Parting Shots: A Verbal Gunslinger Exits The House:ALAN GRAYSON interview on NPR

[Mira]

Heard on All Things Considered

November 20, 2010 - GUY RAZ, host:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Guy Raz.

There are big issues for our government to consider before the year's up: whether to extend tax cuts to millions of people, whether to ratify an updated arms treaty with Russia, whether to extend benefits to the 9.5 percent of Americans out of work. None of these things were dealt with this week and none may be dealt with for months.

Now, whether this week is a window into the kind of gridlock that may take place in January is still unclear. We'll talk more about this with Jim Fallows later in the program.

But first, to the casualties of the Republican wave. That's our cover story today. We'll hear reflections on service from a Democrat Alan Grayson from Florida and a Republican Bob Inglis from South Carolina. Both lost their re-election bids.

In his short time in office, Alan Grayson made a big name for himself. He became a lightning rod for conservatives and a hero to many liberals for his brash, unapologetic style. During the debate over the bill to overhaul health care, he famously said this.

Representative ALAN GRAYSON (Democrat, Florida): The Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly. That's right, the Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick.

RAZ: When I sat down with him this week, I asked Alan Grayson if he had any regrets. And not surprisingly, the answer was no.

Rep. GRAYSON: What I was exposing is something that is sort of a deep truth. The Republicans, A, don't have a way to help people and, B, aren't interested in doing it. And that's true whether you're talking about health care or virtually any other important issue.

RAZ: You know this that a lot of people have seem to lament the lack of civility in Congress and some of them point to you, point to Michele Bachmann say, you know, this is the problem. Do you think it's a fair criticism in your case?

Rep. GRAYSON: No.

RAZ: Not at all?

Rep. GRAYSON: No. I simply tell the truth. I'm not trying to be uncivil. What I do is I tell the truth and sometimes it's a hard truth. Sometimes the truth hurts.

RAZ: Did you ever get hassled or, I mean, on your way to work or...

Rep. GRAYSON: Of course. I mean, I've gotten death threats.

RAZ: And how did you...

Rep. GRAYSON: My 5-year-old got a death threat.

RAZ: How did you deal with that?

Rep. GRAYSON: It's difficult when you're, you know, a father. It's a very difficult thing.

RAZ: And when that happens, do you ever have paused and say, I don't know if this is worth it.

Rep. GRAYSON: No. Of course, it's worth it. I mean, we have saved countless lives. There are 100,000 people in my district alone who will get health coverage because we passed health care for all Americans. Those people will now live. How can anybody say it's not worth it?

RAZ: Did you make any friends or many friends on the other side of the aisle? Did you have any opportunities to even interact with them socially?

Rep. GRAYSON: No. I mean, we run into members who are from the other party on social occasions. We, of course, see them in the committees. But generally speaking, you end up with a party-line vote. So unless you make an effort to do this, which I'd done occasionally from time to time, the result is that you end up with only a casual acquaintance with most of the members on the other side.

RAZ: What did you not know about this place and the way it works that you discovered only after you arrived or were here for a while?

Rep. GRAYSON: Everything. There's not any doubt about it. The people's business is not being done.

RAZ: (Unintelligible).

Rep. GRAYSON: There's enormous influence by lobbyists and by special interests. And the other side has completely sold out to them.

RAZ: You don't think Democrats have done the same?

Rep. GRAYSON: In some cases, they have. But it's not as universal and chronic as it is on the other side. I mean, honestly, a good description of what happened in my case is that they couldn't buy me, so they decided to destroy me with negative ads that people in my district saw an average of 70 times.

RAZ: You talk about negative ads, but you played the game, famously played the game as well on this campaign. I mean, you ran an ad against your opponent, calling him Taliban Dan. Do you think that was a bit over the top or did you feel like you had to do that? You were pushed into a corner.

Rep. GRAYSON: No. We had to do it because, in my case, he ducked every debate that we were scheduled to have. And the result of that is that we had no way to communicate his record except for the fact that we could run ads that people called negative ads. And it's unfortunate that the system leaves no other possibility.

RAZ: But do you think that - I mean, a lot of voters say that they're, you know, they don't like the mudslinging politics.

Rep. GRAYSON: Oh, please. You know, the average voter in Orlando saw that ad twice. The average voter in Orlando saw 70 ads calling me an incumbent congressman, a liar, a national embarrassment, a loudmouth, a dog and an evil clown. So I don't think that my opponents or anyone in the media for that matter - none of whom ever came to my defense - can lecture me on civility in politics. It was after the 70 ads ran that we started to hit back the way that we did.

RAZ: Are you leaving with any bitterness?

Rep. GRAYSON: No, not at all. Life is beautiful. It is hard for me to believe that someone like me - who worked my way through college at Harvard by, among other things, cleaning toilets and by working as a night watchman on the midnight shift - somehow, someone like me could end up in Congress.

