My Conversation with Congressman Marsha Blackburn

On this past Monday evening, I had a message from Darcy Anderson, Blackburn’s Press spokesperson, to give Congressman Blackburn’s office a call regarding Sunday’s Tennessean news story and my corresponding post on the matter of her lobbyist son-in-law.

I called, before I could stretch my legs out on the ottoman, Congressman Blackburn was quickly put on the line to give her insights on the recent negative press.

I must say that she came across candid, informed and not defensive in the least, in explaining her side of the story. We chatted for over 40 minutes in a very relaxed atmosphere.

She addressed her campaign bookkeeping error that was discovered after she initiated an audit AND correspondingly reported to the proper oversight groups in full sunshine.
Blackburn accepted the responsibility of the error, refusing to take the offending party (Not her daughter) to the public woodshed.
Blackburn defended her daughter’s position as campaign fundraiser, insisting that she is a trusted and hard working staffer that is compensated by a percentage of funds received.

As for the accusations that the relationship between she and her Lobbyist Son-in-law is rife with pitfalls and family backdoor enrichment, she noted that Paul Ketchel was a working lobbyist before even dating and ultimately marrying her daughter Mary Morgan. He is legally forbidden from petitioning members of the House, which he has dutifully abided.
Even his firms client list, that noted several Tennessee connected companies, many were not his clients in which he worked, but were those of others within the company he works.
She also added that she was one of the few members of Congress that have pushed for an Earmark moratorium. The path taken by many in both sides of the chamber to enrich constituents and patrons that lobbies them for government monies.

I asked her, indeed that might be the case, but how does one really enforce the forbidding of lobbying family House members when one’s worth is much increased with that special type of accessibility.

Her answer at first glance seemed yea whatever, but as I thought about it a bit more, it grew on me as having more credence and possible justification.

Congressman Blackburn said that “it ultimately comes down to trust” in the world of practical living.

You know….she is right! The cynical, or some might say the life experienced, side says that politicians have not earned the right of trust as we read and view story after story of politicos blurring the lines to enrich themselves and the court patrons in which they surround themselves.

Congressman Blackburn is the exception to this rule….Hands Down! She served my state Senate district superlatively, by being one of the key players in stopping the Tennessee Income Tax snow job.

She was rewarded, by earning the 7th Congressional District seat. Promising to be our conservative representative in the Beltway, delivering seven-fold with her strong conservative voting record, bill generation, and public advocacy on the airwaves of cable news, national print, and talk radio.

In a town requiring conservatives to hold their collective noses due to the stink of the Beltway Buddy Club blowing big government smoke in our faces, Marsha has remained the hard working caddie who goes home every night, working for the family that she holds in high regard, not embarrassed contempt.

I still believe and advocate that family members of an elected official should not be paid members of the staff and campaign and that lobbyist of kinfolk, enable back door enrichment of public officials. This would be the ideal in a perfect world.

We however do not live in the perfect world, we must fall back to Ronald Reagan’s maxim of “Trust and Verify”.

Congressman Blackburn has earned and deserves our collective conservative trust, she has been verified time and time again with her actions. I am sure, that the Gipper, himself, would agree.

She has gracefully added an e-mail follow-up this morning...

Truman,

Your post last week asked me an open question and after our conversation I thought it would be good to write you an open answer. There is only one special interest in my mind as I serve in Congress; the people of the 7th District of Tennessee. I am honored to serve and I undertand completely that every vote I get is an expression of trust. I have not, and will not, violate that trust.

There is something that I do want you and your readers to know about my daughter and son-in-law. Back in 2002, I was a state senator with a chance to make a long-shot run for Congress. We had to turn a state senate campaign into a congressional campaign quickly. Mary Morgan and Paul were the first to step up and offer to help. They put their lives in Washingotn on hold and came home to help with the race. I was, and am, touched that they would do this. What mother wouldn't be? Even though their work has now become fodder for my opponent, I don't regret their participation for a moment.

Politics are the down side of public service. The people of Tennessee put their trust in me to protect their interest in Washington. I am honored by that trust and hold myself to the highest possible standard to ensure that I never breech it.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to respond.

Marsha Blackburn