Q: What kind of work are you doing?
A: I am the press intern in the office of Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA). Much of the time, I accompany the Senator to different press conferences and conference calls. At these events, I take notes on the questions being asked and the answers given by the Senator. When back at my desk, I type of advisories (press releases) to be sent to Iowa Newspapers. In addition, I help plan/write/tape Senator Grassley’s weekly Webcast, which can be found on his website. Also, I help in scheduling certain conference calls with the Senator. My other duty involves working with constituents (Iowans who come visit
Washington). I meet/greet these constituents and get some information from them before they meet the Senator. When I have downtime, I get to sit in the gallery of the Senate and listen to Senators speak on the Senate Floor.
Q: What important people have you met so far?
A: Well, obviously I have met Senator Grassley, and am around him quite often. Also, I have met many important “Hill” staffers who help run the United States Congress. However, every day I see many powerful and important people—mostly Senators such as Ted Kennedy (Mass.), Orin Hatch (Utah), Tom Harkin (Iowa), Max Baucus (Montana), Chuck Schumer (NY), Joe Lieberman (Connecticut), Russ Feingold (Wisconsin), John Kyl (AZ), Debbie Stabenow (MI), John Thune (SD), Ben Nelson & Chuck Hagel (NE), Robert Byrd (WV), and many more. I have yet to see Barack Obama even though his office is in the same building as mine. Since he is running for president, he isn’t around often. Last week 60 minutes interviewed Senator Grassley so Leslie Stahl came to our office. Also, I’ve seen many Secretaries in the Capitol hearing rooms, and I saw Bill Mahr a few weeks ago. Every day, I see someone famous. It is pretty cool. Plus, I went to a Wizards-Pistons game two weeks ago and sat courtside, so I got to see my boy Agent-Zero Gilbert Arenas, not to mention Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, and ‘Sheed Wallace.
Q: Have you ever met someone with different views?
A: Of course. Many times, throughout my life, I have been in political discussions with others. I believe that hearing other people out is beneficial, because you might learn something, or your opinion might be swayed in a new direction. However, in most of my past debates, I have set the other person straight. However, I will say that in just being out here a little more than a month, I have learned so very much; just being around Senator Grassley has allowed to take so much information in. He has been in the Senate since 1980, and was in the House before that.
Q: Where do you work?
A: Senator Grassley’s office is located at 135 Hart Senate Building (first floor). There are three Senate buildings—Hart, Dirkson, and Russell. All 100 Senators are housed in these three buildings. However, much of my time is spent in the Capitol, which is about a mile walk from my building, so I get to ride the underground train from the Hart building to the Capitol. It is pretty cool, and I often get to sit next to Senators on the way there.
Q: Do you like it, and do you think you will stay?
A: I really do like working out here for the Senator. However, I do really miss teaching and interacting with students such as yourself. The Senator mentioned to me the other day that, “often, good interns get jobs in the office”. So you never know. But, I am in the process of applying at some school districts in
Iowa, to keep my options open. I will probably teach for a few years and then run for the Iowa State Legislature, so you better vote for me.
City life is pretty fun and exciting. I don’t have a car out here, and so I take the Metro to and from work every day. I live in
Silver Spring, Maryland (which is about 4 miles north of the Capitol). So, my commute is quite short.
And now that I live in
Maryland, my favorite quote from Wedding Crashers is,
“Crab cakes and football: that’s what
Maryland does!”
Q: Who do you think will win the next presidential election?
A: Right now, I cannot see a Republican candidate winning the presidency. As you know, the Republicans were dominated on a national level in the November ’06 elections. Much of this loss was due to our failures in
Iraq, President Bush’s poor rating, and Republican scandals (Mark Foley). Also, the Republicans don’t have an extremely strong candidate right now. Their front-runner is Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City. Meanwhile, the Democrats have three very strong candidates in Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. Right now, the Democrats’ candidates are much more appealing to the public. But, it is still very early, and the elections aren’t for a year and a half yet. But, like I mentioned, right now I don’t see a Republican in the White House in January of ’09.
So there it is from Mr. Poldberg himself. Sounds like he is very busy.
Jeff Hastert
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