"Congress On Your Corner"
From an NPR story by Audie Cornish, why Giffords was out there at that store:
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was holding her first "Congress on Your Corner" event of the year when she was shot and critically injured Saturday.The events allow constituents the chance for a one-on-one meeting with the Democrat. And, says Don Bivens, head of the state Democratic Party, they are one of the reasons Giffords has been able to win elections in a district that's not Democratic.
Giffords was fresh off a campaign victory -- winning her swing district by just 1 percent last fall, when dozens of her conservative Democratic colleagues failed.
"People know her. People knows she cares. She knows them," says Bivens, who is a friend of the congresswoman.
That Giffords was attacked in the act of public service made it all the more tragic, President Obama said Saturday.
"Listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors -- that is the essence of what our democracy is all about," he said. "That is why this is more than a tragedy for those involved. It is a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for our entire country."
These sick people Patrick pointed out (in a comment that got eaten by my spam folder) are the reason politicians can't come out and try to directly hear and represent the people.
That "sick" person you link to offers a longer explanation of his reasons. I find it hard to disagree with him having read them.
Sio at January 9, 2011 3:03 PM
Like it or not, he makes good points.
I'm not a big fan of politicians in general.
Robert at January 9, 2011 4:27 PM
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