BOSTON -- The four Democrats vying to replace Sen. Edward Kennedy on Capitol Hill met Monday morning in Boston, but one of the candidates changed the subject and surprised a lot of people.

NewsCenter 5's Sheba Russell reported that candidate Alan Khazei blasted the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce about casino gambling in the Bay State.

"I urge all of you to reverse your position on casino gambling and to think very hard before you get behind it, because when you get behind something it happens," he said.

"People were saying around my table, 'Why is he talking about that?'" said Beth Masterman, of the Chamber of Commerce.

His comments surprised the dozens of business leaders sitting in on Monday's candidate's forum at the Westin Waterfront Hotel.

"It's not an issue that any United States senator is going to have to deal with. It's a state issue," candidate Michael Capuano said.

"It’s a really big deal, and we need to have a sense of urgency about this," Khazei said.

The City Year founder is one of four Democrats vying for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat. He's the only one to go on the record with a firm position on gaming.

"I think it's very much a local issue," candidate Martha Coakley said.

"Even though it's not in the direct line in command of command, I think the senator has a moral obligation to look at these kinds of issues that are going to affect Massachusetts," candidate Stephen Pagliuca said.

The chamber has not officially rolled the dice, but its president said it probably will support casinos eventually.

"I think Alan may have been a bit premature," Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President Paul Guzzi said.