Now that the election season madness and celebration has tapered off, I want to talk about something that made me just as happy as getting Barack Obama into office: getting Glenn Nye elected to Congress.
I'm so excited about Glenn becoming Congressman-elect Glenn Nye, that I try to work it into conversation as often as possible and make other people say it. Even my long-suffering Republican husband:
T: "Hey, your guy is in the paper again..."
Me: "You mean Congressman-elect Nye?"
T: "Um, yeah. Can you pass me the Sports?"
Me: "Only if you say Congressman-elect Nye."
T: "You're kidding right?"
Me: "Nope. Spill."
T: "Congressman- mumble, mumble, mumble..."
Me: "Say it properly or I'll teach the kids to call him Daddy."
T: "You wouldn't."
Me: "You know I would. Congressman-elect. Say it!"
T: "Congressman-elect Glenn Nye. OK? Happy now?"
Anyway, since my dry cleaner, the kids' sitter, and the checkout guy at the grocery store are all sick of hearing about Congressman-elect Glenn Nye, it's time for me to harass the lovely MOMocrats readers.
I've written about Glenn here many times in the past. Since I met him this Summer, I've been trying to put my finger on what it is that is so appealing about him as a political candidate. Perhaps his age, 34, has something to do with it. I mean, he's one of "us." He's of my generation, with a common history and cultural past. He's very intelligent, which is like crack to an overeducated policy wonk like myself. Glenn is also charming, well spoken, and pretty darn cute. I don't think all of that entirely explains why I was willing to get involved in a campaign, his campaign, when I've never done so before.
Glenn Nye is new to all of this. Earlier in the year, I think it was a little more apparent. In his first debate, I was frustrated by what he didn't say and what he didn't call his opponent on. As the campaign progressed, Glenn noticeably grew in confidence and skill. Watching him now I'm amazed that anyone ever doubted he would win.
I think that witnessing Glenn's transformation from passionately concerned citizen to passionately concerned politician is part of his appeal. I'm sure that Glenn, like most of us, is ambitious. It takes a lot of chutzpa to run for Congress at 33, particularly when you've been in other countries for most of your adult working life. But he's the real thing. I know this because I was lucky enough to interview him before he completely acquired the political polish he has today.
I'm even more impressed since Glenn became Congressman-elect. He's shown a lot of political savvy.** One of the first things he did after winning was create a veterans and military families advisory board and ask for our help while he's in office. A large part of his constituency is affiliated with the military, so the agenda isn't entirely altruistic, but it isn't an empty promise either. It looks like Nye will be on the Armed Services Committee and perfectly poised to help with the very real issues facing our military and its families today.
I was fortunate to attend a reception for some of Glenn's close supporters last weekend after he returned from Freshman Orientation. Glenn, of course, was eager to share some stories. At one freshman reception, each new congressman and congresswoman-elect was given 1 minute to introduce themselves and talk about the issues important to them. Glenn talked about military families. I'm guessing he was the only one to talk about military families.
Military and veterans issues may not be as sexy as the war in Iraq or the economy, but they're just as important and, in fact, inextricably intertwined. The original GI Bill helped create a thriving middle class in this country. Since that time, our country's priorities have shifted dramatically. We now place far more emphasis on the individual than the country. We encourage people to "shop" rather than serve. Look where it's gotten us.
At times, far left Democrats also look down their noses at men and women serving in the military. They ask how they can join knowing they may end up fighting an unjust war? Or why are they special enough to deserve health benefits that the rest of us don't have? All I can say is that the same passion and ideology that drives some of us to be as green as possible, or fight for civil rights, or feed the poor, or teach in inner city schools, drives men and women to serve their country in the military. Only they risk their lives and the well-being of their families when they do it.
Glenn Nye gets this in a way I think few politicians do. That's his appeal. I eagerly await the new Congressional term to see what Congressman Nye will do.
** Although I understand some feathers were ruffled when my former law firm held a reception for Glenn earlier this week. (Although they didn't hold one for him before he was elected. Go figure..) They only invited the attorneys, perhaps assuming that the staff members who supported Glenn, gave him money, and voted for him wouldn't be interested. That's a pity, considering the number of military-affiliated staff members at the firm I know Glenn would have loved to meet. Perhaps the firm will make the right choice next time....
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