I've written before about a favorite elected official in Congress, Republican Wayne Gilchrest. From today's Washington Post:
Wayne Gilchrest, the nine-term Republican congressman who represents Maryland's Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel County, has had it, and he's ready to talk.
He's had it with his own party, which he says "has become more narrow, more self-serving, more centered around 'I want, I want, I want.' " He's finished with his party's presidential candidate, John McCain, who Gilchrest says "recites memorized pieces of information in a narrow way, whereas Barack Obama is constantly evaluating information, using his judgment. One guy just recites what's in front of him, and the other has initiative and reason and prudence and wisdom."
And it's not just Republicans, it's us:
"We've become a country that sits down in front of the boob tube and listens to people shouting about freedom, but now people equate freedom not with the acquisition of knowledge but with comfort," Gilchrest says. " 'Give me my flat-screen TV, the gas-guzzling car, the goods made in China.' The whole concept of freedom has become the idea of comfort, with a complete lack of responsibility."
He concluded:
"I haven't stepped away from my party," Gilchrest says. "The party has stepped away from Eisenhower and Goldwater and Nixon and Ford and even Ronald Reagan. It's been driven away by this anti-government combination of Milton Friedman and Jerry Falwell."
That my friends, that's maverick:
an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
In contrast, choosing a vice presidential running mate for reasons that surpass partisanship who is unprepared to lead our great nation is no such move.
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Brave honesty in politics. I applaud Mr. Gilchrest.
If anyone thinks that either candidate wants to do anything other than get into office for their own ego ... I think they'll be sadly mistaken. Obama spoke of change, and then he picked a consummate insider. McCain ran on an "experience matters" campaign, and then when he thought he'd lose the base, he pulled in a total novice.
I doubt -- strongly -- that either candidate cares about anything other than themselves first ... and second ... and possibly third.
There should be many more who follow the example and caliber of Congressman Gilchrest in the U.S. Congress, and in our government in general, regardless of party.
It is so refreshing, and almost gives one some hope...
Unfortunately, Rep Gilchrest was defeated in a tightly-contested primary race for the seat he'd held for nearly two decades by Andy Harris.
It is unfortunate that he is not in Congress.
I would say that if he has the 'stomach for it' and would care to run again, if I could, I would vote for him.
We all benefit from someone with brain-power, conviction, and honesty.
A number of us in Maryland wish Wayne would have stayed in the race as an independent. Problem is, he actually loves the old version of the Republican party, so it turned out to be unlikely. I suspect we'll see him around here even after he leaves Congress.
And Linda, as a conscientious, honest, and open government employee, can I ask you to please refrain from painting me, and most of my colleagues, with such a broad brush? "Government" isn't just elected politicians, nor is all incompetent bureaucrats. Feel free to call spades when you see them, but please be specific. Generalizing makes it easy for politicians to undermine their professional staff by saying "The bureaucrats did it!" without them having to say who told the bureaucrats to do it.
Luckily, Maryland still has Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R), the most enlightened representative on energy in the U.S. congress.
Having worked to support Pete McCloskey in 2006, I can tell you that there are still those in the tradition of the Republican Party of the past. Like Wayne, Pete has the same feelings but re-registered as a Democrat. There were a few others, Sherwood Boehlert comes to mind, but he retired and was replaced by a lesser man.