jean_schmidt_government_printing_officeNo, seriously.  Around Anderson readers know I’ve taken my jabs at Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-2nd district).  As often happens when I shoot off my mouth (or my keyboard) before knowing all the facts, I’m feeling kind of bad about that.  That’s because Rep. Schmidt surprised me and my family with a warm, personal gesture that shakes my entire political ideology.  We all know that Republicans are devils with no redeeming social value, right?  I might have to rethink that.  My head is spinning!

It all started with a pool.  Around Anderson readers know that we recently bought an Alligator Pool from Kmart.  The whole saga of Emma Rose and the pool became a small global sensation, with reports on Consumerist.com, numerous other blogs and the Toronto Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper.  Overall, the story has been viewed at least 70,000 times online and I’ve received comments from as far away as Brazil.

A few days after the frenzy died down, we received an envelope in the mail addressed to Emma Rose:

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“What do you think Jean Schmidt is sending to Emma?”, my wife asked.  ”Probably some campaign ads,” I replied cynically.  When we opened it, we found campaign materials alright - a personal campaign by Rep. Schmidt to do something nice for a little girl.  Here’s the handwritten note:

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And the article.  The picture is blurry from my own tears of regret:

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I’ve been around politicians for more than twenty years.  Some are sincere, many are motivated by power, ego and money.  Jean Schmidt has a big heart and did more to change my ideas about politics than a thousand screaming pundits on FOX News or MSNBC.  If she cares enough to take the time to send this package, maybe she legitimately cares about the people around Anderson and around the world.  A Republican.  Has my vote.  Never would have dreamt it.  Thanks Jean!