Weeks 2 and 3: Perspective

I know I am late to the game in blogging over the last two weeks, but I want to give an update anyway. So here it goes…

A few general updates: (1) Lt. Governor Dewherst assigned Senate committees, and Senator Birdwell will sit on Government Organization, Economic Development, Higher Education, and is the Vice Chair for Veterans’ Affairs and Military Installations. (2) The senators drew for term lengths, and the senator received a four year term, so he will not be up for reelection until the 2016 cycle. (3) Since my first post, I have been assigned another committee for the session, taking my total to three (Intergovernmental Relations, Administration, and Open Government).

Since session has begun slowly, I have had a decent amount of time to catch up on some reading that I need to do for school. I recently finished Decision Points by George W. Bush. It was one I had read before, but this time it was nice to dig a little deeper into the content. For the academic assignment, it is my job to dig through my readings and analyze the impact the figure or event had on Texas political history. While I will submit a formal report to my professor, I want to share a couple of thoughts here.

The book is organized uniquely. Instead of a chronological memoir, it traces the big decisions that President Bush made, specifically while he served as President.  It offers a candid perspective into the thought process of a President. One of the most striking thing to me was how each of the big decisions overlapped. Since it was not written chronologically, I missed it the first time around. But from a timing perspective, it was really interesting to see that major domestic policies (Medicaid reform, No Child Left Behind, etc.) were being handled at the same time that discussions were being had about Iraq, Afghanistan, the Surge, and Hurricane Katrina. Being an “outsider” to that world of politics and decision making, it became almost overwhelming to think about having to handle all those life changing decisions at the same time.

However, I am beginning to understand that that is just the world of politics. In a single day at the Capitol, it is not uncommon go from a breakfast briefing to the floor with the senator and then back to the office to have meetings with constituents and lobbyists on any and all topics. That would even be considered a light day. I have to give high credit to the ability of those I am working with; they are doing a fantastic job modeling how to balance all the different demands we have as staff, but handling it all with grace. I have a long way to go to truly understand how it all works, but I could not ask for a better group to grow and learn under.

Back to President Bush for a moment: From a Texas perspective, the other important thing I noticed throughout the book was his grit and determination to stand up for the right thing, regardless of political, professional, or political consequence. Being around the capitol, I have come to appreciate the fact that many of my colleagues and the majority of the senators and representatives want to do the right thing for Texas and for their constituents. It is inspiring to see the camaraderie that comes out of the shared purpose of bettering the state and caring for its people.

 I am privileged to work for a senator that believes in this principle wholeheartedly. No political agenda comes before caring for the people of his district. Even if it means standing alone in a vote, Senator Birdwell will consistently stand up for what he believes is right. That is absolutely refreshing to see in a politician, and it makes me excited to come into work each day. 

Constitutionally Yours.

[N.B.  – All the opinions expressed in this blog are mine, and mine alone. I do not represent the opinions of the office of Sen. Birdwell, the Texas Senate, or the State of Texas.]