[nhwingut]

Jonathan Allen

In January, I went to work for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat whom I had admired as a reporter and whom I continue to hold in high regard.

I thought then I was making a permanent career change. In those first days after taking the job, I tried hard to show — after years of staying scrupulously on the sidelines and keeping my views to myself — that I could be a loyal Democrat. I made some effusive comments in an interview. My wife and I made a small contribution to the reelection campaign of Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.). I was excited to be allowed to root for someone — anyone — other than the Washington Nationals.

But it didn’t take long for me to figure out that partisan politics wasn’t the right fit for me. I’m not a rah-rah guy. I like to point out inconsistencies. Like the annoying kid in fourth grade, I want to share all the information I have all the time. I hate going to meetings — particularly if I have to stand inside the doors.

From the outset, I felt like I was a reporter just masquerading as a political operative.

Now, as I leave my job at Wasserman Schultz’s political action committee to make the transition back to journalism at POLITICO, there will be some who wonder whether I am a political operative just masquerading as a reporter.

It’s a fair question for the Republicans who may now view me with a skeptical eye, for the 300-plus congressional Democrats for whom I did not work and, above all, for POLITICO’s readers.

Most reporters for straight-news organizations do not talk about their ideology or partisan preferences. After writing this, I intend to go back to that myself. But, in the midst of this admittedly unusual career twist, I should lay my cards on the table.

[gogeo]

Now, as I leave my job at Wasserman Schultz’s political action committee to make the transition back to journalism at POLITICO, there will be some who wonder whether I am a political operative just masquerading as a reporter...

JA, big guy, I don't know how to word this...fewer people will wonder than you might think.