Book Review: Making Ideas Matter by Dwight Evans

Making Ideas Matter:  My Life as a Policy Entrepreneur by Representative Dwight Evans with William Ecenbarger.  Philadelphia: Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, 2013.

State Representative Dwight Evans is currently the Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, defeating incumbent Chaka Fattah in the primary. This book was published before his congressional run, but after previous unsuccessful runs for higher office. It is a slim volume (181 pages with an index) providing a history of State Rep. Evan's political career.  The first chapter is biographical, telling the story of his childhood and upbringing. He points out that after getting a part-time job in high school he didn't take money from his mother again, allowing her to focus on his younger siblings.

The rest of the book concerns his work as a state legislator and his personal life is not really mentioned again. Most of the chapters concern a particular subject -- one on education, another on the importance of access to healthy food choices. Others are on aspects of political culture -- there is a chapter on Walking Around Money (WAM) and how it can be used to leverage cooperation from political colleagues.

Evans outlines a number of projects he worked on,priorities he followed, strategies he used to reach out to fellow Democrats as well as Republicans, and how he developed rapport with legislators from other parts of the state to overcome overall hostility towards the Philadelphia area.

There is a focus on his work as chair of the Appropriations Committee, and his disappointment when he lost that position. He writes about his own personal values and how they informed his behavior, expectations of staff, and political behavior, and what happens to politicians who lose their moral compass.

He writes a lot about developing and maintaining relationships, not only with political allies but as ways of reaching across the aisle or to the far corners of the state. He writes about empowering staff (including giving staff the ability to tell him no), and holding them accountable for their work and ethics as well.

Evans only seems to write about one fault and that is the inability to tell his story effectively when running for mayor or governor. He wishes he could have continued as chair of Appropriations and that he could have helped a non-profit he had worked with maintain control of his district's main high school.

This book does explain how State Rep. Evans created some of the coalitions that passed legislation he wanted. It is a first person account and therefore does not include some of the context or reflection that a third person account might have. The writing is fast paced and easily read. The book could easily have gotten bogged down in self-congratulation or unnecessary details. As you might expect from a policy wonk, there are a lot of acronyms, but otherwise it avoids many of the pitfalls that other books of this kind fall into. Co-author William Ecenbarger is a former reporter and I credit his influence with a great deal of the book's readability.

Baring some sort of disaster Mr. Evans will be elected to Congress in November and his tenure in the state legislature will end. I hope that at some point a scholar writes a definitive history of his time there. I'm sure there are a lot more stories to be told. The book left me wanting more, which is surely the sign of a well-written book.

Muroff Starts Tour of Gun Violence Sites

Dan Muroff, attorney and past president of CeaseFirePA, is a Democratic candidate for the 2nd congressional district, currently held by Chaka Fattah.  Today Muroff started a series of stops in areas that have been the site of gun violence in the past year.  He plans to talk with people to see how they are impacted by gun violence.  His first stop was on the 8300 block of Gilbert Ave where three people were shot during an Eagles watch party this past December.

Muroff Announces Candidacy in 2nd Congressional District

from the inbox:

 Tonight before a packed house at Alma Mater in Mt. Airy, Dan Muroff officially announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania’s 2^ndCongressional District.  Drawing on his experience as a long time advocate for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable, Muroff decided to run because he was dismayed at the lack of attention on Philadelphia’s gun violence epidemic.

 “Illegal guns unraveled the fabric of our communities, and closed off opportunities for them to thrive.  Gun crimes destroy lives, families and futures.  It’s become America’s present day sin – our deepest despair – because it’s relentless and routine, and it leaves us astounded yet somehow indifferent. We’ve been snookered into believing that we can’t take this on. I don’t accept that,” Muroff stated to attendees. 

He also spoke of his family-particularly his sister who disappeared almost 20 years ago in North Philadelphia while dependent on drugs.  He shared how his sister was unable to secure a job because of a past criminal record, a story not unfamiliar to families across the 2^nd District. 

He stated, “a non-violent criminal record in youth must not be an indelible mark, a label that a person is something so much less. There are real consequences when a person can’t rightly put their troubles behind them and find a secure job. It creates a self-defeating cycle – not just for them, but also for their families, and for society. I am committed to fixing this.”

 

Dan Muroff is an attorney and community leader who has worked tirelessly over the past decade to reduce gun violence in Pennsylvania.  As the most recent past-president of CeasefirePA, he is uniquely qualified to address the growing problem of gun violence in the 2^nd Congressional District.  Additionally, Dan has served as the president of East Mt. Airy Neighbors and as the president of Conservation Voters of PA.  He has also worked as a Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill, giving him the opportunity to advance a progressive agenda. 

