Our Mr. Deeds

I went to hear our freshman Congressman Chris Murphy speak in the gymnasium of the Cornwall Consolidated School on Saturday afternoon. I ran into my friend Noelle LaMuniere (aka Julia McElroy/Cinderella's mother), who said she was discouraged by all the depressing news out of Washington and thought that hearing Murphy might give her a sense of hope. Well, Chris Murphy offered up not only heartfelt hope that the world situation can improve but also faith that Congress can be an agent for progressive change.

Murphy is the least cynical of politicians. There is no calculation in his presentation. He radiates authenticity. "If I am anything, I am unconditionally and unapologetically optimistic," he told the audience of more than 100 constituents. He came to Cornwall to report back on his first 120 days in office and his visit to Iraq and Afghanistan. He spoke eloquently about meeting our troops and how impressed he was by their commitment but came back believing that they are in an impossible situation in Iraq. He had higher hopes for military operations in Afghanistan. After that trip, he and five other congressmen had a one-hour meeting in the Oval Office with the President. He denounced the president without being disrespectful. He said he was impressed only by the President's myopia and absolute certainty that he is right. "He is incapable of sitting and listening," Murphy said. "He has a refusal to accept accountability. More deeply, he continues to misunderstand the central fight. He misses the complexities of the Shiites and Sunnis, which complicates all our relationships in that region."

Unlike the president, Murphy is a good listener. He came to Cornwall because he is very serious about being our representative--an advocate in Washington for our concerns. He wants us to set his agenda. He was proud to announce that he is now the chairman of the Land Preservation Caucus, because he knows that the environment is important to us. He is idealistic, realistic and without guile. He is passionate, articulate and humble. He'd probably make a good next door neighbor or brother-in-law. He'll make a good, effective congressman, but more likely he'll make a great one.