November 30, 2005

Cunningham: Then And Now

Below are some choice quotes from a glowing '91 LA Times profile of soon-to-be-ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham that a friend at our sister publication, the Almanac of American Politics, dug up.

Viewed through the context of Cunningham's recent unpleasantness they are a reminder of just how fleeting power in Washington can be and a reminder of what the many alluring and, for some, irresistible temptations here can do to a career and a life.

Keep in mind that the story was written just one month into the Dukestir's first term.

"I've never seen anyone -- anyone -- get out of the starting blocks so fast," said National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) staffer Gary Koops. "The Duke Man is dynamite."

"I already consider him a treasure who I could send out anywhere in the country and be confident of his drawing power," said Rep. Guy Vander Jagt (R-MI), NRCC chairman. "The older members treat him more like a celebrity than a freshman. In the short time he's been here, Duke's captured more attention than any other freshman I've ever seen. This is not a fleeting thing -- it's an opportunity Duke will build upon," Vander Jagt said. "He's not just a meteor hurtling through the congressional firmament. He's a permanent star."

"Maybe God puts you in the place where He thinks you could do the most good," Cunningham said in an interview in his office, sitting amid the half-filled cardboard boxes, bare walls and empty shelves marking his new occupancy.

"This is the part that gets me a little emotional," Cunningham said recently as he walked briskly up the Capitol steps to vote. "You look around the House chamber, and it's hard to believe you're really part of this. It's a pretty awesome feeling. It kind of makes your hair stand up to think of all the history of the place."

"I'm not going to go around beating on my chest, but I'll get attention one way or another," Cunningham says. "The tip of my spear is pretty sharp, and I'm not willing to just sit back and settle for scraps."

And here's the kicker: "Well, I'm here," he said. "And, when I leave this place in 10 or 20 years, I think I'll have left my mark."

Posted at 02:49 PM

Comments

The Culture of Corruption... One down more to go.. you know who you are...

DeadB0y | 11.30.05 07:30 PM

Waaaaaah! Waaaaaah! I am soooooo sorry I was caught!!!
It was just a little fraud and graft. Waaaaah. Sob. Sob. Please be nice to me.

Duke Stir | 12.01.05 05:59 AM

Post a comment