Posted at: 11/28/2009 10:27 AM
Updated at: 11/28/2009 11:02 AM
By: Bill Lambdin

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Capuano campaigns in Pittsfield for Kennedy's seat

Friday, Boston-area Congressman Michael Capuano made several quick lunchtime stops in Pittsfield. He is running second in the four-person Democratic Primary field, closing the gap on front-runner Martha Coakley from North Adams. She still holds a double-digit lead with little more than a week remaining.

"I have, in every race I've ever run, been the underdog," Capuano said. "I actually think of myself as the underdog and I like it that way because, up to now, I've found myself always closing the gap in the last week or so and that's what we're doing again this week."

Capuano follows the late Ted Kennedy's basic philosophy on health care. Capuano favors a strong public option. The way the issue is dragging in the Senate Capuano could vote on it if he can pass the two upcoming election hurdles. It's very clear there are not 60 votes for his position. No matter, says the Congressman, we'll go with fewer.

"If Democrats were to stay in the way of the process I think that it would be a major problem for them number one," Capuano said. "Number two would call for us to use reconciliation if necessary so that we get around that 60 vote requirement. I hope they don't do that. I don't mind people voting their conscience.That's what I want. At the same time, voting your conscience on the substantive matter and denying others the same ability to do that is a whole different game."