One advantage of living in the DC metro is that if you are a political junkie (I admit my addiction) the chance for encounters with figures of current or possibly future political significance is a major part of one''s existence. In the past my encounters here have included Joe Lieberman, Bill Ford, Morton Kondracke, Bill Schneider, Patsy Schroeder,Candy Crowley, David Broder,Charles Canady, Jim Moran, Jesse Jackson junior, Chucik Todd, Ron Brownstein, Eleanor Clift, Paul Gigot, Tom McMillian, Paul Hackett, Jim Moran, im Kaine,Mark Warner,Jedrry Baililes, Chuck Robb, Bobby Scott, Don Beyer,Howard Dean, William Rehnquist, Fritz Hollings, Ted kennedy,Moe Udall,Tom Vilsack... just to name a few.
Tonight, because I attended two Democratic fundraisers, I encountered many more. One,Nick Lampson,is someone about whom I have previously blogged. The others were many of the Fighting Dems, since I also managed to squeeze in a visit at the group fundraiser they had on A Sr. NE,about which more below the fold.
Okay, I know the above the fold material reads like a brag. it is not -- it is merely a partial recognition of the encounters available, not always in political settings,to one who lives here and who has some power of recognition. Chuck Todd of Hotline, Candy Crowley and David Broder have all come to my school to talk with students. Others I have met at political events,or in supermarket lines .
I have written previously about Nick Lampson. I think highly of Nick. He is gracious, with a great deal of respect from his former colleagues in the House. He and I have several things in common. He was a school teacher,and he is a musician by background, and apparently still carries his card as a member of the musician's union. Nick is the moderate Dem running in TX-w22 against Delay (and Steve Stockman running as an independent) who right now stands an excellent chance of returning to the House. I may well go down to TX on his behalf in late in June.
I managed to get to the Frederick Douglass House at 320 A ST NE for the second hour of the joint fundraiser for the Fighting Dems. Some of the big names were already gone, although I did get to speak with Sen Jack Reed of RI (who has contginued to impress me as I watch him). I ran into my old acquaintance Al Weed,trying for a 2nd time in VA-05 against the turncoat Virgil Goode. I again saw Andrew Duck, whom I met at a Hackett fundraiser a few months ago,and who is running against Roscoe Bartlett in MD-06. I met Eric Massa and several others from whom I did not get cards,but who took my info.
I also got to talk with perhaps another 10 of the fighting Dems. I am always willing to offer my expertise on education. A candidate does not ahve to agree with me - I am willing to talk about possible holes in their positions, or how they can prhase things, whatever I can do to help. All were delighted with the offer,and several have personal connections with education, including one who serveasan NEA official,another who has a teaching credential,another with a spouse who is a teacher.
I found in general that all with whom I spoke were articulate,gracious,ingellinet .. in short,impressive as candidates. In general they recognized the importance of education as an issue for Democratic candidates.Most intent to be at Yearlykos (sadly, their event is at the same time as my education panel,on Saturday morning.
I will have ongoing contact with a number. I may periodically blog about them.I will certainly try to do all I can to help. Below is a list of candidates, and websites where I have them.Take a look, and see if you want to help.
And yes,if you are a political junkie, you are allowed to be jealous of my experience this evening. Teacher does not mind.
Nick Lampson TX-22 http://www.lampson.com
Charlie Brown CA-(I think 4th), http://www.brown4congress.org
Rick Cornstuble IN http://www .corn4congress.com
Tim Dunn NC-08 http://www.DunnForCongress.com
Patrick Murphy PA http://www.murphy06.com
Andrew Duck MD-06 http://www.duckforcongress.com
Ted Ankrum TX http://www.tedankrum.com
for the others,they took down my email, so I do not have web pages. I will post more as contact is ongoing.
GET INVOLVED -- give money if you can, volunteer expertise if you have it, contact people you know who might live in their districts.
Charlie Cook says the possibility of Dems taking back the House in now within the margin of error. Let's move it ouside the margin, in our favor.