Recess

What is a Congressional Recess? You may wonder. In DC terms, it means 'the boss is out of town' so things are a little more relaxed. No votes, tie loosened, a little less stress. In State terms, it means 'the boss is in town' so, well... you get it. I do suppose for some offices, where the boss puts his feet up during Recess, it doesn't really change things much. Not my experience.

During these recesses, it's great to seize the opportunity and have the boss in front of his constituents. To hear him tell the people of his state what he is fighting for in Washington. Why it matters. Some politicians recycle the same speech over, and over, and over again. With this guy, after a dozen years in the business of public policy, he still manages to retain his common sense, and his ability to connect with real business people. The ones who vote, and pay their taxes, and want to make the country a little better for the next generation. I don't know if this feeling of urgency is because I'm so closely associated with the pulse of Washington, or if it's really a sign of the times. But either way, people are honestly concerned that America is at great risk of loosing its 'exceptionalism' in a way.

Yesterday was a good example of a Recess day. Phone calls. Meetings with business associations who want the Senator to know that his message resonates with voters. Voters who want their message on specific issues to resonate with their Member. A tour of a plant to see what high-tech manufacturing jobs are being created in his 'backyard' and what legislation concerns their leadership. An hour on talk radio fielding questions from listeners live on the air. A keynote speech to grassroots activists. A slideshow with special tribute music. The gentlemen singing 'God Bless America' in a way only captured in small town America: denim shirts, suspenders: perfection.

I kind of expected to know what the speech would be. Afterall, I've worked for him for seven years, been through campaigns, and most immediately, had sat through the talk-radio show. I'd been behind-the-scenes for the Sunday News Show coverage the day before. The message is clear for me. And yet, his delivery is personal each time. He was struck by candidates working the room, and their spouses who go through the grueling process by default. He encouraged folks to stay above the fray, because primaries in such a red state are hard on families, and always get personal. He talked about the impact that individual activists in their own communities can and do have - sharing the greater story of George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life. He was able to make the call for citizens not to grow weary of doing good without ever using the cliche phrases that can be so off putting of politicians. It was stated with the confidence of someone who has served on such local boards and commissions and raised a family and run a business: experience does matter.

I got home more than twelve hours after I left. Fell into bed early but it felt very late. It's hard on RM and J'bug and the friends who so graciously help us with them. Floyd endures an enormous amount of our shared household responsibilities for me to get to serve in such a capacity. But I am grateful for the opportunities and reminders of why I believe in what we are fighting for, and why I want to press on. And for me, it is a very short Recess, but a really wonderful life.