Joe Skubitz was the U.S. representative for southeast Kansas for 16 years, through 1978.
Skubitz may not have been one of the best legislators, but he was well-liked and made every effort to maintain a “Big Brother Joe” relationship with constituents. Never a birthday, graduation, marriage or anniversary occurred without a congratulatory card from Skubitz.
He didn’t travel his district like his successor, Bob Whitaker, was famous for, rather used staff and franking privileges to make every citizen think he was their voice in Washington.
Before Whitaker was elected in 1978, he rode a bicycle throughout the expansive district knocking on doors. Among his campaign strategies was to work a day or two here or there to get closer to voters, doing such things as pumping gas or flipping burgers.
Now we have Jerry Moran in the U.S. Senate, he of the million-dollar smile, firm handshake and likable demeanor.
Each week Moran’s office sends an email or two describing his “fact-finding activities” of the previous week. From all indications he seldom spends a weekend in Washington, instead sprints for Kansas at first opportunity.
He visits hospitals — a sure report in the local newspaper — and Rotary and other civic clubs, and makes other appearances sure to draw public attention. He never passes up a chance to press the flesh and answer questions, as long as they’re not overly controversial.
All that Moran does — and, rest assured, most other members of Congress do as well — tattoos his name on the minds of voters.
We are of the opinion that instead of running back home at every available opportunity, members of Congress should remain in the nation’s capital more. That may run counter to the popular plea “drain the swamp,” but it is the long-proven way to build relationships — especially between Republicans and Democrats — and eventually be able to compromise on legislation.
A Friday evening dinner, Saturday afternoon in the park or a Sunday barbecue can provide opportunities for politicians to let their guards down and see beyond the party line.
Familiarity can sometimes breed contempt, but more often it breaks down the barriers that can lead, as has been the case for years, to the deadlock that has paralyzed Congress.
We hope ribbing Moran for his consummate campaigning is not taken as an affront, but might lead to more positive results. Constituents will admire Moran just as much, perhaps more, if he is regarded as a leader among his peers. Finding consensus is far more important than accentuating differences, even if it does please the more rabid supporters.
Years ago those of each party affiliation may have been at each other’s throats on the floor, but would later enjoy a drink together and talk in a civil manner. Such relationships helped them to “get something done,” an anomaly nowadays.
Members of Congress are paid $174,000 a year, plus peripheral forms of compensation. For that kind of money we should be able to expect them to have their job — not their re-election — as their primary focus.
— Bob Johnson
