Embarrassing, LONG Memo on How to Chauffeur a Congressman Leaked

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It is often referred to at the “People’s House” but that doesn’t mean those elected to it think they should have to be treated like the commoners they represent.

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Especially Indiana Republican Todd Rokita.

The latest addition to the list: Rep. Todd Rokita, an Indiana Republican running in one of next year’s most competitive Senate races.

Who knew it could take eight pages of instructions on how to properly escort a member of Congress around his district? Yet there it is, laid out in mind-blowing detail, in a memo obtained by POLITICO that’s sure to make any young, eager-beaver political aide shudder.

Tasks listed in the document, entitled “Instructions on Staffing and Driving — District Version,” include handing Rokita a cup of black coffee upon picking him up at his home, acting as a physical barrier between him and trackers looking to capture embarrassing footage of the congressman, and “avoid[ing] sudden acceleration or braking” while driving.

One of Rokita’s flacks tried to write this off a simply being “prepared,” but that would only seem normal to Beltway people.

What stands out with this story is just how insulated the people on Capitol Hill are. The approval ratings for Congress are in the teens right now (and have been very low for years), but the almost universally loathed representatives move through life blissfully unaware.

More from Politico:

“Make sure you pull the car far enough forward that exhaust fumes won’t get in the garage,” the memo adds.

Only when a lengthy checklist of must-have items is completed should drivers email Rokita, who needs a 10-minute heads-up, to alert him that they’re there and ready to go.

Rokita should be informed of any turns and sudden stops while driving, according to the manual. The less talking, the better, it says: “He often uses the travel time to make phone calls, catch up on email, read and prepare for the day’s meetings and events. Please do not interrupt his prep time with unnecessary conversation.”

Staffing Rokita’s events seems to be a task made for Superman. Drivers are expected to collect contact information from “as many people as possible” and ensure the information is “quickly entered in to the relevant databases.”

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What, no foot massage? Are we barbarians?

Apparently, Rep. Rokita is unfamiliar with what the word “sudden” means if he thinks he can be given a warning before a sudden stop.  And who wants to be represented by a guy who needs to be told a car is turning?

Washington truly is Hollywood for ugly people, with so many of the egos there having almost no accomplishments to justify them.

So many who are sent to Congress now act as if the voters work for them, and not the other way around. That’s been true for both parties for a long time now.

Of course, it’s up to the voters to change that, but that’s an entirely different post.

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