Dan lives in Mt. Airy with his wife Melissa.

Brian Gordon in Philly Mag

The cover story in the December 2015 Philadelphia Magazine, "Racial Profiling on the Main Line," by Steve Volk, mentions Brian Gordon, one of the Democratic candidates for Congress in the 2nd district (Philadelphia).  Gordon is currently a commissioner in Lower Merion.  Here are two quotes referencing Commissioner Gordon:

It was Gordon, a corporate attorney who convened a packed community meeting at the PALM Senior Center to deal with the controversy.  Citizens, mostly African-American lined up to speak.  "What got me were the stories," remembers Gordon.  "Person after person.  And they were just so moving." (p. 84 of print copy)

and

Lower Merion commissioner Brian Gordon is a white progressive.  he told me he wants to make sure regular meetings are held in Lower Merion on the subject of race. (p. 123)

The entire article is interesting, and alarming.

Gordon Releases Environmental Policy

Brian Gordon, a Democratic candidate for the 2nd congressional district (parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County), the seat currently  held by Chaka Fattah, has released an environmental policy.

Gordon is a Lower Merion Township commissioner (yes, he's Commissioner Gordon).  You can read more about him on his campaign website, www.gordonforcongress.com

Dwight Evans Wants You to Wear Pants

from the inbox, a note from Dwight Evans:


Every day, it seems like the Republicans in Washington, D.C. are making it harder for folks to get by -- and now they seem to think people don't even have a right to the dignity of wearing pants:

"You don't have a right to pants, you don't have a right to health care, you don't have a right to water." -- Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)

Well, I have a message for Senator Paul:

People do have the right to health care. They do have the right to clean drinking water. And people do have the right to get up in the morning, put on a pair of pants, and feel the pride and security that comes from a good job.

I'm running for Congress to help end this nonsense so we can get to work on a new national plan for America's cities, building up every neighborhood. And that starts with investing in people -- raising the minimum wage, paid family leave, and jobs that can support a family.

I put on my pants just like everyone else: one leg at a time, and I'm going to get up every day and fight for Philadelphia, block by block, just like I've always done.

Mary Ellen Balchunis Campaign Update

Mary Ellen Balchunis, Democratic candidate for the 7th congressional district, has announced some changes to her campaign.  For one, her campaign website has a new address, www.balchunis2016.com still works, but you can also go to www.maryellenforcongress.com -- both will take you to the same site.  Her twitter handle is the catchy @me4congress .

Secondly, she announces a new campaign manager, Brad Koplinski, who has a lengthy political biography himself.

Lastly, she has added some names to her finance committee, including John Kane, business manager of Plumbers Local 690, and the wonderful Bev Hahn of the Montgomery County DFA

Christina M. Hartman in the 16th

part of a message from Christina M. Hartman the inbox:

For far too long, the people in Lancaster, Chester, and Berks counties have not been getting the representation and support they need to be successful.

 I’m running for Congress because the people of Pennsylvania’s 16^th District deserve better. It’s time to listen to what the diverse communities in Lancaster, Chester and Berks have to say and support them in pursuing a better life for themselves and their families, through education, training, support to small businesses, and care for our aging population.

Raised in Manheim Township, I took what Lancaster taught me about community and shared those lessons around the world. After graduating from George Washington University (Washington, DC) and Fordham University (New York City), I took on some of the world’s toughest dictatorships, leading numerous high-profile organizations and advocating for freedom and democracy in those countries and in Washington. From South Sudan to Afghanistan, I helped organizations strengthen their countries’ democracies through civic education, elections, and youth leadership development. 

Here at home, I have continued to focus on community development initiatives. I worked with the Joyful Heart Foundation, a national organization pursuing justice for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. Today, I bring my expertise to organizations in Lancaster such as the Non-Profit Resource Network at Millersville University and the Parish Resource Center, providing leadership in strategic planning, fundraising, and communications to enhance the services that these organizations provide.

Christina M. Hartman's campaign website is www.christinamhartman.com

Another Pronunciation Snafu

I was trying to watch the Hillary Clinton interview on CNN when the phone rang.  It was the DCCC wanting money, and not happy about taking no for an answer.  The young man was persistent.  He had a long sales pitch and several rejoinders when I declined.  He also called John Boehner [pr. Bayner] ad John Boner.  [sigh].  It is hard to take view someone as a politically serious person when they make mistakes like that.

Andy Warren in the 8th

Andy Warren, who was a Bucks County Commissioner for many years (as a Republican), and ran for Congress in 2006 (as a Democrat) is running for the 8th congressional seat again this year (as a Republican).  You can read more at "Warren enters 8th race" by James McGinnis in the Bucks County Times (6/21/2016).

