Sorry again!
Hey! Sorry it took so long for me to write another entry. I've worked late for the last three nights so I wasn't really up to a post. I honestly don't have that much to write...I had a lot of absolutely amazing interactions which I can't really write about for the most part. I guess the gist of it is that I am more convinced than before that I really want to go work for Anthony Weiner's race for Mayor in 2009, Dennis Kucinich now greets me everytime he sees me, I really hope Nick Lampson does well in 2008 in a district that would be pretty much impossible for him to win. Rahm Emmanuel is a god. And Dick Durbin and Barack Obama are really cool.
The first 3 I can't post much more about, but Emmanuel and the Illinois Senatorial Delegation I can -- I'm not sure if any of you pay attention to the craziness that emerges from our Vice President's mouth. Recently he claimed that he was not a member of the executive branch but rather the legislative branch since he presides over the Senate. This was convenient for him because he would not face as much oversight in that capacity. So Emmanuel added an ammendment to a bill on appropriations for the executive branch that would have removed all funding for the office of Vice President, since he's apparently not a member of the executive branch. How AWESOME is that????? It failed to pass by 8 votes. I'm honestly surprised it was that close. But I'm sure Congressman (God) Emmanuel did not expect that the bill would actually pass...surely not. It was merely a genius move to highlight just how crazy the Vice President can be. Congressman Emmanuel, you are my hero.
This morning, I woke up extra early and went along with some of my friends over to the Senate Office buildings for a town hall meeting with Senators Obama and Durbin. It was really fun. Dick Durbin made me cry talking about a soldier who came back from Iraq who suffered massive brain trauma and was told he could never walk again, but then did. It was a much more powerful story than my rendering of it. But he really was amazing. And Obama was awesome as ever, though I wish he didn't have to be so careful in how he answers questions now. But it makes sense and if I want him to do well in this race, I don't want him answering any differently than calmly and carefully calculated. After the town hall, we got our picture taken with him and then got on the subway back to the Capitol. And then Chuck Schumer got on the train too. I didn't get to speak to him, but it was still cool. And then when we got off John McCain was standing there. So we took a picture with him which was very cool. He's old. And I don't like him. But it was still very cool to meet him and get a picture.
We had the last votes of my session tonight as Congress went into recess for the 4th of July week, which was honestly way more upsetting to me than I think it will be for me to leave on Saturday. There is something amazing about sitting on the House floor during a vote, or walking through the halls as the members are congregating...I get goosebumps -- or rather got. I will miss that. But other than that, I am SOOOOO ready to go home. Less than two days! I've wrapped up what business I need to here and will be happy to pack up Saturday morning. My flight gets in around 6 Saturday night and I'm going to have dinner with my family and just hang out Sunday, possibly go out with friends. And then Monday, I start back at the campaign! I'm very excited about that. More than anything, this experience has fueled my love for electoral politics. And for my family.
This will probably be the last time I post from up here and I highly doubt I will continue to have a regular weblog after I get back home. But thank you all so much for reading and sending me replies. I know I never really replied to them very much, but know that they were extremely appreciated!
Love,
Abby
The first 3 I can't post much more about, but Emmanuel and the Illinois Senatorial Delegation I can -- I'm not sure if any of you pay attention to the craziness that emerges from our Vice President's mouth. Recently he claimed that he was not a member of the executive branch but rather the legislative branch since he presides over the Senate. This was convenient for him because he would not face as much oversight in that capacity. So Emmanuel added an ammendment to a bill on appropriations for the executive branch that would have removed all funding for the office of Vice President, since he's apparently not a member of the executive branch. How AWESOME is that????? It failed to pass by 8 votes. I'm honestly surprised it was that close. But I'm sure Congressman (God) Emmanuel did not expect that the bill would actually pass...surely not. It was merely a genius move to highlight just how crazy the Vice President can be. Congressman Emmanuel, you are my hero.
This morning, I woke up extra early and went along with some of my friends over to the Senate Office buildings for a town hall meeting with Senators Obama and Durbin. It was really fun. Dick Durbin made me cry talking about a soldier who came back from Iraq who suffered massive brain trauma and was told he could never walk again, but then did. It was a much more powerful story than my rendering of it. But he really was amazing. And Obama was awesome as ever, though I wish he didn't have to be so careful in how he answers questions now. But it makes sense and if I want him to do well in this race, I don't want him answering any differently than calmly and carefully calculated. After the town hall, we got our picture taken with him and then got on the subway back to the Capitol. And then Chuck Schumer got on the train too. I didn't get to speak to him, but it was still cool. And then when we got off John McCain was standing there. So we took a picture with him which was very cool. He's old. And I don't like him. But it was still very cool to meet him and get a picture.
We had the last votes of my session tonight as Congress went into recess for the 4th of July week, which was honestly way more upsetting to me than I think it will be for me to leave on Saturday. There is something amazing about sitting on the House floor during a vote, or walking through the halls as the members are congregating...I get goosebumps -- or rather got. I will miss that. But other than that, I am SOOOOO ready to go home. Less than two days! I've wrapped up what business I need to here and will be happy to pack up Saturday morning. My flight gets in around 6 Saturday night and I'm going to have dinner with my family and just hang out Sunday, possibly go out with friends. And then Monday, I start back at the campaign! I'm very excited about that. More than anything, this experience has fueled my love for electoral politics. And for my family.
This will probably be the last time I post from up here and I highly doubt I will continue to have a regular weblog after I get back home. But thank you all so much for reading and sending me replies. I know I never really replied to them very much, but know that they were extremely appreciated!
Love,
Abby