
Yesterday Capuano said he opposed sending more troops into Afghanistan - an invasion he supported in 2001 - and decried the war in Iraq as a "huge mistake." He said service personnel deserve full health care and proper equipment and training while fighting. He also supports gay marriage, calling it a human right.
Attorney General Martha Coakley shared her memories of Kennedy, including how he was the first to call her when she was first elected Middlesex district attorney in 1998. She described herself as an "accidental politician" who entered public life after working in two private law firms.
She said she wants to continue Kennedy's "fighting spirit" in the legislative process.
Coakley said she was the only attorney general to challenge the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which blocks federal acceptance of gay marriage.
"That's wrong, and that's unfair," said Coakley.
She pointed to her work pushing for consumer rights with pharmaceutical, insurance and other companies, and getting computer maker Apple to include handicapped accessibility features in its products.
Steve Pagliuca, co-owner of the Boston Celtics and managing director of Bain Capital, said he began working on health care issues in 1998 at Kennedy's request because of Pagliuca's experience in the health care industry.
He pointed to the unemployment and job losses plaguing the state, and said "that shouldn't be (so) in a state like Massachusetts," noting the state is becoming less competitive because of its high health care costs. He said he supported a public option for health insurance, but believes the system needs to be overhauled. He directed the audience to learn more about his positions from his Web site.
"I'm somebody who has gotten results in the community and on the basketball court," said Pagliuca.
Alan Khazei, who co-founded the City Year volunteer program in 1988 and worked as its CEO until 2006, said Kennedy served the "everyday people" of the state, and Khazei would continue that if elected as senator. He asked the audience to drum up interest in the primary election for the Democrats, which is supposed to have a low turnout.
He said Kennedy's early support of City Year and similar programs ultimately led to development of the bipartisan Serve America Act, which was signed by President Barack Obama earlier this year and named in Kennedy's honor. Khazei said he contributed to the development of that legislation, which boosted funding for the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other service programs.
"He stuck with it through thick and thin for 20 years," said Khazei.
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-4th, said Kennedy was dedicated to improving the lives of his constituents, and was pragmatic about what he needed to do. He credited Kennedy's leadership in laws that seek to reduce discrimination and economic injustice and improve the fairness of the nation's judicial system.
He counted only five or six presidents who had more of an impact on the country than Kennedy.
"If you're serious about your ideals, you're obligated to be pragmatic," said Frank, who is supporting his House colleague, Capuano, for Kennedy's seat.
Steve Grossman, a candidate for state treasurer who is the former head of the state and national Democratic committees, said Kennedy's efforts to reach different groups were important to his success. Grossman pointed out how Kennedy helped a severely injured Israeli soldier get treatment for his combat injuries in Boston, and he noted Kennedy's annual calls to the Grossman home during Rosh Hashana.
Deb Goldberg, a member of the state's Democratic committee, said Kennedy cared about the different cultures that made up his constituency.
"He cared about the world," said Goldberg.
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray - who tried out his Ted Kennedy impersonation during his recollection of the late senator, which got laughs from the audience - said the Patrick administration is ready to lead the state next year.
"The record of accomplishment over the last couple of years has been unprecedented," said Murray, pointing to bond bills to promote green technology and reforms to transportation and ethics laws.
Newton Mayor David Cohen credited Kennedy's legacy, and later gave an award honoring Kennedy's work to the late senator's great-nephew, Joe Kennedy.
"Yes, he was a great senator, and his legacy will last long after his passing," said Cohen.
Joe Kennedy said it was "incredibly touching to hear how my uncle interacted with so many people" and accepted an award in his uncle's honor from Newton's Democratic committee.
