Just the other day, a young lobbyist for a major chemical company met with me to ask if I could push a dubious bill through the Senate Environment Committee. I thought, “What kind of asshole does this guy take me for? Does he really think I’d sacrifice my personal integrity just because he’s dangling a measly $30k in front of my face?” I almost had him thrown out of the building.
Luckily, I managed to remain calm, realizing that this idiot was new in town and hadn’t been shown the ropes yet. I explained that while I was grateful to his client for their continued financial support, it wasn’t fucking 2012 anymore. We’re in the 2018 midterms now, I have a new committee appointment, and my rates have gone up. It’s that simple.
Then I told him to never, ever honeydick me again unless he’s ready to do this the right way.
These are the principles I got into politics for, and I will continue abiding by them as long as I have the privilege of serving my country.
The Onion captured the essence of what it means to be Tom Carper like nothing I’ve ever seen.