I worked in the House for an incoming new member from the 2008 elections. I was shocked at how many of his “conservative” colleagues who I have known for years tried to talk him out of his anti-earmark pledge. I was treated as naive for believing that such a thing was a good idea. After all he had only won by 1500 votes. We were told we needed to flood the district with pork to build up his popularity. We didn’t of course, and he won his 2010 race with 60% of the vote. Glad to see the movement to abolish earmarks gaining some steam.
Excellent post/story!