How Many Angels Can Dance on a Pingree?
Last Thursday, Rachel Maddow presented a story on MSNBC about how the Trump administration enacted a range of draconian measures against the state of Maine -- and no other state in the country -- including the freezing of federal funding for education programs, and the Social Security Administration ending the “Enumeration at Birth” process, that lets new parents receive a Social Security card after their child's birth by simply checking a box on a form, but now must go in person to a Social Security office. These have been done, it is believed (and supported by uncovered internal documents) and retribution for Maine's Democratic governor Janet Mills disagreeing with Trump at an event for governors.
To discuss the administrations actions singling out Maine, Maddow had on as a guest Rep. Chellie Pingree, who represents one of two House districts from the state.
I always look for a reason to write about Chellie Pingree, and this is a really good one. So, here is an article I wrote about her on the Huffington Post almost twenty years ago that I think helps explain why I like writing about her when I can. Plus an addendum afterwards.
Paradise Found! An Actual Good Person in Government
June 15, 2006
People have been cynical about politicians since the Roman Empire. (“O, that Marcus Aurelius. He too hath a lean and hungry look.”) It’s just that these days – between Bill Frist diagnosing brain-dead strangers via television, the Vice-President shooting someone without investigation, and the White House outing a covert agent for spite – Republicans have turned cynicism into an art form.
However, it’s important to remind oneself that there actually are incredibly good people in government service. I don’t mean “people I agree with.” I mean, simply, good people. Kind, decent, thoughtful. While banging my head against the wall, weary of yet one more outrage (I think it was conservatives comparing Al Gore to Hitler), I was saved a concussion when I thought of Chellie Pingree.
It’s good to always recognize that the Chellie Pingree’s of the world exist. It brings comfort.
I was covering the 2000 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles. In fairness, “covering” is too grandiose. I was covering it like one snowflake covers the Alps. I was dong a single article for the Writers Guild of America magazine.
A delegate from Maine named Chellie Pingree saw my press badge. Mentioning that I’d worked briefly in Maine and loved it, that’s what we talked about. Politics didn’t enter into the conversation.
This was the National Democratic Convention. If two mimes met, politics would have entered into the conversation. But we talked about Moody’s Diner, Campobello Island and wild blueberries. She just wanted to chat.
But after 15 minutes, I didn’t even know what this Pingree person did. She was about to floor me.
“Oh, I’m a delegate from my local area,” she said, and left it at that. So, I had to drag out more. How’d you get to be a delegate? “Oh, I’m in politics.” Well, okay, what do you do in politics? (By this point, I figured she’s a poll watcher in Waldoboro.) “I’m the State Senate Majority Leader.”
Okay, here’s the thing: that’s not what amazed me. It’s that I still had to do yet more questioning to find that she was running for the United States Senate in 2002.
Again, remember, this was the Democratic Convention. Candidates will trample little children to reach someone with a press badge – but it had to be dragged out of her that she was running for the U.S. Senate There was enough politics there; she just wanted to chat.
But even that isn’t what impressed me most about Chellie Pingree. It was a small matter later – small, as in, “bizarrely insignificant.” But its very insignificance is what speaks volumes.
Over the next year, we exchanged periodic emails. That she took the time during her exhaustive Senate campaign was notable enough. We discussed politics, and chatted frivolities. Once, I even mentioned buying a University of Maine baseball cap while there, but bemoaned losing it. She kindly commiserated.
Many months later, she came to Los Angeles for a fund-raiser. Noticing her get off the hotel elevator, I wandered over to re-introduce myself. But before I could say a word, she greeted me with a big hello, and said, “Wait, I have something for you.” At that, she reached into her bag, and pulled out…a University of Maine baseball cap.
I didn’t live in Maine, I couldn’t vote for her. I wouldn’t be writing about her. We’d met one time. And yet she listened, tracked down a cap, remembered to pack it, remembered to bring it downstairs, and the first thing she did at her fundraising event – for the United States Senate – was deliver it.
This was an insignificant act, make no mistake. But the ability to notice small things and be thoughtful about them – even at the times of greatest stress – is what speaks to a person’s character.
I wish the story had a perfect ending. Unfortunately, she got caught in the Republican mid-term steamroller after 9/11. She came close in her race, but lost to Susan Collins.
But at least the story has a good ending. Because of Chellie Pingree’s reputation for decency and ability, she was approached to be President and CEO of Common Cause, positions which she holds today, working for the public good.
I’ve avoided mentioning the issues Chellie Pingree has worked for, because issues color our perception of a person. But basic decency, that’s core.
I have no idea if Chellie Pingree will run for political office again. Or be appointed to some post. Or continue with Common Cause, or elsewhere. But as I look at the mean-spirited, divisive political landscape today and cringe, I only know that whatever she does, we all are served best when people like Chellie Pingree are part of the process.
As I said, I wrote that in 2006. And since she is now a member of Congress, clearly my uncertainty of whether Chellie Pingree would run for office again was answered.
When one of the state's congressman ran for the Senate (a race he ultimately didn’t win), it left his First District seat open. And Pingree entered the highly-contested primary.
As I wrote in a subsequent article in 2008, "One of the great difficulties of politics, though, is to attempt a second act. Most people – wisely – don’t even try. No matter your credentials, lose once, and it’s 'thanks for trying before, but…next!'"
But Chellie Pingree's story had a happy ending, and she was not only elected to the United States House of Representatives, but she won by 15 points. And has been in Congress ever since. And we’re all better for it.
I noted in that follow-up article that Pingree was one of the earliest, most ardent voices against the Iraq War and ending America’s involvement there. "She not only remains an outspoken proponent of health care reform, but helped pass Maine’s law to negotiate for lower prescription drug costs. She doesn’t just speak for renewable energy as a popular issue of the day – her college degree is in human ecology. She has long-pushed for campaign finance reform, ethics reform and far more."
Though we traded emails a couple of times in the intervening years, and not for a long while, I've only crossed paths with Chellie Pingree once since writing all this, but that's okay. I don’t live in Maine. I’m not represented by her. I reside 3,000 miles away on the opposite side of the continent. But I’m just fine knowing that the country I live in is represented by her.
That sole instance was nonetheless a good one, despite an amusing-ish hiccup. It came when, as a fairly-new member of Congress, she came to Los Angeles for a fund-raising lunch. I was invited to it, but also to be at her table. Just as everyone was sitting down, a late-arrival showed up -- Rep. Maxine Waters. Between the two of us, guess which one got bumped from the grown-up's table? I have held it against Maxine Waters ever since. (But I'm a gracious guy, and when I was at an event a couple of years ago where Waters spoke, I didn't boo her.) That aside, it worked out well since -- after the lunch, Pingree had to get to the airport, and I was the only one who volunteered to drive her. And so we had a very nice half-hour conversation. Which, when it comes to Chellie Pingree, is pretty much the standard starting point.
And so it was wonderful to see her on Rachel Maddow's show the other day. Because hers is a voice that speaks with honor, kindness and fairness as its hallmark.
Oh, and I still have the cap.
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