Democratic candidate Warren Tolman and Green party candidate Jill Stein each made their pitch to be the next governor of Massachusetts to a small audience of about 70 people in the Snowden Auditorium on the campus of UMass Boston on Tuesday August 27. The assembly was the continuation of a series of forums titled Perspectives on Elder Issues. The forums have brought other democratic candidates for the Governor’s race to UMass Boston. Gubernatorial candidates Robert Reich, Shannon O’Brien, Steve Grossman, and Tom Birmingham are the other candidates that have participated in the forums. Republican candidate Mitt Romney has yet to confirm whether or not he will attend a forum at UMass Boston.

With the September primary less than three weeks away, the race has picked up-tempo. About two weeks ago, both Tolman and Green made an appearance at St. Mark’s church in Dorchester. The issue at hand was the high cost for auto insurance for inner city residents. Both candidates made the case that drivers with good records should not have to pay high premiums simply because of the area in which they live, with Tolman calling for drivers to have options for plans and Green calling for an drastic change of the current system in place.

Tolman was first to present his views and stances on elder issues. After walking around the auditorium for a few to greet the attendees, he took his place behind the podium. He began by talking briefly about his political motivation and experience, interjecting with light jokes and personal anecdotes pertinent to the topics on hand.

Tolman then proceeded to give some background information about an in depth pamphlet/booklet that he published, titled “In Your Interest: Taking Government Back”, which details his present agenda as it pertains to his campaign. He explained that, although he is the only Clean Elections candidate in the running for governor, his platform expands well beyond campaign financing and reform. Seemingly on cue, the jovial overtones that had up to that point marked his speech disappeared when the subject turned to the state of Massachusetts politics.

“I believe the system of governance in Massachusetts is broken,” said Tolman. “I believe that I have the independence, the passion, knowledge, and the experience to fix it.”

Tolman explained how his family and its blue-collar roots had been the beneficiaries of various democratic programs, how these programs had impacted his life in his pursuit of higher education, and how they impact the lives of others. He warned those in attendance that there is an imminent danger that these programs will be abolished and that he believes that the Democratic party is playing a culpable role, along with special interest groups.

” Sadly, I believe there has been a real disconnect,” stated Tolman. “The Democratic party is drifting away from its core values. Much of that results from the negative influence of big money and special interest money on the political process. I am fighting to change that.”

Tolman gave examples of how certain industries, like the racetrack, received aid and financial support from Beacon Hill while programs like Medicaid were left in the lurch. “The racetrack industry received a five billion dollar bailout. Now who do you think has better lobbyists on Beacon Hill?” asked Tolman. “The racetracks industry or the seniors on Medicaid? The answers are self-evident.”

When it came time to speak about his fellow gubernatorial candidates, Tolman verbally defined his candidacy and what it means to be a Clean Elections candidate. He used monetary numbers and statistics to illustrate the differences between himself and the other candidates, using O’Brien as a particular example.

Tolman wrapped up his portion of the forum by responding to some questions, ranging from taxes to prescription drugs, from the audience. Tolman also received a question that pertained to health insurance for the gay, lesbian, and transgender generation that is now approaching Medicare age.

Tolman and Stein chatted briefly before the Green Party candidate took the stage. Stein, who is a medical doctor by profession, wanted her audience to know that she is not the average candidate for political office. ” I’m a doctor, not a politician.”

Stein shared similar sentiments expressed earlier by Tolman, criticizing an ineffective state political system. Her campaign arose from others asking her to do so after years of working with several coalitions to push legislation on health and environmental issues. She added that environmental reform does not have to be a boon to the economy. “There are win-win solutions to many of these issues,” said Stein.

She next spoke about the practices of pharmaceutical companies and the harmful effects they have had on prescription costs and its influence on legislative bodies. She noted that she has experienced firsthand the unscrupulous approach many pharmaceutical advocates take. “They give you bribes, plain and simple,” said Stein. She spoke candidly about a stethoscope received as a gift from one of these pharmaceutical companies when she first became a doctor. “I never took anything after that,” she said.

Stein switched gears to taxes and the state of the economy. She questioned the boom economy of the nineties and how it was not really a bonus for the entire country. “A boom for whom?” she asked. “Only twenty percent of Americans are better off now than when the boom began.”

Stein showed some overhead projections to back up her points on several tax issues. She took several questions from the remaining audience that focused on issues pertaining to the environment, the public healthcare debate, and the Prescription Advantage Program.