The Rap on Our Rep

I couldn't make it to Chris Murphy's appearance at Kellogg School yesterday, but my friend Dale McDonald did, and she offered this report:

Chris Murphy's visit was a raging success by any measure. There were over 100 people in attendance, largely Democrat, with a sprinkling of Republicans. Chris spoke briefly, proud to highlight the fact that elected representatives of the people have wrested Congress back from special interest groups, pacs and lobbyists.

*He feels that the Iraq question remains a central issue, even as he notes a cooling interest of late.
*He is passionate about land conservation, and has become the Chairman of the Land Conservation Caucus, a committee he shares with two Republicans from Pennsylvania.
*Chris is nothing if not passionate about health care and in particular, mental health care. He is soon to sponsor a bill.
*Obama: Chris said that he had endorsed Obama and spoke about the 50 + 1 theory with which "all" new candidates are imprinted: One needs simply 50% plus one vote to win, and then manage and tend those voters
to sustain viability. Obama is reaching beyond that. While it is recommended that a freshman Congressman avoid endorsing a candidate, he received a big round of applause as he said, "I love the fact that somebody's gonna try."
*He was asked about how to justify Bush's budget --- heavy in defense and light in domestic issues: It cannot be justified - It will be rewritten in Congress, as was last year's.
* He is "agnostic" about a specific path toward universal health care: Could be a "hybrid" moving toward a form of single pay, as our current system is largely inefficient through its myriad of entries.
*He was asked to consider length of military service term: He supports equal tour of duty/time off, currently wending its way in Congress.
*He was asked about supporting taxpayers right to choose NOT to pay taxes, largely as 51% military budget: He said he could not support that cherry-picking.
*He feels we can reach across the aisle on the subject of energy independence: It is inextricably linked with defense.
*Asked about signing statements, he got huge applause. He said they are unconstitutional.
*Defense Appropriation Bill: He has refused to sign any appropriation bill not tied specifically to withdrawal. Other congressional members fear smear of "unpatriotic" attached to that vote, although it is growing in popularity from 40%, currently

He thanked everyone for coming out...skillfully slipped in his Giants preference in the Super Bowl, and went on to say,
"It's a fascinating time...Chills go down my spine every day I go to work."

I'm feeling chills, too.