Note: Obviously, this post is "dated"--see my thoughts on the subsequent election of Republican Scott Brown...

Massachusetts will choose a Senator in two weeks. I hope that choice will be Alan Khazei. Technically, it is a primary election, but given that we have 4 qualified Democrats, I can't see how a Republican could pull any kind of surprise upset. So the reality is that the primary is the election.

We have a rare opportunity to choose someone who will make a difference.

The front-running candidates have established impressive records of public service. They have served the Commonwealth and their constituents well, standing up for what they believe in and protecting the interests of those they serve. But we should look for a little more and perhaps a little less.

Alan Khazei started City Year. He is a social entrepreneur and a person who knows how to inspire others to achieve. Electing this type of leader is like electing thousands of people who together can make a difference. It is casting a vote for the optimistic belief that everyone has something to contribute. That is the "more" I find missing from the other candidates.

The "less" is that Alan doesn't have much of a political resume. He can't tell us how he fought for this and that and stood up to the bad people or whatever. I'm tired of hearing those lines from candidates anyway...the reality is that there are so few situations in life where a person truly has the individual power to stand up and truly make a public stand that matters. Most who do, do it quietly and anonymously.

The real heroes in our world are the ordinary people who do the right thing because they believe in themselves and in a greater purpose. Alan's message--and his life's work--has been to encourage and support others to believe in themselves and find ways to make small differences in the world. That's more important than having the right position on health care or knowing how to work the system so you can orchestrate outcomes.

Perhpas Ted Kenneday had it all...but he had a powerful family and 50 years to develop his role and influence. The other candidates in this race will start as junior Senators...they cannot assume that mantle of leadership and so I think a different approach is necessary.

We need to take this perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity to send someone to Washington who will lead through empowerment...who will seek out like-minded, visionary voices of positive change and continue his work to encourage all citizens to recognize their potential. There is no argument that Alan can't win...and therfore no reason to throw away a vote on Coakley or Capuano.

I don't know Alan personally and I wasn't even sure how to pronounce his name at first. But when I looked at what he had to say and researched what he has actually done, I could recognize the pattern almost instantly. Most people in government, unfortunately, don't carry that infectious faith in human nature. They can be great leaders--not necessarily cynics--but there is a difference when a leader genuinely accepts the idea that everyone has something to offer and the greatest service he or she can provide is to help others to believe in the concept of public service.

And he has a sense of humor!