LEAP on the Hill: Stories from Week of June 27, 2008

This town ain’t big enough for the two of us: After my 6 presentations to staffers on Monday, I entered the Metro subway to start the journey home. Tired and satisfied I was. On the platform was a young man in large cowboy hat. Experience told me he was a cowboy. Breaking out of my shyness, I walked boldly up to him and said, “This town ain’t big enough for two cowboy hats as big as ours. One of us has to leave.” In a soft Oklahoma drawl he immediately volunteered to go home. He and his dad have been in DC since May, lobbying for the National Cattlemen’s & Beef Association. DC was driving him crazy. We enjoyed 15 minutes talking about horses, ranch work and life in Texas and Oklahoma. It reminded me of my previous life & how much I miss it. It was bitter sweet. Spring Cleaning: I am now nearly done with my second round of meetings with aides in the House. One aide a year ago told me that he knew in his gut that use of drugs would skyrocket in a legal market. He stated he had no need to hear from experts on the issue. He has since left & I meet with his replacement this week. I have detected noticeable changes in the staffers the past 2 years. No doubt, the muffinhead’s replacement will be more likely to listen to science than their gut. Congressman, it is a pleasure to meet you: Earlier in the week, LEAP was contacted by a Congressional office. The Congressman wanted to meet with our representative. On Wednesday, the Congressman, his Chief of Staff and I sat down for a solid hour discussing federal prohibition and strategies forward. I am not at liberty to say more. This was the first time I have had a long discussion with a MOC. Medium step.