Freshman Ellison Skips WH Party to Attend AFL-CIO Reception

[BurtWorm]

Says "It wasn't even a close call..."

:toast:

Here's to you, Mr. Ellison!

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/nov/15/first_muslim_in_congress_snubs_bush_to_meet_with_afl_cio

First Muslim In Congress Snubs Bush, Meets With Big Labor Instead
By Matt Corley | bio

Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to Congress, hasn't even taken office yet, but he already appears to be charting his own route in Congress. The Associated Press reports that Ellison skipped a swanky private White House reception for other freshman Congressman hosted by President Bush -- and went to a reception for the AFL-CIO instead. "It wasn't even a close call," Ellison says. "Maybe one day I'll get to meet the president. He's the president, and I respect him in his role as the president, but I have exceedingly sharp differences with him on a policy level." Somehow we doubt that Ellison's complete lack of interest in hobnobbing with Bush will make him any more popular with his many conservative critics.

[oldleftguy]

1. Really, really cool!

Keep this up, Keith! Good attitude!

[goodhue]

2. more here . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2616525&mesg_id=2616525

[myrna minx]

3. Yay! My new Congressman is impressive right off the bat.

:toast:

[zbdent]

4. Wouldn't surprise me if Bush had extended an invitation which included

the point that "pork rinds" were being served as the only refreshments ...

[ChiciB1]

5. Sounds GOOD To Me!!

See there IS some good news already!

[LuckyLib]

6. Yes, we've got two new members of Congress from MN who

have a spine -- Ellison and Amy Klobuchar. To counteract our Bushbot, Norm Coleman. :(

[Doctor_J]

7. The WH probably scheduled it opposite the AFL-CIO thing

It's the kind of thing Rove likes to do.