No mention of a website.  It might be tricky.  Warrenforcongress.com is taken, so is Andywarren.com.  Both andywarrenforcongress.com and andywarren2016.com might be taken but there isn't a public site at those addresses.  I tried a few other likely website addresses but didn't see anything.

Mike Parrish in the 6th

from the inbox, campaign website: www.parrishforcongress.com

Today, Mike Parrish, former Army Aviator and Colonel in the United States Army Reserves announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania’s 6^th Congressional District.  The entrepreneur and father has been a strong advocate for veterans in Southeastern Pennsylvania for the past 15 years.   Currently, Mike serves as finance chair of the Chester County Democrats.   He released the following statement:

“There is a fundamental lack of leadership in Congress today. Politicians are putting their own interests and narrow ideology first, and as a result, the challenges facing everyday Americans are no longer the priority.   Congress isn’t tackling the tough problems of affordable education, job creation and small business investments; and Congress is AWOL when it comes to caring for our veterans.  America needs leaders who value their constituents more than party alliances.

“My father always told me to  ‘Put Up or Shut Up.’   I’m ready to start the next chapter of service to my country.  I’m running for Congress to provide strong leadership and help create more economic opportunities for Southeastern Pennsylvanians.   My 30 years of military and business experience give me a unique perspective to help address these challenges.

“Education is the key to innovation.   The US Army empowered me with a level of education that every American has the right to attain.  It’s time we focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  We have to give our children a stronger educational foundation.  They’re tomorrow’s leaders…the next generation of workers, innovators and entrepreneurs.  College has to be more affordable, so everyone can have the same opportunities I have had.

“We have to help small businesses gain access to best business practices, innovation and capital, to enable them to grow.  As a small business owner myself, I know how important that is for job creation.   And we need to cut wasteful spending so we can invest in high-tech and medical research, something Pennsylvanians do better than anyone.

 “I’ve been an advocate for Veterans my entire life, as a member of Congress, I will make the decisions necessary to ensure that the brave men and women who have served our country are held in the highest esteem.  Our local VA office, one of the largest in the country, is under federal investigation.  We need more than rhetoric to fix these systemic problems.”

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve my country throughout my career and I hope to continue to make a difference in the United States Congress.”

Campaign Bio:

About Mike Parrish After graduating from West Point in 1985, Mike Parrish spent 14 years on active duty as an Army Aviator in leadership assignments around the globe. Upon leaving active duty as a member of the Army Acquisition Corps in 1998, he transitioned to the Army Reserves, where he continues to serve today as a Colonel.  Mike has over 30 years of senior leadership experience growing and acquiring various technology-related businesses globally.  Most recently, Mr. Parrish has been Chairman & CEO of several publicly-traded companies and was founder and CEO for an environmental services business, which was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine's “HOT 100,” highlighting the top 100 start-ups in America for 2004, as well as by INC magazine, as the 7th fastest-growing private environmental company on its INC500 list for 2006 and 2007.  Before that,Mike held various executive leadership positions within several General Electric Companies. Mike has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as well as a Master's in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  He is the past President of the West Point Society of Philadelphia and served on the advisory boards of the Delaware Valley Industrial Resources Center, USO of Southeast Pennsylvania/New Jersey and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mike lives in Malvern Pennsylvania, and has three children ages 13, 9 and 6.

Lindy Li for the Seventh

Democrat Lindy Li has announced her candidacy for the seventh congressional district.  Website:  http://www.lindyli.com/

John Oliver Calls out Fattah and Dent

John Oliver's HBO show, "Last Week Tonight" has made a name for itself by calling out people, companies, and elected officials that it thinks need to change their behavior.

Tonight's show included two Pennsylvania congressman, Chaka Fattah (D-02) and Charlie Dent (R-15).  Both are on an agricultural committee that has voted against enacting regulations protecting chicken farmers from predatory corporate practices of the chicken industry.  Oliver hopes that Ohio Congresswomen Marcy Kaptur reintroduces her bill and that others on the committee will support it this time around.

Oliver's minions (viewers) have previously flooded the FCC with comments on net neutrality.  This time he is saying that any congressional representative on the committee that votes against Kaptur's bill will have their wikipedia page altered (and re-altered) to suggest, in vulgar terms, that said representative actives upon an unnatural fondness for chickens.

The show itself is always worth watching.  This segment (available on demand tomorrow), does not call out Dent and Fattah by name but the representatives on the committee are flashed across the screen.