RAZ: Well, Alan Grayson, thank you so much.

Rep. GRAYSON: My pleasure. Thank you too.

RAZ: That's Democrat Alan Grayson, the outgoing congressman from Florida.

================
Note from the poster of this thread:

Don't miss that at no time is there any mention or notice that Alan Grayson had to choke back tears when talking about scrubbing toilets or working as a night watchman when in college.
That behavior is reserved for the orange colored sociopath coming into the speaker ship in the house.
A most common character trait for the conscience less sociopaths is their craving for sympathy. (Martha Stout "The Sociopath next door")

[Zoeisright]

1. Alan Grayson is one of the few remaining honorable politicians in this country.

And SHAME on the stupid assholes from his district who voted him out.

[Kaleko]

34. Yep.

[kooth]

38. Alan Grayson

Double-yep!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thank you for this, my dear Mira...

I suspect he will be back. At least, I sure as hell hope so.

Recommended.

[blue neen]

3. So do I.

Grayson is a good man. He will be missed for now, but I can definitely see him coming back to the House, or possibly the Senate!

:dem:

[BlueJazz]

4. What a wonderful Human being.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. I sure do hope that Mr. Grayson does NOT go quietly into the night!!

[tblue37]

6. Actually, as much as I despise Boehner, I give him a pass on tearing up.

I also tend to tear up over just about everything, so I know what it's like. If something makes me sad, I tear up. If something makes me happy, I tear up. If soemthing makes me proud, I tear up. If something is cute or pretty, I tear up.

It's an uncontrollable physiological reaction. I don't even have to feel something that deeply--it just happens.

[Mira]

7. It's different. Not only are you female, but you're not doing it when the whole world

(your world) is watching in order to get sympathy. Bet he never cries when he's alone. Same with Glenn Beck.

I bet you tear up when you're alone, too..
Alone with your emotions.

Imagine that for those hard core shameless people.
Theirs is calculated and learned in order to manipulate others, yours is just a soft heart.

(am I right?)

[tblue37]

13. Male or female doesn't matter. There is nothing wrong with a man crying.

Yes, I tear up alone all the time. In fact, I try hard not to in public (but I do anyway!).

But since people tend to look down on men who cry (they shouldn't), except for bozos like Beck for some reason, I doubt that Boehner cried inpublic on purpose. Think about what happened to Muskie.

Mostly the Rethugs like to look like tough he-men types. Boehner probably knew he would get mocked for crying, and probably tried not to.

I can think of a million reasons to despise him--but not for being unable to refrain from crying when he is feeling emotional.

[Mira]

16. There are a number of threads here about Boehner crying, Pelosi says he cries

often. Word is he cries more often late in the day, and has a drinking problem.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x409629

BTW: I have known many a he-man type to cry, it does not diminish them in the least, and I surely did not say nor imply that a man crying is not OK, au contraire. Men hurt and feel, and express the pain and emotion with tears at times.

There is something very wrong with drunk crying while on duty, or with habitual, predictable, manipulative crying while screwing people.

IMO: Neither Boehner nor Beck are trying "not to" cry. As people without a conscience they purposely cry to get the sympathy in order to be able to continue their sociopathic behavior with less criticism.

Manipulative crying is not only one gender, it can be both. My sister in law does it EVERY DAY to get her way even in minor things.

[madmax]

19. Drunks

The 3 stages. Verbose, lachrymose, and comatose. Hope he's none of them when making decisions.

[Mimosa]

24. Yes: Verbose, lachrymose, and comatose. n/t

[madmax]

17. We need strong people making hard decisions.

There are times such as at the passing of a noted figure that tears are acceptable as part of the process. Such as Obama and others who shed tears when Senator Kennedy passed.

Or when we know those who served our country are not being treated well.

Crying because you won an election is too silly for words.

If Pelosi or Clinton cried for winning the ridicule would never end. Titanium ovaries - Boner should get a set.

[pokercat999]

28. That's the truth. It must be hard to make a decision that

favors the average person and in opposition to the desires of the corporate dollars that bought your election and which you will need in just a few years for re-election. I think we should give em all a big reason to cry.

[awoke_in_2003]

49. they are crocodile (or drunk) tears...

Dick Vermiel used to cry at the drop of a hat, but you knew he was sincere.

[flying rabbit]

8. Oh how I hope that he will

be back. Maybe he should move somewhere that appreciates him.

[Mira]

9. The moment it came across the wires that Grayson lost was my personal low point

on election eve.
If we can let a man who fights for us to that degree, and who has the courage to be so loud, and who cannot be bought - if we can let him get away - then I finally understand the adage: We get the government we deserve.

[Mimosa]

26. I contributed to his re-election

I wish it had helped.

