Before I share what turned out to be an entertaining conversation of about 23 1/2 minutes with you, allow me a few observations.
First of all, let me set the stage: I spoke with Dan Friday morning before he would make a campaign trip out to Frostburg to speak about energy issues in a part of Maryland which could use the economic shot in the arm. As it turns out, I caught him in the couple hours of free time Dan semi-jokingly told me he was allowed during the day. So what was he doing? Putting together a crib for his infant daughter. It’s something a “regular guy” does, and I just can’t see Ben Cardin doing that even though he tries to make it look like he belongs on a waterman’s boat or is at home reading to kids.
I would have been happy with ten or fifteen minutes, but as I noted we ran about 23. So the background noises you will probably hear in this interview come from several sources: him building the crib, me shifting in my chair as I was recording this from the speaker of my cel phone, and my phone beeping from the fool who called me in the middle (no one I wanted to talk to.) My original thought was to transcribe the call, so there’s a little bit of small talk at the start and I hit record a couple seconds in. But after thinking about it, I decided the call was fine as an audio file. I didn’t figure it would hurt to keep the conversation as it was, warts and all. If I don’t edit or attempt to transcribe the conversation then you can’t accuse me of leaving anything out, right?
I’ve often argued I have a voice for print, and the reason I don’t do podcasts or my own radio show may be evident. So it was a relief to let him do most of the talking since you’re not listening to the interview to learn anything about me. All I wanted to do was touch on a few subjects, which I managed to do for the most part.
The interview is here, and depending on your browser and media player it will probably open in a new window. I wanted to thank Dan for taking the time to do this on fairly short notice and not needing to go through his media person.
I can also tell you that you have a chance to meet Dan in person this Saturday morning since he is scheduled to stop by the Delmarva Chicken Festival, which is being held behind the Centre of Salisbury in the grassy field along Naylor Mill Road. I look forward to seeing him again, and you should too.
Update: After you listen to the interview you may find this from Jim Jamitis worthwhile reading, too.
