FDR, Our Next Senator, My Dad, and Me

Last Saturday was a pretty interesting day for a fellow running for office in CD-5. I began my series of events with speaking to the delegates and alternates heading to the State Assembly and Convention for Senator Clinton. I gave the same basic talk to the folks supporting Senator Obama a couple of weeks back. It is exciting to see such energy and commitment toward the upcoming election. I’m still a bit startled when folks enthusiastically clap and hoot and holler when I talk. I’m not immodest enough to think that such reactions are just my doing. Rather, I think people across the political spectrum are growing more and more frustrated with the rising price of gas, the economic challenges, the foreclosure rate, the War and the treatment of Veterans, and more. I do think this is the most important election since 1932, as we need a change so very much.

After the Clinton folks, we drove down to Canon City to join the Fremont County Democrats at the annual FDR Dinner. I was honored to share the speaking duties with Rep. Mark Udall, the next Senator from Colorado. I’ve had the chance to spend some time with Mark, and I can’t tell you how much this gent has impressed me. I agree with him on just about every issue, and I think he will be a marvelous addition to the US Senate. He is being very kind to a rookie candidate, and I can’t thank him enough.

The folks in Fremont County are just a great bunch. They welcomed me so warmly, and have embraced my campaign so fully, that I am deeply appreciative and honored. It is so important for a man or woman that wants to be in the US Congress to remember they represent more than the big cities, more than the major population centers. We must be committed to representing everyone in the district, because everyone matter, everyone counts. I did say to the group that I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t get to live in Colorado’s 5^th Congressional District. The natural beauty of the area is simply unmatched. And now that our fairly rough winter appears to be mostly over, I can’t wait to again be driving our remarkable area, meeting with people, and getting to know them, and their issues more.

At the FDR Dinner, I told the story of my father at the White House. I worked two summers, 1997 and 1998, at the White House, on the National Security Council Staff. The second year, my Father’s Day gift for him was a tour of the West Wing. He had been an Army Master Sergeant in WWII, and greatly admired FDR. As we neared the Oval Office that Sunday afternoon, I drew his attention to the extra-wide door, and asked him why he thought that was the case. He thought a moment, and said, “the wheel chair?” Yes, the door was a bit wider than normal to ease President Roosevelt’s entry and exit in his wheelchair. At that moment, history became a bit more alive for us all. With us that day was my boss, and his baby daughter. This child had been left by her mother in a church in Central America. A note said simply that the young mother could not care for the child, and she asked that the church look after her. My boss ended up adopting that baby, now happily playing on the carpet outside the Oval Office. I said to my dad, “I think this is the only country where a child could be abandoned in poverty, and could grow up free, and able to play on the President’s carpet.” It was an amazing day, and is a very happy memory for me. I still miss my dad. I think he would get such pleasure out of watching one of his children compete for a job in the US Congress. He was, and is, my hero. When the ongoing challenge of raising money, dealing with the many problems that pop up, and the exhaustion that comes at the end of a long day of campaigning, I think of my dad. I am intensely proud of him and his example. He would love this. A person remarked to me after my kick off announcement that she had seen me sitting before the speech, holding my thumbs just the way my dad did, and said “you are just like your father.” They could not have paid me a higher compliment.

Posted in Events, Thoughts on Government

On Vets and What’s Right and What’s Wrong

Quite a bit has happened since my last entry. I’ve officially kicked off my campaign, begun trying to fundraise in earnest, and we have opened a campaign headquarters. I’ve spoken to Democrats in Fountain, toured local manufacturing facilities, and filed my first FEC report. It’s been very interesting and very hard work, but I remain very excited and very committed to the campaign.

I’ve been reminded by a couple of folks that the word “campaign” was first a military term. As a career military officer, I think I see where the old notions of a campaign overlap with the vagaries of a political struggle. There are tactical decisions to be made, supplies to gather, and strategy to be crafted. And, you need to buy quite a few pizzas, I’m told, before it is all over.

One of the most remarkable things I have experienced thus far is the degree to which a campaign tests ones sense of self. A brief four or five months ago, I was talking with colleagues in the Political Science Department at the Air Force Academy about wanting to put my life-long study of the American national government into practice. I had worked briefly at the Pentagon, the White House, and the State Department, and at each I felt the excitement of being part of the policy process, and the frustrations that are endemic to those who wish they could do more, and do that more quickly. I readily confess that working at the White House was my favorite, and my internal “history meter” pegged every day I walked through the gates.