[Frisbee]

32. Money being extraordinarily tight recently...

He was the ONLY candidate I contributed to, and I don't even live in Florida. Having someone like him to fight for us was just too important to not support. I only wish I had someone in my home state (Missouri) I felt that way about.

[Dragonfli]

35. There was so much corporate money targeted against him it was astonishing, had it been 2 to1

or even 3 to 1 I believe he could have won.

He was perhaps the first deliberate example set by those that can now easily purchase seats because of Citizens United.
The Corporations have won, the general public is not well enough informed or educated to see through this level of propaganda.
And the actual citizens do not have even a fraction of the money needed to combat them on their own terms.

They have turned our elections into an auction going to the highest bidder and the rules are such that no fair defense can be mounted.
May Democracy rest in peace - perhaps some day there will be a re-birth of the concept, but it seems unlikely. :(

[laughingliberal]

10. K&R. Hope he has some plans to stay involved. He's the best. nt

[AC_Mem]

11. We need Alan Grayson

Surely there is a place for him in Washington to continue to look out for our needs?

Does anyone know if anything is being considered?

I'm so upset about this terrible loss to the Democratic party.

Annette :(

[slay]

36. +1

I'm about ready to say Grayson 2012 at this point.

[DesertFlower]

12. we need more people like grayson.

[Norrin Radd]

14. kr

He'll be back.

[Poboy]

15. K&R for Grayson. -nt

[madmax]

18. K & R for Mr. Grayson

[yourout]

20. We need alot more Dem leaders willing to tell the unpleasant truth...

in an unpleasant way.

[ooglymoogly]

21. KR for my adopted best friend and brother.

2012 awaits you.

[tabbycat31]

22. I don't think we've seen the last of him

I'd love to see him host a radio or TV show.

[ProudDad]

23. Now as a parting shot, Obama's TSA will

terrorize his daughter on the way home...

[bertman]

25. Alan Grayson, American hero and patriot. Truthteller par excellence. Rec. nt

[JustAnotherGen]

27. Go Grayson!

We need more people like him . . . people who don't give a damn about anything other than doing the RIGHT thing!

[bongbong]

29. The Orange Reactionary

The Orange Reactionary mentioned in the OP doesn't cry because of his sociopathy, altho he has that in spades.

He cries because he drinks so much 24x7.

[LongTomH]

30. Alan Grayson should be given a TV or radio show of his own!

At least, he should be a substitute host for Ed Schultz, Keith Olbermann on Rachel Maddow. We need more voices on the left, especially courageous, populist voices like Grayson.

[Little Star]

31. Alan Grayson could give anyone two of his balls and

still have a sack full.

He will be missed.

I hope he will be back soon in some capacity.

[AspenRose]

33. K&R

:patriot:

[Octafish]

37. Mr. Grayson will be back...

Until then, put him in charge of a network news division.

[nankerphelge]

39. He should be made head of the Florida Democratic party

n/t

[Cartoonist]

40. Alan spoke the truth,

And it cost him his job. I see no hope for America. They put back in power the party that destroyed the economy. You can't fix stupid.

[libodem]

41. Hate to see him go

He was one of the good ones!

[90-percent]

42. Thank you, Alan.

A truly heroic and honorable man. I'm proud to have donated to him and will do it again when the opportunity comes.

-90% Jimmy

[renate]

43. what a mensch!

If he spent the next two years talking like this about the Republicans' blind obstructionism and their lack of a plan to help people rather than hurt Obama, it would do a lot in 2012 to bring back the kind of government (the kind that actually works for the people and not for their own re-election) that Paul Krugman says we're losing.

He is such a fabulous person. I LOVE his statement "life is beautiful." It's wonderful the way he cares so deeply and honestly about public service, yet is able to say such a thing after losing in an election that was not about the best interests of the people.

Love love love love love the guy. :loveya:

[Roland99]

44. Rep. Grayson WILL be back

and I'll be damned proud to help in whatever ways I can!

[jonathan_seer]

45. I think Grayson is fantastic, but nevertheless he made one huge mistake

he chose to try and turn where he lived into his power base.

Considering how conservative that part of the state is, it was too much.

I only hope that Mr. Grayson realizes he has too much to give to the American people to stay there longterm after losing his seat.

He needs to move to anywhere he can represent a strong blue district that will elect him and be the strong base of support a truth teller like him needs in order to do his work.

He needn't move far. As conservative as Florida is, SoFla is very blue.

Once he does that we can be assured of seeing him in congress shortly thereafter.

[Mimosa]

48. Good analysis. n/t

[RoccoR5955]

46. Proud to be the 99th Rec.

We need to kick this up more, so that people get out the word!

[senseandsensibility]

47. Very Trumanesque, Rep, Grayson.

Hope to see you fighting the good fight well into the future. Thanks for everything.