Presidential Candidate Moulton Knows He’s Not Very Well-Known
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton at WBUR. Photo by Robin Lubbock for WBUR
Among the challenges facing Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, whoĀ announcedĀ this week he’s joining the crowded field of Democratic candidates for president, is the fact that he’s not well-known.
It’s a fact theĀ North Shore politician is well aware of.
Speaking at the Politics & Eggs breakfastĀ Wednesday inĀ Bedford, New Hampshire, Moulton beganĀ with a story about touring a company recently in his own district. He said he met with employees and invited them to ask him questions.
Nobody did.
“I said, you know, part of my job is take tough questions,” Moulton told the gathered business and political leaders. “You can ask even really difficult questions. And there was still silence. And then finally, someone in the way back of the room raised her hand, and she said, ‘Who are you?’ “
The Bedford crowd laughed.
Self-deprecation can be funny. But the joke illustrates the serious challenge facing Moulton: How does a two-term congressman with a thin legislative record stand out inĀ a field of 19 candidatesĀ ā one that will grow to 20 Thursday when former Vice President Joe BidenĀ jumps in?
Moulton says he’ll do it by focusing on a set of issues that the other candidates aren’t talking much about.
“I am going to talk about how we lead with moral authority around the globe,” he said. “I’m going to confront President Trump on these issues of safety and security, on leadership around the globe, where I think he’s weakest.”