Are you excited to be at UW-Madison and courting the student vote?
Instead of being sort of back to courting the student vote it's a sort of continuous thing. This is a vital part of a community and also given the fact that young people have the most at stake in the future. I think it's critical, especially this year.
Student voting organizations have been in the news quite a bit. Do you think they've been doing a good enough job, especially with the congressional elections?
Absolutely. Some of this is just really basic, which is how to initiate the habit of voting. And so a lot of it is not necessarily partisan at all, just helping people register to vote, just going through the process. And once you register to vote you're much more likely to vote.
Do you think the efforts are more so with this election than in elections in years past?
I think we're as involved as we've been in past ones, but I think a lot of other folks are taking a stronger interest this time, and that excites me. The stakes truly have never been higher.
Are there things that you're doing to make it more affordable for students to go to college?
Absolutely. I sit on the House Budget Committee, and for several years, including this year, I have put forward a number of resolutions to lift the level of the Pell Grants so that students who receive Pell Grants actually pay a higher percentage of their educational costs with them. Right now, we have not regularly increased the Pell Grant at the national level, yet as everyone knows, tuition has gone up as have other expenses. ... So I believe we have to lift the Pell Grant to $4,500 minimum, and that's what I offered.
Do you think your campaign with Magnum will become negative or do you think it is going to be focused on the issues?
He said on the night of the primaries that he hopes to run a positive campaign and I'll take him at his word. ... He has control on whether it's negative or not, and I hope he uses his leadership and control to keep it that way.
Do you have any new goals if you get re-elected?
Yes and no. I still want to be driven by the people I represent, and so to a large degree, that will be a continuing focus. And I think all the people I represent ... know that health care for all is one of my most passionate issues, that certainly we should have a system of health care in the United States that covers everyone ... I have a great chance of being appointed to the Energy and Commerce Committee that deals with health care issues. And I think that will mean a lot more clout on the issue. I already thought I've brought attention to the issue. I was asked by John Kerry to speak at the Democratic National Convention, so I've caught his attention.
What was it like being at the convention? Did you enjoy it?
It was so inspiring. Every so often in this job, you need to have your battery recharged ... I got all fired up. I thought that Kerry did really well, and we were really unified. I don't remember any convention in recent past where there hasn't been little infighting here and infighting there. ... We left all on the same page and basically said this is about the future of this country and the future of this world. ... Don't let anybody divide us, and full speed ahead.
