re: #288 BongCrodny

One can wear conservative stripes proudly and still be in favor of good government.

Conversely, I spent the last five months working (as as a legal secretary) for a Republican state senator, and more than once I suggested events where I thought he could increase his visibility for this fall’s election.

He’s a die-hard Republican, but moderate enough to be seriously considered for endorsement by the state employee agency union, and I got to see first-hand the time he spent and efforts he made on behalf of his constituents.

If I’m still here in town come November, I honestly don’t know whether I’ll pull the lever for him — but I can say without hesitation that I would not be ashamed to do so.

Once upon a time, when I lived in Eau Claire, it was represented by Steve Gunderson. He was an old school decent Republican who came in on Reagan’s coattails but earned his keep as a good congressman. He was eventually forced out after being outed (with a single partner for longer than most marrages of his generation…). Even as a Socialist, I could vote for him over the idiots the Democratic Party kept trying to run against him. It didn’t hurt that I had first hand knowledge of his ability to think and change his mind when presented with evidence - and to do so publicly.

Hope he’s doing well where ever he is these days.