Member Profile:
Diary of "Mike" by Sarah Fishman

reprinted with permission from Editorial Humor

After U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy's announcement last March (of 1998) that he would not seek re-election in the Massachusetts 8th Congressional District, a colorful field of 10 Democrats declared themselves candidates for the seat. Included in the lot of carpetbagging political opportunists, feisty former state legislators, and public-minded millionaires was Michael Capuano, Mayor of Somerville since 1990.

For more than six months I filmed Capuano on the campaign trail to victory in November. I produced See Mike Run, a 34 min. video at Somerville Community Access Television. I had many quirky adventures (that I couldn't include in the film) along the way. The following are a few . . .

Early May - Where to start? Didn't know 'till about age 4 that the knob on the tv set moved. Thought there was only one channel, PBS. And I'm making a film? Okay, video, but still . . . Luckily, Capuano is a camera hound.

Mid May - Getting footage with Capuano screaming at School Committee meeting. Need evidence of his temper. Know people will assume I'm soft on him otherwise. Probably will assume it anyway.

5/27/98 - First official filming. Lugged tripod and camera up flight of stairs. Backpack contained: duct tape, extension cord, scissors, pocket knife, extra video tape, extra battery, calendar, notebook, ABBA tape (by mistake), Advil. Capuano smiled in a "not you again" way. Am stalking the man but as a public service. Must be okay. Food table had some warm stuff and a cold-cuts spread.

Late May date - Environmental problem at police station. Wasn't going to go, then changed my mind. Ran with camera from City Hall. Place looked pretty calm but state emergency truck on hand. Capuano leaning on ambulance. Mistakenly left camera on. got ten minutes of footage of Capuano's voice and inappropriate body area.

6/7/98 - Different side of Mike while interviewing at his home. Very attached to wife and children. Clearly a source of strength to him, a calming force. Can be quiet and thoughtful. At least was on Vietnam War. Got Capuano to change out of rumpled white shirt into rumpled green shirt so camera lighting would be better. Power of the press.

June some time - Drove to place in Chelsea that a nearby gas station attendant couldn't even identify. Was told would be a rally, so expected signs, people gathered outside, fruit punch. Incorrect. Inside a smoky bar, serving only domestic beer in plastic cups. Called my husband to confirm location and beer snobbery. I was pissed Capuano led me to such a place, so asked him about his views on non-smoking in restaurants, the subject of a pending Somerville ordinance. Only time this happened: he didn't answer and gently pushed me away. Omnipresent cold-cuts.

Standout at Porter Square - Filmed Capuano shaking hands on either side of T stop. Mike in talk-show host mode, reaching out to any and all passersby's. Bouncing on balls of his feet, smiling for camera, wiggling right and left not to miss a palm. In his element.

July jollies - Called Cap at home in moment of panic. Needed more music. Had resolved that the soundtrack would not sound like a cruise ship's lounge tunes. Convinced Capuano's talented older son, also a Michael, to come down to SCAT to jam on his guitar. Didn't know what I was doing, but it worked out. Got good strummings for intro theme.

8/5/98 - Woke up realizing it would be 80-degree weather and Mayor Twinkle Toes and other hopefuls would be working the crowd at the senior picnic for hours in the heat. How would I keep up? Second day of my monthly menace. Decided needed infusion of red meat, so had hamburger for breakfast. Also wore sundress with no bra. Mistake. One of the candidates looked down my dress. I saw him look. Most of time the boys behaved themselves, just shaking hands. Seniors ate in up. Couldn't help thinking they were like zoo animals encircled by ravenous predatory pols.

8/6/98 - Only staged moment. At house filming Joey (Cap's younger son) and Capuano "playing" basketball. Capuano's hands were all over Joey, fouling him. "He's gotta learn it somewhere," said Capuano. Hard to get him shooting and me with the camera on the hoop at the same time. Even harder to try not to show his bald spot. Art is hard.

8/31/98 - Harvard debate. No clear winner. Pretty docile group. Capuano calm. Given his ego, must take so much energy for him to sit still and be nice. At one point, he said, "I'll just be quiet now." Restraint. Zinged Flynn on Boston schools. Got to really watch. MediaOne dudes convince me not to film but just get a copy of tape. At first pissed had to schlep stuff, but nice to just watch. Huge Capuano sign on garage across the street cuz owner is a Capuano buddy.

Reception after debate. Capuano jumping around. Started opening a beer bottle for someone else using his bare hands. Typical jump-right-in Mike. Quickly realized wouldn't work. Got him to drink on camera, to the dismay of some of his coterie. Lighting sucked: footage was fuzzy. Good cheese though.

9/1/98 - Fund-raiser at Anthony's Pier 4. Nice restaurant. Decided would risk losing objectivity by allowing myself to eat hors d'oeuvres. Couldn't film for hours at dinnertime with no food. Stuffed down clams or whatever: were mighty tasty. Would not drink. Camera steadiness still questionable. Called my husband to say would b late. Got ultimate backhanded compliment from alderman: "Sarah, you look like a real reporter with that camera." Nice to be appreciated.

9/5/98 - Primary night, Somerville Holiday Inn. Place was pumped. No assumptions, but palpable excitement. I got on platform with real cameras, hanging out with tv reporters. All eating potato chips from vending machine for dinner. Cheering swells with each update on voting by precinct. Posted numbers on papers taped to wall. Cap in adjoining room watching with family. People screaming, "We want Mike!" When came in, striking that he was one of few wearing suit. Not the millionaire's candidate. "The kid from Somerville did it!", someone yelled.

11/9/98 - Showed Cap & family film. Liked it. Noticed little things, cameo of college friend. Teased his older son, "Twaangg, you sound like Dylan." Didn't like the ending cuz looked silly. Unlikely to trade current career for disco dancer.

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Somerville Community Access Television
90 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-628-8826 | Fax: 617-628-1811
Email: info@access-scat.org
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