Well actually Curt Weldon for Congress; the seventh congressional district specifically.
In my many cyncial moments, I dismiss politicians as little more than folks who love to get their hands in the public trough. It is still my contention that that is the case when you are dealing with such politicos like Trent Lott and anyone with the last name of Clinton.
Then there is Curt Weldon. Congressman Weldon is a true conservative with a voting record to show it.
On of his defining traits is his fiscal conservatism. Even as a supporter of the WOT, he has this to say about the war spending:
Republican Representative Curt Weldon, vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, puts it, “have come to think that it’s politically embarrassing that they need more money to pay for this war.” To their credit, congressional Republicans like Weldon have pressed the White House to ask for more money up front.
After ten terms in the Congess, he is involved in a fierce political fight from the national Democratic party. The seventh congressional district is considered a battleground which Democrats have reasonable hopes to capture a seat in the Congress. His opponent, Joe Sestak is an outsider who has returned to the area after thirty six years.
Which brings us to today. Congressman Weldon held a meeting this morning which I had the pleasure of photoblogging.
Driving to the meeting – I know it’s around here somewhere… maybe another mile or so.
Yep, this is it. The Loyal Opposition is here!
Nice people actually, and very sincere. Their primary objection was on issues related to the Iraq war and funding of the contractors.
The ladies were happy to engage me. The gentleman was a little somber and probably couldn’t separate the “me” from the “neocon”. However, he was a very good sport.
I took a flyer from them, which very nearly got me tossed out when I dropped it and it was found by one of Weldon’s staffers. I sang, I danced and finally convinced them of my bonifides. Gawd, I’m such an idiot.
Weldon is deeply tied to his upbringing in working-class Marcus Hook and his time as a firefighter. The campaign staff wore firefighter themed t-shirts.
Into the lion’s den I went.
The man, the myth. Representative Curt Weldon
This man knows his constituency. In the few minutes he had, he identified the many communities in his district and cited many things he was able to do for them in Congress.
Interestingly, he can boast much bi-partisan support. Many of the unions endorse him as well as the Democratic mayor of a local town. He is truly a great representative to our region. Am I gushing? OK, I’ll stop.
So who is this guy?
This is Congressman Tom Reynolds. I was unclear on the exact nature of his role, but I believe his is the Republican strategist for Congress.
His job was to “whoop it up” and he delivered. His main point was that the Democrats were attacking from a national level on issues driven by groups like MoveOn. Even their choice of candidate shows the leveraging of the national unpopularity of the war rather than the regional politics.
From USAToday:
Joe Sestak, a retired Navy vice admiral, is trying to topple Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, by
depicting the 10-term incumbent as a “pseudo-secretary of State” who is out of touch with his constituents.
“I don’t think he’s working for the right issues” such as education and health care, Sestak said in a recent interview.
Weldon rejects that argument, noting that Sestak had been away in the Navy for 36 years before becoming a candidate.
“I’ve lived and breathed this district” during that time, Weldon says.
Despite his emphasis on domestic issues, Sestak addressed the war Saturday when he gave the Democratic response to Bush’s weekly radio address. “We must begin a phased redeployment of our forces” from Iraq, he said.
Afterwards, I mingled with the elite top 1% richest in the country.
Young volunteers. …get the heck away from me scary man with a camera
Here are the volunteers. I remember being a young adult. My entire life was go to school, go to the arcade, see movies, repeat. These young people are interested in local politics and active. It’s very encouraging to see them here. Sorry for freaking you out, dude.
Finally, the money shot, if you will.
Weldon: the things I gotta do…