I read with amusement a story in the Tri-City Herald on Friday regarding Congressman Richard Hastings holding one of his “signature” hour-long town hall meetings last Thursday in Zillah, WA. I am trying to remember the last election season that Hastings has held a town hall…anywhere in the district. Rep. Hastings has been like the Ghost of Politicians Past the last 3 election cycles---mostly not visible, but pops up here and there for a brief visit, then back to wherever he hides the rest of the time. So what causes the Champion of the Oil and Gas Lobby to start acting like a real pol again, I wonder? Maybe it’s the Tea Party activists, or---just maybe---it’s me.
In the article in the paper, it said that Hastings took a question from a self-identified Tea Party member, who asked if Mr. Hastings would like to check out one of their meetings. Now, this is interesting. Tea Partiers say they hate out-of-control government spending, and career politicians. So why would they want Hastings? He was part of the gang that rubberstamped Bush’s massive increases in the debt, turning surpluses into a sea of red ink. He professes to be for balanced budgets, but voted to increase the debt ceiling 5 times during the Bush years…he voted to support wars, without paying for them---was he dumb enough to fall for those lines about how easy Iraq was going to be, and that their oil would pay for it all? Well, he still voted for credit card war even after it became clear those things weren’t going to happen. Tea Party folks rail about career politicians, but Hastings misled us about term-limiting himself when he got the job---and has been in Congress for 16 years, and years in the WA legislature before that.
Maybe he is seeing the national polls about how Tea Party types want to throw out all the crooks who stood around doing nothing when the rug was pulled out from under the country by Greedy Bankers and Wall Street sharks. Hastings certainly fits that bill. Maybe he figures that he better get out and start acting like someone who actually wants to represent his district…something he has taken for granted for years now. Or maybe it’s because, this time, he has a serious challenger.
I’ve been running hard in the district for the last 10 months, knocking on doors, going to endless meetings, constantly traveling the district, talking with voters of all political stripes, and perhaps Doc has noticed. Maybe he’s heard what I’m hearing all over the district---our current Representative isn’t working very hard for the people he’s supposed to represent. That Hastings shows no leadership on any issue. That Hastings hasn’t originated an idea to help create jobs or opportunities in Central Washington in decades, if ever-and, in fact, has voted against measures that would have brought thousands of jobs here. That he talks about supporting the troops, but lets us veterans down by missing key votes on veterans issues. That there is a growing feeling amongst even his most ardent supporters that Hastings is now just out of touch with his district. Hopefully, it’s also because I am making a dent in the electorate with my emphasis on creating jobs, increasing opportunities, actively supporting green energy and the coming green economy, including nuclear power, and my desire to work hard in Congress to see Central Washington leading the charge into the future.
Whatever the reason, voters in Central Washington may actually get a competitive race this fall, and it’s nice to see Rep. Hastings putting on the gear again and entering the arena. The more people get a look at his tired old shtick and neocon talking points, the more folks will come to realize that it is past time this guy has got to go. So, keep your eyes open for a “Doc” sighting near you…but don’t blink. He’ll be back in the arms of his corporate supporters and party masters all too soon.