On Wednesday morning, I spoke with Pete Ashdown, a Democratic Senate candidate in the state of Utah. Ashdown and I covered a range of issues during our conversation, including the budget, immigration, port security, Iraq, lobbying reform, and why the progressive blogosphere should get involved in the campaign. You can listen to the interview here (warning: an 12.0 megabyte mp3) or read the rush transcript below.

Jonathan Singer: For you, what is the biggest issue of this year's campaign?

Pete Ashdown: What I am focusing on is the disconnect between the people in the government. Everyone I've talked to around this state as I've been touring this state has - regardless of party or affiliation - has told me that they don't feel like their federal government is listening to them or connected to them at all.

Singer: Do you think that issues like fiscal issues and other issues like that can play a large role in the campaign, especially considering the recent South Dakota legislation that would effectively ban abortion in the state, and the resulting focus on social issues? Do you think that you'll be able to get your message out still?

Ashdown: I do. We've rehashed those social issues time and time again in Utah, and I think what a lot of people across the board are concerned with are the fiscal issues, and I believe I bring a specialized viewpoint to that in the fact that I am a small business owner and I do know what the problems are as far as balancing budgets and income to debt ratios, but also the needs of small business, which I believe is the backbone of America.