Thursday, January 22, 2009

WWDD?

According to our parliamentarian brethren across the pond, the word, “Whip” is a hunting term from the 18th century, referring to the hunter’s assistant tasked with rounding up the stray hunting dogs...

Blah, blah, blah. All I know is, here in America, when a problem comes along, we ask ourselves, “WWDD (What Would Devo Do)?” The answer: You Must Whip It.

These days, this task falls to a few newly elected members of the state House Democratic Caucus who must round up our stray colleagues when it’s time to vote. And with so many goings-on here under the dome, that task can sometimes be more difficult than it seems.

The HDC yesterday elected three new Assistant Majority Whips; Reps. Reuven Carlyle, Scott White, and Fred Finn. They’ll play a vital role working with Democratic leadership to organize and coordinate caucus members on the House Floor, ultimately passing an agenda that reflects our philosophy of One Washington.

Here are Reps. Carlyle, Finn, and White on their new leadership role:

Rep. Reuven Carlyle:
“I’m deeply honored to have been asked by leadership and elected by my peers to join the team and work to actively push bold legislation as we tackle the real deal issues facing our state. As we strive to breathe new life into our public service at the state and national levels, I hope this position helps me to play a modest role here in the House to move forward with a 21st Century agenda.”
Rep. Fred Finn:
“It’s an honor to be elected Assistant Majority Whip for the House of Representatives this session. We have a great deal of work to do in the state capital this year, and I look forward to helping keep my colleagues moving in a productive direction.”
Rep. Scott White:
"It is a great honor to be selected by my Democratic colleagues to serve as Assistant Whip. We will face many difficult challenges this legislative session and I am committed to working with Representatives from throughout our great state to find solutions."
And we in the HDC are honored that they will now whip it into shape. Shape it up. Get straight. Go Forward. Move ahead...

Apture