Antiwar Freshman House Leader Faces Skeptical Constituents

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: An Antiwar Freshman Leader Faces His Constituents
By Lois Romano And Mary Ann Akers
Thursday, August 9, 2007; Page A15


(Eric Braem - Associated Press)
Congressman Tim Walz, D., MN

Tim Walz-- the newly installed president of the freshman Democratic congressional class -- was among the 30 members swept into office in November as reformers, vowing to change what they called a culture of corruption and to end the war in Iraq.

But after seven months in office and especially last week's raucous march to the summer recess, the affable former high school teacher is returning home to a skeptical electorate in Minnesota with little progress to report on the war. Like the rest of his colleagues, between now and November 2008 he will have to prove to his constituents that they made the right choice to hand control of Congress to the Democrats.

And he's trying not to sound worried as Republicans circle his seat.

"My constituents are thoughtful and pragmatic people who focus on outcomes rather than ideology," he said. "They want good government and ethics reform. . . . They need to have their faith restored in government. We can't just sound good."

Walz, 43, was a popular geography teacher and military veteran when he launched his new career as a candidate with an eye toward the 2006 election. As Reps. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) and Chris Van Hollen (Md.) scoured the country for moderate Democratic challengers who could be credible speaking on the war in Iraq, no one came knocking on Walz's door. But he was certainly what they were looking for: He had spent 24 years in the Army National Guard before retiring, not happy with the direction in Iraq and willing to say so....

***

As for the war, he concedes that he continues to have a "sense of frustration" because the Democrats have not been able to do more to alter Bush's strategy. "But every veto, every threat of veto from the president," he said, pushes the administration further from the wishes of the American people....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/08/AR2007080802088.html?hpid=sec-politics

[Arger68]

1. Perhaps if he would quit voting for things like

continued funding for the war and warrantless wiretapping his constituents (like myself) would be more enthusiastic.:eyes:

[DeepModem Mom]

2. A constitutent! Thanks for posting! nt

[jmp]

3. That's crazy talk! (nm)

:crazy:

[rodeodance]

4. I hope you have a chance to talk with him.

[Arger68]

5. I actually have his contact information up on

my computer right now. I was going to call yesterday but didn't have time. I donated to his campaign last time, at this point it will not happen again.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. You need to tell him that, in person if possible n/t