Like all the candidates, Tom Geoghegan has a busy schedule these days.  This interview was smashed between other appointments, and there was some anxiety about getting it done within the alloted time.  20 minutes is what I asked for.  As you can see, the interview lasted more than 20 minutes.

Actually, it took longer than what you see on film.  One question got interrupted by my cell phone going off (my bad), and then the microphone slipped down.  Strangely, the clearest segment was when the mic was on the candidate's lap.

I ask the same questions of every candidate.  The questions I ask are derived from prior cycle's interviews, as well as my request for input. They split about half and half, half from prior election years and half the questions from the other area bloggers who posed questions for the candidates.

Candidates are provided the questions in advance.  I tell every campaign that this isn't "Hardball" and I don't pretend to be Tim Russert.  Rather, the point is to give voters the opportunity to compare the candidates side-by-side, to see how they answer the same questions, and to give them the opportunity to get their message out.

Other interviews in this series are:

Mike Quigley