But until now, my interests in politics have been largely academic and mere musings. When I started having very nice and very capable folks say they wanted to work with me on this election, I found it very exciting and as I eluded to last post, very intense.

But with this new level of campaigning comes a very interesting set of new activities. Last Monday, I shared a table with Rep. Mark Udall, currently on track to be the next US Senator from Colorado, as we met with veterans. We listened to stories ranging from Viet Nam through the current war, and we learned of the pain, the challenges, and the remarkable character of those who served. One Viet Nam vet spoke of being told he was just naturally not “happy” when in fact it was PTSD that was causing his depression. Others told of months-long delays in getting into a VA facility for needed treatment. There was not a moment of self-pity in that room, only voices raised to help insure that other Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen would not suffer as they had. I have rarely been more proud to be a military man.

My own service gives me a very strong sense of brotherhood with these men and women. I walked out of that room feeling more and more passionately that this election must have as a centerpiece the mending of our sacred promise to those who served. I don’t think you absolutely have to be a vet yourself to represent the 5^th District of Colorado, but I think it helps. With 5 major military bases in the district, a military background helps quite a bit. These remarkable men and women deserve to have the full measure of their commitment to the nation reflected back upon them when they need it.

I am afraid that quite a few of these blog entries will end up talking about veterans. I guess it is an occupational hazard, after 25 years of wearing the uniform that I find myself drawn to serve these men and women again. I strongly believe we need to pass and sign into law the new G.I. Bill proposed by Senator Webb of Virginia. My dad went to school on the WWII GI Bill, and it changed his life. I think an educated vet is just about the best “hire” a company could make. When a man or woman puts on the uniform, and stands strong in the face of danger, we must stand strong with them when they come home. It is the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do, and it is something we must do.

And so, the campaign winds on. I continue to meet with interesting people, and get to go to interesting places to learn about interesting things. This week, I meet with small business owners and learned of the challenges they face. Soon, I’ll be meeting with other local businesspeople, and in every meeting I learn quite a bit. I’m so excited about the days, weeks, and months ahead, and I marvel at the opportunity I have been given to interact with such people.

Posted in Events, Issues, Veterans

Welcome and Thank You

As the campaign is about to officially kick off, Wednesday the 2nd, at noon in the Penrose Library, I thought I’d take a moment to mention a few things about the campaign, and what I hope to be able to do. It is a humbling experience to go from being a guy who thinks he ought to run, to having a dozen or more people who have committed large parts of their lives to your effort. I am reminded of the great book on football and life, Instant Replay, by Jerry Kramer. He played for the Greenbay Packers and the book was about, if I remember correctly, the 1967 season. What I remember particularly from the book was when Kramer talked about the prayer football players would utter. It was not what you might expect: “Please let me win,” but rather was “Please don’t let me mess up.”

I understand that a bit more now, as I have people depending on me. Depending on me to fund raise, to motivate people, to make the right choices, to articulate a dream, to win. Lord, please don’t let me mess up!  But with that sense of responsibility comes also a sense of purpose, of mission. I don’t think there are any bad people running in this election, but there is quite a difference of opinion on what the government should be doing. The voters in CD-5 will certainly have a clear choice.

So, we begin. Or, we begin again, as I’ve been pretty busy the last few weeks. I’m focused on the campaign, and the people we need to reach, and the people already on board. Ultimately, this notion of “representation” is such an important responsibility, and we need to bring real change, real hope, and better futures to the folks not just here in Colorado, but around the nation. I’m excited about the chance to run, I’m humbled by the honor of leading, and I’m delighted to live in a country where it is possible to dream such remarkable dreams. Hope to see you all on the 2nd at the official announcement!

-Hal

Posted in Events, General Messages

The Blog’s the Thing

Welcome to the Hal Bidlack for Congress blog space. Very soon, Hal will post thoughts, ideas, and his vision for what a representative of the people ought to be doing. Please check back often, and feel free to leave your thoughts.

Posted in General Messages