Meehan decides not to run

[0:04] ..." my family with the political support is. Decided not to run the United States senate at this time and while not ruling vote the possibility of seeking public office at some point in the future. I"...

[0:47] ..." Who would you support. The potential candidates. "...

[0:51] ..." Well you know I'm confident that. You know the people of Massachusetts will have excellent choices. In this race -- race isn't clear yet but. I think that I think it'll be up to the voters of Massachusetts decide -- the best candidate is. I know all of them and have you know good. Relationships with all of them and"...

[1:30] ..." Kennedy and his family have established in this this state in this United States senate seat so. I think the people of Massachusetts want somebody who's gonna go to Washington and fight. Four words for health care for all Americans and fight for. A better educational opportunities to fight but to make sure Massachusetts gets. Gets its fair share of -- truly been the hallmark of Senator Kennedy service. So. So I think that all of those issues will be import I hope the issues occur. Or her as central to the campaign and Senator Kennedy has. Very very big shoes to fill and I don't think anyone. Could immediately feel Senator Kennedy issues but on the other hand it's a very important position to Massachusetts. And we had to make sure we have someone who's. Equipped to be a natural senator in terms of the issues that affect the country as a whole but also. Whose adapted to it working for Massachusetts. "...

[3:00] ..." same way I -- so -- making a difference. The University of Massachusetts Lowell and in if you -- a lot of ways to make a difference in people's lives 13 of our students for example the first generation college graduates. You know Joes made a remarkable different its citizens energy literally thousands of families in Massachusetts can't afford. Home heating on I think that. He way with getting into campaign and then there are represented an entire state in the United States. It's enormously. Difficult in terms of you know the you time constraints and the things you wanna do and so it's a"...

[4:19] ..." wanna change rules that they do. You know obviously I feel that Massachusetts needs to senators. Either way though they're gonna have two senators. In a pretty quick turnaround in terms of this election."...

[0:00]" Well after careful consideration and many conversations with my family with the political support is. Decided not to run the United States senate at this time and while not ruling vote the possibility of seeking public office at some point in the future. I feel that I'm very fortunate to be leading a remarkable university that I love. And and I just don't wanna walk away with made enormous progress over the last two years is. The university -- apple is an institution on the move. We have remarkably gifted and talented faculty. And frankly faculties conducting resource it literally could change the world so. I love what I'm doing and and I just don't wanna walk away."

[0:47]" Who would you support. The potential candidates. "

[0:51]" Well you know I'm confident that. You know the people of Massachusetts will have excellent choices. In this race -- race isn't clear yet but. I think that I think it'll be up to the voters of Massachusetts decide -- the best candidate is. I know all of them and have you know good. Relationships with all of them and one of those candidates will emerge."

[1:24]" Well I hope. You know there's been a powerful legacy. Did Senator Kennedy and his family have established in this this state in this United States senate seat so. I think the people of Massachusetts want somebody who's gonna go to Washington and fight. Four words for health care for all Americans and fight for. A better educational opportunities to fight but to make sure Massachusetts gets. Gets its fair share of -- truly been the hallmark of Senator Kennedy service. So. So I think that all of those issues will be import I hope the issues occur. Or her as central to the campaign and Senator Kennedy has. Very very big shoes to fill and I don't think anyone. Could immediately feel Senator Kennedy issues but on the other hand it's a very important position to Massachusetts. And we had to make sure we have someone who's. Equipped to be a natural senator in terms of the issues that affect the country as a whole but also. Whose adapted to it working for Massachusetts. "

[2:40]" Well Joe's friend Joe -- talked many times over the last we could to we've talked a lot when Senator Kennedy -- talking about. Tucker how difficult it was -- for the families so. You know I think his thinking is that he's making a difference. Yet citizens energy the same way I -- so -- making a difference. The University of Massachusetts Lowell and in if you -- a lot of ways to make a difference in people's lives 13 of our students for example the first generation college graduates. You know Joes made a remarkable different its citizens energy literally thousands of families in Massachusetts can't afford. Home heating on I think that. He way with getting into campaign and then there are represented an entire state in the United States. It's enormously. Difficult in terms of you know the you time constraints and the things you wanna do and so it's a tough job and I think. You know the fact that there aren't. You know fifty candidates out there probably demonstrates that people feel it is a tough job."

[3:53]" Well you know the legislature had a debate and discussion about this in 2004. -- you know I think it's up to them to determine what they think is best this is going to be very recollection. Obviously infected the quickest election in the history of the state. -- primary and less than a hundred days and then it. General -- following up over that so you know I I think it's up the legislature and the governor French German. Whether or not they wanna change rules that they do. You know obviously I feel that Massachusetts needs to senators. Either way though they're gonna have two senators. In a pretty quick turnaround in terms of this election."