There are two things I like in politicians: brutal honesty and class. There are two things I seem to never find in politicians: brutal honesty and class.

Karen Handel is the Secretary of State of Georgia, but (hopefully) will be our next Governor. Up until this week, I knew Karen to have a reputation of brutal honesty that is quite rare with politicians. There isn't that "politician / used car salesman" sheen that accompanies most of the politicians I have known and worked with through the years.

However it wasn't until this week that I realized not only is she refreshingly honest, but she is a real class act.

Karen came to the Wayne 60 event that we put on to celebrate Wayne Farr's 60th birthday and to raise money for the children at Murphy-Harpst children's home.

At the event we talked about Dan and Marilyn Quayle - I being from Indiana and can't spell and as Karen being Mrs. Quayle's Deputy Chief of Staff (which I didn't know). She was quick to defend the old boy and told me a little back story to the whole potato fiasco I had never heard.

But this past week I got a letter from her in the mail. Big deal. I know. I thought the same thing at first. Politicians send letters all the time. Or better put, politicians have their interns send letters all the time. But as I continued to read what I thought was a cursory letter penned by an intern and probably signed by one too, I got to the part where she mentioned the 30.59 miles I rode.

This wasn't announced at the event (I came in WAYYYYY behind everyone). This meant that she - or admittedly someone on her staff - read the blog I did on the event showing the picture of my speedometer and my comment about making it 30.59 miles.

So even if an intern did write said letter, I still will keep it along with the letter President Ford wrote to our family after my Grandfather died, as an example of true class from a politician.

As I think more and more seriously about entering politics everyday, I am grateful for someone like Karen showing how one can truly be brutally honest and class-filled and still thrive.

Thanks Karen!




For those curious, here is the letter Gerald Ford wrote my Grandmother when my Grandfather died. President Ford and my Grandfather were football buddies at the University of Michigan and would stay with my Grandfather when he'd come to Fort Wayne (before he was President).