An evening with Ken Lewis

In the months running up to the Clinton-Gore race, my wife and I started a group called "Rock and Roll Families for Bill and Al." After the election, the group evolved into a political salon that has been meeting at our house every month for almost twenty years. Our guests have included elected officials, judges, scientists, economists, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and more, each spending two hours with us on the third Sunday of the month. Last night we had the opportunity to talk with Ken Lewis.

The son of a minister and a public school teacher, Lewis grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After high school, he took out loans to attend college at Duke University and Harvard Law School, while his high school classmates were landing good paying jobs in Big Tobacco.

"This is how I encourage people to think about deficits, whether they're personal or public," he says. "Businesses borrow money every day to make smart investments, and they use that spending to create assets that have long-term value. Sure I went into debt to get my eduction," he says, "but it was a smart choice. That's how I look at our economy right now. We need more investment in American jobs, not less."

Lewis' view has been shaped by a career in business, helping companies grow and merge to create value for shareholders and employees. After Harvard, he returned to North Carolina with the goal of making a difference. He rose to partner in one of our state's most prestigious law firms, then struck out on his own to work with entrepreneurs in community development.

On running for Senate: "We're at a critical moment," he says. After thirty years of culture dominated by the Republican narrative that 'government is the problem,' Lewis wants to use public policy to guide our country toward prosperity and responsible growth. "We cannot let this opportunity pass us by," he says. The enormous hope we saw last year is at risk of being swamped by a backlash of fear, he says.

On his agenda in the Senate: Lewis said he would want to serve on the Finance Committee first and foremost. "I've trained all my adult life to understand how business and public policy can create value together," he says. "That's why I'm such a big fan of what's called the triple bottom line. I'd like to see North Carolina be known for companies that focus on all three values - profits, people, and the environment. We can and should be a magnet for those sorts of responsible businesses."

On campaign tactics: Lewis acknowledged that a motivated base is essential, and that includes African American voters. If down east Democrats get inspired and turn out, he says he'll take the primary in May and send Richard Burr home in November.

On armed security contractors: Lewis does not believe the US should be relying on armed security contractors in combat zones.

On the war in Afghanistan: Lewis is not convinced we are on the right path with the surge, but is also not a proponent of pulling out abruptly. He leans toward investments in development and infrastructure, with the strategic deployment of limited troops and special forces to combat insurgents.

On jobs and the economy: We need more stimulus spending now - focused on energy independence, the green economy, education and public infrastructure. Without that investment, we run the risk of a downward spiral. Lewis said he was up in the air as to whether Bernake should stay, but was glad to see that Obama seems to be looking for fresh advice on other fronts, especially as alternatives to Summers and Geithner.

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We are working to blessed in North Carolina to have three excellent candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Senate. Jane and I are inviting both Cal Cunningham and Elaine Marshall to join our political salon in the months ahead and will report back as our schedule becomes clear.