In-depth profile captures McNerney's widespread appeal; A Lodi Republican: "Oh, I'll vote for Jerry, you betcha"

Lisa Vorderbrueggen, lead political reporter for the Contra Costa Times, has written an in-depth profile of Congressman Jerry McNerney's first six months in office.

Titled "New Politician Finds His Way," this revealing piece explores how McNerney has confounded the expectations of those who would assume he might not appeal to a wide spectrum of voters in the 11th Congressional District.

The reality, as Vorderbrueggen has found, has undermined those would-be detractors, with McNerney continuing to connect with constituents of all ideological stripes:

"Oh, I'll vote for Jerry, you betcha," said Lodi Republican Deborah Kafton after McNerney's office helped restore her Social Security disability payments. "The fact that he helped me, a small person in the world, I would back him all the way. My opinion (on other political issues) might be different, but that would be the case with any politician."

McNerney has won particular acclaim for his "Congress on the Corner" (NOTE: it's actually "Congress At Your Corner"), a regular series of small gatherings held throughout the district where McNerney talks personally with constituents.

Even staunch Republican leaders praise McNerney's first six months in office.

"(McNerney) has been very, very accessible," said San Ramon Mayor H. Abram Wilson, a GOP candidate for the state Assembly. "He realizes that he has a huge learning curve, and he has been in the community as much as possible to try to get to know the community, its residents and leaders. For that, I really give him a lot of kudos."

Perhaps one reason for this widespread praise from Republicans, Democrats and independents across the district is the Congressman's enthusiastic embrace of public service:

"Being out in the community and meeting people, being here for the residents, is more important than anything I could do on the campaign trail," McNerney said.

[...]

Asked whether he's still happy voters sent him to Washington, McNerney answers without hesitation.

"Absolutely. It's so exciting to be a part of what's happening in our nation right now," he said last week, between bites of a tuna salad at Vic's, a diner in his hometown of Pleasanton. "The decisions we make in the next 10 years will impact our society and the world for the next 200 years."

McNerney's decisions, and those of his colleagues, are already making an impact from Washington to California:

McNerney has helped Democrats pass the party's first 100 hours of priority legislation, including ethics reform, a reduction in student loan costs, a minimum wage increase and support for stem cell research.

[...]

With help from Democratic Party leaders anxious to cement McNerney's hold on the seat, he secured coveted spots on the House transportation, veterans affairs and science committees. He also was appointed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's select committee on global warming.

The congressman has sponsored four bills of his own, starting with a small water conservation grant program. His other bills include the creation of a program to monitor veterans with traumatic brain injury and one to expand geothermal energy research.

[...]

He formed citizen advisory panels on agriculture, health care, small business and, soon, education.

And, as many of you know by reading this blog (click here for several similar articles), that's just scratching the surface.

You can read the rest of Lisa Vorderbrueggen's profile of the Congressman here, including pulled quotes from McNerney on both the war in Iraq and immigration.

Comments

[Ann]

Thank you for bringing such nice posts. Your blog is always fascinating to read.

[Rick Downey]

Jerry is the only politician anywhere that I've heard speak to the core issue in front of everyone - our environment.

If it goes, the luxury of debating anything else will be history.

I don't even live in Jerry's district, but I have put all my financial eggs (read dollars) in his basket, because everytime anyone else asks for money, I think to myself "I'm backing Jerry. He GETS it!"

R. Downey
Santa Cruz, CA

[Don Sturmer]

Frankly, Congressman McNerney, I don't agree that "you get it!" You're just like most politicians; constantly ranting against anyone not of your party and continuing to show ridiculous disrespect for the President of the United States. What you call President Bush's "blunders" are actually tough decisions meant to improve conditions for all Americans, whether Republican or Democrat. I cannot countenance your participation in the politicization of every issue and your opposition to every idea proffered by Republicans or the current administration. The so-called "first hundred days" of Democrat-controlled Congress have been far from successful or particularly beneficial to the citizens of the country. Saying recent Congressional actions have been positive does not make it so!! Please make positive moves with regard to immigration, Social Security reform, the economy, ethics reform in government--especially the Congress and Senate--and tax reform. Stop talking about it and do it.

Don Sturmer
one of your constituents

[Don Negri]

To my namesake, I'd just say that I wonder just what he might have written about Richard Pombo. McNerney is ten times the fresher air compared to Pombo. Anyone not 100% pleased with McNerney so far, just needs to remember whom he replaced, and if we really want a Repub House under John Boehner's "leadership". Not to mention that just cutting earmarks by 50% (actually 75% so far) on appropriations bills is something very positive the Dems have done. Or hasn't my namesake noticed it?

Don Negri