The wife was invited by our state rep. to attend the Brandywine Region Republican Committee Dinner last night, and naturally I went with her! (Wife occasionally works with our state rep. in her job.) The event was at the Brandywine Country Club, and my obvious motive for wanting to attend was politics; however, I had worked at the club since I was 16, first at the old site on rt. 202 (Concord Pike), then for a few years at its present Shipley Rd. location (before I eventually exited to go get the love of my life in Costa Rica!). Quite a few of the folks with whom I worked are still there, and it was like "old home" week when I snuck back into the kitchen to chat!
Delaware House Majority Leader Wayne Smith (on whose campaigns I have worked) was there, as was Delaware's lone US representative, Mike Castle. But the keynote speaker was PA's 7th District Congressman Curt Weldon.
Weldon has been outspoken on "Able Danger," and he touched on that in his speech. However, what I found more impressive was learning about Weldon's beginnings and background. He's the youngest of nine children. His parents never made it past a middle school-level education. He grew up in Marcus Hook, PA, which just about anyone in my general living area will refer to with derision (it's crowded with oil refineries). But Curt worked his way through college, and along the way acquired an impressive skill: he speaks and reads Russian. His tale of when he went to Russia after the tragic Beslan terrorist attack was truly touching.
Weldon has over 200 relatives in Delaware, and he lived and worked in DE while growing up. He knows all about our state. No wonder Mike Castle joked that he hopes Weldon never decides to return to live here -- else 'ol Mike will likely be out of a job!
Weldon would have talked longer, but he had to make an appearance on "Hannity and Colmes" at 9:15. He must have been late; his segment didn't air until 9:22. ;-)